Review: Altec Lansing inMotion Soundblade

Well, it finally arrived! The Soundblade (MRSP is $129.95, but I found it for $69.99/free shipping) is a 2.0 speaker system with integrated bluetooth (A2DP) and a microphone with play/pause and next/previous track controls.  It also has independent volume controls, separate from the device.  It is only an inch thick (hence the blade name), and uses six(!) AA batteries.  It has a convenient flip out stand that houses a 9V power input (adapter included) and a 3.5mm AUX in (patch cable also included).

On to the sound.  There is very little bass.  The mids are well controlled and the highs are well rounded.  At all volumes the Soundblade still reproduced all of the notes of Beethoven’s 7th symphony, while handling SOAD’s Chop Suey! with competence. It is also great for podcasts, voices sound clear and crisp.  But if you turn the volume up to high, the speakers can’t handle it and the music is clipped.  It’s on a song to song basis though, as some songs are able to go louder (around 24/30) while some songs max out at 17 before clipping (Soundblade is turned all the way up).  Tested with my Samsung P2.

Bottom Line: Pricy, but worth it for quality wire free listening.

4 out of 5