Review: Victrola Tempo VSP-400 Bluetooth bookshelf speakers with auracast (Blue) $250-300

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/47xju6N Price as reviewed: $249 (white) - $299 (Blue, Black, Green) Victrola Tempo – Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers – Room-Filling Soundr, Bluetooth Input, Multi-Speaker Streaming Using Auracast, USB-C Computer Input, Turntable Inputs, Subwoofer Output (Pair, Blue) These speakers deliver clear audio and have the ability to get really loud if you turn them up. I typically use them at 1/4- to 1/3rd of their maximum volume and they are plenty loud. The bass is also impressive just from the mid-range drivers. They offer a bass filter and subwoofer output so you can add on an external subwoofer, but it's probably not necessary unless you are looking for a true seat rumbling shake. The left speaker is passive, driven by an included 14' RCA cable from the main right speaker, which has the universal 100-240 VAC 50/60 hz power supply and all of the input electronics. They offer bluetooth, RCA/Aux, USB-C audio device, and optical inputs, and can also export audio via an Auracast network. [They can also join an Auracast network, but only one made by other Victrola products.] It is possible to reverse the left/right channels if you need to mount the "right" speaker on the left hand side to get it closer to power. They include an RCA cable and 3.5mm / 1/8" Aux-In cable in the box, but you will have to provide your own optical or USB-C cable if you want to use those other inputs. There is a single multi function button/knob on the right/primary speaker, which serves as a power switch, mode selection switch, and volume knob, that also has an integrated RGB LED status light to tell you what mode the speaker is in and indicate power. They draw about 2.5-3 watts sitting idle, but have a 20 minute powersave timeout mode where they go down to a very small power draw (my meter couldn't detect it, the manual says it's under 0.5 watts). The manual says they have a maximum 40 watt draw. I never saw a continuous draw of more than 18-20 watts when playing music at max volume. In the AUX and Bluetooth modes, if the 20 minute powersave kicks in, you have to manually push the button to wake it back up. It may be that the digital inputs (optical and USB) can wake it up directly without user intervention. [And if you don't mind using a few watts all the time, you can disable the powersave mode with a few taps.] These are "bookshelf" speakers, which basically means they are a little large for "desktop" use, but could certainly fit on a desk (the manual recommends at least a 6 foot separation for the speakers, but even my bookshelf didn't provide more than 5 feet and they sounded fine). Overall, they were easy to use, everything worked as expected, and the sound was great (even when turned up loud). My only hesitation is the price, as you are certainly paying for the top quality.