Malhar G2

For audiophiles, Sonodyne has been a legendary Make in India brand, & the Bandish offers 120W of pure grade sound!

Sonodyne is an Indian brand many of us (and some of our parents) grew up with, and my earliest memories of the brand date back to the late '80s/ early '90s, when I used to regularly visit an uncle in Kolkata who was a big fan of the brand and its single-minded focus on recreating music "as the artist intended". Fast forward to 2024, and while the brand continues to serve the serious audiophile and pro-studio markets, it's their Bluetooth wireless speaker range that caught my eye, specifically the most powerful in their range, the aptly named Malhar (after the raga , Malhar which, as the myth goes, has the power to induce thunder and rain). Not one for slimline aesthetics, the Malhar resembles a cajón (or a clapbox as many may know it), an immediate throwback to when audio equipment was engineered for producing clean sound, first and foremost. With its wooden cabinet, classic aesthetics and all, the 8-kilogram Malhar is pleasing on the eye, but it demands pride of place — it's not one to disappear into the décor. Around the front are two 5" glass-fiber cone drivers accompanied by two 1" tweeters, and the sides have two 5" passive radiators. Inputs are all clustered towards the rear, with optical, aux, USB ports along with a handy 5V DC USB port to charge a phone while it's connected to the speaker. Controls to switch between these inputs and change tracks/volume are all on the top and are mirrored on the supplied remote. No buttons to fiddle around with bass/treble settings (intentionally so to retain the original feel of the track), and I would have preferred the indicator LEDs to be more visible, so you know the speaker is on or which input is selected. No app or Wi-Fi connectivity, which one starts expecting at this price point. Any reservations you may have had subside the moment you start playing music on the Malhar. Irrespective of genre, the speaker stands up and delivers, with a balanced sonic signature that accurately renders the highs, mids and lows without colouring the audio, so to speak. Streaming tracks as varied as Simon and Garfunkel to the Beach Boys to some of AR Rahman's classics, Malhar reproduces the tracks damn near flawlessly across its wide 40Hz – 20kHz frequency range. Throw in some punchier tracks and bump up the volume, and you really have to wake up the neighbours before the speaker starts showing the slightest hint of distortion at the top end. Worth noting as well is the expansive soundstage and the open quality to the playback. At its price, Malhar is likely to appeal to audio purists, and despite its name, this truly is a speaker for all seasons. The 'Made in India since 1970' is bonus appeal. Rating: 8/10 Price: INR 37,500

From my childhood I am a fan of sonodyne stereo. I remember the jetliner series. I have a stereo system but when I heard malhar at a mall I immediately purchased it. The sound is un believable.

https://news.hybriques.com/review-of-sonodyne-malhar/ Over time, it seems most of us have lost the context of pure sound. What we are used to these days via our headphones, televisions, and Bluetooth speakers is a cacophony of amped-up bass and synthetic sounds. Yes, audio has to be a very personal choice, but it has to be a choice where a user decides this is exactly how they want to listen to their music. Every once in a while, an audio device comes along trying to underline the beauty of pure sound, which is more natural and live. The Sonodyne Malhar is clearly in that range of products. The Malhar, manufactured by Sonodyne in Kolkata, is immediately noticeable when you take it out of the packaging. This one has a substantial 8 kg wooden cabinet that exudes a beatbox-like vibe and gives off the impression that it means business. Additionally, there's a certain simplicity that makes people like me, who have been around for a while, feel a little nostalgic. Malhar boasts a wide soundstage with excellent fidelity, thanks to its two front-facing drivers and tweeters, which are surrounded by two side-facing radiators. The top of the cabinet has a number of buttons that allow you to change songs and volume in addition to input modes. Even the remote control is designed to prevent users from tinkering with the bass or treble levels on the Malhar. Easily switch between multiple sources that you can connect, including USB, optical, and auxiliary, based on what you have. Some audio devices give off vibes that make one want to listen to certain types of music on them. The Malhar clearly gave me Carnatic, Hindustani, and Leonard Cohen vibes, not just because of its name. And I was not wrong. The first playlist I went to was a Spotify Hindustani Classical playlist with many renditions of Ragas I had not even heard of, clearly a good sign for music discovery. Not one to be intimidated, I settled for Nirali Kartik's familiar voice and a less familiar Gurjari Todi. Soon her voice was filling the living room and overpowering this year's subdued December chill. But on the Malhar, her voice, the Tanpura in the backdrop, gets centre stage so that gets into a meditative state with the Todi, just as intended. The audio profile also has a warmth radiating from it, almost mellow, perfect for this time of the year. With a richer composition like Manasa Sancharare by Bombay Jayashree, the mrudangam comes into the mix, activating the radiators and telling us the speaker can handle deep lows really well too. But I could not help but feel I was enjoying her silken voice. That is how the soundstage of the Malhar stands out. And the Malhar is not content with just classical. When you listen to a live performance of Fever or Chantal Chamberlain's Besame Mucho in HiFi, you can experience Malhar's rich sound profile. This speaker excels at isolating the vocals from the rest of the sound. With the vocals slightly ahead of the instruments, the song appears to be projected in three dimensions. Interestingly, Apple Music and Spotify were being streamed over Bluetooth for all of this. To push the boundaries a little further, I downloaded Apple's Classical Music app and looked up the London Philharmonic, who is once again up for Orchestra of the Year. Even though the volume was not at maximum, the Bach Concerto for Oboe, Strings, and Continuo was audibly powerful, filling the room even though it took a few seconds to load. The Vienna Philharmonic's rendition of Mozart's overture also produced a stereo effect that was striking, something that very few one-piece speakers could match. My house started to feel like Christmas all of a sudden. I continued so as not to leave my fifth-floor window's neighbors wondering why there were reindeer outside. I loved the Malhar for its ability to stay true with renditions that switch from highs to lows, like with most of the orchestra compositions. And even at high volumes, the speaker does not struggle. There is a fullness to whatever the Malhar does so you will not be disappointed. My only complaint is that power lights are on top and often you can't tell whether the speaker is on. And this means it stays connected to the phone without you realising it. The LEDs would be more useful on the front. Also, I would like to see a Wi-Fi version of this so that I can start streaming to the Malhar without the irritations of a hyperactive smartphone like mine. The Malhar, which retails for Rs 37,500, is the kind of speaker that appeals to people who value purity in music and who share that appreciation. I would spend money on a speaker like this for my weekend morning sessions, where I discover new music and revisit my favorite songs. The Malhar is the kind of speaker that could easily be mistaken for a European audio masterpiece. And the fact that this is coming from an Indian business that is speaking out and telling the world that it's time to listen to us makes me proud.

The Malhar isn't sold outside India, but if you're in the country and need a great Bluetooth speaker, it is the obvious choice. https://www.androidcentral.com/accessories/audio/sonodyne-malhar-review

Bought the antara yesterday. It's a lovely speaker. The sound reproduction is wonderful. It gives a good bass cover even though it's so small and the power is very superior for its size. It's form factor is good. Small and portable. Though it does have some weight so it feels like a serious speaker. One spot for improvement is the volume buttons which also function as the skip button. Volume is long press and skip is short press. This can be confusing when you want to reduce or increase the volume just a little. Although these functionalities are there in the streaming device as well so it's not something that you can't get around. Overall top class.

My favourite audio products

While audio is a personal choice, at times buyers find them struggling to find that perfect speaker for home entertainment. Many fall short in terms of design, sound performance, or affordability, leaving enthusiasts searching for the speaker that ticks all the boxes. Made-in-India Sonodyne Malhar speaker aims to bridge the gap between classic aesthetics and modern functionality. Priced at Rs 37,500, the speaker features a wooden cabinet with two front- facing woofers and tweeters paired with side-faced dual passive radiators. In this review, we'll explore whether the Malhar can indeed meet the high expectations of audio lovers looking for a reliable speaker or is it just another contender in the market. Sonodyne Malhar design The Sonodyne Malhar 180-watt speaker features a 'timeless design' with a modern twist. It has an old-school, vintage-inspired look – a rectangular-shaped cabinet made from MDF wood with a glossy finish. This material choice gives the speaker both classic design and durability. Edges are sharp that give it a bold profile and adds to its vintage aesthetics. On top of the Sonodyne Malhar speaker, there's a sleek control panel with physical buttons that offer direct access to essential functions like volume control, power on/off, play/pause, track forward/rewind, and mode selection between USB, optical, or Bluetooth. While the layout is intuitive, the buttons themselves are quite small, which adds to the speaker's minimalist aesthetic. Having said that we like to add that it may require a bit more precision during use. Despite their compact size, these buttons give the speaker a tactile, hands-on feel, complementing its blend of retro design. The speaker's IR sensor on the front allowed us to control the device wirelessly via a remote that came bundled inside the box. Using the remote - which we must say is sleek and stylish – gets all the controls that are available in the control panel on the speaker that we just mentioned above. The Sonodyne Malhar speaker comes with two passive radiators placed on the sides to enhance the bass response. These radiators work by responding to the air pressure generated inside the speaker, delivering deeper and more powerful low frequencies. The woofer and tweeter units are placed on the front behind a metallic grille, enhancing the speaker's vintage appeal as well as protecting the drivers. The company's branding can be seen at the front bottom. The speaker's rear side is home to inputs for AUX, Optical, USB along with the power input. A manual switch is also located on the back, allowing you to control the speaker's power while it remains plugged in. Now do note that the device weighs 8kg and you will be finding it tied to one place Overall, the speaker's design combines elegance, durability, and accessibility features, making it a worthy addition in your living room. Sonodyne Malhar audio performance Top-notch! The Sonodyne Malhar bluetooth speaker delivers an exceptional audio experience that truly stands out. Let's quickly run through the technical info. The speaker is equipped with two 5-inch glass-cone fiber woofers, two 1-inch polycone tweeters, and dual 5-inch passive radiators. It has a D Class high power amplifier that goes up to 180 watt, producing loud sound that can fill even a big room. With its powerful woofer and precision tweeter, the speaker offers a remarkable balance of deep, resonant bass and crystal-clear highs, ensuring that every note is rendered with stunning clarity. The speaker's 5-inch dual passive radiators enhance the low-end response, providing a rich and immersive soundstage that fills the room. The Sonodyne Malhar speaker does true justice to its name by delivering exceptional performance. And of course, we started the audio test with Hindi classical music. We chose a Hindi classical playlist in the Spotify app and that is when we came across musical gems like Gaud Sarang and Dhani by Shruti Sadolikar, Ahir Bhairav by Buddhadev DasGupta and Muskurahte-Reprise by Shail Handa. These intricate melodies and rich nuances of ragas come alive with the Malhar speaker, making it an ideal choice for music admirers of this genre. For example, when listening to 'Gaud Sarang Dhani' by Shruti Sadolikar, the speaker's ability to render the delicate notes and subtle expressions is truly impressive. Similarly, 'Ahir Bhairav' by Buddhadev DasGupta showcases the Malhar's capacity to deliver depth and warmth in its sound, creating an immersive listening experience. Tracks like 'Jaa Kaga' and 'Muskurahte-Reprise' by Shail Handa highlight how the Malhar captures the emotional essence of each piece, making every song feel engaging. We also tested the speaker for other genre songs like Olivia Rodrigo's 'Good 4 U', and Therefore I Am by Billie Ellish. The Sonodyne Malhar speaker handled the energetic pop of 'Good 4 U' impressively, delivering punchy bass and crisp vocals. Meanwhile, 'Therefore I Am' showcased the speaker's ability to reproduce Billie Eilish's signature sound, with the subtle nuances coming through clearly. Sonodyne Malhar speaker will not disappoint you if you are an admirer of songs like Softly by Karan Aujla, Pasoori by Ali Sethi x ShaeGill or Hass Hass by Diljit Dosanjh. We also watched a couple of movies like the Do Patti on Netflix and the speaker surely added to the experience. Whether you're enjoying your favorite music or watching movies, the Malhar captures the full spectrum of sound, making every moment engaging and enjoyable. Verdict Sonodyne Malhar debuted with a price tag of Rs 37,500. But you can easily buy it below Rs 32,000 on Amazon and other platforms. At this price point, Malhar offers remarkable value for its combination of classic design, robust audio performance, and modern features. Its impressive bass response and clarity make it suitable for a variety of genres. Overall, the Sonodyne Malhar speaker is a worthy investment. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/reviews/sonodyne-malhar-review-classic-style-powerful-audio/articleshow/114878978.cms

I admit I'm partial towards Indian brands that can hold their own against global ones and stand tall in the face of intense competition. Sonodyne is one such brand and has built up a solid reputation in Hi-Fi systems and home audio. It has now ventured into Bluetooth speakers as well, with its portfolio including models that get their monikers from Indian classical music — Antara, Alaap, Bandish, and Malhar. The Antara is the entry-level model in the lineup and is currently listed at Rs 13,499. I gave it a listen over a few days to figure out how it fares. The Antara features a blocky, minimalist design, and comes in back or white colourways. My review unit is white, and looks nice with its glossy finish. The fit and finish are good, though there are some areas of improvement visible on close inspection — nothing that raises any red flags though. A black metal grille occupies most of the front, with a Sonodyne logo placed in the centre. The top has a strip of rubber that bears the controls for music playback, power, Bluetooth, volume and inputs. There's no backlight for the controls though, and the rubber is prone to collecting dust particles, especially between the raised portion of the buttons. The sides have a pair of passive radiators. The design is IP65 rated for resistance against dust and water, so using it at the poolside shouldn't be an issue. Measuring 250 x 86 x 98mm, the Antara isn't too big and can be shoved inside a backpack, though the 1.5kg weight could make you think twice about doing that. At the back, a bunch of ports are hidden under a rubber flap. There's a USB Type-A port for connecting a flash drive loaded with MP3 songs, a 3.5mm aux-in, and a Type-C port for charging. There's also a pre-out for connecting an external subwoofer, if you so want. A charging indicator LED is also located on the back. It's worth mentioning that Sonodyne includes a Type-A to Type-C cable and a charging adapter in the box, which is a nice touch. Not only does the speaker allow you to connect an external subwoofer, a pair of Antara speakers can be connected together in duet mode for a more immersive listening experience. Inside, the Antara has a couple of 2.5-inch drivers that work along with two 2.5-inch passive radiators and two tweeters to give you a stereo soundstage, with the total power rated at 40W. Wirelessly, the Antara works over Bluetooth 5.4, which is the latest BT standard and promises improved battery life and range. There's no companion app though, and no way to customise EQ. There is, however, inbuilt DSP equalisation that ensures zero distortion. The 3,350mAh battery inside is rated for up to 12 hours of use, and needs about 4.5 hours via the bundled charging adapter. Straight off the bat, the Sonodyne surprises pleasantly with its clarity and richness. Pump up the volume to the max and it's clear that the bass doesn't have the punch some folks might prefer, especially with genres like EDM and rock. That said, the option to connect an external subwoofer via the pre-out port should be helpful in this case. Genres like classical and jazz shine with clear, rich sound that doesn't distort even at max volumes. Priced at Rs 14,999 and currently listed online at Rs 13,499, the Sonodyne Antara seems better suited for personal listening than powering a party, and for specific genres / use cases… which isn't a bad thing at all. As a wireless Bluetooth speaker, the Sonodyne Antara's strengths lie in producing clear, distortion-free audio, along with providing ample connectivity options like a dedicated subwoofer pre-out and the ability to pair two speakers together. The solid build and IP65 rating help too. Editor's rating: 7.5 / 10 Clean, rich sound Ample connectivity options IP65 rated

Sonodyne Malhar - The wireless speaker with a thump Pranav Dixit, Business Today Powerful Audio Output - Delivers 180 watts of high fidelity sound ensuring immersive listening across various genres Precision drivers - Equipped with dual 5" glass fibre cone woofers and 1" neodymium magnet silk dome tweeters for deep bass and clear highs Dual Passive radiators - features two side mounted passive radiators that enhance low frequency response providing rich and detailed bass Multiple connectivity Options - Offers Bluetooth 5.0, USB Audio, Optical and Analogue stereo inputs, allowing seamless integration with various devices Duet mode for expanded soundstage - Link two Malhar speakers to create a wider soundstage, perfect for large spaces or enhanced stereo separation Elegant wooden cabinet - Crafted with a rigid MDF enclosure, and available in multiple finishes, it combines aesthetic appeal with acoustic performance User-friendly controls - Comes with an intuitive control panel and a full featured infra red remote for convenient operation Built-in limiter for distortion free sound - Incorporates a built-in limiter to prevent distortion, ensuring fatigue-free listening even at higher volumes Price & availablity - Sonodyne Malhar is available at www.sonodyne.com and is priced at Rs 37500

Wireless speakers come in all shapes and sizes and some even with smart functionality or voice inputs. The Sonodyne Malhar that we have for review today prefers to keep things simple and almost turns back time by a few years. Despite that, it would be rather unfair to call it just a wireless speaker, and the company rightly prefers to call it a high-fidelity music system. This may not be a product for all but there's a lot to like about it. If you have been thinking about a portable Bluetooth speaker, that's not what we have here. Of course, it is Bluetooth 5.2 compliant and you can move it around; it weighs 'just' 8 kgs. But a permanent spot in the room would be a better idea, and it needs to be plugged into a power socket at all times. The Malhar is fitted with four active speakers and two passive radiators. To be specific, it has two 5-inch glass-fiber cone woofers, two 1-inch silk-dome tweeters with Neodymium magnets and two 5-inch passive radiators for bass. Collectively they can deliver up to 180 Watts of sound output thanks to a Class D amplifier inside. The stated frequency response ranges between 40 Hz to 20 KHz. With the key specifications out of the way, it's time to tell you what's good and what's not about this wireless speaker or Hi-Fi music system from the 50+ years old renowned Indian audio brand. What we liked about the Sonodyne Malhar The vintage design looks really cool It has a rectangular boxy design like the speakers of yore. A rugged wooden (MDF) cabinet with a glossy finish houses all the drivers and other circuitry. The woofers and tweeters are covered with metal grilles, adding to the vintage look. The uncovered passive radiators on the side also all to the aesthetics. Long story short, we liked the Malhar's design and it made us a tad nostalgic. We got a black variant for review which looks sober. It comes in three more colour options which I believe would look cooler due to the distinct contrast with the black speaker grilles. Powerful sound output with ample detail as well as bass The Sonodyne Malhar makes good use of its size and components and delivers a powerful sound output. It is loud, punchy, with ample bass and excellent detail in audio as long as you play it loud enough. The soundstage is reasonably broad too. While you can use it for some soft nighttime listening, one can get the best out of it only beyond a particular loudness level where the three major frequency ranges play well collectively and the finer detail is distinctly audible. Soft listening is fine for vocal-heavy tracks or classical music. But for bass-heavy tracks, the bass feels slightly dominant and vocals as well as some instrument sounds seem a bit recessed till you push the volume higher. At the right loudness, it sounds great across various genres of music. It is loud enough and has ample thump for a mid to large sized room and one can easily use it for a house party. Another thing to note is that its performance on wired inputs is a notch or two higher than on Bluetooth. Multiple audio inputs Speaking of inputs, the Sonodyne Malhar has a bunch of options at the back. It has an optical in, a 3.5 mm aux input, Bluetooth 5.2 and one can also play audio through a USB drive. If you still have your old 'legal' MP3 collection, you can put it on a drive, plug it into the USB port and enjoy. The performance through USB is quite good, and even if you switch off the speaker, you can resume from the last track you played when you turn it back on. Do plug it into the right USB port though. There's a second USB port but that has been provided to charge devices like wireless earphones or smartwatches or even smartphones if you aren't in a hurry to juice it up briskly. Easy to use and comes with a full-function remote control One of the best aspects of the Sonodyne Malhar is its simplicity. There's hardly any setup or a learning curve. Just power it up, choose the input source and you are good to go. There are physical buttons at the top of the speaker with an LED indicator, one for each input and function. It's hard to go wrong with that. The company bundles a neat looking compact infrared remote control that gives you access to all the inputs and functions from the comfort of your seat. Yes, I may have a small issue with the remote that you will soon discover, but it covers all the key bases. What rains on its parade No sound customisations at all This point may sound somewhat contradictory to the previous one but it is what it is. Yes, sound tweaks or equalisers may feel intimidating for some but it is always great to have the option to finetune the audio to one's taste. While the Sonodyne Malhar is tuned very well out of the box, something as basic as bass and treble controls would have worked well here and added to its old world charm along with the functionality. I wasn't even suggesting a full-blown companion app with a multi-band equaliser, but just a couple more buttons on the remote wouldn't have diminished its ease of use. Scant Bluetooth codec support We did not find the mention of the Bluetooth codec used here and we safely assume it's SBC. A speaker of this class (and budget) certainly deserves a bit more bandwidth on the wireless front. While the speaker has multiple inputs, it is highly likely that Bluetooth will be the most commonly used option in this age. And its sound quality over Bluetooth is a notch or two lower than the wired options including playing audio from USB. A better codec like aptX or LDAC could have probably got more out of this product. Could have used a couple of modern features We do understand that the theme is retro but I would have liked to see some modern tech for connectivity, especially given its selling price. And I don't just mean the aforementioned codec support. Two things that would have benefited the Malhar are HDMI input and a Bluetooth remote instead of IR. The speaker is powerful enough to be used with TVs as a soundbar alternative. While you do have connectivity options like optical and aux inputs and even Bluetooth, HDMI would have yielded best results. The desire for a Bluetooth or even a RF remote control instead of IR stems from a habit developed due to the use of smart TVs and streamers like the Amazon Fire TV Stick over the past few years. They have Bluetooth remotes that one can point anywhere, and not necessarily at a receiver, before pressing a button. With the Malhar, I had to take that extra effort and at times the input wouldn't register from sharp angles. I may be nitpicking but a Bluetooth remote would have also allowed one to control the device from an adjacent room within the wireless range. Sonodyne Malhar: Price and verdict The Sonodyne Malhar is priced at Rs 31,999 and comes with a 2-year warranty. It does miss out on a few modern features like support for high throughput Bluetooth codec, Bluetooth remote or HDMI ARC input but it hits the bullseye with its sound quality. It is certainly not an alternative for a portable Bluetooth speaker or a party boombox, however, it can play both those roles well and with a touch of class. If you are just looking for either of those things, you can get a lot of options for less than half its selling price. But if you are someone who appreciates the finer detail in music and looking for a high fidelity speaker with a fairly balanced sound output and a handful of connectivity options, the Sonodyne Malhar is something you should strongly consider.

Sound on: The best bluetooth speakers under Rs 25,000 - This high quality speaker from the proudly Indian audio brand, Sonodyne, makes our list for its stellar audio performance and durable build. Positioned as a high fidelity stereo wireless music system, Bandish takes its name from the Hindustani Classical music term that refers to multiple instruments playing together. This 120W speaker will please sound aficionados with its crystal clear audio and Class D amplifiers. The remote control unit is a thoughtful addition while the highly rigid wooden cabinet minimises cabinet vibration. https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/my-kolkata/lifestyle/the-best-bluetooth-speakers-under-rs-25k-you-can-buy-right-now/cid/2069005

Amazing Sound - Sonodyne comes to our family after over 3 decades - first we used URANUS 2. Incredible product.

Bluetooth speakers have become an indispensable gadget segment. Everybody's got one somewhere by now. Whether you use your speaker around the house, or in the shower, or bring it to the park, or maybe you're one of those folks who keeps it on the balcony and shares music with everyone nearby. The thing about Bluetooth speakers is that once you buy one, there is no need to update for years, especially when the sound quality is good. No wonder, Sonodyne continues to invest heavily in the sound department. Everybody growing up in '80s and '90s India has heard of this brand, which has delivered in the era of big-box home loudspeakers with their full-bodied sound as much as it is offering now through portable speakers. After coming up with the excellent Malhar system a few years ago, the company, started in 1970 by IIT engineer Ashoke Mukherjee, has come up with Antara, a portable wireless music system that can be defined with two words — sound sorcery. Sound is constant Unlike the Apple HomePod or Bose SoundLink Max, Sonodyne is focussing on what matters — sound and sound alone. Innovation is restless but sound is constant. The small, portable Sonodyne Antara sounds phenomenal, delivering true stereo sound. The company hasn't crimped on the technology driving the 25cm x 8.6cm x 9.8cm sturdy wireless device: It comes with two 2.5-inch LF transducers (woofers) with 2.5-inch passive radiator and two HF drivers (tweeters). So a total of four drivers and two passive radiators create a rich soundstage. Antara delivers expansive sound with a surprising amount of bass and crucially, that low end isn't muddy or boomy, instead, everything about this speaker is rich, clear, and detailed. All this is very important: Recently we reviewed Sony ULT Field 1, which too is a good speaker but make no mistake, its bass output can overpower and kill a song like Queen's Another One Bites The Dust or even something fresh out of recording studios — Sabrina Carpenter's Please Please Please. Whether you lay the speaker flat or carry it around, the sound is warm and surrounds the listener, which is quite unlike most of the offerings from a market that's becoming stagnant. Consistency matters One may point out there's no built-in microphone so you can't use it as a speaker phone. The point is: Who wants to take calls on a speaker? Even the Bose SoundLink Max speaker doesn't have a microphone. But there is one feature that the Sonodyne speaker offers: You can connect two Antaras in "duet mode" for a more immersive sonic experience. Sonodyne has gone with Bluetooth 5.4, which is the latest version. One of the main improvements in Bluetooth 5.4 is the bi-directional communication with thousands of end nodes from a single access point. It also translates into energy efficiency, reliability with connection and better security. Range? It remains as good as before but there is better connectivity. Another feature you will find highlighted on the box if you choose to explore the product is DSP or digital signal processing technology. It's integral to audio engineering that makes use of specialised mathematical algorithms to measure and modify digitised audio signals. Using DSP, the device can precisely manipulate digitised audio signals, besides using it to monitor and control audio signals presented to input and amplifier circuits. Like a race car is optimised for a certain type of racing, the audio DSP is optimised to process audio data efficiently and accurately. The hardware translates into rich sound quality, which is ultimately what makes this speaker special. The passive radiator enhances bass performance and, at the same time, there is some fancy digital processing to reduce distortion, even at high volumes. The speaker holds up together quite well. Sonodyne has done a good job creating a wider sound stage than you'd expect with the max giving sound more depth and openness. It offers more of a stereo experience than many Bluetooth speakers that claim to be stereo speakers. Sonodyne Malhar, the bigger brother, has a more booming sound but Antara doesn't fall far behind, both in terms of volume and bass performance. It certainly ticks all the boxes to become a companion for a pool party, besides filling a small- to medium-sized room, taking up very little space. Should you buy it? Despite the size, the sound is big. Personally, I don't care for a Bluetooth speaker to have a companion app as long as the soundstage is accommodating. This one can be moved from room to room or carried outside. The choice of ports is also worth noticing: Aux In, Pre Out, USB and USB-C charging. The 3,350mAh battery can offer up to 12 hours of playtime and there is IP65 rating, ensuring you can use the speaker outside. The only thing I find missing is a handle, which can be useful to carry the 1.5kg speaker around. Overall, Sonodyne Antara definitely helps the listener escape the boundaries inherent in streaming audio over Bluetooth to a small speaker.This is affordable sonic sorcery. At a glance Device: Sonodyne Antara Price: Rs 14,999 High notes ** Sounds excellent for its compact size ** Battery life is very good ** Comes with Bluetooth 5.4 ** Sturdy and has IP65 rating Muffled note ** A handle on the speaker would have made it easier for those on the move By Mathures Paul Published:29 Jun 2024, 8:39PM

Since its inception in the early 70s, Sonodyne is a company that has been at the forefront of the innovative Indian professional audio market

"Made in India" long before it became a buzz phrase, Sonodyne has long served the serious audiophile and pro-studio markets. The brand has forayed into Bluetooth wireless speakers, and the Antara is the entry-level in the lineup. Upon first glance, Antara sports a fairly safe, inoffensive design, with a black metal grille across the front of the speaker and an ABS body – in black or white finishes - with IP65 splash resistance for poolside use. It's small enough to be thrown into a backpack, if the 1.5kg weight isn't a deterrent. Playback controls are ensconced within a black rubberized panel on the top, an aesthetic I couldn't really get behind – unless this speaker is placed in a brightly lit area, you really have to look closely as the controls lack any backlighting whatsoever. While most would use Bluetooth 5,4 to connect with the speaker, you do get connectivity ports around the rear – a USB-A for plugging into a thumb drive to play MP3s (if you still have them around), a 3.5mm aux-in for wired playback and a Type-C port for charging…although a set of LEDs would have been nice to indicate current charge levels. Interestingly, there's a pre-out port to connect an external subwoofer, a nod to the brand's legacy in home audio equipment, but most would consider it excessive for a Bluetooth speaker. Handier is the ability to connect two Antaras in 'Duet Mode' for a more immersive audio experience. Peel back the layers and you'll find two 2.5-inch drivers that work along with two 2.5-inch passive radiators and two 0.5-inch tweeters for a total rated power of 40W and a respectable soundstage for something this size. Used at moderate volumes, the 3,350mAh battery inside is rated for up to 12 hours of use, and charging via the bundled charging adapter takes a little under five hours to juice up the device completely. Music played off the Antara is clear and rich, if a little hamstrung on bass response. Not having a companion app means there is no way to customize the equalization to suit the music you're playing, but there is inbuilt digital signal processing (DSP) equalization to cut out distortion even at high levels. This is a speaker best suited for personal listening to vocals, classical music or jazz, less so for hip hop or rock, unless of course, you have that sub-woofer handy.