Gregg Ellman
Tribune News Service

A category on the Victrola site referred perfectly to their new Victrola Zen wireless outdoor Bluetooth solar speaker as “The Art of Outdoor Listening.” This speaker not only has powerful, crystal-clear sound but also is a beautifully designed piece of art that delivers all-day, solar-powered playback.

The somewhat rounded, stone-colored speaker (12.71 by 12.76 by 10.63 inches) is designed to blend naturally into an outdoor environment. A flat bottom keeps it in place, and a solar panel on top ensures there’s always power. All this is designed with an IP65 weather-resistant body.

A metal grill is on the front cover of the speaker, which produces up to 22 watts of output. Rubber control buttons are on the opposite side of the grill. There, you find the power, Bluetooth pairing and a button for Auracast multi-speaker connections. All the buttons have corresponding LED indicator lights. There is a rubber flap cover over the USB-C port that must be closed to keep the speaker weather-resistant.

If you’re not familiar with Auracast technology, it’s simple and easy to use. After pairing one of the speakers (now your host speaker) with your music source (smartphone, iPad, etc.) via Bluetooth (v5.4), you can pair and sync an unlimited number of Auracast-enabled speakers with the press of a button. It’s instant and easy.

Every time your host speaker is on and paired, Wireless Wake Mode turns on the speakers you previously connected via Auracast. The previously last used modes, pairings and connections remain in its memory. Victrola points out that Auracast technology provides enhanced audio quality, extended range and improved battery performance.

With its rugged design, one advantage of the speakers is that they can be placed most anywhere: on a patio, under a stable, or, as I chose for testing, buried to blend in with my landscape. The speakers performed flawlessly, with sound that was clear, crisp, and powerful, and a nice amount of bass. I had two speakers for my testing, and they paired without issue and played for an entire day.

There is a 2,450 mAh lithium-ion USB-C battery inside that charges in less than five hours. It’s rated to play for up to 30 hours at 50% volume and 10 hours at 100% volume. But then, when you add the solar panels, which need sunlight, your time will only be extended.

The outdoor features will keep the speaker operating in a temperature range of 32 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. And while they are great for the outdoors, don’t hesitate to pick them up (each weighs 8.17 pounds) and bring the great sound indoors.

Even before the Victrola Zen was available, it had a head start after being named a winner in this year’s Consumer Electronics Show Picks Awards in the Twice category. The category honors products that are at the forefront of innovation, showcasing products and solutions that push boundaries.

https://www.victrola.com/collections/bluetooth-speakers/products/zen-outdoor-solar-speaker. $299.99