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The Obsidian Bluetooth Vibration Speaker turns any surface into a speaker. However, not all surfaces are alike, so we rigorously tested each surface for sound quality, and we have the results. We tested the speaker on six different surfaces: wood, steel, plastic, glass, tile, and cardboard. The results were surprising.
Obsidian: Surface Testing Results
Steel: Surface Sound Quality Rank: 3rd
The first surface we tested was steel and other metals. We tried playback on metal shelves, cabinets, and counter tops. Sound quality was what you would expect from metal. The bass was not as deep as some of the other surfaces we tested, but the treble and base sound quality was good. Out of all the surfaces, we tested this one ranks 3rd.
Wood: Surface Sound Quality Rank: 1st
The next surface we tested was wood. We put the Obsidian though the ringer on wooden tables, desks, shelves, and wood flooring. This is the best surface to use the Obsidian on and provides the highest quality highs, lows, and the fullest sounding bass and overall audio quality. The bass travels through the wood quickly and cleanly and is the clearest bass pickup we found throughout our testing.
Glass: Surface Sound Quality Rank: 2nd
The next surface that we tested the Obsidian Vibration Speaker on was glass. We tested the device on a glass tabletop and windows. The speaker's suction cup is not strong enough to be used horizontal on windows, and we are not responsible for any damage caused. The glass performed quite well with the Obsidian, and the sound quality was bright and full, and the glass was a great transmitter for the sound. This was the second best surface for playback. The bass was clear and powerful, and the vocals were clear and concise and you could hear the individual instruments.
Cardboard: Surface Sound Quality Rank: 6th
Just to make sure we tested every surface we tested a cardboard box. The cardboard absorbed the sound, and the bass was almost non-existent. The sound was very muffled, and playback is not recommended for this surface.
Plastic: Surface Sound Quality Rank: 5th
The next surface we decided to test was plastic, we used a plastic storage container thinking it would be like putting your phone in a bowl to amplify your speaker's sound. While the sound was a bit louder, the audio quality was lost transferring through the plastic. We would not recommend playback on this surface.
Stone: Surface Sound Quality Rank: 4th
The last surface that we tested was stone. We played the device on several stone counter tops. We tested different types of stone. The sound quality was good on this surface, but the vibration function and bass pickup were not as strong as some of the other surfaces that we tested. The audio fidelity was good on all of the musical genres we tested; it was just the bass that was a bit muffled. We recommend turning off the vibration function on for this surface for the best audio quality.
Obsidian Features Three Playback Modes
Full Speaker and Vibration Mode:
This mode has both the speaker and vibration function on. This is best used on surfaces like wood and glass that will give you the best sound reproduction.
Speaker Only Mode:
This mode uses just the speaker, and the vibration feature is turned off. This is best used for surfaces that do not transmit sound or for more private listening.
Vibration Only Mode:
The last mode is just vibration function. You will not use this mode often and would only be used in conjunction with another sound system.
Obsidian Speaker Breakdown
