Customer Reviews

Macally Portable Stereo Speaker with Lithium Battery Silver TurboTune

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchased this speaker because I wanted a way to listen to my mp3 player that did not require headphones, or a large gadget, or running through endless batteries. I agree with previous reviewers that it is not very loud-but then what would one expect from such a little device? It has terrific stereo sound quality and is quite adequate if you're sitting in a quiet room. It's great virtue is that it is just as portable as the mp3 player, and the battery is tiny and rechargeable. Do not buy this device to increase the volume of computer speakers - for that I use my JBL On-Tour, which works quite well. But if you want an alternative to headphones that is just as portable for use in a quiet room - stop looking and buy this.

Macally's TurboTune speakers pack a big punch in a small package. For $29.99 you get pocket size stereo speakers for you iPod or anything else with an audio jack that has great sound quality.

The speaker runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and comes with a USB charging cable. It is about 3 inches by 1 inch by 1/2 inch. The Macally website says you should get about eight hours of continuous play. I lost count after TWENTY!

As I said earlier the sound quality is great. You would never believe that type of sound could come out of such a small speaker. Is it hi-end quality speaker sound that you would pay hundreds of dollars for? No, but you won't be disappointed for your money.

My only complaint is the location of the audio jack. It is in the center of the speaker. I would fit better on an iPod if it was off center so that most of the speaker sits over the iPod instead of hanging off of it.

Other than that one design complaint, that's about all there is to say. A quick review for a great product. If you are in the market for inexpensive speakers for your iPod these should definitely be considered.

Mymac.com rating: 4.5 out of 5

Wow! When I first ordered this speaker I did'nt think much of it (already having 3 different brands) that were'nt that loud. Was I ever surprised. The Macally Turbotune is by far the most impressive and loudest.It stays charged most of the day and is very easy to carry either connected or disconnected.I suggest this speaker for anyone who wants to be liberated from earbuds and share their music with the masses.

I read everyone's reviews and decided to buy this even though they all said it's not loud. I have to agree, it doesn't really fill my bathroom with music while I take a shower. But for sharing information with someone else it is easy and convient and I don't always have to have my ear buds in. But it for what it is. If you want big sound from a small unit buy a Bose!

I bought this little speaker to take on trips and listen to audiobooks in the car. It measures 1.5" by a little less than 3" but it is MIGHTY good. The iPod nano I have plugs into the center connector on the Turbotune. The sound is loud enough to hear well in the car, and is a bit tinny but reasonably good quality considering the small size of the speaker. The cons are it can only be charged on a computer through the connector, there is an on and off switch which you HAVE to remember to turn off, or you will drain the battery, and the iPod is not "held" securely to the speaker and sits off center on the speaker. Overall, an excellent value for the price and small enough to take along on any trip.

I simply cannot fathom what some of these reviews are on about. The rechargeable battery is long-lived and simple to recharge. The unit is light, easy to plug and unplug, and sounds fine. Reading many of these reviews I almost did not buy this speaker, and that would have been my misfortune. This is an absolutely fine little unit.

About the volume: No, it will not blow your head off. It will not make your ears bleed. It won't even make your fillings buzz. However, you can easily hear it two rooms away in a large home. That is, you can hear every note and every word of a song being played on an ipod shuffle from at least forty-five feet away through two open doorways. Some have written that it is barely as loud as listening to one's earbuds lying on the table. I found that to be true until one turns up the volume on the ipod, then it is quite sufficiently loud indeed. (Note: the shuffle does default back to the lower volume each time it is turned off and the volume on the ipod shuffle must turned up each time you turn it back on.)

As to the oft-repeated comment that it is too big and hangs off the top of the ipod, it doesn't do that if you simply turn the unit over, rest the speaker on the table and let the ipod sit on top of it. In this configuration, the speaker holds the ipod up perfectly well and the two units together make a tiny letter L on your table top as they happily play your tunes.

My advice, if you are looking for something that you can readily hear in the house that has a top volume level about as loud as a normal clock radio set at around 1/4-1/3 volume, buy it.

The only (slight) problem is it does not have an 'on' light (only a charging LED), and you can run the battery down if you don't remember to shut it off each time. But it takes no more than 3 hours to recharge, and then you're back in business.

I bought this for my Nook Color. I run Cyanogen Mod 7 on an SD, overclocked. While there is a lot to like about the NC, its speaker is NOT one of them. The built in speaker absolutely sucks. Really, REALLY sucks. Headphones sound fine, but I hate wearing phones or earbuds.
So, I needed a decent plug in speaker, but did not want a big thing with a cord off to one side. I want something to plug directly into the top headphone jack. After a lot of consideration, the Macally Turbotune seemed to fit the bill.

I tested this both in Cyanogen Mod 7 and in the bone stock Nook Color OS, with similar results.

Pro's:
Sound Quality = Surprisingly good. Not Bose, but perfectly adequate.
Sound Volume = Again, surprisingly good. Plenty of volume, had to turn it down a bit.
Build Quality = Seems sturdy, but probably should be careful not to push on it too much when in use.
Battery Life = Unknown (still charging up).

Cons:
1. Can't use it with the case on. The case interferes and the plug won't go in all the way. (sigh)
2. Color doesn't match the Nook Color. (One can wish, right?)
3. Be nice if the plug was offset instead of centered. Others have noted this would be better for some models of iPod as well.

Overall, I'm happy with the unit. It does the job very well.

Now, for my "wish list" of what I'd like to see in this type product:
1. Small thinner speaker (matching the thickness of the intended devices, such as iPod or Nook).
2. Models that have offset plugs, so it doesn't hang off one side.
3. Adjustable length plug. This would be do-able with a rack and pinion-type arrangement that allows the plug to slide in and out of the body slightly. Adjust it by turning a screw head. This would allow fitting on devices that have cases or straps in the way.

Finally, one note about the shipment. Though the speaker looks and works just fine, it was obvious upon arrival that the box had been opened, and possibly used. The sealing tape was cut on both sides, and the usb cable was stuffed in the back of the box, instead of neatly wound up and in its slot in the plastic tray. And the tray itself was in upside-down, so the unit was not fully visible in the cellophane window.

Amazon, when the product listing indicates NEW it should be just that - not pre-owned. Shame.

I take this speaker with me when I travel for use with my ipod. It's very compact and the construction is solid. It's obviously not a boombox, but if you're going to be in a quiet room and you want to listen to an audio book or watch a movie on the iPod, it's great. I've used it several times during power outages to watch movies on my iPod and have been very happy with it. The battery has been excellent, charges quickly and stores for a long time with a good charge. Only slightly irritating is that the on/off switch is on the back -- it's easy to forget that the speaker is still on when the playlist ends.

The idea is great - no more batteries to change all the time; it's easily rechargable. And it's stereo speakers, not just one. And it's portable.

But none of that makes any difference if you have to hold the speaker up to your ear to hear it! I want to at least be able to set it on the desk - which is only a few inches away - to hear my MP3 player. I can't do with this product.

I purchased this item in hopes to increase the volume compared to the built-in speaker on my palm pre. Unfortunately, despite being battery powered, it does not have any increased volume over the built-in speaker. It does look very nice however, battery life is solid, and it would be fine for a device like an ipod that does not have a built-in speaker, assuming that the device pushes out the sound amplified enough on its own.