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The Enhance SB2.1 speakers offered 2.1 channel speakers, vibrant LED lights on both the subwoofer and satellite speakers, AC powered side subwoofer, with 3.5mm port connection. Plug the setup into a computer, monitor, laptop, or tablet. With the 3.5mm connection, you can plug the setup into any device with a 3.5mm headphone cable. Enjoy front volume/bass toggles, an LED on/off button, reasonable-length cables, and an above-average sound blend. Unfortunately, you cannot control the LED brightness or color and the setup lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack. Additionally, wired power may limit your placement.
The Enhance SB2.1 speaker system arrived in a sleek 15 1/4 inches wide by 11 3/4 inches tall by 5 3/4 inches thick retail package. Instead of using a typical white background, the company utilized a tacticool black base. The Enhance name was centered on the top panel and along the top left of the cover panel. The bold white font of the name/logo visually popped against the dark background.
Beneath the product name, you will find seven neon-blue colored product-defining icons: 2.1 channel, computer, LED, AC, 3.5mm, 3-year limited warranty, and Bass Pulse technology. The main showcase of the cover panel was the large central speaker and dual side speakers. Each of the slightly raised, glossy images had a blue flame surround effect and dark blue under-lighting effects.
The lower edge of the panel listed the ENHANCE SB2.1 name in blue/white font (2.1 High excursion speaker system). Even though the cover panel felt a bit dark. the neon blue flames dramatically enhanced the allure and shape of the speakers.
The right side panel reproduced the name/logo seen on the bottom edge of the cover panel and provided little expansion about the product. I felt the panel was wasted and could have used some additional information about the product. The blue-colored left side panel provided the Enhance logo, displayed images for YouTube/Facebook/Instagram, and then listed the product specifications ( Power 2.5W x 2 +10W, 15W RMS, 30W peak, 50mm driver, 101mm woofer, 4 ohm x 2 drivers and 6-ohm woofer impedance, 90 dB sensitivity, 80Hz-20KHz frequency response, S/N ratio 70 dB, 3.5mm audio input, 11V/1.5A power input, dimensions [4.75 x 4 x 3.87 inches satellite, 11 x 9.25x 4.5 woofer], 5.46-pound weight).
The black-colored rear panel provided the view that I had hoped for. The panel provided a frontal image of the dual side speakers, woofer, and also listed the features of the speakers: 1. “High excursion drivers for powerful, immersive sound.” 2. Illuminated LED accents. 3. Side-firing subwoofer for deep bass. 4. Integrated Volume and Bass controls.
Like the cover panel, the dark blue accents and white font enhanced the contrast between the dark speaker upon dark background. Unlike the cover, however, the back panel lacked neon flame enhancement. I would have liked a bit of color along the top edges of the panel and felt it would have added a bit of life to a flat image. Lastly, the bottom panel provided an Accessory Power SKU barcode, and provided some details about the copyright/legal information.
I removed the two tabs from the top panel of the box, lifted the lid, and removed the internal contents. The large subwoofer and dual-side peripheral speakers were oriented within three large white foam blocks. The 4 1/2 inches wide by 9 1/8 inches tall by 10 3/4 inches long subwoofer was sandwiched between two of the large panels, while the dual smaller 4 3/4 inches wide by 3 7/8 inches thick by 4 inches tall speakers with attached 59-inch long 3.5mm cables, AC adapter with 59 1/4 inches long cable, and 60 inches long green/black 3.5mm to 3.55mm cable were sandwiched on the other side.
The 3 pounds 10.4-ounce subwoofer displayed the ENHANCE name along the lower edge of the front panel and had two 5/8 inches diameter by 1/2 inches long knobs for volume and bass plus a 5/8 inches wide by 3/8 inches tall LED on/off button. The front panel provided a large clear plastic face for the LED and an upper 1 1/4 inches wide by 1 3/8 inches tall cutout. The left side panel housed the 6 inches diameter subwoofer speaker, while the rear panel provided a 2 1/8 inches wide by 3 15/16 inches tall input panel: 1. Dual speaker out 3.5mm ports. 2. 3.5mm green audio in port. 3. AC adapter input port. 4. LED indicator. 5. On/off toggle switch. The bottom panel of the subwoofer had four 13/16 inch diameter rubber feet for added upright stability.
Each of the 10.2-ounce side speakers had an M-shaped metallic mesh front panel and a black robot-helmet-like shell. The lower panel housed a large speaker and dual arcuate 5/8 inches tall elevated feet. I set the subwoofer with the right side panel against the back of my computer desk, oriented the speaker outward, placed my dual speakers on my desk, and then ran the 3.5mm cables behind the desk to the subwoofer.
I used the included twist ties for added cable management and then plugged the 3.5mm cables into the speaker output ports on the subwoofer. I then plugged the green 3.5mm speaker input cable between the subwoofer and my computer. Thanks to the length of the included 3.5mm cable, I was also able to run the subwoofer to my desk to use with my MacBook Pro.
To test the sound output, I navigated to the audiocheck.net website and ran through my typical battery of headphone tests. I started with the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz) and listened as the announcer progressed upward from 10Hz. I was able to hear a mild rumbling around 20 Hz (with bass knob fully turned up) but found the speaker hit its stride around 40-50Hz. I tested the speaker with the bass knob at various positions and disliked that there was no fine-tune adjustment.
I used the subwoofer Kick Drum test and found each kick provided the same volume but at a different depth. I turned the bass knob all the way counterclockwise and then gripped the knob at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. I turned the knob 1/4 turn and experienced very little bass. At another 1/4 turn of the bass knob, the bass ramped up quickly. It still had another ~1/4 turn before reaching maximum bass.
I found the best sound output was present between 1/2 turn and the 3/4 turn mark, while my computer was set to ~90% volume. Even though the balance did not seem to suffer when turned to full bass, the setup still favored a more pop-centered range. Simply stated, I wanted more bass.
For the next test, I navigated to the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz) and listened as the announcer moved downward from 22 kHz. Even though the typical range for human hearing is listed between 20kHz to 20Hz, we quickly lose the higher frequency sounds with age and sound trauma/pollution. As an example, as a 40’s male, I am able to hear the buzzing sound at 15 kHz.
My 11-year-old son can hear the sounds at 18 kHz while my 7-year-old daughter with frequent ear infections/ear tubes can only hear at 15 kHz like me. I have worked to protect my hearing and luckily I still have quite a bit of range. The Enhance SB2.1 seemed to excel with upper/mids sounds and never felt tinny or harsh. With the MacBook Pro volume at ~90% max, I set the speaker to 1/4 turn volume and enjoyed several acapella songs from Home Free (Wagon Wheel, Ring of Fire, Sea Shanty Medley).
I liked the blend and staging of the speaker and found the speaker did a good job at demonstrating the songs. For the third and final test, I tested the channel programming with the Left/Right/Center test. The top 3.5mm port directed signal to the left speaker, while the lower port directed the signal to the right speaker. I tested the stereo nature of the speakers with Queen Bohemian Rhapsody and Sound of Silence 8D, Pentatonic “Hallelujah” 8D, and Enya “Only Time 8D.” The experience did not provide the same feeling as with headphones/earbuds but still provided stereo sound.
The Enhance SB2.1 speaker expanded my music/video experience beyond the base Bluedee computer soundbar setup and well past the generic speakers that are typically used. The speaker will not provide surround sound, nor many of the features of audiophile-grade systems. I loved the ability to turn on/off the LED but did not like that I could not adjust the strength of the light or the color of the light.
With many modern computer lighting effects, the locked-in blue color may clash with several setups and may dissuade purchase. I liked the subwoofer shape, the design/layout, the dual satellite speakers, and the sound, but felt the device missed a headphone output port on the front panel. Some setups may be limited by the wired setup of the speakers and the length of the power cable/3.5mm cables. For the ~$80 price, I was surprised that the system lacked RCA or Optical connectivity, lacked the ability to change the color or intensity of the LED, and lacked Bluetooth.
I listened to several of my favorite songs and felt that I was missing some of the warmth/fullness and oomph that I get with AirPods Pro Gen 2, or with my 1More over-ear headphones. Despite the criticisms, I did have a little fun with the speakers when my father recently traveled for a visit to celebrate my birthday and to spend some time with my children. He brought his Xbox Series X so that we could group up to play Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands.
I gifted him access to my main 65-inch television, while I paired my Xbox Series X with my computer monitor plus the Enhance SB 2.1 speaker setup. I was pleased with the overall sounds, the bass support, and with the quality of the smaller speakers. I found the LED to be distracting and I preferred to leave the main feature turned off. I think the speaker setup would be a good option for those looking in the $50-60 range but seems to lack features of other $80-100 setups.
Namely, the wired limitations and lack of a front-facing Aux port felt like I was missing something. The bass sound/support provided adequate sound and was a significant upgrade to standard USB-powered computer speakers. However, I would have preferred the option for a wired or wireless setup
Learn More About the Enhance SB2.1 Speaker System.
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I am a father of 4, a full-time physician, movie-fan, Cub Scout Leader, part-time gamer and I have a touch of the prepper. I absolutely love science and tech. My goal is to ensure I get the best product and price. My kids and I love games on our Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Oculus Quest, Pokemon GO and anything superhero.
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