Belkin SoundForm Elite
A compact speaker with wireless charging
$299.99 From Belkin, belkin.com
Features AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, 10W wireless charging pad
A speaker with a built–in wireless charging pad might sound a bit gimmicky, but Belkin’s SoundForm Elite was developed in conjunction with the hi–fi experts at Devialet, which means that Belkin is taking sound quality very seriously.
Available in black or white, its cylindrical design and fabric covering is reminiscent of Apple’s HomePod, although its top panel has been sliced away at an angle to make room for the 10W charging pad for your smartphone.
The SoundForm is just 6.63–inches high and 6.4–inches in diameter, so it’ll sit easily on a shelf or table. It supports AirPlay 2 for streaming from Apple devices but, unlike the HomePod, it also supports Bluetooth for other types of devices, and there’s a SoundForm app for iOS and Android that helps you to connect
it to your network (and lets you use Alexa, as well, if you’re so inclined).
The speaker’s two woofers and one tweeter produce good sound quality, with surprisingly firm bass for such a compact little unit. The mid–range and higher frequencies are well–defined but don’t have quite the same presence as that beefy bass, and the HomePod’s array of seven separate tweeters gives it an edge there. But while the SoundForm Elite might not be the best choice for your main home speaker, its Bluetooth connectivity and wireless charging pad make it a useful option when listening to music in your kitchen or bedroom, or at your desk.
THE BOTTOM LINE. The sound is a little bass-heavy, but the SoundForm Elite’s charging and connectivity features are really useful. CLIFF JOSEPH