Gadget review: Edifier Spinnaker Speaker System

Currys and Comet from next month. Rhino horns, Lucifer’s head warmers or a scale model of a Dubai skyscraper?

The 15in tall Edifier Spinnaker is a speaker system like no other, at least in the looks department.

The premium end of the market is dominated by such heavyweights as the B&W Zepplin or Bose SoundDock. The Spinnaker sits bang in the middle, price-wise, at £329.99. Let’s focus on what makes this speaker a little different – first up is the built-in Bluetooth. In a matter of seconds I had my Smartphone paired and the Spinnaker playing a streaming collection of my favourite tunes from Last.fm. Nice. Second is the domed, wireless remote control which you spin to increase volume and click to change tracks. It’s a nifty idea, although rotation and slippy surfaces are not a good combo.

The fine tuning could be better. This horned brute has the muscle, with 90 watts of combined power, digital sound processing (DSP) and tri-amped speakers, but switching on Bluetooth is a bit like using a Ferrari for the grocery run to Tesco; muddy mids, shrill treble and a liberal soup of bass thrown in to boot. Yuck! If you connect up a wired hi-fi or PC via the AUX or Optical-in sockets, the Spinnaker starts to purr like the pedigree performer it is.

Edifier Spinnaker Speaker System

£329.99 from the Apple Online Store now and in

For more information see www.edifierinternational.com