Philips Izzy BM5 review – multiroom and Bluetooth speaker

Inside the BM5 is a pair of 2.5in drivers with a bass reflex port. For a speaker of its size it manages to pack a decent amount of punch for a small speaker. At 5W it’s not as powerful as the BM50 but for a small to medium room it certainly doesn’t struggle for volume.

Like the BM50 it’s not the most detail-oriented speaker, with certain treble detail lacking prominence. It lacks any real impact or presence for any critical listening. If you’re just looking to have easy access to music in the kitchen, its quality is serviceable, however. Slightly disappointing is that you can’t configure a pair of speakers in stereo, though. The separation from a single BM5 is respectable for a small speaker at least.

Conclusion

Considering the cost of the BM5 makes it comparable to many standard Bluetooth speakers, admittedly one without a built-in battery, it’s a compelling option. Even if you weren’t necessarily wanting a multiroom setup from the outset, it functions decently as a traditional standalone Bluetooth speaker leaving you the option for future expansion if you do want to add more speakers.

Of course, with the simplicity of the izzylink system come certain limitations compared to more fully-fledged multiroom systems. Needing to have a Bluetooth device within range of a Master speaker won’t be ideal for everyone and some will prefer a more conventional internet-connected multiroom speaker. If you want simplicity for a low price, the Izzy BM5 is still a solid choice, especially if you’re looking to supplement the better-rounded BM50. For anyone looking for a more traditional multiroom experience, it’s worth stretching for either the Sonos Play:1 or the Raumfeld One S, especially if you have network stored music you want access to.