The WOWee One is a portable speaker device which prides itself for its patented ability to essentially share its sound through any surface to deliver fantastic sound and bass reception. The device is powered by an internal, rechargeable battery which can deliver up to 20 hours of playtime.
Below are the WOWee One’s technical specifications :
| Dimensions (WxLxH) | 60 x 120 x 25.8 mm |
| Product Weight | 200 grams |
| Driver | 1 x Conventional Cone Speaker, 1 x Gel Audio Driver |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz ~ 20 kHz |
| Amplifier | D-Class |
| Output Power | 2W RMS |
| Input Power | 5V DC (charged via mini USB) |
| Rechargeable Battery (Built in) | Lithium Ion 3.7 Volts |
| Playback Duration | Up to 20 Hours |
| Audio Input | Standard 3.5mm audio/headphone jack |
| Compatible | iPod™, iPad™, mp3, mp4, mobile phone and computer applications. |
| WOWee One Pack Includes: | USB Charging Cable & 3.5mm Audio cable |
In comparison to the X-MINI II CAPSULE SPEAKER which I reviewed last year, the specifications are similar but differ slightly yet significantly in certain areas. For example the WOWee has a wider frequency response and a longer play time. All to the good!
Check out the two charts below which compare the technical specifications between the two:
As you can tell, both devices are different in certain areas; the X-MINI for example has a larger power output which corresponds to a smaller playtime but the X-MINI does lack “oomph” compared to the WOWee in terms of minimum frequency volume.
The two devices have unique ways to create great sounding bass which is the fundamental difference between these two devices.
- The WOWee has a patented system called the “Gel Audio™ driver” that delivers low end bass frequencies. When you place the WOWee against a surface material, that surface then becomes the loudspeaker. It works effectively against a wide range of materials, such as glass, metal, plastic, wood, composites and certain fibrous materials. (any good against a human skill??)
- The XMINI on the other hand is a more conventional speaker but it can be expanded from its original small shell to reveal a spring type system which it uses to produce its bass.
The great thing about the WOWee one is it can easily fill a whole room full of sound when cranked up to full and places on a suitable surface, such as a table. It is a great device because it delivers a fantastic sound while at the same time being small, compact and isn’t wrapped in a huge mess of wires: There is just one wire- the one you use to plug into your phone or any music device!
A problem with the WOWee’s system whereby it turns a surface into a speaker system is the vibrations! If you put the WOWee on full, and place it on your dining room table then chances are anything small like a pen or such are going to start vibrating, causing unwanted extra sounds and ruining the experience. If you want to use the surface system effectively, you should make sure the surface is completely of anything that could vibrate and move.
Unfortunately, another area where the WOWee falls is when being use outside. I’ll explain. It’s great that it can produce these fantastic sounds when you have access to all these large flat materials but when you are chilling with your mates in the park you are stuck! The WOWee One does not produce its great bass response when being used on grass or the ground so unless you are going to be close to a perfectly flat surface that can take advantage of the WOWee, such as a park picnic table then you won’t be able to use it to its full potential.
If you are a person that wants to be able to listen to their music outside a lot with fantastic volume and bass then the WOWee One would not be for you since you will struggle to find a surface to place the device on to unleash its full potential. That said if you want a small speaker you can use around the house then the WOWee One would be perfect since the surfaces would be available and you can use it anywhere in the house. Small get-togethers in the garden (assuming you have a table!) would be great too.
To conclude, the WOWee One costs a hefty £49.99 which is a lot for a speaker, especially considering it’s pretty much useless unless you can find a surface to place it on. Specification, volume and bass wise it is extremely similar to the X-MINI 2 Capsule speaker which also produces fantastic sound and bass on whatever surface you want. The best part about the X-MINI 2 is that it costs just £11.99. You could buy two X-MINI’s and link them together with their special integrated linking system for less than a single WOWee One. If you are looking for a portable speaker then I would highly recommend the X-MINI over the WOWee since the price tag is just far too high and its patented system has turned out to be more of a problem than a useful feature.