Less than a week ago, SberDevices announced two new smart speakers at once: SberBoom Mini 2 and SberBoom Home.
Their devices continue to enjoy advantages, and developers do not stop working on improving their gadget parks. We have already contacted their technical school more than once, it becomes smarter every year and communicates more closely within the smart home.
Anyway, I had a number of complaints about the previous generation of speakers. I’ll come back to all of them at once. Mikk also shared his impressions in a separate article.
I listened to Sber’s smart speakers, the big SberBoom and the compact Mini. I didn’t expect this
What happened this time? Will engineers be able to turn into their part and make really annual dynamics? Let’s figure it out.
The Kit. What Happens With the Speakers
Flower box – original packaging
The device’s configuration is absolutely identical and quite basic. Inside we are met with:
▪ the column itself
▪ USB-C cable (in Mini 2 it is built into the power supply and is round)
▪ power adapter
▪ documentation
No frills. Just the bare essentials. And you don’t need a device like that.
But this is where the differences begin.
SberBoom Mini 2. Now transparent
The external revolution is not much different from the previous generation. It is the same plastic case with the same set of keys: one for calling the Salute voice assistant, two for adjusting the backlight, one for starting music waves and the central one for likes.
The external difference from the first generation is the spectacular translucent case. Now you can take a look at each device. It’s a pity, though, that not all components are actually covered by an outer layer of plastic. In fact, only a sticker with the name “speakers” and the second layer of the case is visible.
At the bottom there is still a mount for installing the speaker on the wall.
The only thing that’s frustrating is that you can’t replace your own power adapter.
The visual changes to the translucent case don’t end there. The speaker is now available in four colors: neutral (Quantum Black, Neon Gray, and Titanium Blue) and accent (Electric Yellow). They look very, very nice.
The dimensions remain almost the same: 95×95×53 mm. This is an ultra-compact device that fits into any interior thanks to its techno-design.
SberBoom Dom. First column with display
The most interesting gadget was the brand new SberBoom Home speaker.
It differs from previous SberDevices devices by its more square shape with beveled edges. On the side, it is covered with fabric coated with a water-repellent coating. If it gets dirty, it can be wiped with a damp cloth.
Available in the following color options: “Sky”, “Terracotta”, “Marine”, “Foggy” and “Pistachio”. It has a similar set of buttons as in Mini 2: one for calling the Salute voice assistant, two for adjusting the backlight, one for starting music waves and the central one for likes. Getting used to managing not pandemics, retraining too – a single standard is used here for the company’s speakers.
The important differences of the new product were the consequences LED display (5 rows, 17 LEDs). It is located on the front of the device and can show many animations. In normal mode, the time is shown on the screen, but as soon as I start communicating with Salute, I feel it seriously.
The LED display shows:
► time
► weather conditions
► traffic jams
► real time timer
► equalizer
► different emotions
► track titles
► animated communication
In general, a normal set that will not make you bored. In particular, if there are children at home, they will definitely appreciate this innovation.
The screen speakers adapt to the lighting in the room, quickly adjusting to external conditions. At night, the light will not interfere if the speaker is next to the bed. However, if desired, the brightness can be adjusted manually through the Salute branded application (or the web application if you have an iPhone); it is also possible to turn off the light completely.
Smart Home: Meet Zigbee Protocol Support
It is available only on SberBoom Home.
By the way, thanks to Zigbee the speaker can be used as a hub not only for SberDevices devices, but also for partners. For example, I easily connected an Aqara smart socket to it, which requires a hub, an Aqara light bulb, as well as a button and a temperature/humidity sensor from Sber.
You can manage all connected gadgets both through the application and through assistant extensions. Personally, I give priority to Salute assistants, because it is faster and easier to interact with the system.
And yes, thanks to Zigbee, you don’t need the Internet to control the equipment (works only with Zigbee gadgets directly integrated into SberBoom HomeInternet is only needed in the column).
In addition, I have a SberBox TV set-top box, where I use Salute. And the combination of SberBoom Home and SberBox 2 has a cool advantage: the speaker can be connected to the TV set-top box (or to a TV with Salute TV) to output sound from the TV to the speaker and control the interface and watch videos in any application! A terribly simple innovation, nothing to say.
And if I said two houses and made a stereo pair out of them, the sound in the video would be stereo.
Setting up a connection to SberBox and TVs with Salute TV:
1. SberBox/Salut TV and SberBoom Home must be in the same Wi-Fi network, including the frequency, and authorized under the same account.
2. Make sure you have the latest firmware version. Should be 1.94 or higher
3. To connect SberBoom to SberBox/Salut TV, go to settings and select the menu item “Connect with SberBoom”. Select the speaker you want to connect to the set-top box or TV, and connect.
All connected gadgets are equipped with automation, you can customize their settings. For example, I made a toggle switch for the air conditioner from a smart socket. When the room temperature reaches 24 degrees, Salute turns on the socket (air conditioner) on its own.
Another cool feature I’d like to point out is the ability to send messages between SberBoom Mini 2 and Home. For example, I said: “Salute, send a message to the speaker in the children’s room that it’s time for lunch.”
Finally, the function has been reworked here ContractivationIf there are several speakers in the house, then when you call the assistant, the one that is closest to you is activated.
And what about the sound? That’s the most important thing in speakers.
Let’s take it in order. I’ll start with SberBoom Mini 2.
Built-in speaker powert 5 W. In general, this is enough for comfortable listening to music. The speaker is moderately loud and does not wheeze on the roof of the roof.
The sound has become richer and more saturated in comparison with previous generations. The bass has clearly been added, it has become a little deeper, and the voices no longer hit the ears, the high frequencies have been leveled out.
This improvement is made possible by Magnetic Sound technology: adapted sound processing methods and the use of a more powerful neodymium magnet instead of the common ferrite one. Plus there is 360° sound.
Now about SberBoom Home. The situation is even better here: the speaker power is 8 W. And for sound, there is a broadband speaker and two passive radiators.
Like the “mini”, the new product spreads music 360° around itself. It also has support for Magnetic Sound technology.
It is noticeably louder than many similar products in this price segment and provides a sufficient amount of bass, but not pounding, soft and pleasant to the ear. Of course, this is not a large level of speakers, but for its size – my letter.
High and mid frequencies also became more voluminous and pleasant. Vocals are clear, nothing is grinding in the minds. And I can’t even say that the larger Yandex Station midi sounds noticeably better than the new product from SberDevices. One level.
Overall, this produces a very pleasant sound for a small enclosure.
The gadgets turned out good
SberBoom Mini 2 and SberBoom Home fully justify their cost and can compete with competitors in their price segment.
They work in the SberDevices ecosystem, which includes not only speakers, but also TVs with Salute TV, smart gadgets for the home and many other devices: they interact with each other subtly and tightly. A wide range of options, memorable design and good sound are available.
Prices:
• SberBoom Mini 2: 4490 rubles.
• SberBoom Dom: 7990 rubles.
Personally, I’m all for SberBoom Home. It’s a truly year-old HOME speaker that looks impressive, has an unusual, pleasant screen, supports Zigbee and sounds just great for its compact size.
By the way, every new Prime subscriber who purchases smart speakers receives a 2-month subscription for 1 ruble.
📸 All photos in the article:
Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
