It may have an unusual shape, but this battery-powered Bluetooth speaker from Denmark pumps out 80W … [+]
Many companies are paying attention to the environment and sustainability to improve their ESG performance, but how many are talking? One part of the world seems always close to nature and absorbs many environmental lessons and that place is Scandinavia.
The Scandi approach to design, manufacturing and life is one of the reasons for the huge global success of great brands such as Ikea, Bang & Olufsen and Volvo. These companies exemplify the Scandinavian way of life, featuring cool design, smart manufacturing and, above all, simplicity. As someone once said, “Keep it simple, you fool!”
The Enkle Sound ES2 is a Bluetooth speaker designed in Denmark that aims to make listening to music as easy as possible. The eco-friendly ES2 delivers clean highs and stunning bass, along with a clear midrange.
It is unusual and comes in black, grey, white or green as shown here. Battery fully charged … [+]
The secret to the ES2’s clarity lies in its acoustic design. Enkl has used a dedicated bass driver with a reflex port to create some growling low frequencies. There’s also a mid-treble driver for everything else. The speaker drivers are powered by two digital amplifiers with 60W for the bass and 20W reserved for the mid-high frequencies.
With a combined 80W of powerful sound, all housed in a sturdy housing made from recyclable plastic, this is a powerful portable speaker. The case is molded in two parts and sealed with Torx screws, so there is no rattling or distortion, even at higher volume levels. The speaker is IP65 rated for splash and rain resistance, but due to the open bass reflex port, don’t throw it in the swimming pool as it will sink.
Designed by Enkl Sound, in Copenhagen, the ES2 reflects the spirit of its inventors. The Danish word Enkl literally means “simple” and this is the guiding principle for its design and manufacture. The ES2 is powered by a massive rechargeable battery that can provide around 20 hours of play time at full volume. At lower volume levels it will play significantly longer, possibly up to 80 hours. At medium volume you can expect 36 hours. Having such a large battery means less frequent charging, which should extend battery life.
On the back of the ES2 are four simple buttons to control the speaker.
Fully charging the ES2’s battery takes about two hours using a 5V PD fast charger via the USB-C charging port. You can still play music while the battery is charging. To reduce environmental impact, the ES2 does not come with a charger, but you can use almost any 5V USB PD charger you have at home. The one for your phone will probably work fine.
The battery is integrated into the ES2, and Enkl Sound says it’s possible to replace it yourself if you know how to handle a screwdriver. It is also possible that a battery replacement scheme will be offered in the future. There is a 2 year product warranty which includes the battery.
The speaker controls are located on the back and are as simple as you can get. There are four buttons: a power button, two volume buttons, and a button to show how much charge is left in the battery. Press the battery button and nine blue LEDs on the back of the speaker will light up to show how much charge is left on board.
This is the total of the checks. There are no play, pause or skip controls, and no dedicated remote control. To control the music, you can download the free smartphone apps for iOS or Android and use your phone as a remote. The app is pretty basic, but it offers firmware updates and an EQ function, so you can shape the tone of the music if you want more highs or lows.
The Enkl ES2 is available in four colors: green, white, black and gray.
The sound from this solid little triangle of sound quality is extremely solid. It provides simple audio with great tone and plenty of bass. There’s support for SBC or AAC Bluetooth codecs, depending on the smartphone or tablet you’re using to stream your music. It probably doesn’t make much sense for this kind of speaker to have high-definition codecs like LDAC or aptX HD, since this is an outdoor and portable speaker, not a high-end product for audiophiles.
This is a muscular sounding speaker that can turn up the volume and get the party rocking. It also has a 3.5mm stereo AUX input for connecting a radio or perhaps a CD Walkman. This is a good option, especially in situations where you don’t have an Internet connection to stream music, but you may have an FM radio with headphones or an AUX output handy.
For those who want even louder sound or a wide stereo soundstage, the ES2 can be easily paired with a second device using TWS. Then you have a stereo connection in perfect sync that’s perfect for parties. And with a total of 160W from two speakers, the Enkl ES2 has more muscle than many disco or PA rigs.
Take your Enkl ES2 with you next time you go out.
The ES2 rotating cabinet has a built-in handle, making it easy to carry around the house or take out into the garden. At just 2.9kg, the ES2 is light enough to carry around the house, but I’d like to see some strap attachment points to make it easier to carry to a picnic or camping spot, leaving your hands free free brings something else.
One feature I’d like to see on this speaker is a USB data input, so you can connect the ES2 to a computer or smartphone and play higher-resolution audio directly. I’m not sure how difficult this would be to implement, but it would make this speaker even more attractive and make a superb hi-res PC sound system.
Verdict: There’s a lot to love about the delightfully simple and industrially elegant Enkl Sound ES2 Bluetooth Speaker. Some people will complain that it doesn’t offer AirPlay, Chromecast or Hi-Res codecs, but ES2 is all about keeping things simple and uncomplicated. The sound quality is excellent for this type of speaker and has a solidity that never compromises. If I have one complaint, it’s the auto-off feature. Runs too fast when not streaming. I would like to see a setting included in the smartphone app to adjust this time as I think it currently shuts off after 10 minutes. Enkl Sound says this may be included in a future app update, so watch this space. That aside, it’s a sleek, rugged and eco-friendly Bluetooth speaker that’s easy to use and can play its heart out for far longer than most portable speakers. If you love cool Scandinavian design combined with solid acoustic engineering and build quality, the ES2 is a great investment for the garden, conservatory, caravan or summerhouse.
Prices and availability: The Enkl Sound ES2 portable Bluetooth speaker is now available in grey, white, black and green. The price is 2,399.20 Danish kroner, which is about $350 or £279 at the current exchange rate. Hopefully the company will sort out the local currency distribution soon.
More info: enklsound.com
Technical specifications:
- Maximum Sound Power Level (SPL): 103dB @ 1m.
- Drivers: Bass 60W, Mid-Treble 20W.
- Nominal Impedance: Bass 4 ±15%; High frequencies 8 Ohm ±15%.
- Body principle: Bass reflex.
- THD: <0.1% at 1W.
- SNR: >108dB.
- Battery: Built-in, rechargeable Li-ion 27.7Wh.
- USB-C charging: 5V/PD/QC.
- Fast charging with 2 hours full charge.
- Full charge: >24 hours playback.
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 277 x 238 x 134 mm / 23 x 20 x 12 inches.
- Weight: 2.9 kg / 6.4 lb.
- Audio input: 3.5 mm Line In and BT 5.3.
- Supported protocols: A2DP, AVRCP, AVDTP, HFP, HSP.
- Audio codecs: SBC, AAC.
