High Hopes Unfulfilled: A Review of the Libratone Zipp 2

I write this review with a heavy heart as the Libratone Zipp 2, a Bluetooth speaker I had high hopes for, didn't meet my expectations. Whilst it's easy to be charmed by the sleek Scandinavian design and promise of long battery life, the overall experience feels like a letdown when you consider its exorbitant price tag and lackluster performance in key areas.

First and foremost, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the sound quality. It's a disappointment. One buys a speaker primarily for its audio performance, and unfortunately, the Zipp 2 just doesn't deliver in this aspect. The tones often sound muddled, making it difficult to discern subtle instrumental layers in more complex pieces. The bass lacks depth and richness, and the treble can occasionally sound overly sharp.

Multi-speaker pairing, a feature that could have somewhat redeemed this product, is a hit-or-miss. More often than not, it's a miss. It becomes frustratingly apparent that the speaker struggles to maintain a consistent connection, even when other devices are in proximity.

Libratone's accompanying application is yet another area of contention. It's not particularly user-friendly, often lagging or freezing. Pairing the speaker is a challenge, and accessing additional features feels convoluted. It's like navigating a labyrinth, and not in a fun, adventurous sense.

The Zipp 2's controls aren't intuitive, and the learning curve is surprisingly steep for a device that is supposed to simplify your life. Expect some fumbling and confusion as you get acquainted with the various functions and controls.

Moreover, in the age of universal USB charging, Libratone opts for a proprietary charger. This restricts the convenience and mobility of the product, as you're tethered to a specific charger instead of using a readily available USB cable.

On a positive note, the Zipp 2 is aesthetically pleasing, with a sophisticated, minimalistic design that stands out. It also boasts an impressive battery life, outlasting many of its competitors in this segment.

But, at the end of the day, it's about more than just looking good and lasting long. A Bluetooth speaker's core function is to deliver high-quality audio, and sadly, the Zipp 2 falls short. Its extravagant price is a tough pill to swallow when it doesn't deliver on its key promises. There are other speakers on the market that perform better and cost less, making it hard to recommend the Libratone Zipp 2.