Carbon Audio’s New Pocket Speaker Now Available Through Apple

By Kira Grunenberg

When it comes to music technology, sales through ubiquitous companies like Amazon or iTunes represent a well-recognized benchmark of progress. Managing that feat more than once is all the more impressive, and many independent innovators haven’t attained that success.

Portland, Oregon’s Carbon Audio, is a retailer that can put one, and now two such feathers in its cap. The launch of the company’s new Pocket Speaker shows one giant that has clearly taken to Carbon Audio’s product potential without hesitation.

A young company of only two years, Carbon Audio came about in 2011 and though it only carries two pieces of hardware thus far, both wireless speakers, the pair of pieces have gleaned the attention of computer, media and music leader, Apple. The first piece, a portable speaker “bar” called ZOOKA, built for i-devices, was originally proposed via Kickstarter and the public wanted in on the action. The funding exceeded the $25,000 goal by nearly three times the amount. That success led to Apple’s intrigue and now Pocket Speaker has easily done the same.

Available today via Apple’s online store, the Pocket Speaker is just that: a wirelesss, Bluetooth-enabled playback device that can fit in a pocket as easily as any smartphone–one of the most prevalent sources for music playback. Right from the start, one might wonder where the sense is in purchasing something that offers listening outside the privacy of headphones, especially if it’s meant to be so portable and carried on your person.

Pocket Speaker’s charm is in not just its size but in its power. Less than one inch in depth, the device recalls the familiar shape of the iPhone/iPod and is hardly more cumbersome, and doesn’t compromise audio quality or product flexibility based on its size.

Here is a list of the primary tech specifications:

• 22mm thin frame

• Frequency response of 120 Hz-20,000 Khz

• Maximum Power: 5 watt RMS / 8 watt Peak

• Bluetooth 3.0 wireless technology

• Genuine wireless dual-pairing capability allows two speakers to pair wirelessly with one music device for left/right surround sound

• Double-sided sound architecture means there’s no “quiet side” of the speaker

• An internal microphone allows for taking conference calls

• Charges using a patented micro-USB/3.5 mm cable hybrid for up to eight hours of play time

• Wirelessly play and manage music from up to 30 feet/9.1 meters away

• 3.5mm hybrid Aux cable allows play music from analog music devices as well

The questionable practicality of the Pocket Speaker is addressed by the user’s setting and environment. A small but power-packed, externally focused playback device will probably not replace your mobile phone and earbuds on the commuter rail or at school, since not everyone will want to hear your “guilty pleasures” playlist. However, the size and ease of movement makes it an ideal partner at outdoor parties where an outlet is nowhere in sight or, perhaps for the athlete who wants to have music playing but doesn’t want to risk blocking out important extraneous noise (e.g. cars) while running. The idea of having a no-hassle, pocket-size surround sound experience is appealing as well and fills its own perfect convenience niche that, after use, wil be something most users won’t want to go without.

Lastly, mirroring Apple’s recent affinity for color with the iPhone 5C, Pocket Speaker has six color options in white, black, pink, yellow, blue and green. The $99.95 price tag is a reasonable buy for the power it packs, and, by providing an easily accessible customer care branch listed right on Carbon Audio’s website,  the Pocket Speaker is definitely meant to be a lasting hardware investment.

You can check out Pocket Speaker’s promotional video below and buy one from Apple here.

Carbon Audio can be found on Facebook and Twitter @carbonaudio.

Kira is an old school music nerd with a love for all things creative; always searching for music’s common ground. She graduated with an M.A. in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. Drop her a tweet @shadowmelody1

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