INTRODUCTION

   When i first started using and subsequently testing various gadgets i was very intrigued by portable/mobile speakers since especially back then i liked to listen to my favorite music regardless of where i was at. Granted a headset would be a far better choice if i was the only one who wanted to listen to my favorite tunes but most of the times friends tagged along as well. Back then however the largest portable speaker wasn't nearly large enough to cover our needs while the much larger and far more powerful PA (public address) systems lacked several key features like rechargeable batteries (portability), Bluetooth connectivity and built-in audio players. Today things have changed and so PA systems are not available only in many sizes and designs but they also feature rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity and built-in media players (some even come with built-in radios). Since so far we've tested some of the largest PA mobile sound systems available by E-Lektron today we decided to test their two smallest ones and more specifically the EL20-MB and the EL16-P.

   E-Lektron started its business in 2007, its target to offer DJ & PA electronics online at competitive prices and with premium service. At that time regular suppliers were not so keen on their products being offered online so E-Lektron started developing their own products, starting with speakers and amplifiers. Our products are being manufactured by contract-manufacturers with E-Lektron’s high standards and are shipped to our customers in the EU with DHL from our warehouse in Paderborn, Germany. Our prices are competitive since there's no “middle man” and our products are covered by a 2-year warranty (after which we can still repair them in our own workshop thanks to our large stock of spare parts, also for older products).

   Both the EL20-MB and the EL16-P are compact mobile PA sound systems that feature robust ABS plastic housing, built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery packs (3-5 hours for the EL20-MB and 2-5 hours for the EL16-P), MP3/WMA audio players (via USB port and micro SD slot), FM radio receivers (20 stations memory), intergrated mixers, battery powered wireless microphones (UHF) with feedback suppression, top VFW displays, Bluetooth v4.0 connectivity via CSR's BlueCore CSR8635 QFN chip (AVCRP v1.4/A2DP v1.2/HFP v1.6/HSP v1.2/DI v1.3), carrying handles and remote controls. This is however where their similarities end since the larger EL20-MB packs a 2-way (20cm/8inch woofer with 7.5cm/2inch tweeter) bass reflex speaker (45-20000Hz frequency response and 91dB sensitivity) with a peak power output of 200W (PMPO) whereas the smaller EL16-P has a single (16cm/6.5 inch) bass reflex speaker (50-18000Hz frequency response) with an max output of 100W (PMPO). These speakers also have several secondary differences however (most notably the telescopic handle of the EL20-MB and the front RGB LEDs of the EL16-P) so let's continue with our review/comparison and take a closer look.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Both speakers arrived inside plain cardboard boxes that have the product names, part numbers and the company logo and URL at the front.

The weight of the package and the unit is printed on the left side (strangely enough the EL16-P arrived without that).

Although both units come bundled with their charging wall adapters, wireless microphones (batteries included), remote controls (batteries included), 3.5mm aux cables and user manuals the EL20-MB also has two microphone holders with 3 mounting screws and the EL16-P has a carrying strap.

THE EL20-MB & EL16-P PART 1

Measuring 52.5x36x21cm the 8.1Kg heavy EL20-MB is quite larger compared to the 3.1Kg heavy EL16-P that measures just 35.5x25x16cm.

Both speakers have metal grills with the company logo at the front.

At the top of both speakers E-Lektron has placed VFW screens, media controls (the EL20-MB also has the aux-in here and two volume control knobs) and the USB and micro SD card slots (rubber covers over them in the EL16-P).

Carrying handles are located on top of both speakers but the one found on the EL20-MB has two aluminum ends on both sides.

The telescopic handle of the EL20-MB is placed right behind the carrying handle (the height of the speaker increases to 91cm when extended).

Since it’s really too small for a telescopic handle the EL16-P has two carrying loops at the rear instead.

At the rear of the EL20-MB we find intergrated mixer which includes 4 individual control knobs, two 6.3mm ports (wired microphone and guitar), power on/off switch, battery charging LEDs, DC in and a full sized FM Antenna (the microphone holders can be mounted in the holes located at top left and right).

Moving to the rear of the EL16-P here we find 5 control knobs (the extra one is the volume control), battery charging LED, aux audio in, DC 9V in, two 6.3mm ports (for wired microphones), RGB LED on/off switch, power on/off switch and the DC 12V in.

Since E-Lektron equipped the EL20-MB with a telescopic handle they had to also use a pair of replaceable wheels (the EL16-P just has two long feet at its base).

THE EL20-MB & EL16-P PART 2

Although the EL20-MB comes with a large remote control we found the tiny one of the EL16-P easier to use.

Both speakers have wireless microphones in their bundles (made almost entirely out of plastic).

These microphones have an on/off switch and a battery compartment at their base (just turn them on and they are ready to use).

The VFW screens may not be as impressive as the LCD ones we've seen with the other two PA models we've reviewed again by E-Lektron but they still offer information like the current audio input used and the FM radio station.

As mentioned in the intro page the EL16-P has front RGB LEDs which make the speaker look great especially at night (certainly not the best RGB lighting on a speaker but better than none at all right?).

CONCLUSION

   Unlike the mobile sound systems we’ve tested to date by E-Lektron because of their limited power outputs both the EL20-MB and the EL16-P can be used either as entry level PA models or as mobile speakers. Surprisingly enough although the EL20-MB has twice the audio power compared to the EL16-P (200/100W) the real world difference is not large. There is a gap in audio quality however and here is where the EL20-MB really stands out (probably due to its 2-way system). As we’ve pointed out in our other reviews PA systems are now known for their impressive mids and highs (thus far from audiophile material) but bass is good and you can certainly use the EL20-MB for a small event. Once again the wireless microphones work as they should (we hope that one they will use rechargeable ones), the built-in MP3 players come very handy (just place all your music collection in a USB flash drive or a micro SD card and you can carry it with you) and the RGB LED at the front of the EL16-P is certainly something we hope we’ll see again and in larger extend with products by E-Lektron. As for battery life we were hardly able to surpass 3 and ½ hours for the EL20-MB and 3 hours for the EL16-P but that’s not a bad number for speakers of their power outputs. Unfortunately replacing the rechargeable battery packs is not as easy as for example with the EL225-UHF but it’s still possible as long as you remove the rear plates (carefully however due to all the knobs and connectors on them).

   Consumers living in the European Union can currently get the EL20-MB PA sound system for 129.95Euros (Amazon.de) and the EL16-P for 74.99Euros (Amazon.de) price tags that just about reflect their abilities. Unfortunately at that around price segment competition is extremely fierce and that means things may not be as easy especially for the EL20-MB (mainly due to higher wattage units available for around the same price). Overall both sound systems offer good choices for people who are not willing to invest much on a PA mobile speaker so we do recommend checking them out.

PROS

- Durable ABS Plastic Enclosure
- Power Output (200W EL20-MB / 100W EL16-P)
- Bluetooth v4.0
- Built In MP3/WMA Player
- Battery Operated Wireless Microphone
- Two 6.3mm Inputs
- Intergrated Mixer
- FM Radio
- RGB LED (EL16-P)

CONS

- EL20-MB Price (Compared To The Competition)
- EL16-P Audio Clarity