STEREO GUIDE verdict
The Tronsmart Mirtune H1 is aimed at the JBL Clip 5, with which it shares more than just the hook. In the review, it delivered a solid performance despite its low price. Although it doesn't quite offer the fine-tuning in detail, it can score points with its lower price and longer battery life.
Pros
- Rich, dry bass and lively treble for its size
- App with 5-band equalizer and sound presets
- Stereo coupling possible
- Good workmanship, carabiner, IPX7 waterproofness
- Long battery life
Cons
- Tends towards a certain roughness at higher volumes
-
Tonal balance / transparency6.3
-
Bass / Dynamics4.4
-
Ease-of-use / Conncetivity9.4
-
Price/Performance9.8
With the Clip 5 , we recently reviewed the fifth generation of JBL’s singing carabiner. Now, with the Tronsmart Mirtune H1 , a competitor with the same concept is coming onto the market. Reason enough to see whether the Chinese manufacturer, known for its affordable but good products, has created a real alternative to the now almost iconic mini Bluetooth speaker with a hook for hanging or attaching to outdoor equipment?
Even if the JBL Clip 5 and the Mirtune H1 cannot be confused simply because of the round lines and the large brand logo of the original, the two are very close in design. The actual hook on both is made of metal, while the clasp is made of plastic. However, the Tronsmart does not have a rubber-like surface to protect it from scratches. The controls for activation and Bluetooth pairing(version 5.3, but only with SBC standard codec) are also less prominent on the Mirtune H1 and less easily accessible at the top on the back behind the carabiner.
Both the Mirtune H1 and the JBL Clip 5 have three identically designed buttons for start/stop and level control on the top of the mesh-covered baffle. The optimally highlighted volume buttons provided for this purpose also allow you to skip to the next or previous track by pressing them twice in quick succession.
The play button on the front can also be used to answer calls and make calls via the integrated hands-free microphone. Press twice to call up the smartphone’s voice assistant, i.e. Apple Siri or Google Assistant.
The price breaker has a lot to offer
Despite their different lines, the two speakers hardly have anything in common in terms of housing volume. Inside the Tronsmart Mirtune H1 is a full-range loudspeaker with bass support from a passive radiator. Tronsmart specifies the power output of the Mirtune H1 as 8 watts, which is a high power value for a mini speaker.
The 2,000 mAh battery promises a runtime of up to 20 hours at half volume. That’s already very good for such a mini speaker. Especially when you consider that its direct rival, the JBL Clip 5, needs the Playtime Boost function to achieve 15 hours. However, this battery-saving mode restricts the bass so much that it is only suitable for listening to news programs or audio books. Without this “phone sound”, the JBL only manages a maximum of 12 hours. This means that the low-cost challenger from Tronsmart has a weighty argument on its side.
When it comes to outdoor suitability, the Mirtune H1 has only been certified for water resistance in accordance with the IP7 standard. The more expensive JBL Clip 5 is also protected against dust to IP67.
Tronsmart App with Equalizer
While the larger Mirtune C2, which we recently reviewed, has to make do without an app, the small, fine Mirtune H1 is supported by the Tronsmart app for iOS and AndroidSound Pulse”. This means that you can call up five sound presets like “Rock” or for the equalizer, but also set your own sound preferences with a 5-band EQ. Other useful functions include downloading and installing software updates and stereo pairing of two Tronsmart Mirtune H1s. This not only gives you a spatial sound stage, but also more power to fill the room with sound.
Sound test: This is what the Tronsmart Mirtune H1 sounds like
It’s hard to believe how well mini Bluetooth speakers have developed in general. While the first representatives of this genre were not even able to reproduce voices in a reasonably balanced way, the bass was limited to timid hints of beats. In the meantime, good, but also relatively expensive models such as the JBL Clip 5 are even able to reproduce bass in such a way that you no longer feel strange when using terms such as punch or differentiation. This also applies to the new Tronsmart Mirtune H1, which can even slightly outperform the JBL in the treble range and transparency.
The Mirtune H1’s bass reproduction is very dry and precise. However, the challenger does not achieve the fullness – which is relative in this class – of the JBL Clip 5, but this is only noticeable in a direct comparison. Especially with the sound presets “Sound Pulse” and “Rock”, the H1 does a good job considering its small dimensions. What is noticeable even without the comparison with the Clip is a certain roughness in the mid-high range. At higher volumes, the Tronsmart tends to play a little harsher than the JBL, which is tuned warmly and without rough edges.
What speaks for the progress in the smallest class: the equalizer actually still responds in the lowest band. This is not something that can be said of all minis, as the developers have naturally pushed the capabilities of the tiny diaphragms to such an extent that there is no room left for a real bass boost. Finally, as the level increases, the limiter intervenes, cutting the bass in favor of higher power handling in the upper frequency ranges. Despite the successful translation in the Tronsmart app, we would not recommend the Deep Bass preset. It then sounds overcast and queasy.
Tronsmart Mirtune H1: Conclusion and alternatives
As the Mirtune H1 from Tronsmart was designed as a cheaper alternative to the JBL Clip 5, the reverse is of course also true: the original type of mini Bluetooth speaker with a hook is a good alternative. For its price, the H1 is really great all round. However, the JBL also offers more fine-tuning in detail and more color choices for individualists for the extra money. The Mirtune is only available in matt black or steel blue. However, with its longer battery life of up to 20 hours, the Tronsmart underlines the fact that you can still expect solid performance from this affordable offering.
Technical data Tronsmart Mirtune H1
- Manufacturer’s recommended retail price: 30 euros
- Dimensions (W x H x D ): 8.1 x 13.8 x 4.6 cm
- Weight: 0.291 kg
- Battery life up to 20 hours
- Special features: IPX7 water protection, stereo pairing, snap hook, USB charging cable
- More at: www.tronsmart.com
