CEOL Carino
This speaker set is packed with features, but does it justify its price?
This little speaker set is a nice set-up for Macs – it comprises of a couple of satellite stereo speakers and an amp/controller unit, which can connect to your Mac using USB or to just about any device using Bluetooth (including aptX for high-quality streaming from compatible devices, which are Macs in Apple's case).
It also comes with a few display options, pleasingly – the cube satellite speakers can sit on the desk, or they can be angled upwards using the provided stands, while the amp unit's stand allows it to sit flat or upright, as a tower. The unit comes with touch-sensitive buttons for changing source and turning on its audio-processing options (one of which is great, one of which tends to drown out the mid-range), and a cool light-up ring for volume control.
The key thing is the sound, and while we like the CEOL Carino a fair bit, we're not sure it quite meets its price tag. Generally, it's potent and clear, especially with the best possible source (lossless audio over USB from a Mac). Bass is a little on the flabby side from its twin speakers (there's a connection for an optional subwoofer if you need it), but it’s still rich.
Overall, it's lacking detail, especially over Bluetooth, and we’d like to see more in the way of drama and punch, especially in the treble. As we said, we like it, and it's got a good feature selection, but we're not convinced it totally justifies its outlay. Matt Bolton
A nice little speaker set with good connections and controls, but not quite the audio we'd like for the price.