First Impressions
The very first thing I seen once I unboxed the Tronsmart Journey 2 was how strong it feels. It’s not heavy at 0.341kg/0.752lbs, however there’s a sure confidence to its construct (dimension: 180x80x41mm/7.09×3.15×1.61inch) —prefer it’s meant to be tossed in a backpack and survive it. The woven cloth end feels each sturdy and classy, and the built-in strap (extra of a deal with, actually) is surprisingly sensible. I clipped it onto my bike one morning, probably not anticipating a lot. By the point I bought to the park, I used to be impressed that it hadn’t bounced off as soon as.
It’s additionally value noting the IPX7 waterproof score. I didn’t dunk it in water on function, however a winter storm caught me off guard one night. The Journey 2 bought moist—actually moist—and saved enjoying as if nothing occurred. That’s a aid, particularly for one thing meant for “outside adventures.”
Sound High quality: The Actual Shock
In the event you’ve used moveable audio system earlier than, you already know what to anticipate: respectable mids, shy lows, and sometimes sharp highs. The Tronsmart Journey 2 adjustments that steadiness. Due to its 42mm full-range driver and twin passive radiators, it delivers bass that’s genuinely noticeable. Not earth-shaking, clearly—it’s nonetheless a small speaker—however full and satisfying.
I attempted switching between genres: rock, lo-fi, podcasts. With acoustic tracks, vocals are crisp and shut. Podcasts sound pure, with out that hole echo many small audio system endure from. If I needed to nitpick, I’d say that at full quantity the highs can get a bit edgy. It’s not distortion, precisely, only a sure brightness that feels barely uncontrolled. However for a 10W driver, it’s spectacular.
Battery Life: It Actually Lasts
Tronsmart advertises 20 hours of playtime, and I used to be skeptical. Most audio system exaggerate. So I examined it the old school means: began playback within the morning at round 60% quantity and let it run whereas I labored, cooked, and lounged. It lasted by the day—and many of the subsequent morning—earlier than it gave me the low battery chime.
Charging through USB-C takes roughly 3 to three.5 hours, which is truthful. I recognize that it prices by customary 5V/1A enter; no particular cables or adapters wanted. It additionally holds standby cost for days, so if you happen to go away it in your bag, you received’t discover it useless subsequent weekend.
Bluetooth Connection and Usability
One factor I’ve realized to understand is Bluetooth stability, and right here, the Bluetooth 5.3 connection shines. Pairing is rapid, and I had no drops even strolling 10–12 meters away. Tronsmart claims as much as 15 meters (49 toes) of vary, and in an open space, that’s real looking.
One other small however helpful function: hands-free calls. The built-in mic isn’t excellent, however for brief calls or voice instructions, it really works advantageous. I used it as soon as throughout a yard barbecue to reply a name, and my pal might hear me with out shouting. The speaker additionally helps voice assistants, so you may summon Google Assistant or Siri with a fast press. It’s not one thing I exploit every day, but it surely’s good that it’s there.
App and Sound Customization
That is the place Tronsmart has began to distinguish itself. By way of the Tronsmart App, you may fine-tune the EQ—one thing you hardly ever get on this worth vary. I tinkered with it for some time. The presets are respectable, however the customized possibility helps you to push mids and highs precisely how you want them. Personally, I discovered the “Deep Bass” preset greatest for outside listening. Indoors, “Balanced” works higher.
One other delicate perk: the app updates firmware. It’s not a significant function, but it surely’s good to know the corporate continues to enhance its gadgets post-launch. That provides me extra confidence than a one-and-done speaker model that disappears after six months.
Portability and On a regular basis Use
That is the form of speaker that doesn’t demand consideration however finally ends up being a part of your every day setup. It’s sufficiently small to hold in all places (concerning the dimension of an influence financial institution), mild sufficient to hold from a bag, and sturdy sufficient to deal with bumps. I’ve used it whereas cooking, showering, and climbing. The rubberized ends preserve it secure on surfaces, and it by no means vibrated or moved even throughout bass-heavy songs.
One factor I’d prefer to see improved? Perhaps a small LED indicator that’s extra seen in daylight. The present one blends with the design, which appears to be like good however makes it exhausting to inform battery standing shortly.
The Competitors Issue
That stated, it’s not the right all-rounder. There’s no stereo pairing possibility (not less than, not but), and there’s no built-in playback controls for skipping tracks backward. Nonetheless, these are small complaints for what you get.
Actual-World Ideas
Perhaps one of the best ways to explain it’s this: the Tronsmart Journey 2 is a kind of devices that quietly earns your belief. It doesn’t wow you on day one, however every week later, you notice you’ve been reaching for it each time. There’s one thing trustworthy about that. It’s the speaker I seize once I go to the seashore, or when buddies come over and I simply need background music that doesn’t sound tinny.
The battery, the construct, the sound—all of them come collectively in a means that feels deliberate, not unintentional. You possibly can inform Tronsmart has refined its strategy through the years. Maybe the Journey 2 isn’t revolutionary, but it surely’s reliable, and in a market stuffed with gimmicks, that counts for one thing.
Verdict: Ought to You Purchase It?
I feel it’s truthful to name it among the finest sub-€40 outside audio system I’ve examined this yr. It received’t shake the bottom, but it surely’ll fill your moments—picnics, bike rides, or lazy Sundays—with sound that feels alive. And actually, that’s what issues.
Professionals
- Robust, punchy sound for its dimension
- 20-hour battery life really holds up
- IPX7 waterproof and rugged construct
- Bluetooth 5.3 with secure connection
- Useful strap and moveable design
- Customized EQ through app
Cons
- Barely brilliant at max quantity
- No stereo pairing
- LED indicators are exhausting to see in daylight
