Audio Source DB5 Portable Powered Speaker System Reviews

• 5 stars as described

  
  By ASSYZSM1U4XLP on 2007-04-10
  I got these because my old IBM ThinkPad laptop has "speakers" that can't really be heard unless you're hovering right over them, and I'm not a headphone fan (besides, there's nobody to disturb), and the quality of those built in speakers is worse than tinny. When I listen to streaming video from certain web sites, I want to park the laptop away from me and do something else. Hence the search for external but portable speakers.
  
  These do indeed come in a neat storage box that everything fits into without you being a puzzle master. Hookup is a no-brainer, and for the size, the sound is amazing. I even tried them with a classical music CD, and they are fine. The "3D" feature makes them sound like much bigger speakers.
  
  The supplied USB power cable is nice, with an attached protective cap for the USB end.
  
  The controls are simple and having it wake up with low volume is good design.
  
  They're exactly as described in the specs and the preceding reviews. All I could offer is a wish list: The storage box is not something you'd carry around, so I'll probably manufacture a simple carrying bag. If you were going to use it with a portable player, you wouldn't even need to pack the input extension & power cables, just the little dog-bone shaped device itself with the short input cable tucked neatly inside.
  
  The speaker part does tend to drop kerclunk! on the base when you unfold it until you know it's going to do that. I also noted that if you don't have the little inplut cable carefully tucked into the base, the speaker part leaves a dent in the cable, which would be wearing after a while, and the input cable is hardwired into speaker case, so difficult to repair/replace.
  
  Also, I wish there were another power input cable besides the USB cable, so you wouldn't have to use batteries with devices like portable CD players.
  
  But I'm very pleased with this purchase.
  
  

• good sound and volume for the money

  
  By A2BITPBWM1VHC3 on 2007-04-16
  I agree with all the positive reviews of this product. I just got mine today, stuck all the batteries in it, hooked it up to my CD Walkman, and cranked it. It didn't seem to be too loud, until I cranked the volume on the Walkman. :) THEN it got loud! The sound quality isn't as good as, say, a decent boombox, but it IS better than a comparably priced boombox, so it is good value for the money.
  
  The dimensions listed above are the shipping dimensions for the box the speakers come in (a very nice box, too). The dimensions of the speaker unit itself (closed) is 6 in long, 2.75 in wide, and 1.75 in high. Opened up, The height is 3.75 in. Weight with batteries is just under a pound. So it's pretty small and light!
  
  One note - the manual says that it can take a DC power source, but it doesn't say what voltage. I called Audiosource and talked to Matt in tech support - he said that it would need a DC source of 6-8V (the more the better) and that you can get a converter at any electronics store.
  
  

• Impressive

  
  By A1Z763Y6ZLF5CZ on 2007-04-12
  Thought I would try these because all of the reviews were positive and the price was cheap enough to gamble. I have to admit the "unit" is smaller than I expected, but I actually think this is a bonus, as I bought them to basically be travel speakers. The packaging is great (over the top really, but I'm not complaining) and they(/it) came with a USB power cable. The 3.5mm plug is built in, short, but more than fine for any portable music player. Like the other reviewer, I bought from the cheaper vendor with cheaper shipping and I got them in 2 days (ordered 9th arrived 11th). Sound is clear and solid. I don't think it will wake the neighbors, but I think it will be plenty loud as music for a small gathering (campfire, hotel room, etc). I've just received them, so this is an initial review, but from what I see I think it was a great purchase and wouldn't be surprised to see more quality products from Audio Source in the future.
  
  

• Somebody's gotta break the 5 star trend

  
  By A2JAS2CYGSCRGV on 2007-05-23
  Well, from the 14 other reviews giving this product 5 stars, I thought I found a pair of speakers that were better and cheaper than the competition, especially with them boasting a 60 Hz to 33 kHz frequency response(the frequency response claimed in the owners manual is 100 Hz thru 20 kHz). In reality, these speakers are cheap, I will not oppose that argument. But the fact of the matter is that once they are turned up beyond the listening volume of normal laptop speakers, the distortion is REALLY bad. Songs with more bass than a normal alternative rock song were distorted so badly I could not hear the lyrics behind the bass, just a mess of jarbled notes. For the money, they will suffice for soft music in the office, but if you want to hear the music outside of the room you are in, get a pair of JBL OnTour Portable Music Box or Virgin VS0200 Boomtube Portable Speakers.
  
  

• The little speaker system that could!

  
  By APDVQ91K5J5LC on 2007-08-15
  WOW! I've hardly ever taken the time to write a review for anything but I feel I've been so fortunate to come across these that I felt compelled to share my good luck. I did a lot of research and read a lot of reviews and I was a little doubtful that these speakers would live up to the hype of this review forum - but HUP AH! WHAT A FIND! These speakers have a truly great sound that would please all but the most fanatical audiophiles (keeping in mind that they are small, portable speakers). They have a full rich sound and definately provide a good bass. Some have complained of varying degrees of distortion at high volumes, but during my testing, I found that when I cranked these babies at full blast, all I had to do was play a bit with the equalizer for different songs to control the levels and that would take care of any distortion...and really, how often are you planning to blast your speakers at full volume anyway? (I mean, at full volume you can hear it clear across into the next room. Now, I'll address the specific pros and cons:
  PROS:
  -Completely Plug and Play
  -Volume control is located on the actual unit.(Unlike some other speakers)
  -Can be powered by a USB cable (which is included) Some other types do not allow for power to be provided through a USB cable.
  -The signal input plug is located and stored right in the unit.
  -Additional 3.5 audio plug extenion cord is included. (a definite bonus because the attached plug is really short)
  -Clam Shell design closes and protects the speakers and allows for convenient self-contained travel.
  -Has a 3D effect that actually makes a difference in fullness of sound and is not just a vanity button.
  -Due to its design, I am able to hook it over the top of my laptop and rest it above the screen. (Which is nice because it centralizes the source of the sound and gets it off the ground if I want.)
  CONS:
  -It's kinda bigger than I expected (thicker really) and a little heavy...just a hair smaller than a box of checks, but with a kidney bean shape. (The shape is actually a PRO though - it is aesthetically pleasing and actaully fits in the palm of the hand nicely.)
  -Doesn't come with an AC Adapter, although apparently it does allow for it to be powered by one.
  SO TO SUMMARIZE: Although it may be a little bit bigger than some of the other choices out there, I think it's a great trade off due to the sound it gives (both in quality and volume). And since I bought it to use primarily with my laptop, I love that it can be powered with a USB cord and don't really care that it doesn't come with a AC Adapter (which I can always get later). It can be run on 4 AA batteries which also adds to its ease of portability. So when you combine all of these reasons with the incredibly affordable price, this speaker system is really all that you could want!
  
  
• Looks great, sounds great
  By A2Z5APVI9CQ30W on 2007-08-11
  Keeping in mind that this is a portable speaker system, it's hard to find a flaw on it. It looks great, and it sounds great for a portable. It made our new Zen V Plus MP3 Player a moving audio player around the house. Perfect for showering, laundry time and what not. The 3D sound should always be one (who would ever turn it off?). Battery life is excellent. As some reviewer said before, you can place it in a corner of the room to make it sound like a larger system. Excellent buy.
  
  
• Great portable speakers for ipod shuffle
  By A1AH0OI4FYBJ8G on 2007-09-25
  I needed small portable speakers for an ipod shuffle so that when I'm exercising at home I wouldn't have to use the earbuds. These are absolutely perfect. Even the box they came in is fun! Great buy.
  
  
• Outstanding!
  By AJ5RDJD5PD5SL on 2007-09-28
  This one of the most impressive products I have purchased in a very long time. The sound quality is excellent, which is of greatest importance, but there were many other things about this little system that made me say, "Wow" out loud.
  
  The design of this unit is superb. The visual design is outstanding and the designer(s) didn't treat any detail as insignificant. A place for the connector cord is attractively built into the base, so you don't have to contend with a dangling cord. The USB connector has a cap that protects it from dirt and damage. Even the box it came in is impressive and worth keeping and using.
  
  The design of a product doesn't usually warrant attention or accolades, but the design of this product is in a class of its own.
  
  
• Nice but the specs are not quite as quoted
  By A4OXSQLCWYDFK on 2007-11-10
  I bought this DB-5 based on the reviews. The Unit is well build and compact. Good enough for travel and better than my laptop speakers. But beware that both and treble & base will not reach the amazon quote of 60hz - 33Khz. The max these speakers will reach are 100hz - 20Khz (-3db).
  
  And Power is not 7W (total)(3.5Watts/channel) but are 4W (total peak) (2 watts per channel into 6 ohms).
  
  Sound wise the base lacks clarity and distortion increases proportionally with volume. For the cost of the DB-5 one can't complain, but could I make my decision to buy a pair of speakers all over again, I would gladly pay a few extra bucks to get a clearer sound for both bass & treble.
  
  
  
• Decent sound, stopped working after two months
  By A1YXEYOWESHVLJ on 2008-02-02
  Surprisingly good sound from such small drivers, nothing earth shaking but better than the JBL On tour system, which while louder, have terrible sound.
  Sadly, these died on me after only two months of moderate use, never abused, just started spontaineously shutting off, volume dropping, then not working at all.
  
  Pity.
  
  Will continue to search for a reliable portable speaker set.
  
  
• These speakers are the best
  By A1VHKIY3HVQV1X on 2007-09-23
  I spent a while trying to find some decent portable speakers for my mp3 player. I bought these for only $25 including shipping! I listen to a lot of electronia music and needed something that had clear sound a a little bass. These speakers surpassed my expectations! I love them. They even came with a special storage box that inludes a neat little drawer on the bottom. I love the option of using batteries or the USB power cord. I've tried to see how long the batteries would last and still haven't been able to play it long enough at one time to use them up. I was using rechargable 1800 mah batteries. I took it to work and had the speakers playing for 8 hours straight. Just be careful to use the right voltage batteries, otherwise you might think it doesn't work. I wouldn't change anything about these speakers... they sound great and also look great. They're an awesome deal and I recomend you purchase them for any use.
  
  
• Great speakers for the price & a neat box
  By A2RP0FBPWNA835 on 2007-02-02
  I bought these for my niece for Christmas to go with her MP3 player. WOW what a great little set of speakers. I was pleasantly suprised at how good the quality is (considering the inexpensive price). The other cool thing is that the box that they came packaged in is a keeper - not your normal cheap cardboard box, this thing was sort of like a jewelry box (which is what my niece has turned it into) with a flip over top and a little drawer (for the extra connectors). I'm going to buy a set of these for my Mom's birthday and maybe even a set for my own birthday.
  
  
• Wow
  By AV624G630GQB on 2007-05-25
  I've been looking around a lot for a solution so I can listen to my iPod while taking a shower, etc. I saw this unit and it had everything I was looking for, including great reviews and an unbelievable price w.r.t. everything else that is out there. Got it today and fired it up... Wow. Plenty of volume, which was my biggest concern, and it even sounds good. The design is pretty nice too, the way if folds up into a small portable package. The option to power via USB is a nice touch. It even resets the volume to a low level after you have it off for awhile so you don't blow the speakers when you first turn it on, a really nice touch that makes me think somebody who actually cared about design had a hand in creating this product.
  
  Followup: I've been using this unit for about one hour per day now for a few months and am still very satisfied. I have not noticed that it goes through batteries at an unusually high rate, its power consumption seems perfectly normal. I've been using 2500 mAh NiMH batteries and they last a few weeks. Note that there is no discernible loss in volume when the batteries go low, the unit just cuts off, which can make you think that the problem is with the sound source, not the simple fact that the batteries are low.
  
  
• Good quality for the money.
  By A3B4GKV4C4MXTP on 2007-09-11
  The Audio Source DB5 speakers are a great little pair of speakers that have good sound quality and are easy to travel with. The only problem I had was getting the battery cover off. After ten minutes of trying I finally had to use a screw driver to get it open.
  
  
• Great design falls short.
  By A14VA0J01Z31AC on 2007-10-14
  Hi-end speakers normally have heavy magnets, so feeling the weight of these speakers made me hopeful. At low volumes the audio was ok and the 3D feature is interesting, but at mid to high volumes they just don't sound good.
  
  
• Powerful sound in a compact, well-designed package!
  By A3IWE873WNTAYQ on 2007-12-31
  I bought these speakers for use with my iPod when traveling, since earbuds get on my nerves when I'm in my own space. The unit design is sleek, when removed from the outside shipping package the self-contained speaker set is just slightly larger than a hard eyeglasses case. With the 4AA batteries installed, it weighs just *13 5/8 ounces* (less than product specs stated), a real advantage for someone like me who is always pushing the 50-lb luggage weight limits for domestic travel. The connector for iPod is cleverly tucked into the inside edge of the case as well, totally self-contained. Volume can be increased by using iPod controls and/or volume control on the speaker unit. My only small disappointment was there is no AC powercord included; there is a hookup to connect one but it is sold separately, which was unclear to me in the product description. Depending on battery life I may add one later. I received a HoMedics iPod speaker as a gift recently and between the two--this little Audio Source model actually has better sound (I'm a bass fan) and it's less than half the size. The unit also comes with two other audio cables, one with a USB port for hooking into your laptop if you choose to use it to augment computer speakers. HIGHLY recommend these speakers--I'm looking forward to travelling soon & testing out the battery life. Great value and super-smart design--well done, Audio Source !
  
  
• Perfect gift for teenager
  By A3JXPAZA9H0VGI on 2007-06-15
  I bought these speakers for my teenage son, who is always wearing his Ipod. He is enjoying the speakers. They produce great sound and are easy to use. They are also nice and compact. I chose this item due to the high rating among other purchasers, and I am so glad I did. I can't back-up my praise with technicalities. I just know that I have a happy teenager. How cool is that?
  
  
• The DB5 is just right
  By A3PU86W7T3ERQZ on 2007-07-14
  It came in a nice box; it folds up compact; flips up to play; and most importantly, it has very good sound. It's not as loud as your stereo, but definitely pumps out good, clean, crisp music. It's not muddy and the highs are good. The bass is impressive for 2" speakers. I got it to take on a cruise, and had the people 3 balconies down singing along to the Stones!
  
  
• Best bargain I've had in 10 years!
  By A80O24SZ0O57N on 2007-09-21
  I'm not the kind to leave a review, and I'm not a fan of Audio Source; however, I felt compelled to sing the praises of this little unit. It's the perfect travel speaker - a little larger than a glasses case, no wiring to pack, great sound, plenty of volume, a built in audio plug, and a self-contained case that protects the speakers during travel.
  
  If your looking for simplicity (business trips already require packing too much gear) this is for you. Just throw in in your luggage, plug into your mp3 player in the hotel room, and adjust the volume. I like being able to carry it into the lavatory while I'm showering, etc. in the morning, since it takes up so little space.
  
  At $25 - 27 (including shipping!) you cannot go wrong with this product.
  
  
• WOW!!!!!
  By AF1DAI1HPLJI4 on 2007-09-21
  I also never take the time to write reviews but this little baby is a keeper. I travel all over the world and this is by far the smallest portable speaker with the biggest sound. A must have for the audiophile who travels!!
  
  
• Great ! Transportable Mini Speakers
  By A37O1J6EHBW9FL on 2006-11-03
  These speakers were purchased as part of a birthday present for my son. We do minimalist camping excursions with the family to remote cabins in addition to overnight canoe trips. The speakers fit into the corner of a pack - batteries last a very decent amount of time - sound is clear and good volume for our purposes. These are NOT big boombox sound but great for a day at the beach or picnic etc. No regrets and would recommend for use with an MP3 player.
  
  
• Outstanding sound in a compact solid package!
  By A2HWYU7X35G0F5 on 2006-12-30
  This is a very good sounding, fairly high volume, compact, sturdy little portable sound system. I got it for my small 7 inch screen DVD player for the car. I'm not a fan of headphones, (constantly having to adjust volume levels while movies get quiet or loud, or trying to comunicate with your kids while they are wearing them), so this small battery operated powerful system is perfect. It comes with a USB cable also and beats the hell out of any tiny weak laptop speakers. You can't go wrong with this, and for under $30, its a no-brainer.
  
  
• It ROCKS
  By AAL22UOHMJ6EZ on 2007-03-01
  I am always skeptical about ordering electronics online. I am very picky about my music listening, so I like to test out all speakers before I buy them. I was even more skeptical about ordering these speakers because there were only 3 reviews, but it was worth every cent and then some. I tried a few other speakers with my mp3 player, and I was never satisfied. The Audio Source DB5 has excellent sound quality. It has great volume. I got these speakers so I could listen to my music in my room, but when I turn up the volume to rock out, my whole house benefits as well. They will definetly be replacing my regular cd player.
  
  
• Great Buy
  By A3BNP8Z3S0W8KB on 2007-07-16
  I purchased this speaker system to use with my MP3 player. I wanted something that would be easy to carry around and would fit in my purse if needed to, as well as something with really great sound. This audio speaker system more than meets my expectations. The quality of sound is great and the system is easy to operate. The storage box is bulky and something that you would not want to carry around, but that was easily solved with a small cosmetic bag. It now fits right in my purse or carry on case if traveling. I can use my speakers by the bedside, on the beach or anywhere you want music. It uses batteries but can be used with an AC adapter. I would recommend this product.
  
  
• Decent sound - bad design
  By A1JJ5QIJAQGLVQ on 2008-01-30
  After reading the many postive reviews, I was very disppointed at the design of the actual product. I had planned to use it mainly with rechargeable AA batteries, but the battery case cover is very flimsy and very difficult to remove. It was certain to either break or get lost before long, making the item unusable for batteries since they would fall out from gravity if the cover is not there. Also, I had problems getting the batteries to make good contact. It also looks to me like the connecting cable that you plug into your MP3 player is rather flimsy and could easily break off or short out - rendering the item useless.
  
  I finally wound up buying an AC adapter at Radio shack for $23. At least this makes the item usable at home. There was no point returning it since my vendor charges a 50 percent restocking fee.
  
  For travel use and portability, the Panasonic Folding Travel Speakers (RPSPT70) is much more practical and sturdy for about the same price. The sound of the Audio Source is perhaps a little better than the Panasonic, but it's not a huge difference.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Cheaper, crisper, easier
  By A12099703639TY on 2008-02-10
  I also own a Logitech mm28 which, despite it's compact form, does have decent bass. I enjoyed the Logitech, but when I needed to purchase another portable speaker I chose the AudioSource DB5 because:
  
  1. The Audiosource was much cheaper at the time (Logitech's price has moved from $15 > $98!)
  2. Audiosource does NOT turn off automatically after 5 minutes like the Logitech does, so I don't miss Skype calls.
  3. Audiosource is powered from the computer via USB, or via AA batteries (Logitech powers from an OUTLET or AA batteries). That's one less outlet to bother with, which is especially nice when overseas or just moving around a lot.
  4. Audiosource has volume control buttons wich Logitech lacks.
  
  The Audiosource's bass and maximum (distortionless) volume aren't as strong as the Logitech's (even after I amplify the bass), however the Audiosource's sound is crisper at lower volumes.
  
  The Audiosource is about 3/5 the size of the Logitech, but a bit thicker, and might be a tad heavier.
  
  If you need bigger bass, don't mind the auto-off function, don't need volume controls, and the price comes back down(!), go with the Logitech. Otherwise, the Audiosource is the better buy.
  
  
• Very nice speakers
  By A3SLF93JID4T4L on 2007-03-12
  I read all of reviews and bought the item prior to the March 5th posting. And, based on those reviews, agree these are very good speakers for the money. I bought these to use in my cube at work and they are perfect for that. These are personal speakers and are not meant to fill the house with sound. The packaging is beautiful, everything fits and works as intended, and I would recommend them to anyone, especially at the reduced price.
  
  
• Nifty!
  By A2Q7UT55A0WB8X on 2007-05-05
  This speaker set is just the coolest gadget! It is the perfect solution for listening to audiobooks on my MP3 player, or watching DVDs on my computer. As I am getting older, I need more volume--and this unit fills the bill. The speakers are cleverly and compactly designed, and the storage box was an unexpected delight--simple and elegant, it looks like a jewelry box, very unobtrusive on a dresser or desk. Over all, very impressive for the price!
  
  
• This Speakers Rock
  By A9UJX7R69IVY5 on 2007-05-12
  These speakers are everything that has been mentioned before. They are compact, lightweight (unless you add the batteries to the unit, of course, and sound great. I spent the weekend at my brother's house knocking down walls and hanging sheet rock and with all the noise you could hear the music from the other end of the house. I had my Palm Treo hooked up to the speakers. The battery life isn't the best (got about 4 hours at high volume) but I had some rapid charge NMH batteries so it wasn't an issue. The other cool thing is that it comes with a power to USB adapter so if you are using the speakers for your PC or have a USB wall charger the batteries don't even matter.
  
  For the price, performance, and design, I would recommend these time and time again.
  
  
• Great
  By A269NXA8T80SC7 on 2007-07-26
  We got this to use with our portable DVD player in the car and because of the way it folds, we are able to hook it over the back seat of the carseat and it sits there without falling off. The sound is great and with it coming from behind you, much easier to hear. Would recommend it to anyone with a portable DVD player that they use in their car.
  
  

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