INTRODUCTION

   Just like wrist watches are gradually being replaced by smart watches (although i have a feeling that there will always be a market for mechanical watches) alarm clocks have also evolved and so today consumers can find models featuring a plethora of available functions. My first ever encounter with such an alarm clock was back in 2010 when i reviewed the aXbo SleepPhase Alarm Clock but even though i really liked the concept (also ended up using it myself for the next 4 years or so) technology has made large steps in the 8 years since. On top of that add the appearance of numerous new manufacturers since then and it's only natural that new and more exciting models have emerged. Divoom is best known for their wireless speakers but their Timebox line of Smart Music Clocks is also very popular and so the wooden version ended up in our lab just over a month ago.

   Divoom is one of the most reputable speaker brands in the world, and the Divoom speakers have been sold world-wide over 40 different countries. Throughout its 10 years journey, Divoom strives for the audio perfection by providing the most innovating and refined audio products. The fine-tuned audio quality is infused within every Divoom speaker, and it’s also the Divoom’s promise to every music enthusiast in the world. We say,9% love,17% beauty,13% fashion,5% madness,17% power, 8% goal in the last minute,6% adrenaline,25% heart and soul service, that is your 100% Divoom. The Divoom brand was inspired our love of music and the passion for fine audio. To strike for acoustic perfection, we religiously fine-tuned our speaker to suit every music enthusiasts. Our goal is to develop the innovative audio products that excel in aesthetic design and audio performance for all music lovers.

   As clearly stated by its name the Timebox Smart Music Clock (currently available with a ivory wood or plastic enclosure - with red, blue, black, white or hot pink colors) doesn't just display the time and can be used as an alarm clock like every other in the market but it can also be used as a portable speaker thanks to its 3 inch full-range driver (77mm / 5W / 60-20.000Hz / 75dB) with passive radiator and DSP function (digital sound processing). Still that's just the beginning since the Timebox also features Bluetooth v4.0 connectivity, grand total of 121 high-quality full RGB LEDs (produce the equivalent luminosity of a 3W night lamp), FM tuner (both standard and Japan modes are supported), built-in microphone, built-in temperature sensor and a built-in 2500mAh lithium-ion battery (up to 6 hours of playback time). Thanks to the above specifications the Timebox can be used for a wide variety of functions including to create and share static or animated pixel art, play several mini games, keep you updated with its social media notifications, make/answer/end calls (speakerphone), as a basic weather station (aside temperature it also displays moisture and weather forecast) and both as a stop watch and as an alarm clock with several audio and visual sleep-aids (you can also use your own voice and/or music).

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The Timebox arrived inside a small black box that has a large product picture at the front.

The Divoom app is showcased on the left side of the box (you can either search for it manually or scan the 2D barcode seen here).

Moving at the rear of the box we find the features list printed in 8 languages.

Once you remove the exterior cover you will find a piece of cardboard with the company logo on it.

Divoom has placed the entire bundle in two separate cardboard boxes.

Along with the Timebox Smart Music Clock you will also get a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable (gold plated plugs), USB to micro USB charging cable and the user manual.

THE TIMEBOX

The 433g heavy Timebox stands 115.8mm in height, 114mm in length and 55mm in width.

I placed my iPhone 6 right next to the Timebox to showcase just how compact it is.

The 121 high-quality programmable RGB LEDs are placed behind a plastic cover followed by an isolation bracket.

The rubber control buttons are located at the top and include the on/off button (can also be used to check the battery level), play/pause audio button (can also be used to answer/end/reject calls and to scan FM stations), next/previous song/station button (can also be used to change between light effects), volume up/down button (also double as the brightness level buttons), audio source switch button (manual alarm button) and the snooze alarm/change functions button (voice message recording).

The company name is engraved on the left side of the enclosure as seen above.

As you can all see the rear cover is perforated and at the lower end we find the 3.5mm aux audio input, microphone, micro SD charging port, charging LED and the 3.5mm aux audio output.

Several certification logos are printed at the base of the enclosure right between two rubber feet.

Although not very easy for the lens of the camera to catch all of the LEDs from the two above pictures you can see just how bright they are.

SMART APP

From the main app screen you can check the temperature, moisture and pressure and see all of the Timebox available functions.

If you press on the temperature/moisture/pressure tabs you will access the local weather forecast screen.

From the design and animation tabs you can design static and/or animated pixel art while from the gallery tab you can access a very large number of ready static and animated pixel art.

You can also use the Timebox as a planner, calendar, stopwatch and scoreboard from within the tools tab (there are also some quick games if you want something to pass your time with).

The sleep tab contains 20 different types of relax sounds/sleep-aids (FM radio included).

Since to use the Timebox you need to connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth it uses its stored alarm times.

Unfortunately the media player is nothing impressive in terms of design but it gets the job done.

As mentioned earlier the Timebox also has a built-in FM radio and a microphone which can be used to record voice memos.

If you want more information on the available products by Divoom you need only press the Discover tab on the lower end of the app.

By pressing on the middle tab you can switch between 12/24 hour format for the clock, Fahrenheit and Celsius units for the temperature sensor, change the color and brightness of the LEDs, set one of the available animated arts and finally you can load your very own picture from your phone onto the Timebox.

From the settings tab you can enable the shake shake feature (adjusts the brightness of the LEDs), enable energy saving mode, change the startup logo, set the brightness level and configure auto power off (for when the device is not in use).

CONCLUSION

   Although I don’t know that many people who actually use an alarm clock any more the Timebox by Divoom is much more and so it’s no wonder that due to its high popularity Divoom also released a mini model. Audio quality is surprisingly good for the size of the Timebox (especially since it’s not a dedicated portable speaker) and although it lacks sufficient bass it’s not something we haven’t seen numerous times and with much larger portable speakers (volume levels are also very good and can easily fill a small room). The 121 programmable RGB LEDs look great (although we think that you should be able to zoom in and out on the things you put on them – easier to see some things that way including the watch) but unfortunately if you keep them on at all times the battery depletes in much less time than the 6 advertised hours (sometimes we could hardly surpass 3 while also playing music). As for the app we feel that it needs a bit of revamping to make it easier/faster for people to navigate through all its available tabs (just the fact that it has that many however is a plus).

   The ivory wood version of the Timebox Smart Music Clock by Divoom currently retails for USD61.34 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 67Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price which is actually quite lower than what we were expecting. All said and done our only concern about the Timebox is its rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack meaning you have to have it plugged into the power at all times if you plan on using it as a “regular” alarm clock. Everything else however checks out and for that the Timebox is well worth our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Design (121 Programmable RGB LEDs)
- Wireless And Wired Speaker
- Good Audio Quality
- Available Features (Via App)
- Available Colors (Black, White, Blue, Hot Pink and Ivory Wood)

CONS

- Battery Life
- Hard To Navigate App