Carbon Audio Zooka Wireless Speaker Bar

Overview

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 8 expert reviews

Excellent:

0
Good:

0
Average:

3
Bad:

5

Pros:

Delivers clean audio at moderate volumes.
Goodlooking, clever design acts as stand for iOS devices.
Speakerphone capability.

Cons:

Distorts at top volumes.
Oddly placed control panel.

TechSpot is supported by its audience. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Last revision on January 9, 2015

Reviewers Liked

Delivers clean audio at moderate volumes
Goodlooking, clever design acts as stand for iOS devices
Speakerphone capability
Unique shape and design
Side atop your Laptop's screen without obscuring the video camera
Awesomely cool name
Multiple features

Reviewers Didn't Like

Distorts at top volumes
Oddly placed control panel
Buttons hidden in one of the planned-use cases
Bluetooth connection not reliable
Battery drains when not in use
No 3.5mm cable in the box
Controls on the bottom when using the Zooka with a tablet
Pedestrian audio at best
Too many Bluetooth clicks and pops
Limited frequency response
Some pops while connecting Bluetooth
A few minor design quirks
My not suit conservative, professional settings
Some distortion at louder volumes

Expert reviews and ratings

The Carbon Audio Zooka is a good-looking, colorful portable Bluetooth wireless speaker that can act as a stand for your iPad, but audio performance suffers if you pump up the...

By PC Mag on November 06, 2013

A good idea, designed brilliantly, but with a slightly disappointing sound. The Zooka is a good product, well made, but it's not one for people looking for amazingly natural...

By Pocket-lint on April 11, 2013

Given the Zooka's mediocre performance, the question is, who should buy it? The answer, I suppose, is folks looking for hybrid speaker/stands. To me, Bluetooth is an odd choice for such devices, since the speaker is often physically attached to the...

By Macworld on April 04, 2013

There's something inherently fun about the Zooka: it's a bright, chunky bar with a speaker at either end, which connects to your iPad or MacBook over Bluetooth and will work as an iPad stand for good measure. Available in a range of candy-bright colours,...

By PC Advisor on February 13, 2013

We had reasonably high hopes for the Zooka. Carbon Audio has clearly crafted it with great attention to detail and its flexible design will no doubt win it a multitude of sales. Unfortunately this same love and attention has not been put into the...

By Trusted Reviews on January 10, 2013

This nicely designed speaker and tablet stand is expensive, but it has decent audio quality...

By Expert Reviews on January 05, 2013

Carbon Audio hasn't done itself any favours by pricing the Zooka at £80 - it may be just a fraction of what you'd pay for a quality pair of speakers but it's a bit much for a Bluetooth speaker whose performance isn't as thrilling as its design. Still,...

By IT Pro Portal on December 31, 2012

While the Zooka delivers solid detail in higher registers and relatively wide stereo sound, it isn't a replacement for larger desktop speaker sets. Is it five times louder than most portable media devices? Probably. Does it sound five times fuller than...

By Digital Trends on November 27, 2012

With the change in mobile listening habits from stored music to streaming and Apple’s move from their 30-pin connector, we’ve seen a huge increase in wireless portable speakers. Used to be, everyone wanted an iPod or iPhone dock, but as Bluetooth has...

By The Gadgeteer on August 16, 2013

I'm ever so slightly in love with this Bluetooth wireless speaker bar for iPad and – at a push, if you wedge it on top of the screen – MacBook Air. The Zooka, as it's called, might make your Air topple over if there's not a wall behind it but, as an iPad...

By howtospendit.ft.com on June 20, 2013

Load More Reviews…