Sound QualityThe iHome AV14 has fair overall sound quality. Bass has so so impact, is subdued and lacks deep bass. Midrange is somewhat hazy and grainy. Treble is prominent and very sizzly. Doesn't do a good job of recovering room ambience and is somewhat congested. Provides an adequate volume level for a small sized room. This is a monophonic speaker.
Versatility
Versatility is Good. It's a monophonic speaker which lacks Multi-Room support. Wireless: WiFi supports is only 2.4Ghz and it has Bluetooth with speakerphone functionality. Communications: Lacks support for calling, texting and messaging features. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated touch control to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio inputs and outputs. Audio Tailoring: Has user adjustable treble, bass and presets controls. OS Support: iOS and Android. Other connections and features: Has a USB device port. Display: Lacks a display. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of common streaming services such as Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-In, and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Lacks support to setup voice identity using this speaker, although it can use a voice print stored in a user's Amazon account trained from an Amazon speaker. This feature allows the account holder to access personal information with their voice print.
Ease of Use
Overall ease of use of the iHome AV14 is very good. Wireless setup: Setup requires an app downloaded to a device or device connection, easy but not intuitive - need instructions (may be included in app), may or may not involve inputting Wi-Fi network password, and account setups. Console controls: Medium contrast +/- control with index markings for level but, which don't match numerical value between unit and digital assistant. (Alexa expects 0 to 10; unit displays 0 to 40). Audio mute: Unlabeled multi-function button, no indication when it is engaged. Microphone mute: Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: Requires app to be installed, app installation is straight forward except for Bluetooth which must be manually selected on console. Once app is installed switching between wireless sources is fairly intuitive within the app. App remote: Volume control is has graphical position marking but lacks specific index markings. Mute: (Remote) Well marked, well placed, but no indication on unit when muting is engaged. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.
