Bayan Audio are a UK manufacturer who, rather refreshingly, are targeting a higher price point by delivering a quality speaker rather than a cheap plastic unit.
The Soundbook X3 certainly feels like a well built unit and is aptly named being hardback book sized with it’s own nylon smart cover which, when opened, not only turns the speaker on but also acts as the speaker stand.
The cover also has the NFC tag built in for quick pairing, alternatively you can pair via the bluetooth menu or you can connect non-bluetooth devices via the aux in socket. There is also an aux out socket should you wish to connect headphones or a second speaker, and a USB out allowing you to charge your device while listening to music.
The Soundbook X3 has four 1.5″ drivers sat behind the front grill as well as a passive bass radiator for a combined 20W of sound. It’s made from high grade aluminium and feels really solid, you won’t be worried about this getting knocked about in your bag while travelling.
There are some LEDs also hidden behind the grill which tell you what mode this is on, so bluetooth, aux or FM for the radio. They will also display ‘CALL’ if you receive an incoming mobile call while connected to the Soundbook X3.
The radio is an FM radio rather than DAB and that means lower sound quality compared to streaming music/radio from a mobile. You can set a single station (frequency is listed on the cool LEDs) via the control buttons on the top of the unit and the speaker remembers which station you were last listening to.
Sound quality is good, but not amazing. The Soundbook X3 does a good job at delivering room filling music which doesn’t distort at higher volumes and has a decent bass for something so slim, but for the money you’re getting top notch styling and design rather than sound quality.
The Soundbook is expensive, but it’s also really well built and offers up good music playback on the go.
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