AYL Mini Speaker System, Portable Plug-in Speaker with 3.5mm Aux Input, External Audio for Laptop Computer, MP3 Player, iPhone, iPad, Cell Phone (Black)

The sound from my laptop is okay but nothing special and, depending on what I am listening to, isn't always loud enough for my old ears. This item performs above expectations for its small size and affordability. It sounds great (no distortion) at either the high or low end of frequencies for watching movies/video clips or listening to music on a computer. I am not a hard-core audiophile so I am sure there are some folks out there who would be more discerning about the sound quality but I think it sounds quite good (so much better - crisper, clearer and louder) than my laptop speaker. I wouldn't mind if the cord used to plug into the computer was a bit longer, but that is not a big issue for me. As an added bonus, it works with my classic iPod (yes, I know I am a dinosaur). I would really love it if this awesome little speaker came with a neoprene pouch or some other protective storage case to keep it and its associated cords safe and dust free when stored in a computer bag (or anywhere else). It appears to be of good quality, is easy to use, provides amazing sound, and is very affordable. Other than a nice storage pouch/box, what more could you want? Highly recommended.

Great gadget! I use my iPad for FaceTime and Zoom calls and had to use my clunky earphones because the sound quality was often terrible but this little speaker fixed that. The sound quality was amazingly good and the volume level was more than enough. Easy to set up but I needed a magnifying glass to read the tiny instructions booklet. Definitely worth the price.

This is a surprisingly good speaker, actually much better than I expected. I use it to amplify the sound from my ham radios when I’m in a noisy environment.

I'll cover a fact or two that may not be apparent about the little wired speaker (AYL), but keep in mind that this speaker has been sold for several years, and from other reviews it is clear that it has undergone some design changes over that time - so everything here applies only to the one I happened to receive, in early December 2022. Also, bear in mind that I am not an audiophile, and am using the speaker on a QRP (low power) amateur radio that has a very small and inadequate built-in speaker, not for listening to music.Volume control: Mine has a traditional continuous control, zero to full volume, not the push or flick side-to-side volume control many others have reported. Either will work; I prefer this control.Charging port: USB C. The included short USB C cable is claimed to be only for charging, not data transfer. The speaker charges fine from other USB C charging cables & chargers intended for phones. The USB C port has an intriguing "CHARGE AUDIO" labeling on the device. Surely this doesn't mean it will accept USB audio input? I did not check. It probably is just an artifact of sharing parts with another model that does, or of carelessness in labeling. Perhaps some brave soul will test it and report back in a review or comment.It came with a microscopic instruction manual, written in "stiff" English. Also a greeting card from the USA seller, with phone # and web site.The "Aux" output jack (labeled "AUDIO" on the device), intended for daisy-chaining multiple speakers together to get more sound, appears to be a pass-through (it is active whether the speaker is on or off). Take Note: it can be used as an input as well. It is more handy for me to use a male-to-male (plug to plug) stereo 3.5 mm jumper cable to connect my audio to the speaker than to unfurl the short stereo cable and plug from its position tucked away on the bottom of the speaker (this plug/cable is labeled "AUX IN" on the device). A 3.5mm stereo extension cable (female to male / jack to plug) was included to help get that short plug/cable on the speaker bottom to an audio source more than a couple of inches away (I did not measure its length), but since I don't use that cable input, I simply tested this extension cable (it works fine) and stored it away with other audio cables and connectors.Some people have complained that the speaker will not stay "shut". Mine can be squeezed down to compress the accordion pleats and twisted to lock it into a compact ball. It will stay that way while handled. I did not feel the need for the extra bass the extension "pop-up" is intended to deliver. That might get music "thumbing" the bass rhythm, but for radio communications, it has plenty of bass when "closed". I expect the audio quality is fine for the kind of casual music listening for which it is intended.For any hams reading, the radio is a tr(uSDX), with its tiny, tinny speaker (better than nothing, but still). The AYL speaker gives great audio, with a decent range of volume, with the radio set to volume levels of 10 or so. You can turn up the volume on the radio without triggering feedback (owners will know what I mean), but at some point the little speaker will overload and start to distort. It should be enough volume for working outdoors in all but the very worst conditions. For those times, give up and use a headset.I don't have any experience on ruggedness, longevity, battery life, etc., though the battery seemed to be holding up fine for some extended listening, right out of the box, without charging it at all.The LED on the bottom is blue during operation, red during charging, and blue again when charging is complete. I don't know yet whether the LED somehow signals a low battery. (Hopefully, not with that creepy voice some reviews report!)The only thing I'd change is the top; it is too open for my taste, potentially allowing dirt and debris into the speaker diaphragm area. I'd prefer a fine screen. A very minor design complaint. It did not come with a bag or case, but I'll find something to keep it safe and clean during transport.If it fails early, or there is "news", I'll try to come back to this review and update it.

Speaker is compact but sound quality for our use was perfect. We use it to listen to recorded calls for business training. It has a volume button so it can be adjusted easily

small, lightweight with plenty of sound. Be sure to open it up for better bass. Ability to daisy-chain speakers together is a plus.

Will ONLY charge with a USB A to C cable.I've tried a bunch of different cables and adapters, even thunderbolt 5 cables (I'm an engineer and have too many different variations of USB A / B / C / Thunderbolt cables)... but this little thing will only charge with the USB A to B cable it came with, and coincidentally the USB A to C cable for a nintendo switch and an ANKR power brick. Other than that, it's small and portable, and loud enough.