From: "Saved by Internet Explorer 11" Subject: 5 defects for Bluetooth speakers Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2016 09:06:01 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0000_01D23A68.7E4DBF80" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01D23A68.7E4DBF80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.globalsources.com/NEWS/SIC-5-defects-for-bluetooth-speakers.HTM =EF=BB=BF
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Path: Sourcing News & = Advice=20 >> Smart=20 Sourcing >> 5=20 defects for Bluetooth speakers
By Stacy Bruce
Speakers=20 are the source of much of the music we enjoy. And thanks to Bluetooth=20 technology, we=E2=80=99re now able to receive phone calls, listen to = podcasts and much=20 more wirelessly. But it=E2=80=99s important to know what kind of quality = defects for=20 Bluetooth speakers can ruin a user=E2=80=99s experience.
If=20 you=E2=80=99re considering importing Bluetooth speakers, you need to = have reassurance=20 that they=E2=80=99ll function properly. Otherwise, you might end up = killing the mood,=20 instead of setting it.
The=20 most common problems with Bluetooth speakers are relate to the sound = produced by=20 the speakers and their connectivity to a Bluetooth-capable device. = Knowing these=20 defects for Bluetooth speakers can help you better understand what = problems=20 might affect your order. And if you know what can go wrong, you can = prevent it=20 from happening to ensure that your customers have a pleasant experience = with=20 your product.
Here=20 are some common defects found in Bluetooth speakers and how you can test = for=20 them:
1.=20 Low speaker sensitivity
Low=20 sensitivity is a somewhat common defect in Bluetooth speakers. Speaker=20 sensitivity (efficiency) is determined by the amount of power needed to = drive or=20 operate a loudspeaker. It=E2=80=99s a measurement of the amount of sound = output derived=20 from a speaker with one watt of electricity from an amplifier. The = resulting=20 number is expressed in decibels (dB). Simply put, the higher a = speaker=E2=80=99s=20 sensitivity rating, the louder it is.
A=20 speaker shouldn=E2=80=99t require significant additional power input for = you to turn up=20 the volume slightly. Inefficient speakers that demand lots of power for = only a=20 low volume of sound might quickly deteriorate and break. And higher-end = speakers=20 tend to have a longer product lifespan and greater = sensitivity.
Testing=20 speaker sensitivity
There=20 are a few common methods for testing speaker sensitivity. Here=E2=80=99s = one simple=20 option:
1. Place a = microphone=20 1 meter in front of the speaker.
2. Connect = the=20 microphone to a sound level meter to measure the exact level of noise = coming out=20 of the speaker.
3. Send the = speaker 1=20 watt of electricity and measure the sound level that comes out. This=20 measurement, expressed in decibels (dB), is the sensitivity of the=20 speaker.
Inefficient=20 speakers waste more of that 1 watt of power when trying to convert it to = sound=20 because some power lost as heat.
Aside=20 from this test, you can use a free software called HOLMImpulse=20 to check sensitity. It needs to be installed on a Windows PC = that=E2=80=99s also able to=20 connect to Bluetooth. This tool will give you very specific information = about=20 your speakers, such as its frequency-response, impulse-response and=20 more.
Another=20 way you can take testing into your own hands is by using software from = the=20 company Audio Precision. While not = free,=20 factories that manufacture speakers often use software from this company = for=20 their testing and quality control needs. This may also be an effective = testing=20 solution for you if you=E2=80=99re manufacturing or importing Bluetooth=20 speakers.
2.=20 Poor Bluetooth signal
A=20 Bluetooth speaker that can=E2=80=99t connect because of poor signal = strength isn=E2=80=99t of=20 much use. Out of all consumer complaints, signal dropping is one of the = most=20 common defects for Bluetooth speakers. The user experiences a poor = signal as=20 =E2=80=9Cspottiness=E2=80=9D, during which the output comes and goes or = stops entirely. It=E2=80=99s=20 normal to have some signal disruption when there are multiple = obstructions=20 between a signal source and Bluetooth-equipped device.
The=20 workable distance of the Bluetooth signal should be written on the = retail=20 packaging and/or instruction manual. Signal strength is typically = measured=20 in:
=E2=80=A2=20 Decibels (dBm) when expressed as an absolute value or
=E2=80=A2=20 Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), which is a relative = index (see=20 dB=20 vs. dBm for further explanation)
There=20 should be no obstruction or signal interference when testing for = Bluetooth=20 signal strength.
Testing=20 Bluetooth signal strength
This=20 defect for Bluetooth speakers is fairly easy to test for. In fact, you = won=E2=80=99t=20 need any expensive equipment to measure signal strength.
You=20 can download a free software called Bennett=20 to monitor your Bluetooth devices and determine their signal strength = from your=20 computer. Using a software like this one can give you a fairly precise = reading=20 of signal strength to indicate whether the signal does not meet=20 specifications.
3.=20 Phone call connection
Have=20 you ever tried answering your phone through your Bluetooth speaker and = it cuts=20 out? This might be because they=E2=80=99re having trouble = connecting.
On=20 some occasions, phone software might be to blame. Updating it can = potentially=20 solve problems with signal, a phone call connection or any other issues = you=E2=80=99re=20 having. But you=E2=80=99ll typically need standardized testing to verify = the phone call=20 connection on several units.
Testing=20 phone call connection
To=20 test a phone call connection, simply pair your phone (with a workable = sim card)=20 with the Bluetooth speaker and ensure they=E2=80=99re connected, = then:
1. Call the=20 Bluetooth-paired phone using another phone.
2. Any music = playing=20 through the speaker should be muted automatically once the call is = received. The=20 ring tone should then be audible through the speaker.
3. Press the = Play/Pause/Phone button to answer the call. You should receive the call = through=20 the speaker, and the speaker should function as a = loudspeaker.
4. Press the = Play/Pause/Phone button again to end the call and resume playing=20 music.
A=20 Bluetooth speaker fails this test when it doesn=E2=80=99t follow the = steps above for=20 receiving phone calls.
4.=20 Speaker frequency issues
Frequency=20 issues are another common defect for Bluetooth speakers. Frequency is a=20 measurement of the speaker=E2=80=99s ability to produce sound. The range = of human=20 hearing is generally 20 Hz =E2=80=9320,000 Hz. And speakers typically = have a frequency=20 range of 120 Hz =E2=80=93 22,000 Hz. When a speaker=E2=80=99s frequency = is too high or low the=20 user often can=E2=80=99t here the sound. Other times the speaker may = produce an audible=20 buzzing or static sound or a vibration, with adequate = amplitude.
Testing=20 speaker frequency
Unlike=20 testing for other defects for Bluetooth speakers, testing frequency = often=20 requires special equipment. A product inspector testing the speaker at a = factory=20 will often use a frequency response tester to check frequency range. = They=E2=80=99ll=20 also check for any vibration or buzzing coming from the speaker during=20 operation. Factories that produce audio equipment typically have this = tool. But=20 it=E2=80=99s still worth asking before visiting or sending an inspector = to check=20 frequency.
A=20 simpler, though less accurate, way to check speaker frequency is to play = a=20 series of sounds through the speaker and check the speaker=E2=80=99s = response. There are=20 many speaker = test=20 audio and video clips available for free online, which you can use to = check=20 frequency range.
5.=20 Rattling in a speaker
This=20 defect refers to a rattling sound heard during operation that=E2=80=99s = caused by loose=20 parts in a Bluetooth speaker. During production, a worker might have = installed a=20 screw incorrectly, soldered a connection insecurely or may have dropped = foreign=20 debris into the speaker during assembly. The speaker may also have been = damaged=20 during transit, which could cause a rattling sound during = use.
Testing=20 for rattling
This=20 defect is typically obvious, although you may only hear rattling when = the=20 speaker is operating at certain sound frequencies. To test for rattling, = gently=20 shake the speaker by hand and listen for any loose parts rattling = inside. Then=20 play sound through the speaker at various frequencies and check again = for any=20 abnormal vibration or rattling sound. It may also be helpful to repeat = these=20 steps after conducting a carton drop test with the speaker inside its = packaging=20 (related: 5=20 Steps to the Carton Drop Test).
If=20 you suspect loose parts but can=E2=80=99t hear any rattling, you can = also open up the=20 speaker to check. Just be sure that the speaker isn=E2=80=99t charging = in a power outlet=20 or otherwise connected to a hazardous power source.
Conclusion
Relying=20 on a speaker for entertainment can quickly turn into a frustrating = experience if=20 it doesn=E2=80=99t work properly. And as with many product types, = consumers can be=20 particularly unforgiving when reviewing faulty electronics.
Whether=20 you=E2=80=99re an end consumer or an importer, awareness of these = defects for Bluetooth=20 speakers can help you avoid frustrations. By knowing what to look out = for, you=20 can advise suppliers of your product concerns. You=E2=80=99ll also have = the personal=20 knowledge to identify these problems during your own inspection. So the = next=20 time you look at an order of Bluetooth speakers, keep these defects in = mind to=20 help set the mood, rather than ruin it, for your customers.
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Stacy=20 Bruce is a Client Manager at InTouch=20 Manufacturing Services, a QC firm that performs product inspections = and=20 factory audits in Asia for clients in the US, EU and=20 Australia.
Read more Sourcing=20 News & Advice