Denon Envaya Mini DSB-150BT Review

By Jonas Ekelund
August 22, 2018 - 08:21

Two years ago we tested the Envaya Mini in a similar test of travel speakers, and we concluded that it was the best buy. Here comes the sequel, confusingly enough with the same name. So it is important to keep track of the product designation. One of the shortcomings of this was the water protection, but it is now upgraded to waterproof. This cannot be seen by the pretty cloth-like chassis, but by the rubber-coated sides, making sure that water does not leak in through the buttons.

Albeit large, the buttons are poorly marked, making them a little difficult to locate. If you have two Envaya of the same model, you can pair them together as a stereo pair by simply pressing two buttons. Unfortunately, there is no app for such features or for customising the sound. The microphone allows you to use it as a speakerphone, as well as for voice assistants such as Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant. Although this is not mentioned any further.

The previous model already sounded really good, and Denon has now gone a step further. When you try acoustic live music, you get a wonderful sense of presence, and even a bit of stereo perspective. Jazz music has fine clarity and separation. Pop music sounds compelling with an appropriate bass rendition. Of course, there is no deep bass in this size, but it cuts more than pushing the speaker to the physically impossible.

All inputs are hidden, and the neat fabric goes all the way around.

Conclusion

Denon follows up last year’s best buy with an updated model with the same name. Keep track of the model designation. The few complaints we had back then have now been improved. The water protection is upgraded to waterproof. Despite this, it has a finer cloth-like chassis. It can also play at a higher volume without affecting the sound. But above all, it sounds exceptionally good, and handles everything from electronic dance music to acoustic live concerts.