Sound QualityThe iHome iGV1 has overall fair sound quality. Bass has so so impact, is subdued and lacks deep bass. The lower and upper midrange is somewhat subdued and is somewhat hazy and grainy. Treble is smeared and has a "spitty" quality and the upper treble is muted. Doesn't do a good job of recovering room ambience and is somewhat congested. No significant difference between Wifi and Bluetooth sound quality. Provides an adequate volume level for a small sized room. It's a monophonic speaker.
Versatility
Versatility is Good. It's a monophonic speaker, with multi-room support. Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and it has Bluetooth. Communications: Lacks support for calling, texting and messaging features. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated control to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio inputs and outputs. Audio Tailoring: Lacks user adjustable tone controls, EQ or selectable presets. OS Support: iOS, Android. Other connections and features: Has a USB device port. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of common streaming services such as Google-Play Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-In and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Supports voice identity - a feature which allows the account holder with their voice print to access personal information.
Ease of Use
Overall ease of use of the iHome iGV1 is very good. Wireless setup: Setup requires an app downloaded to a device, easy and intuitive - need instructions (may be included in app), may or may not involve inputting WiFi network password and account setups. Console controls: Volume controls are prominent well labeled buttons with non-persistent index marking of volume level and is easily repeatable via verbal commands and easy to actuate. Audio mute: Unlabeled - well placed - with 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. Once app is installed switching between inputs requires selecting the -cast- icon in a 3rd party supported app. Fairly intuitive but subject to 3rd Party implimentation of cast selection. App remote: Volume control not obvious due to extremely poor placement - only available when content is playing; however, it is repeatable with clear graphic and index of setting. Mute: (Remote) Dedicated control but the marking is not the most obvious, clear indication when it is engaged. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.
