Libratone Zipp Mini – SoundSpace Link portable multiroom speakers

Setup and SoundSpace Link

You can use the Libratone app for iOS and Android to set up the speaker. Like the Libratone Zipp, we struggled to configure the speaker using the Android app, with it refusing to save our wireless settings. As an alternative, you can configure the speaker using a browser, which worked without any problems.

Although the speaker is portable thanks to its battery, you’ll still need to remain within the wireless range of your router unless you just want to use it as a Bluetooth speaker. The Zipp Mini supports the less-lossy aptX codec, too.

As the latest Zipp Mini forms part of Libratone’s SoundSpace Link compatible range, you’re able to group together multiple Zipp speakers into a multiroom system using the app or controls on each speaker. This lets you synchronise music whatever the music source, so you can have audio coming into the speakers through Bluetooth, AirPlay or DLNA and have this source playing through multiple Zipp-range speakers.

SoundSpace Link circumvents any issues with streaming service compatibility, which is a problem for other multiroom speakers. You can have audio coming from your favourite podcast app, or Apple Music, Google Play Music or anything else you can think of.

The Zipp Mini has a USB port that can play most music formats, as well as a 3.5mm stereo input, and these sources can be synchronised across Zipp speakers as well. The Zipp Mini has a surprisingly sensitive microphone inside, meaning you can use it as a useful hands-free speakerphone when a device is connected over Bluetooth.

Sound Quality

Aside from the marginal reduction in size and weight, the other main difference from the full-size Zipp is when it comes to drive units inside. The Zipp Mini has a smaller 3in neodymium woofer (compared to 4in in the Zipp), only one 1in soft dome neodymium tweeter (compared to two in the Zipp) and two 3.5in low- frequency radiators (4in in the Zipp). These all combine to output 60W (100W in the Zipp). As such, there’s a little less punch compared to the Zipp but there’s a similar warm sound signature.

If you’re only looking to fill a smaller room the Zipp Mini does well, but for larger rooms or outdoors, the larger Zipp applies itself more effectively. Still, the sound quality from the Zipp Mini is top-notch and uses the same 360-degree FullRoom sound, which uses a reflector to disperse sound in every direction, removing any ‘sweet spots’ in a similar vein to Samsung’s Wireless 360 range.

Conclusion

Like the Zipp, the Zipp Mini is a wonderfully versatile multiroom speaker; just make sure you’re buying the newest model that has support for SoundSpace Link if you want the multiroom support. While it’s more expensive than the Philips Izzy BM5, you’re afforded far more features at the expense of simplistic setup from the Izzy BM5. The 360-degree sound delivers on its promise and at a lower price than the Samsung R5, too. For smaller rooms, or as a personal speaker for taking everywhere, the Zipp Mini is tremendously unfussy about the source of your music and delivers great audio for its size.