This stylish new wireless speaker is just right for your next party [Review]

Victrola probably isn’t the first name that leaps to mind when you’re shopping for speakers – it’s a company that built its reputation on the phonograph. But great-grandpa would be amazed because the company is keeping up with the times and recently launched the Victrola Music Edition 2, a great-looking Bluetooth speaker suited for small parties or outdoor gatherings. Plus it has some nice extras, like a wireless charger.

I tested the speaker with my iPhone 13 Plus – here’s why I’m quite pleased with it.

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Victrola Music Edition 2 review

You have AirPods for when you want to listen to songs on your own, but when you have friends over you need a way to share the music. That’s where a Bluetooth speaker comes in handy.

One recently launched by Victrola can be used in your living room, or you can carry it down to the pool to entertain your friends.

• Tough but good-looking Bluetooth speaker
• Decent audio performance
• Wirelessly charges your iPhone
• Victrola video
• VictrolaMusic Edition 2 final thoughts
• Pricing

Tough but good-looking Bluetooth speaker

The Music Edition 2 looks good enough that I’m comfortable leaving it sitting out in my house where I’m not using it. Much of the exterior is metal, with a stylish grill design. My review unit is black but the speaker also comes in silver to match your decor.

The hardware is 8.8 inches wide, 3.6 inches deep and 4.5 inches tall, so it doesn’t take up much room on a shelf. It weighs 3 pounds, making the device easy to tote to wherever you need it.

And don’t worry if it accidentally gets splashed or rained on. Victrola designed the speaker with an IP67 rating, which means it’s waterproof against everything but being dropped in the pool. It also won’t have a problem with moderate dust.

On the top of the Music Edition 2 are the usual power button, and a Bluetooth connectivity button. You can also adjust the volume, including mute, with physical buttons.

On the back is a 3.5mm audio jack so you don’t have to connect to the speaker via Bluetooth.

Decent audio performance

To test the Victrola Music Edition 2, I used it at get together with a few friends – exactly what it is intended for.

At first, I didn’t point out I was using a new speaker, waiting to see if anyone would notice. Nope. And that sums up this product well: it does its job without fanfare but also without problems. Audio quality won’t leave your friends amazed, but neither will they complain.

Victrola builds in a 3.5-inch driver with a one-inch tweeter and passive bass radiator. Once I asked my friends what they thought of the speaker, the comments were quite positive.

The audiophile in the group pointed out that the bass all comes out the back (which isn’t unusual) so the speaker gives its best sound when it has a wall behind it for the bass to bounce off of. In that arrangement, there’s a reasonable amount of bass, not a massive amount.

I used the iOS NIOSH Sound Level Meter app to test the maximum volume of the Music Edition 2. In an enclosed room, and 15 feet away from the speaker, I’m getting 82db to 95db. Of course, it’s even louder next to the speaker, but 15 feet is probably average for a party. That’s not loud enough to get the police called, but is plenty of sound for background music… as my little party demonstrated.

Outside, my tests got 60db to 75db at 15 feet from Victrola’s speaker. That’s just enough for background music. If you’re planning a raucous pool party, you’re going to need more power.

Wirelessly charges your iPhone

If you use your iPhone to stream music to the Music Edition 2, you don’t want to get to the end of the party with your handset at 0%. Not a problem: The top of the speaker doubles as a wireless charger. That’s convenient.

Victrola says the Bluetooth speaker’s battery is good for 20 hours of music playback. I agree: I used the speaker for two or three hours a day for more than a week before it needed a recharge. And that includes having the accessory top off my iPhone battery a couple of times.

When it finally runs down, charge the accessory through USB-C port on the back.

Victrola video

Victrola made a short video to show off the Music Edition 2, as well as the smaller Music Edition 1.

Victrola Music Edition 2 final thoughts

I like Victrola’s new Bluetooth speaker, but I’m in the target audience. I want decent-quality sound and don’t need huge volume or tons of bass. I also like that the speaker looks good in my living room. The wireless iPhone charger is a nice addition.

If that sounds like you, this might be the Bluetooth speaker you’ve been looking for.

★★★★☆

Pricing

Victrola Music Edition 2 costs $199.99, and is also available on Amazon. There’s plenty of time to order it for Christmas delivery.

Buy from: Victrola

Buy from: Amazon

Victrola provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.