Xiaomi Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 review

Mister Mobility reviews the Xiaomi Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2, a pocketable cylindrical gadget that features a classy parametric speaker mesh cover, Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP/AVRCP/SPP profiles, a built-in microphone, and a 480 mAh battery.

I was at the Xiaomi Nigeria product launch yesterday afternoon at Eko Hotel and Suites. The only devices launched were Redmi Note 7 and Redmi 7. Both have 3 variants each, so effectively 6 devices, if we want to stretch things a little. If interested in the prices of these smartphones and their variants, check out the Redmi Note 7 specs and Redmi 7 specs pages

I did return home with a goodie bag that contained the Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 launched in India a few months ago – November 2018 specifically.

Also known by the product name, MDZ-28-DI, this is an interesting piece of art. It has that distinctive Mi look and the parametric speaker mesh touch is as tasteful as it gets. This is a pure Bluetooth affiar. There is no 3.5mm audio jack support or a slot for a memory card.

Xiaomi Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 Quick Specs

• Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 3.2 cm,
• Weight: 54g,
• LED notification light,
• Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP/AVRCP/SPP profiles,
• 4 Ohm impedance,
• Effective distance is up to 10m,
• Built-in microphone,
• 480 mAh battery.

In-the-box

The box of the Mi Compact 2 includes the speaker itself, a Larnyard Hand Strap, and a quick guide. There is no USB cable and no charging plug included.

Xiaomi Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 performance

Having seen the specs and accessories, the next question is, What is the real-life performance of the Mi MDZ-28-DI like?

The power button is at the bottom side of the device, and that is the only button you will find on it.

Pairing it with the Galaxy S9 Plus was easy, standard Bluetooth fare: I turned on the speaker, scanned for it on the phone and paired. I played one of my favourite music tracks on it to see what it sounds like on the Mi Compact 2.

Mind-blowing. I ran a few music playback tests betweeen it and the bigger Havit Bluetooth speaker, and the Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 beat the latter effortlessly. Everyone present was wowed at how this smaller speaker could produce better quality audio and louder volume.

The the Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 next to the Havit HV-SK570BT Bluetooth Speaker

Every time I put on the speaker, it automatically connects to my phone, which is as it should. There is a microphone built in, so the speaker can be used to handle calls. And in China, this supports Xiao AI (a virtual assistant), so you can interact with it by voice.

The single button used to power on/off the speaker also can be used to accept and end phone calls when you use it for voice calls.

While paired, you can press the button to resume the last track you were playing, and press it again to pause it. Press and hold the button to power off/on.

The Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 supports battery level indicator, so that if you check your Bluetooth menu in your phone, you can view the battery level of the speaker.

It is also a much less complicated Bluetooth speaker to use. Audio quality and volume are not its only strengths. Simplicity and ease of use are others, not to mention the stunning design.

Xiaomi Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 Price

With such good design and performance, one would expect it to cost an arm and a leg. The official price is Rs. 799 (in India where it has been launched). This is about $11 or NGN4,000.