CONCLUSION

   As mentioned in the beginning we used the SOLEMATE for just over 20 days both during a trip to the countryside and while writing other reviews since that's pretty much the only time when there's no external noise. Of course aside the normal Bluetooth connection which we used with the Optimus 2X by LG, an iPhone 4S and 2 android tablets i also decided to connect it via the 3.5" mini-jack with the Logitech Squeezebox Touch which has been my favorite music tool for the past year. So as expected from such small drivers the SOLEMATE excelled in midrange and highs but things were not as good in the bass area. More specifically when you push the SOLEMATE to its highest audio levels it begins to distort anything with lots of bass in it (worked surprisingly well with rock/metal/jazz tracks up to 80% of power). Now for all of you who plan on using the SOLEMATE as a speakerphone things here are also very good since not only you can listen to the caller with extreme clarity but the microphone is also very good (still not flawless) in transmitting whatever you say to the other end. Worth mentioning is that Jawbone also manufacturers a rather similar wireless speaker (design-wise) called the Jambox which i had the chance to use (not really test) for a couple of days when a friend of mine bought it at launch roughly 2 years ago. However aside the less rugged housing it also doesn't output the same audio quality and levels as the SOLEMATE something which I’m quite certain is also the reason as to why Jawbone later on launched the Big Jambox wireless speaker (still not perfect but as powerful as the SOLEMATE) which replaced my friends Jambox soon afterwards (and he still has it). Finally although Jabra claims that you can use the SOLEMATE for a total of 10 hours before it runs out of juice this is not really the case if you use it at maximum volume since we did many times and the maximum time fell to 8 hours (not that 8 hours is not impressive as well).

   Since most single-driver wireless portable speakers carrying the names of the known manufacturers cost at around USD60/50Euros i was quite certain that the Jabra SOLEMATE would cost at least twice as much and in a way i was right on the spot since currently you can find it at around USD199 inside the USA (Amazon/BestBuy) and at around 160Euros inside the EU. Of course although the SOLEMATE is a solid wireless portable speaker with a subwoofer, two tweeters and a passive radiator (other side) all in a very compact size this price tag is a bit heavier than what i was expecting and that's pretty much also the only drawback i can think of. Bottom line if you really want a portable wireless speaker with good audio levels, very good audio clarity, both Bluetooth and 3.5mm outputs that can also be used as a speakerphone and you don't want to spend more for one of the more high-end/quality solutions in the market then look no further than the Jabra SOLEMATE which clearly receives our Golden award. 

PROS

- Build Quality
- Design
- Audio Quality
- Volume Level
- Rugged Housing
- 3.5mm Output
- Speakerphone
- Voice Guidance
- Battery Life

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Bass Distortion At High Volume Levels