With the digital world we live in, a way to produce sound has become important. This has made headphones, earphones, Bluetooth speakers and soundtrack a big business. The GOKUID Storm Soundbar does a dual job, as it can also be considered as a Bluetooth speaker. I’ll look at it in this review to see if it marks the boxes.
The hardware
God GOKUID Storm Soundbar Includes a subwoofer and connects via Bluetooth. It can also have a variety of wired inputs. Cables are included for each of these inputs in a box, making it easy to connect the speaker to most settings immediately. This is where it can also fit into the category of Bluetooth speakers, as it can be split into two separate speakers with included stands.
Because the setting is like a subwoofer with two speakers, the Storm receives and outputs 2.1 channels of stereo audio. 5.1 Surround sound and 7.1 surround sound are not supported.
You will also find your typical instruction manuals and packaging materials, as well as a selection of audio and power cables. There is even a remote control, though it will require some AAA batteries. The complete list of supported entries is:
- Bluetooth 5.0, up to 10 meters
- Auxiliary input
- Optical input via PCM
- Coaxial input
- HDMI ARC input
- USB 2.0 / 3.0 support for MP3 playback, limited to 128GB drives with exFAT or FAT32 partitions
Although the soundbar can be split, it still needs to be connected via an audio line cable and mounted on stands. The cable must connect the two speakers when splitting and making adjustments. According to GOKUID, this split speaker design is designed to encourage adjustments when the speaker is installed in larger than usual entertainment centers and TVs.
In the image above, I have attached a photo of the short cable intended for use with the speakers when they are integrated. You can split and place the speakers about a meter apart from each other with the long line cable and dual stands included in the box. You will need to bring your own line cable for longer distances, but that should suffice for even the largest TV in your entertainment center.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the power cord. In order for the speakers to operate properly, the right speaker must always be plugged in, and the power cord only about six feet long. If your electrical outlet is on the left side of your installation, it can be very problematic to turn on the speakers. It’s just weird that such an important cable would be so short.
For speakers that look so built differently, such a short power cord on any type of home entertainment array is a pretty confusing decision, especially if those speakers are likely to be associated with larger TVs and entertainment centers.
The listening experience
When I listened to the GOKUID Storm speakers in the sound or split configurations, I found that they are loud and clear, backed by a fairly powerful subwoofer. Even when I finally decided to put the subwoofer and speakers under my bed, I could still hear the sound surprisingly clearly. It was a similar experience to wearing headphones in bed without wearing them, and it was nice. The subwoofer, even dimmed by the mattress, could still be felt and heard as well.
I tested a wide variety of genres and music ranges, from hip-hop to metal to electronic and beyond. No matter what I listened to, the GOKUID Storm speakers played it fairly faithfully with a nice amount of bass kick. Sound effects when watching movies or games were well represented, especially when the speakers were in a split standing configuration.
Later, I decided to install the speakers in a split stand configuration on my computer desk. This is where I first encountered a problem with the length of the power cord, because my uninterruptible power supply and sockets are on the left side of my desk, beyond the computer. I also found that the included power cord does not seem to have much protecting it from interference, which requires me to route it separately from the other cables in my desk setting.
The speakers sounded great in their split configuration on my desk, with the subwoofer underneath providing strong, clear bass. I was quite pleased with the subwoofer in general and found that its effect was amplified by the split speaker configuration that provides a proper stereo audio experience.
Unfortunately, the above interruption caused a very noisy static each time it was turned on. If you are not sure you can route the included cables away from interference or provide your own shielded cables, you may not want to use these speakers in a desk setup with many other wires. Could have improved the experience.
Judgment
At the time of writing, e GoKUID Storm Soundbar Available for $ 99.99. It’s pretty decent for a convertible soundbar or Bluetooth speaker with a subwoofer, but it’s not as competitive as it should be, given the smart speakers available at a similar price.
In addition, the short power cord and its lack of protection from interference are considerable drawbacks. The included cables leave a lot to be desired, and I anticipate that many users may want to bring their own cables if possible. Given how good these speakers are otherwise, it’s a shame there are those downsides.
I found that these speakers in the soundbar configuration or in a split stand sounded great; The subwoofer had more than enough punch to satisfy me. If you want a flexible sound system for your entertainment center, desk or bedroom, then the GOKUID Storm Soundbar is definitely worth your consideration.
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I’m a veteran gamer, computer geek and tech general.