Tronsmart ended 2022 with the release of their most versatile speaker, the Bang SE which has an ultra-light design and can deliver a stellar light show.
But it looks like the Chinese audio tech company might be heading in a new direction and stepping away from its illustrious Bang series of speakers. They are looking for a strong start to 2023 with the launch of their new Halo range of speakers.
Tronsmart’s new Halo speakers come in two different models, the 100 and 110. They are identical in their overall design and aesthetics but have subtle differences that set them apart.
For instance, the 110 comes with a built-in microphone which already elevates its status from speaker to karaoke machine. But for this review, I will be looking at Halo 100, which looks to be a party speaker, unlike anything we have seen from Tronsmart.
The first noticeable feature is that the Halo 100 sports a completely different design from any of Tronsmart’s other speakers. All the past party speakers have been created with a cylindrical body that granted the majority of them an immersive 360 audio experience.
The Halo 100 is more of a squircle shape, with the woofer and tweeters located at the front. It's a big speaker measuring 287 x 198 x 150mm and weighs a hefty 2.72kg, which is still lighter than the Bang but makes it one of Tronsmart’s heaviest speakers.
The buttons are situated at the top and have been printed on instead of being moulded out of the rubber, but they are still accessible.
The Halo 100’s biggest design feature is its stunning LED lights which decorate the woofer and two tweeters. They are powerful lights that can illuminate larger spaces helping to add a splash of colour to events or parties.
Tronsmart has also included a soft but sturdy leather strap, which allows for easy transportation. I found that having a softer handle made the Halo 100 much easier to pack in bags and transport as a harder material would've gotten in the way.
It's really pleasing to see Tronsmart switch up their usual party speaker design for something that looks much more imposing, with prominent features that are instantly eye-catching.
The Halo 100 comes with an IPX6 waterproof rating which means it can withstand rain making it ideal to take into parks or outside sessions.
The Bang SE features Tronsmart’s trademark SoundPulse technology alongside 60W Drivers. In terms of sheer power, the Halo is probably on par with the Bang but has a smaller sound frequency range of 40Hz – 20kHz. That being said, I was still very impressed with how it handled different types of music with fantastic results.
I was also happy to see that the Halo 100 worked with the Tronsmart App, which allowed me to further tailor my music experience. There are five different presets, with each offering something different.
I personally wouldn’t go for the Classic or Rock mode, as they really lower the bass and increase the mid-range, which is great if you are more into vocals. But I feel the Deep Bass and Sound Pulse modes really granted the right balance between each of the EQ parameters.
The app also allows you to make a custom EQ mode, which is fantastic, music fans will be able to meticulously craft their listening experience. I was very happy with how easy and intuitive this section of the app was to control.
The app's features don’t end there as it also allows you to pick between different LED modes, and although there wasn't an option to create custom modes, what was available covered a wide spectrum of coloured, beat-driven patterns.
Finally, the app also grants the user full control over the speaker, allowing it to be turned off or letting the user switch between different play modes on the fly, which is very useful.
The Halo 100 comes with another great feature which allows it to be controlled by two different devices at the same time. Now, this is a fun feature to have, as audiophiles can share their music with each other, however, the experience isn’t as streamlined as some of the other features.
I found that there was a massive amount of lag between switching from one user to another. I tried a few devices ranging from tablets to laptops which had access to different levels of Bluetooth, but there was always a massive lag when switching. This isn’t a massive deal breaker as it's the first time Tronsmart has utilised this feature in one of their speakers.
The speaker includes a great set of input ports that include a USB A, USB C, MicroSD and an AUX.
These extra inputs allow the user to play music from a plethora of sources if they are without Wifi, making the speaker a dependable companion during outdoor trips.
Tronsmart states that the Halo 100 can last up to 18 hours depending on the LED display chosen. I found that while out and about I manage to get around 16 hours with the volume set at about ¾ from its maximum output with any light setting, which is very good, especially being outdoors.
Tronsmart Halo 100 Verdict: 4/5
Tronsmart has started the new year in great form as the Halo 100 is a robust and fun speaker that will elevate any party scenario. I am very intrigued and excited to see what else Tronsmart has in store for 2023.
The Tronsmart Halo 100 is available from Amazon UK and from the Tronsmart website
