Oh yeah! Another UPS package has just been dropped off at my desk and I am pumped to tear it open and see what is inside. Between you and me, I already know what it is but it still feels like it’s my birthday or some other special give Cooper a gift day. A couple weeks ago I reviewed an awesome set of Bluetooth speakers from BlueAnt called the M1. I was skeptical about the quality and performance of these kinds of accessories because lets face it – for less than $200 what kind of quality can you really expect. As it turns out, BlueAnt managed to create a nice little speaker setup that has proven to be quite handy around my house, work and casual outdoor gatherings. 
Today I get to review a second set of speakers for the BlackBerry. This time I will be taking a look at the Motorola MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra Portable Wireless Speaker set. Coming in at a $99.95 price point, the EQ5 speakers are about $60 cheaper than the M1s. It will be interesting to see how they stack up against the BlueAnt offering.
Introducing the Motorola MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra Portable Wireless Speakers
Man these things are tiny. When I chose them to review I had envisioned a set of speakers roughly the same size as the BlueAnt M1s. When I opened my UPS box I was surprised to see that the Motorola EQ5s are approximately the same size as my Bold. Where the M1s are definitely portable, the EQ5s are slip in your pocket portable, toss in your purse portable. The Motorola MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra Portable Wireless Speakers are manufactured in a single unit that features two speakers located to the left and right of a control panel. The control panel features the standard buttons you would expect to find on a set of portable speakers. The play/pause, next/previous and volume controls are located on the front of the unit with an on/off switch on the bottom edge. You will also find a handy fold out stand arm that allows the speakers to be propped up on your desk or dashboard when in use. There is a call button on the top edge of the EQ5s, along with a microphone and an audio in port for times when Bluetooth is not accessible. One of the great things about this setup is that you can still take calls on your BlackBerry while paired with the speakers. The Motorola EQ5 will actually stand in as a speaker phone attachment with a push of the call button. There was no case shipped with the EQ5 speakers but the overall design of the unit seems sturdy enough and all the buttons and ports are either covered or flush with the surface . This should eliminate most of the troubles that could arise when the EQ5 speakers are jostled around in a bag or pocket.
So what are the specs?
The Motorola MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra Portable Wireless Speaker weighs in at 3.5 ounces and measures 4.6 x 2.6 x 0.6. The unit uses a micro USB charging port to get power and can be run while plugged in or wirelessly off the stored charge. The actual speakers are 1 watt per channel and deliver some great sound compared to the standard speakers on your phone. Not to say that the EQ5 speakers will blow you out of your chair, but they are great for using in a small room or in your cubicle at work. The EQ5s feature a technology called SRS WOW HD audio enhancement which provides improved bass and definition control for your music. The Motorola MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra Portable Wireless Speaker set runs on the Bluetooth A2DP profile which makes it accessible to more than 200 compatible devices from more than 15 different brands including your prized BlackBerry. In the event that you can not use the Bluetooth profile on your BlackBerry you can use a supplied cable to connect your phone directly to the EQ5, taking advantage of the standard 3.5mm jack. The EQ5 features a rechargable Lithium Ion battery that is rated for 500 charges over it’s life with an average charge resulting in 8 hours of steady play.
My impressions of the Motorola MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra Portable Wireless Speakers
I would not classify these speakers as a must have for BlackBerry owners. There is nothing about them that really stands out and shouts “essential”. That being said, I do find them handy as a set of on the go speakers that can be thrown in a bag or kept in the car for hands free calling. The sound quality of the EQ5 speakers was very nice and I only noticed real distortion when I pumped them up to full volume. It is important to note that when the speakers are connected directly using the 3.5mm jack that the sound quality goes way up, I mean signifigantly better. Pairing the speakers with my Bold was painless. The process is simple and only requires the press of a couple buttons. Overall, I would say that the Motorola MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra Portable Wireless Speaker set is a good buy for someone who just needs a little more noise, or someone who needs a hands free speaker phone solution. If you want the boom you need to go with the BlueAnt M1s.
Where can I get them?
The Motorola MOTOROKR EQ5 Ultra Portable Wireless Speaker set can be purchased for $99.95 (reduced from $119.95) from the BBGeeks Store.
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