The Roland BTM-1 Bluetooth Speaker with Guitar Input is a small Bluetooth speaker that allows you to also connect your guitar so that you can play along with audio tracks. In the box you get the speaker, manual and information, and a two foot USB-A to micro USB charging cable. The speaker’s dimensions are 264 mm wide, 78 mm deep, and 100 mm tall, and weighs just over two pounds, which means this speaker can conveniently sit on a table or shelf, and could even fit in a typical backpack, though there is no case for the speaker. The speaker has two two-inch 4 W speakers.
While being able to stream audio over the speaker via Bluetooth is a nice feature, the real attraction is the 1/4-inch guitar input jack. The speaker also has a stereo miniature phone type AUX IN jack, allowing you to stream audio via audio cable from a device, such as a CD player, while also streaming audio to the speaker via Bluetooth. The speaker also has a stereo miniature phone type output jack so you can listen via headphones. Finally, the speaker’s lithium-ion battery is charged via a USB micro jack. Note that a guitar is not meant to be played over the speaker at the same time the speaker is being charged–with a guitar plugged into the speaker while it is being charged noise might be heard in the audio. Fully charged, the speaker plays via Bluetooth for about six hours.
The controls on the top of the speaker include a power button, a Bluetooth button, +/- volume buttons, guitar gain knob, guitar tone knob, guitar level knob, and an FX button. The power, Bluetooth, and FX buttons also have indicator lights. In addition to being a Bluetooth speaker, the guitar input and controls allow the speaker to serve as a small guitar amp. Toggling the FX button turns on/off a small guitar delay, while pressing the FX button with the +/- volume buttons switches the gain mode from clean to distortion. There are labels for the controls, though the font is small and difficult to read because it is the same color as the background.
In use, the Roland BTM-1 Bluetooth Speaker with Guitar Input does a decent job as a Bluetooth speaker, though it does not have EQ or other controls like many dedicated Bluetooth speakers, so the focus is really on pairing it with a guitar. In that respect the speaker does a good job, though keep in mind the speaker is best thought of as a small guitar practice amp. The speaker volume seems fine for a bedroom, dorm room, or small office. For example, this speaker would be ideal if you wanted to practice your guitar late at night without waking anyone around you, or for playing your guitar along with streamed songs for a few friends. The speaker also seems ideal for someone who wants to keep the speaker on their desk so that they can quickly plug in their guitar for some practice without having to lug out all their guitar pedals, amps, and cables. You could even take this small speaker with you and your guitar when on travel so your playing doesn’t get rusty. For those uses, the speaker is convenient and fun.
- Pricing and Availability on Amazon: Roland BTM-1 Bluetooth Speaker with Guitar Input
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