Article iBall Tarang 2.1 Review, Modding and Use with Mobile

iBall Tarang 2.1 Review, Modding and Use with Mobile

I was looking for some good 2.1 speakers because I wanted a subwoofer and I don't see the point of 4.1, 5.1 and 7.1. To travel light, I gave my Harman Kardon 2.1 to my brother in Delhi when I came to Bangalore.

In my hunt for a 2.1 Speaker Set I found that there was a certain speaker from Intex which was highly recommended but I could not find any mention of it on web (web=Google) apart from just one post. I bought these speakers on 2nd Oct 2009. The shops were open but empty. I inquired about the prices of Creative SBS A100 at a few shops and they were in close agreement. It seems that all shops stock Creative.

Big Bazaar (ITPL) prices from that month
SBS a3000 2099
iBall Tarang 2.1 1575
Logitech R20 1249
Logitech x210 1999
Umax 980 UBB (FM inbuilt) 1400

I finally entered a shop and asked for 2.1 speakers. I was shown 1121 Altec Lansing and (AL) 1221 for another AL model It seems the current range of Altec Lansing is overrated. People recommend it without even having seen it. Also that 1121 model was in a strange shape. I was not interested to have a conversation starter piece and just wanted a normal speaker so just asked for the demo of 1221.

The shop keeper was not very open to this but I just asked for power on test. I am glad that I did. The unit inside did not have the Indian power connection. Though, there was an adapter kept inside but you never know. He then volunteered to play some songs on this. The speakers were plastic and thinly built. There was lots of distortion and they did not sound 15W,15W +30 Woofer. Being a slow day, I asked the shopkeeper for the demo of iBall 2.1 (Tarang 2.1). This was quoted @ INR 1375 + tax @ 4%. Shopkeeper agreed to sell me iBall because it is slightly more expensive.

This speaker can be very loud for a single room but very clear and is still to distort on me. I am very happy with the speakers though now there is a model with remote and FM built in it. You can find TDA2030 datasheet on web which will tell you which parts to change for more or less gain. The speakers were a lot heavier than Creative or AL, I knew about the weight when I was browsing in Big Bazaar ITPL. And it did sound way better. I am very happy with these. It is near impossible to get a speaker demo in a market like Nehru Place (New Delhi) , Lamington road (Mumbai) or Marathalli/SJP Road (Bangalore). I would suggest you to hear it first and ask for the exact model because quality differs from model to model in the same company.

This speaker is very well made but has low treble response (for my liking). We will soon change it.