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Review: Lumsing Prophet $20 Bluetooth Speaker/phone rocks out with its dock out

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Although we’ve covered the gamut of portable Bluetooth speakers here at 9to5Mac, we typically recommend higher-end products like the Bose Soundlink Mini ($199), JBL Charge ($138) or Ultimate Ears Mini/Boom ($80/$179). It’s usually not worth cheaping out on Bluetooth speakers (unless you are looking for niche products like wearables) because the sound quality degrades heavily once you drop below the top tier. Lumsing-Prophet-review Sadly, today’s entrant into the Bluetooth speaker cage-match lot isn’t going to compete with any of the $100+speakers above. But I have to say, the Lumsing Prophet isn’t bad at all, especially if you aren’t listening to bass-heavy tracks. And, the freaky part is it only costs $20 bucks after coupon code PROPHET0 (expires 8/13) at Amazon which makes it an absolute steal… The Lumsing Prophet is a hockey-pucked shaped Bluetooth 2.1 speaker with a chamfered metal ring adorning the top that gives it a high quality look and feel.  The edges are a hard plastic and the bottom has 3 rubberized feet. On the back you’ve got on/off/micro-USB power in, AUX in and manual volume switch. On the front there is a spin out dock that can hold anything from smaller phones to the biggest tablets. It won’t charge them which is a bit of a hassle, but it is nice to have a stand, especially if you are using this as an alarm clock or speakerphone. Lumsing-Prphet-specs There is only one real button on the center of the Prophet and it works like you’d expect. Pairing your phone is easy (there is 1 button, jeez) but if you try to follow the instructions (they are poorly done) you might somehow get lost. Once paired you’ll hear a sound that seems to be coming from a much more expensive Bluetooth speaker. Especially in the highs and mids, the Lumsing delivers sound quality that matches top tier speakers with its dual 5W internal speakers. It is hard to think about what to compare it to but as an example, it sounds way better than the sound that comes out of a MacBook Pro or iMac.  The sound is enough to annoy someone upstairs (sorry to the wife). Lumsing prophet The included Bluetooth 2.1 EDR (as opposed to 3.0 or low power 4.0) is a setback and probably how Lumsing got this price so low. While I had no problem pairing, re-pairing or keeping paired, once I turned on the microphone to make a conference call, the speaker quality degraded to mono and very tinny. Once I switched back, everything was gravy again.

Conference calls still work well but not as good as the Logitech Mini Boom for instance. The 1500mAh battery life is excellent but I think Lumsing’s 15-hour claim is a bit of a stretch. Expect to get about 10 hours of normal play which is still extremely good in this case.  I cranked it for 5-6 hours before it died. It also has one touch NFC pairing for those of you out there with an Android phone or tablet.

Bottom line: If you don’t currently have a portable Bluetooth speaker for your phone or tablet you should get one.  If your budget is below $80, you should get this great looking, very good sounding Lumsing Prophet. You won’t be sorry. 

Lumsing Prophet: $20 bucks after coupon code PROPHET0 (expires 8/13) at Amazon  

Note: It actually is fluctuating in price, but if you don’t get $21.99, refresh a few times and it should change to $21.99. Then apply coupon to drop it to $19.99 at checkout.

9to5-image 2014-08-09 at 8.56.59 PM

Color Black
Weight 0.55 ib.
Size 4.72*4.72*1.25 inches
Transmission Distance ≤10M (depending upon operation environment and devices to which it connects)
Bluetooth Pairing Name Prophet
USB Recharge Voltage DC 5V/500mA
Built-in Battery Lithium battery 1500mAh
Output Power 5W×2
Frequency Response 90Hz-20KHz
Input Sensitivity 700mV±50mV
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) ≥76dB
The difference of sound release ≤10%
Size 4.72*4.72*1.25 inches<l*w*h>
Product Warranty One Full Year

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Comments

  1. alistairnzblog - 10 years ago

    Reblogged this on Welcome to alistairnzblog's Blog and commented:
    Creative stuff. Genius

  2. dvinder42 - 10 years ago

    hee hee

  3. thomasskyg - 10 years ago

    That is one fake iPhone

  4. matthewthecameraman - 10 years ago

    Amazon is listing for 24.99 and coupon code is only giving a $2 discount…am I missing something or did it change?

    • Seth Weintraub - 10 years ago

      So now they are doing a weird thing where you have to refresh the page a few times until it says $21.99 then buy and add the $2 Coupon code to drop it to $19.99

      • matthewthecameraman - 10 years ago

        Got it! I had ordered it at the higher price, but then saw the update so I canceled and reordered! Kind of a hassle, but if it is as good as you say then it is worth it! Thanks for the great review!!

  5. Thanasi Kalavritinos - 10 years ago

    Love the title :D

  6. gilles1990 - 10 years ago

    Is there any way to order it in europe?

  7. Gilles Geerts - 10 years ago

    Is there any way to order it in europe?

  8. the swiveling dock is a great great touch

  9. jxslepton - 10 years ago

    Currently out of stock…!!!!

  10. Boo. It’s up at $29.99 now that the cat’s out of the bag. Greedy.

  11. The coupon code isn’t working anymore? Supposed to be good until 8/13!

  12. dadoo (@kwakagy) - 10 years ago

    Ordered, received and now returning. Perhaps my unit is defective, but even if this were $20 less (i.e., free), this speaker would be too expensive. Intolerable buzzing and distortion even at low volume levels regardless of source.

Author

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Seth Weintraub

Publisher and Editorial Director of the 9to5/Electrek sites.


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