There is a similar comparative review of the way already W. Laukert "Walter" on 30 June 2010, rated him with only one star.
Encouraged by the many positive reviews of both products and become curious about a comparison I ordered both speakers to determine if the XL loud "Walter" is actually supposed to be so much better as the Nano. For this I have both speakers in series and optionally then alluded to the one and the other with the same volume in different situations.
The Unattractive first:
*** *** DISADVANTAGES
1. Volume / Bass:
When Nano no higher volume it can be seen, despite the increase of 1.7 Watt (XL) to 2.5 watts (Nano). The bass seems to me to be the same. (Both points were criticized by Walter). Also, the frequency range of 180Hz-16kHz is in both the same. Here there were, acoustic tie at a higher price for the Nano.
2. indicator:
The Nano has just above the mini-USB port, an LED light that glows blue when playing and red during charging. If you play the Nano in the dark (eg on the bedside table) from, this blue light can be quite bothersome, especially since it can not be well covered because of the immediate vicinity of the plug. You can cover it with a cloth tape the light but for example.
The XL Speaker is there compared unobtrusive, the blue / red light is integrated into the side-mounted on / off switch, lights subtle and can be easily covered by the light-sensitive souls.
*** BENEFITS ***
1. Sound direction:
Unlike "Walter" I feel the acoustic "360 ° Design" as an advantage. Especially if you only operate a Speaker and places him, for example, on a table in the middle of the room or outside operates, the sound from all sides hear the same good. In contrast, there is always an XL optimum position and elsewhere in the room a certain "sound shadows", as is customary always with related systems. This is true to some extent for the Nano, for the best sound it emits is actually exactly upwards - it but no one is prevented from possibly tipping him once in one direction, which is entirely possible by the non-slip rubber coating.
2. Audio cable:
In addition to the Combined USB audio cable, which is identical for both speakers, a 10 cm long audio cable is additionally rolled on the bottom when Nano. This can be handy if you take the USB / audio cable forgets or does not want to take. But I usually prefer the longer connection (about 60 cm).
Side note: Both systems can be the way I operate the "Combi Lead" during charging.
3. Design (optical / general):
Regardless of the design described above feature owed disadvantages in the tactile switches I like the design of the Nano optically better than the XL. In particular, I like the steady acting "Vierfußoptik" and screw pull-out mechanism of the bass bellows. However, this falls clearly into the category of "personal taste".
*** Not rated or I DO NOT CARE ***
1. Battery life:
An important point that I have not tested in comparison, is the battery life. Both products give 8-12 hours. The Nano has loudly Instructions Manual Datasheet a battery capacity of 400 mAh, while I unfortunately could not find a value for the XL (the RAIKKO website is currently offline). If the capacity of the same, the term would have the Nano due to the higher performance of + 0.8 Watt mathematically by about 1 / 4-1 / 3 be lower. Two reviewers were talking here of about 10 hours for the Nano, at the XL reviews there is 2x a 12-hour notice. From this I can "Walters' assessment does not follow that the Nano battery would" significantly shorter min. Twice briefly "persevere as that of the XL.
2. weight / size / packaging / price:
The nano weighs slightly more than 100 g of XL (85 g). Even its dimensions are slightly larger - to realize that, but you have to keep both units directly above one another. The protection case of the Nano, however, is significantly better than that of the XL (vs. light, pressure abfederndes material. Thin fleece).
The Nano is on average about 5 more expensive than the XL.
3. Handling
--- UPDATE --- 06.10.2010
At first I had expressed myself as a disadvantage over the severe operating the on / off switch and volume control. When these nano "controls integrated into the design" are, namely three of the four "feet". However, the pressure point is not as hard as accepted by me at first because I have pressed Grobmotoriker not only on the red stripes but to the entire lower foot. However, the switching element is only the strip!
The Speaker has Xl against a classic on / off button and a volume control with a small wheel.
--- END --- UPDATE
*** CONCLUSION ***
Both speakers get from me a buy recommendation! Deciding what you should buy depends in my view rather of little things now and will certainly vary from person to person.
Who pays more attention (visual) design and only want to use a speaker with sound evenly spread, in my opinion is better off with the Nano. But who wants to use two speakers from the outset because of stereo and much better surround sound, it should grab my opinion to two XL because they are cheaper, first and slightly lighter and secondly as a couple can be aligned in several directions ("360 °" argument for the Nano then no longer counts). Of course, but also there is nothing to add itself two nano.
Remains perhaps the final question, for which I have set my decision:
I kept the Nano because I want to use only one speaker and feel therefore the uniform 360 ° -Schallrichtung as decisive advantage. In addition, I allowed myself to even attract through the additional audio cable and blinded by the general design, despite the use disadvantages described above (this, incidentally, the one star deduction, as this is a clear deterioration from the XL is for me).
And one last word ...
*** SOUND QUALITY / APPLICATIONS ***
1. Sound impression in general:
Clear sound and bass remain at full volume received, a "clink, Schäppern or drone" I can not perceive. Once you leave a room and perceive the sound through the open door, it is to the glory but also by (roommates so you can therefore not be impressed by the volume and bass). And in a direct comparison with my kitchen radio (2x 8 watts) can not keep up jointly by the sound volume, two RAIKKO speaker. I had not even expected.
The magic of RAIKKO Speaker arises just from the ratio of small size and power to perplexing sound good impression!
2nd room (up to 20 square meters):
Living / bed and breakfast, hotel, apartment, kitchen, dormitory, ... the RAIKKO Speaker suitable for all! You can actually listen at medium volume for several hours, without offending the ear - like the "sound" speakers after a short time happened repeatedly in blaring mobile phone. (What we would have been ashamed for earlier in the Ghetto Blaster-time, so a mobile beeping publicly abzuschallen!)
3. Outside (balcony, garden, barbecue, camping):
Quite useful, but you should not expect too much miracles. Once you get several feet away from the sound source, remain both volume and bass on the track. For's tent and picnic blanket but Top!
--- UPDATE --- 15.01.2012
I use the Nano RAIKKO now regularly for almost 1.5 years, and still am completely satisfied with the part! The good battery life seems to have remained constant, so far I could not notice any reduction.
--- END --- UPDATE
--- 22/10/2012 --- UPFDATE
My little "Brüllwürfel" still works just fine.
I would add here that I have acquired also the "Wavemaster MOBI Mini Speaker System" because I wanted a 2nd speaker and I was curious to see if the sound is actually (as many comments) should be even better. In my opinion, really makes the for (a little more bass, whereby the sound seems a bit rich, and slightly higher volume), but I realize that only in direct comparison. Very disturbing but I rate the Wavemaster the very short cable, so you almost certainly need an extension. Thus I also agree with the view of many reviews of Wave Masters, that has something to do here with a predetermined breaking point. Because I believe the RAIKKO in this regard as much more robust, he is not prone to hum and has an external volume control, it whitens my personal favorite! The Wavemaster MOBI is added only when I turn in "series", which frankly is rare.
--- END --- UPDATE
