Sonodyne Malhar review: This Bluetooth speaker will appeal to audio purists

livemint.com:

₹37,500), a 180-watt Bluetooth wireless speaker that is named after the raga Malhar which, as legend goes, has the power to induce thunder and rain (much needed in this season of relentless heatwaves!). It’s an apt name for Sonodyne’s most powerful consumer offering, but does it warrant somewhat premium pricing? Pulling the speaker out of its substantial packaging, the Malhar is visually quite a sight, looking like a cajon (or a clapbox, as some may call it) with the wooden (MDF) cabinet and classic, retro styling. With the natural wood veneer finish, the Malhar is a nostalgic visual throwback to times gone by, when audio equipment very much looked the part.

Bear that in mind when you’re trying to fit it into your décor. Or just pick one of the other white, black or red color variants if your interiors swing towards the modern. Either way, the 8kg enclosure and the sizable 424 x 181 x 190mm dimensions demand pride of place in your listening setup.

This is not one to be tucked away. On the front are two 5-inch glass-fiber cone drivers accompanied by two 1-inch neodymium magnet silk-dome tweeters, both covered by a metal mesh, and the sides have two 5-inch passive radiators – nothing hidden behind any sort of fabric to mask the unabashed focus on acoustics. Inputs are all clustered towards the rear, with optical, AUX and USB audio for audio and a 5V DC USB port to charge a phone alongside.