Sound quality: Brookstone's Big Blue 100 had good overall sound quality. Bass has good impact, but is slightly boomy and prominent and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is fairly even but a bit grainy and edgy. Treble is fairly extended but prominent and sizzly. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience, sounds a bit congested, and lacks fine detail, No significant difference between Wifi, Bluetooth and wired sound quality. Provides a decent volume level in a medium to large sized room. The speaker is monophonic.
Ease of use: We found the Brookstone ease of use to be good overall. Wireless setup requires an app downloaded to a device (Google Home app), easy and intuitive - needs instructions which are included in app, involves inputting Wi-Fi network password (or having the stored mobile device password entered for you). Bluetooth pairing requires a press of a unmarked and multifunction button (Power/Bluetooth Pairing) on unit and then the selection of unit from Bluetooth selection list on source device; unit provides an obvious indication that the unit is in pairing mode as well as when pairing has actually occurred. Volume controls are prominent but are low contrast (+/-) controls with non-persistent graphical indicators of volume level and is easily repeatable and easy to actuate. Analog (line-in) and wireless volume control action and features are the same. Muting is accomplished only with the app remote via well marked, well placed, Play/Pause control with clear indication when it is engaged but it doesn't mute the line input on the unit. Switching between sources: Plug and unplug - The line input has priority over wifi when plugged in with no delay. Unplug to directly go back to wifi. Line-in jack is poorly labeled - low contrast.
