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The timing of this video is going to seem a little weird, but just go with it.  There’s an explanation.  And it’s not that I’m just way behind on editing videos.  I mean, yes, I am way behind on editing videos.  But that’s not why we waited on this one.

We met the crew from Fusion Entertainment at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market this year.  We filmed the short segment for the video, and they sent us home with a StereoActive to review.  We didn’t want to post up the video until we had a chance to put this little speaker through its paces and literally throw it into a lake.  Now we have, and the StereoActive lived up to all of its claims, so we feel good about recommending it.  I won’t call this an in-depth review, but here are my impressions on the things that were important to me.

Sound

Everything else the StereoActive did wouldn’t mean much if it sounded like crap.  I’m happy to report, it doesn’t.  I generally don’t expect much from wireless Bluetooth speakers – they’re sort of a commodity product these days.  But the sound from this one actually surprised me.  It projects well, and delivers a surprising amount of bass for such a small enclosure.  When we first got it home, Stef set it up in the workout room in the basement.  It fills that room nicely, and that’s where it lives now when we’re not in the RV.  And speaking of the RV, it actually gets louder and sounds better than the outdoor speakers permanently mounted on our van.  So it’s earned a spot in our camper van – which is saying something.

Battery Life

I haven’t done a proper test to determine exactly how long the battery will last under what conditions.  But that’s because I just don’t have that kind of time!  We fully charged the StereoActive (which took about 3 hours) and took it out for a day on the lake in southern Utah.  It lasted the whole day without needing a recharge.  Beyond that, what’s the point?  We have an RV, and could recharge it every day, so it lasts plenty long enough for us.

Ease of Use

Ever have one of those Bluetooth devices that you couldn’t figure out how to pair and you eventually had to give up and hunt down the manual?  This isn’t one of those.  We used this thing for a couple months without ever looking at the manual.  Both Stef and I paired it with our phones without consulting any documentation.  I eventually did read the Quick Start Guide, but the controls and functions are all pretty straight forward.  I think most folks could feel good about leaving the documentation at home.

Waterproof?

Yep.  It’s waterproof.  Not just water resistant, waterproof.  And it floats.  That’s pretty cool, and it’s the main reason we waited to put up the review.  We actually threw it in a lake – along with my phone!  You see, Fusion also sells the ActiveSafe, which is a little waterproof box.  They have a “puck” mounting system that will affix the products to a solid surface, or just to each other.

I knew the StereoActive would float because I had seen that at Outdoor Retailer.  But what I didn’t know is if it would float while attached to the ActiveSafe, and while my phone and keys were inside the ActiveSafe weighing it down.  This may not be the brightest thing I’ve ever done, but I put my phone and keys into the ActiveSafe, attached it to the StereoActive with the puck mount, and dumped the whole lot into Quail Creek Reservoir.

Happy to report the whole lot floated just fine and my keys and phone remained dry through the whole ordeal.

So there you have it.  Overall, we’re really happy with the StereoActive.  It will continue to live in the gym when we’re at home, and in the RV with us when we’re on the road.  Easy to operate, sounds great, and now, we don’t have to wonder what to do with keys and phones when we’re in the water, thanks to the ActiveSafe.

That’s it for now.  Cheers!