Review Hama Sirium 1400ABT

Bigger does not mean bigger sound

Hamas' smallest Alexa speaker Sirium 1400ABT is a bit larger than the Amazon Echo, but still fails to give us any greater sound.

Geir Nordby

Published

2020-09-08 - 12:02 pm

Read later

Hama Sirium 1400ABT

Clear enough sound, and the speaker enjoys the functionality of the Alexa system.

Larger cabinets still do not produce louder sound than the smaller competitors. Cannot currently pair in stereo. Alexa does not speak Norwegian.

Type: Smart speaker
Management system: Amazon Alexa
Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DLNA
Connection: USB (updates only)
Speaker element: not specified
Dimensions: 14 x 14 x 18.5 cm
Colors: Black
Web: turascandinavia.com

50 Official site

The Hama Sirium 1400ABT is large in the middle of the tree, much like the Apple HomePod. Although it has a somewhat cheap finish, Hamas has still managed to make it elegant enough. Gold-colored details could have been harry, but are instead tastefully done, on an otherwise black cylinder speaker.

The speaker has Bluetooth for streaming from mobile, and also DLNA function so you can stream via the network. Spotify was not officially supported during the test period, but we got a beta version to test with. Hama insists that a Spotify update is on the way.

Hama has a distinct treble reproduction, so that speech and singing voices come out clearly. There is a lack of finesse in the tones, and we do not quite get the benefits of the larger cabinet compared to the smaller Libratone Zipp Mini 2 and Amazon Echo G2. There is not much more bass or power here. It sounds perfectly fine, and never does any harm, but it is a little unengaging and flat. Hama is more open and clearer than Google Home, but so are all the others in this test.

Ease of use is like any other Alexa speaker. It can do the same tricks, control the same things and use the same app. Which is good, because Alexa works if you are proficient in English or German.

Conclusion

With Sirium 1400ABT, Hama has made a smart speaker that looks elegant enough, despite a slightly cheap feeling when you feel it. It sounds distinct and fine, no major flaws. It lacks a bit of finesse and air at the very top, and it does not benefit from a larger cabinet than the smallest in the test. All right.

The speaker is as user-friendly as other Alexa speakers, but is more expensive than the Amazon Echo without being better. We also miss stereo pairing, the manufacturer is working on a future update here.

Also in this test

Libratone Zipp Mini 2

Looks like a thermos

Libratone goes against the flow, and the Alexa speaker Libratone Zipp Mini 2 looks like a thermos. It is portable, plays music well, and two can be connected in stereo.

12 hours of battery life makes the speaker very flexible. Clear sound on speech and approved sound on music.

There is a lack of bass, and the speaker falls short when you want to gobble up. As is well known, Alexa does not speak Norwegian.

Read the review

Harman Kardon Citation 100

Looks Fantastic

This is probably the prettiest speaker we've seen in its class. However, the Harman Kardon Citation 100 fails to take sound advantage of its larger exterior.

The speaker has a beautiful finish in wool, and looks fantastic. Google voice control makes it speak Norwegian, and the sound is very clear and pleasant.

Does not play as big and powerful as the size gives hope for.

Read the review

Marshall Stanmore II Voice Google Assistant

Concert from the bookshelf

Marshall Stanmore II plays much louder sound than the competition, without compromising the balance. It crushes them, quite simply.

No other smart speakers we have heard deliver this sound pressure. It just gets even heavier because it also sounds balanced and good enough for calm tones.

The sound can be experienced as a bit rough at the edges, and the appearance of the Marshall speakers does not appeal to everyone.

Read the review

Apple HomePod

Approved from Apple

Apple HomePod has very good sound and is easy to use. But smart steering seems too rigid and solid.

Impressive deep bass combined with clear, airy sound. In addition, the HomeKit system is very stable.

It's not just about adding products to control. As there are currently quite a few of. Does not speak Norwegian

Read the review

Google Home

Enormous potential

The Google Home system has enormous potential, but as a speaker this is not the best.

Perhaps the market's most successful voice control and merging of smart products.

Even if the bass is full enough, it murmurs upwards in the voice range, and destroys the sound from both the voice assistant and the newscaster. We miss routine commands in Norway.

Read the review

Sonos One

A smarter Sonos

Sonos One will one day give us both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa in one and the same smart speaker. But Google is waiting.

Sonos One withstands moisture and sounds good. With upcoming updates, it will be among the most versatile on the market.

Until further notice, it is Alexa who applies, who does not speak Norwegian. There are speakers with heavier bass.

Read the review

Amazon Echo (2nd Generation)

Clear voice

With ready-made sound on the voice assistant, only the language barrier stands between us and the automated work tasks.

A compact and appealing appearance, clear speech sound and also a stable and good control system compared to other devices. Two can be paired in stereo.

The sound is tame on music, you have to take some detours to get the speaker connected in Norway, and Alexa does not understand Norwegian.

Read the review

Kygo B9/800

Smart speaker that can swim

Kygo B9/800 is the only smart speaker we know of that you can take with you to the swimming pool.

Withstands water up to a meter depth for 30 minutes. It even floats! Google Home makes the Kygo B9 / 800 an exciting portable speaker.

The sound can be experienced a little strained over time. For desktop use, the USB connector on top is not very nice, with a cable sticking up and hanging down.

Read the review