KIDZ AUDIO Music Box for Kids Review – Sustainable fun for kids and nice gift idea

1 - Übersicht, Lieferumfang, Unboxing, Datenblatt 2 - Benutzung, Features und Zusammenfassung

Functionality, file formats, memory stick and connectivity

Let’s start at the bottom and at the back. I wrote it already that the self-adhesive rubber feet are not for the little ones, but then I did not want to leave it completely without. The screwed flap in the back covers a compartment with battery and other features, but more on that in a moment. In the picture below, we see a recessed screw that can be easily opened with a 20-cent coin, even if this seems impractical at first glance, because a handle or an eyelet for turning would probably have done it easier. But again, it was probably about safety.

However, there is still a point of criticism buried there, because this screw is not secured by means of a snap ring, but it can be removed completely. Apart from the fact that such a thing on a Flokati carpet then offers very nice party games when searching (if she falls down), is also such a thing very easily and quickly swallowed. So please improve, something like this doesn’t cost the earth, but is much safer and also more convenient for the user.

Once you have unscrewed the flap and safely stored the screw, the compartment is open. We can see the installed and also replaceable 3.7 volt battery with 2.2 Ah on the left. The USB-A socket is intended for the USB stick, which must be formatted with FAT32 or exFAT. Mahr than 32 GB also worked if necessary, but the read-in then takes forever or it also breaks off sometimes. The smaller, the faster. This also applies to the file names, which should not be longer than 256 characters. The shorter, the better. The order is ascending alphanumeric and MP3 and WAV files are supported. The knob limits the maximum volume, which can still be adjusted on the front. Practical and good for the nerves.

The box expects and uses the following subdirectories on the USB stick analog to the control panel (complete lower case!) : music for music recordings (green button), book for audio plays/texts (white button) and recordings (purple, here the MusicBox stores its own microphone recordings). These directories are not created automatically and must be created by the user in advance. Other contents of the USB stick are not used and recognized. To completely disable the recording function, you can simply delete the recordings folder, or not create it at all. The stick is read in again after each power-up. The rest of the buttons are self-explanatory and the rotary control in the center serves as a combined volume control as well as an on/off switch.

Bluetooth is activated via the blue button, which otherwise triggers the sleep function, where the volume gets quieter and quieter after about 30 minutes and the device remains idle. If the device remains in PAUSE mode for more than 10 minutes or if it has just been in sleep mode, it will switch off completely to protect the battery from discharging. To put the device back into operation, simply turn it off with the volume control and then turn it on again. But this should be known and not frightened. There is no wake-up function. The microphone is still hidden behind the small opening on the upper left, and the green power LED is located on the upper right.

Let’s take a look at the back again, because there is another panel above the lockable compartment. The headphone jack switches the speaker and the battery status LED indicates whether the battery is charging or discharged. The USB-C port for the charging cable is on the right. When the battery is empty, it takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the charger and the state of discharge. A good thing is that charging interrupts itself when the maximum charge is reached and switches to a kind of charge retention (the charge indicator in the center then goes out).

More can’t be written about it for now, but it operates as simple as it reads now. The manufacturer specifies 6 hours in normal operation, but I would rather consider 4 to a maximum of 5 as more realistic at normal volume. Even that is still completely sufficient and you can also install a bigger battery in case of doubt. The stated 3.5 watts RMS are also achieved and the part is louder than many a self-professed boom box. And the point about displacement instead of spoilers is also true here, because the interior volume makes for a pretty good sound. It is anything but deep bass, but still sounds better and more natural than the usual roaring cubes with the integrated passive subwoofers.

Summary and conclusion

If you take a closer look, the almost 130 Euros are not that expensive. The Music Box is solid, well and cleanly finished and to a large extent sustainable. The fact that you can also replace the battery with a standard replacement battery is a real nice-to-have. That with the hidden stick inside and the well thought-out safety for small children is exemplary and certainly seeks its equal in this field. The sound is surprisingly full and warm for such a portable tiny device, and in the end the price is probably put into perspective by the hoped-for longevity. Because unlike mostly already crumbling plastic bombers, the body is timeless and solid.

If you need a portable speaker for your child’s room, here’s one where the supplier has really thought it through. And of course it’s given away with a clear conscience – what else? Even if this time there is a little less linseed oil left for my beloved herb curd. But that’s the kind of thing you like to invest in. 🙂