Zagg Origin 2-in-1 Bluetooth Speaker System Preview

When everyone starts to have access to the same technology, form factor and usability become paramount. Remember when 1080p displays started to come out (just like 4k displays are now starting to hit the shelves)? There were a few options and most of those were expensive with only a handful priced at "reasonable" levels. Those sets were hugely popular with early adopters because A) they could afford them and B) they had the latest technology. Fast forward a few years and everyone will tell you how bad (or basic) those first displays were.

Now that docks and Bluetooth speakers have come down in price, form factor and usability is becoming more and more important. When Apple changed their connector and made every dock sold to that point electronic paperweights for future iDevices, people realized that wireless was the way to go. While iOS users might be more inclined to look into AirPlay speakers, for those that want universal compatibility, the only real option out there is Bluetooth.

Zagg is looking to change up the idea of a wireless speaker and desktop system with their 2-in-1 Bluetooth speaker system. Like it sounds, this system has two components - a larger desktop unit and a small, portable speaker. The cool thing is that the small speaker actually docks into the back of the desktop speaker. This charges the portable speaker so you can take your sound with you. 

Origin Rear View, Portable Speaker Docked

To understand how this whole thing works, let's talk about connections. Each speaker (the desktop and the portable) has a 3.5mm input for a direct connection. When using this connection, the play/pause, volume, and track buttons will be disabled (naturally). The portable speaker needs at least 10% battery for Bluetooth compatibility and connects with a button press. The portable speaker is the one with the Bluetooth so to have your music played through the desktop speaker, you'll need to have the portable speaker docked. This is a limitation, but an understandable one.

The desktop speaker has its own 3.5mm jack (we assume you can use that connection while using the Bluetooth on the portable speaker elsewhere but this use is not expressly stated in the manual) and a USB port for charging (no digital connections here). So, can connect your device to either speaker via 3.5mm input or wirelessly to the portable speaker. Zagg specifies a 15 hour or more battery life on the portable speaker though there is a micro USB jack for remote charging. There is no listing of the Bluetooth version used.

Origin Rear View, Portable Speaker Removed 

Buried in the manual we found that the portable speaker has two "full range" 1.5" drivers and the desktop has a 4" woofer, two "full frequency" 2.5" midrange drivers, and two 1" tweeters. The desktop speaker is rated down to 20Hz (we'll believe that when we measure it) and the portable speaker is rated down to 80Hz (not buying this one either, but maybe, at low SPL).  

Conclusion

Convenience. That's what the Zagg Origin 2-in-1 Bluetooth speaker system represents. Honestly, we expected the portable and the desktop speakers to connect wirelessly to share content, but having the portable one as the main Bluetooth receiver makes the most sense. We can see a lot of people interested in this product. While $250 isn't cheap, it certainly isn't overly expensive seeing that you are getting two speakers in the deal. If you tend to listen to music in your bedroom or office, but occasionally want to take it with you, the Zagg Origin 2-in-1 Bluetooth speaker system could be perfect for you.

For more information, please visit www.zagg.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.