Oeplay MusicStar5 review: Fantastic audio quality with a few drawbacks
Oeplay's MusicStar5 Bluetooth speaker provides out-of-this-world sound -- but only in certain circumstances.
Oeplay has just launched an Indiegogo campaign for a unique speaker aptly called the MusicStar5.
Featuring a retro-futuristic design and high-end internal components, we wanted to see just how well this speaker performed.
When assembling the speaker, we found it best to attach the legs while placing the speaker on a towel on a waist-height table. Be careful, though, as it is very easy to cross-thread the screws.
The speaker we received features an orange and black color scheme, but will also be available in white, black, and red colorways.
We are a fan of the design but do caution against using it in an area that is heavily trafficked by pets or young children. While it feels quite stable on its legs, it could be knocked over if bumped into.
AMT tweeter
It also has a surprisingly wide soundstage for a singular speaker. We weren't expecting to be able to pinpoint where in the soundstage individual instruments were, but we could. This was especially notable when listening to orchestral or big band music.
The bass is also pretty decent. While it isn't the same as using a speaker with a dedicated subwoofer placed on the floor, the MusicStar5 can get pretty low in its own right. The bass range is most noticeable when listening to music at moderate or high volumes.
The volume is excellent, too. We tested it using our normal playlist for speaker evaluation. At maximum volume from six feet away, it averaged 89 decibels for the songs we tried. There was no distortion at all at full volume, even on songs with high bass levels.
While we didn't get to set this out, two MusicStar5 speakers can be paired together for a stereo experience.
When we initially received the MusicStar5, we did not get an antenna, which should have been included in the box. Because of this, it initially could not pair with devices more than a few feet away.
The manufacturer sent us a replacement antenna a week later, and we are happy to report that the range is much better, though occasionally, the speaker does have issues if the device it's paired with moves more than a room or two away.
We don't think it's a great speaker for homes with pets or active small children who don't know that this is a $900 speaker held up by three legs.
For the suggested retail price, there are better options. It's a better value proposition for early-birds, but the connectivity issues are still a major problem.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Please be aware that crowdfunded campaigns are no guarantee that you will get the item. AppleInsider encourages you to do your own research before committing to backing anything on crowdfunded websites.
Read on AppleInsider
Oeplay has just launched an Indiegogo campaign for a unique speaker aptly called the MusicStar5.
Featuring a retro-futuristic design and high-end internal components, we wanted to see just how well this speaker performed.
Oeplay MusicStar5 - Design
The Oeplay MusicStar5 is a spherical speaker that sits upon three legs and stands nearly three feet tall.When assembling the speaker, we found it best to attach the legs while placing the speaker on a towel on a waist-height table. Be careful, though, as it is very easy to cross-thread the screws.
The speaker we received features an orange and black color scheme, but will also be available in white, black, and red colorways.
We are a fan of the design but do caution against using it in an area that is heavily trafficked by pets or young children. While it feels quite stable on its legs, it could be knocked over if bumped into.
Oeplay MusicStar5 - Sound
We were highly impressed with the sound quality of the MusicStar5. It boasts an AMT tweeter which results in extremely crisp highs.AMT tweeter
It also has a surprisingly wide soundstage for a singular speaker. We weren't expecting to be able to pinpoint where in the soundstage individual instruments were, but we could. This was especially notable when listening to orchestral or big band music.
The bass is also pretty decent. While it isn't the same as using a speaker with a dedicated subwoofer placed on the floor, the MusicStar5 can get pretty low in its own right. The bass range is most noticeable when listening to music at moderate or high volumes.
The volume is excellent, too. We tested it using our normal playlist for speaker evaluation. At maximum volume from six feet away, it averaged 89 decibels for the songs we tried. There was no distortion at all at full volume, even on songs with high bass levels.
While we didn't get to set this out, two MusicStar5 speakers can be paired together for a stereo experience.
Oeplay MusicStar5 - the antenna is not optional
When we initially received the MusicStar5, we did not get an antenna, which should have been included in the box. Because of this, it initially could not pair with devices more than a few feet away.
The manufacturer sent us a replacement antenna a week later, and we are happy to report that the range is much better, though occasionally, the speaker does have issues if the device it's paired with moves more than a room or two away.
Good quality if you can get over connection issues
We are a bit torn on the MusicStar5. It sounds absolutely fantastic, regardless of what genre you're listening to. It's even great for podcasts, which isn't true of every speaker we've tried.We don't think it's a great speaker for homes with pets or active small children who don't know that this is a $900 speaker held up by three legs.
For the suggested retail price, there are better options. It's a better value proposition for early-birds, but the connectivity issues are still a major problem.
Oeplay MusicStar5 pros
- Excellent coverage of high and mid-ranges
- Respectable bass output
- No distortion at higher volume levels
Oeplay MusicStar5 cons
- Easily tipped over by rampant children or pets
Rating: 4 out of 5
Oeplay MusicStar5 - Where to buy
Those interested in purchasing an Oeplay MusicStar 5 can head to the project's IndieGoGo page. At the time of this review, there are still a few early bird speaker spots open. One speaker can be purchased for $449, two for $879, three for $1,311, or four for $1,739.Please be aware that crowdfunded campaigns are no guarantee that you will get the item. AppleInsider encourages you to do your own research before committing to backing anything on crowdfunded websites.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
The warning about the fragility of the speaker around pets or kids is much appreciated. For the price, however, I think only rich retro N obsessed bachelors are going to really be lining up for this. Me, I’d get a couple of HomePods (original), which are bound to be very comparable for far less money.
Here is one of mine - no wonder the antenna was omitted from the test unit - it's hideous, however it was acceptable some ten years ago when it was first designed.
"Sounds will hit your ears up 5x faster than conventional dome speakers" Right, because sound doesn't have a fixed speed in a given medium…
Seriously though, only Bluetooth and no Airplay?!?!
BTW - anybody recognise the iPhone app being used to analyse the sound at different frequencies?
I find quality ribbons generally superior, with ribbon horns being even better and my favourite to rival live performances...
Oeplay vs Beoplay?
https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/us/speakers/beoplay-a9
Also, lossless can apparently only be achieved over USB:
“OEPLAY supports fully lossless audio playback directly over USB.”
And how will this even work with a pair of stereo speakers? Do you have to connect both of them to a USB each then?
I like the design though. Am sure it’s gonna be a ball owning one.