I never knew how much I'd love a soundbar on my desk, but I'd trade some of its volume for something else

As a music enthusiast and tech-savvy individual who values both volume and clarity in my audio equipment, the BlueAnt Soundblade caught my attention immediately due to its unique design. Having spent years working from home, I’ve grown accustomed to having a clutter-free workspace, and this soundbar seemed like the perfect solution for my monitor setup.

Setting up an audio system at your workplace can become quite intricate due to most monitors lacking integrated speakers. If you prefer avoiding the constant use of a headset when sound is involved, soundbars such as the BlueAnt Soundblade provide an ideal solution.

This soundbar is intended to fit comfortably beneath your computer screen, an area often taken up by the stand. To achieve this, BlueAnt has created an aesthetically pleasing soundbar that offers a wider range of color options than I initially anticipated. While there are many appealing aspects to this soundbar (particularly for those needing sound to fill a large living space), its price tag highlights some minor flaws it possesses.

If you’re in the market for a soundbar or speaker setup on the desk, the BlueAnt Soundblade could be the perfect solution. You can skip the preamble and go straight to checking out the BlueAnt Soundblade for $199.99 at Best Buy, or keep reading to see why I’d personally recommend waiting for the deals I’ve already seen for this soundbar.

BlueAnt Soundblade review: Pricing and specifications

I never knew how much I'd love a soundbar on my desk, but I'd trade some of its volume for something else

Pricing highlights

The BlueAnt Soundblade Under-Monitor Soundbar retails for $199.99, and you can choose from five different colors.
Considering the audio experience of this soundbar, though, that price point feels a little steep.
The BlueAnt Soundblade has been seen to go on sale for as little as $150, though, and that point feels like a much better purchase.

The BlueAnt Soundblade Under-Monitor Soundbar is aiming to be a high-end option in its category, priced at $199.99 on Best Buy, a store where more budget-friendly soundbars can also be found under $100. BlueAnt primarily justifies this price tag by highlighting the unique design of the Soundblade, which indeed distinguishes it from the typical black bars we’re used to seeing.

You’ll appreciate that the BlueAnt Soundblade is available in five vibrant colors such as blue, green, and pink, for just $199.99 on Amazon. Unfortunately, I received the reliable grey version from BlueAnt, but it’s refreshing to see a company offering fun options when most items are either black, grey, or white these days.

Inside the box, you’ll discover the BlueAnt Soundblade Under-Monitor Soundbar, accompanied by a remote control (complete with two AAA batteries), a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, a USB Type-C to Type-A cable, and a 3.5mm audio cable. Additionally, you’ll find eight rubber feet extenders for the Soundblade, which can be used to raise the soundbar higher for use with taller monitor stands or legs. The BlueAnt Soundblade comes with a 1-year full warranty and promises a resolution within 7 days if needed.

BlueAnt Soundblade review: The good

The pros highlights

The BlueAnt Soundblade does have a sleek and quality design, and I love that there are multiple color options.
This soundbar is dead simple to set up, too, with various connectivity options, integrated touch controls, and an included remote.
The Soundblade also offers a solid audio experience with good low end and an absurdly high max volume.

From first glance, the BlueAnt Soundblade showcases a distinctive design that sets it apart, boasting an aesthetic I must admit is among the more appealing soundbars I’ve come across. The speaker components are cleverly concealed beneath a curved plastic top with a brushed finish, lending the soundbar a far more streamlined appearance than your typical black bar (I would have appreciated seeing some of the vibrant color options in person). Its build quality is also commendable, featuring robust plastic, snug ports, and premium fabric covering the front-facing speakers.

On the right side, you’ll notice several touch controls for power and volume, which function but can be somewhat temperamental. It seems that style may have taken priority over practicality in this design, as capacitive buttons are more stylish than their physical counterparts. All your connection ports are neatly arranged at the back of the soundbar, making it clear where everything goes. Lastly, the remote control that comes with the box (complete with batteries) is robust and user-friendly, boasting a straightforward design and simple controls.

With this BlueAnt Soundblade remote, you can effortlessly switch audio inputs and EQs. It also offers volume control, track navigation, and more, all of which function seamlessly. What stands out most is that it operates instantly, requiring no driver installation or additional software. Simply connect the Soundblade to your computer, turn it on, and it’s ready to go. This ease of use extends to Bluetooth pairing with mobile devices as well. The Soundblade consistently synchronizes with my computer and never requires waiting for a connection to my phone when I need it.

You won’t find any digital voice assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa here, though, and there are no mics anyways. This is just meant to be a soundbar, and it does accomplish that job. The dual drivers and internal subwoofer inside the Soundblade provide warm sound with deep low end bass, and it sounds great for video conferences, media consumption like movie, and even cinematic games. You have three different EQs on the remote (Game, Music, and Movie) and they do change the audio profile to a noticeable degree, but I tended to leave it on the more neutral “Music” profile.

Without a doubt, one standout feature of the BlueAnt Soundblade Under-Monitor Soundbar lies in its extraordinary loudness. Setting it to the maximum at 10/100 doesn’t strain me even when I’m working from my desk. Cranked up all the way, this soundbar has no trouble filling a spacious two-bedroom apartment with sound. The next section will delve into some drawbacks of this deafening volume, but for those who seek an exceedingly loud soundbar, the BlueAnt Soundblade is a perfect fit.

BlueAnt Soundblade review: The bad

The cons highlights

The Soundblade’s premium design also comes with some downsides, including its extra deep shape.
This soundbar also doesn’t perform the best when it comes to music, quickly becoming muddied and losing separation (especially at higher volumes).
These compromises wouldn’t be so bad, if you weren’t also paying $200 for a 2.1-channel soundbar.

As a tech enthusiast, I must say the BlueAnt Soundblade is uniquely designed to fit snugly on your monitor stand, making it an “under-monitor soundbar.” Unlike traditional soundbars that require a large, flat surface, this design is a game-changer for those of us with limited space. However, there’s one drawback: it can be a bit tricky to find the perfect placement if your monitor doesn’t have a suitable stand or if the stand isn’t adjustable enough. But overall, it delivers superior audio quality compared to most standard soundbars.

Instead of the typical long and slim design of soundbars, the Soundblade adopts a wider stance on your desk. If your monitor stand takes up space, it’s not helpful if your soundbar demands even more, and that’s exactly what the Soundblade does. I personally position the Soundblade to the left of my monitor, ensuring there’s some space for my keyboard (and its wrist rest) to comfortably sit. Perhaps BlueAnt could have made this soundbar a bit longer and slimmer for better fit.

One advantage this design offers is the rubber feet at its base. Normally, they allow for flexibility to place the Soundblade on top of a level monitor stand. However, if additional space is required, you can raise the Soundblade using the provided extenders. Despite the seeming brilliance of the extendable rubber feet during the design stage, their implementation appears more like a last-minute adjustment.

I was quite delighted when I discovered these accessories inside the box, as they significantly enhance the performance of the BlueAnt Soundblade in my setup. However, they tend to come loose easily and don’t seem robust at all. Given that they’re made of rubber, their installation causes a concerning amount of sideways movement in the Soundblade. Conversely, this added flexibility provides the subwoofer with more space to disseminate those deep bass notes, which sounds quite pleasant.

Discussing audio quality, the BlueAnt Soundblade tends to skew too heavily towards high volumes at the expense of clarity, especially with music. While it does reach an impressive level of loudness that may exceed most listeners’ requirements, this comes at the cost of a more muddled sound profile. The Soundblade struggles to preserve clarity and distinguish different elements, particularly in complex music, and this issue worsens as the volume increases. I would prefer some reduction in maximum volume for improved clarity, but unfortunately, the Soundblade does not offer user-adjustable EQ settings, making it challenging to find a balanced sound output.

Here’s my attempt at paraphrasing your text:

BlueAnt Soundblade review: Final thoughts

You should buy this if …

✅A soundbar perfectly designed to slot under your monitor is what you’ve been looking for

While this design has some room for improvement as it takes up quite a bit of space, its distinct and unusual appearance makes it an excellent potential addition to many workstation configurations struggling with bulky monitor stands or arms.

✅Volume matters more than pure audio quality

In simpler terms, among most standard 2.1 channel soundbars, the Soundblade stands out due to its exceptional capacity to fill any room with an overwhelming level of sound. If you’re okay with trading a bit of audio clarity for that advantage, then this soundbar could be your choice.

You should not buy this if …

❌You listen to a lot of music at louder volumes

I generally appreciate the Soundblade’s sound quality, particularly its robust bass and warm timbre, but it falters when dealing with intricate musical tracks, especially at higher volumes. If your main use is playing music, you might discover more satisfying audio systems within a similar price range.

The BlueAnt Soundblade Under-Monitor Soundbar appears to be an impressive device suitable for numerous office or gaming environments, suggesting careful consideration during its design process rather than a rush job. It boasts robust foundations and often excellent audio quality across various content types and tasks. Additionally, it’s user-friendly in terms of setup and control, making it a convenient addition to any setup.

If you greatly enjoy powerful sound systems, then this extra feature will only enhance your experience. I can hardly imagine myself playing the Soundblade at its highest volume beyond my initial testing for this review, given my neighbors’ sensitivity to noise. However, considering the reasonable $200 price tag, there are enough trade-offs that make it an attractive choice.

Despite being uniquely designed, the Soundblade occupies a considerable amount of desk space due to its extra depth compared to standard soundbars. Its extendable feet, while impressive in concept, tend to detach easily. Given its price point, I anticipate top-notch audio quality throughout, yet the Soundblade encounters challenges, particularly with complex music. As the volume escalates, these issues become more pronounced. With comparable soundbars offering additional speakers and audio settings at a similar cost, the allure of the Soundblade diminishes somewhat, notwithstanding its distinctive design.

To clarify, I still hold a strong affection for this soundbar and it will continue to occupy its spot on my desk until a clearly superior alternative arises. It’s worth noting that the BlueAnt Soundblade can often be found at Amazon for just $149.99, which seems like an ideal price point for such a device. If it ever goes on sale, I wholeheartedly endorse it as a great purchase.

2024-10-24 14:09

I never knew how much I’d love a soundbar on my desk, but I’d trade some of its volume for something else