FOR a diabetic like this writer, I grab at every chance to get some saddle time and rack up some miles with my trusty old mountain bike. As the weather continues to be nicer and with a chill around the air, there is nothing more satisfying than unplugging yourself to enjoy nature on two wheels.
Since it is only me in my block that dedicates time to wake up early and bike around in the mountainous side of Antipolo, Rizal, it can be a bit lonely out there. So one can just imagine my elation when the guys at Nyne Audio Ph sent a Nyne Edge test unit to try out for a couple of days.
For starters, the Edge looks like a shrunken, miniature version of the Nyne Rock, and it fits easily in your hand. The contours lend itself nicely to portability and the double injection rubber housing feels great to the touch and very convenient to lug around.
Bike friendly
Designed specifically for bikers, this Bluetooth speaker comes with a handlebar clip and the rubber housing is IPX5 rated, which means better protection for the device in any weather. Using the Edge is a no-brainer, just clamp it on the handlebar, connect your iPhone or Android phone via Bluetooth or NFC touch and voila, you are ready to hit the road for an all-day adventure listening to your soundtrack. With up to 15 hours of battery life, there is no fear of running out of juice, music or terrain to explore, because this device is also shock resistant.
Aside from its portability and superb sound quality, another noteworthy feature of this device is the multi-function LED light (with emergency strobe setting) that acts as your bicycle’s headlight.
When my schedule permits me from riding in the morning, I usually sneak in a trail ride in the early evening just to rack up some significant physical exertion for my health. The LED lights provide the convenience and safety required by those who ride at night.
A control panel across the top has buttons for power, a multi-function button that controls playback, call management, soundtrack navigation and volume. The volume control syncs with your iPhone or Android phone. Underneath the snap-shut protective cover on the rear panel of the Edge is a USB connection for charging mobile devices, and a micro USB port for charging the speaker itself. After a period of inactivity, the device will shut itself automatically to preserve battery life. Once you turn it on again, it automatically pairs up with the last device used when it powered up. “Nyne Edge is the ultimate portable speaker for all of your outdoor adventures,” adds Johann Tiu of Nyne Audio Ph.
Small yet loud and crisp
For a compact device, it can hold its own in blaring out my selection of artists from Motown, down to Bruno Mars. On a cool down session after an hour of biking, I decided to put on Barry White’s “Can’t get enough of your love.”
White’s deep baritone voice was handled with relative ease by the Edge by maintaining the rich vocals of the song, while there’s a strong high-mid and high frequency element, allowing for a clarity and contour of the vocals, and percussive hits.
Next I played Depeche Mode’s “People are People,” which is a song full of bass. Again, the Edge delivered with a solid sense of deep bass without distortion and it does so by avoiding the deep frequencies required from a subwoofer or more powerful drivers to reproduce. But still, this device manages to deliver decent sense of lows and low-mids. Bass fanatics will probably yearn for more low-end, but on this price range, you get decent play time for your favorite tunes.
It may not be bass heavy that some hardcore listeners are after, but the Edge compensates for its powerful and clear audio output for outdoor listening. Combined with LED lights, rugged design and a host of user friendly features, you’ve got a winner with this device.