X

HMDX Jam: $39.99 mini Bluetooth speaker hits stores

This wireless speaker comes in its own jar and is available in a variety of fruity colors.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
David Carnoy
The $39.99 HMDX Jam is packaged creatively (click to enlarge). Sarah Tew/CNET

Welcome another tiny wireless Bluetooth speaker to the market: the HMDX Jam.

This one distinguishes itself with some creative packaging (the "jam" jar is actually made of hard translucent plastic, not glass) and a low price tag of $39.99.

HMDX Jam will be sold in six "flavors"-- Strawberry, Grape, Blueberry, Blackberry, Apricot, and Apple -- and will be available in several stores, including Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl's, and more.

Like all Bluetooth speakers, the HMDX Jam connects wirelessly up to 30 feet away and works with all Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, tablets, and laptops/desktops. The rechargeable, lithium-ion battery is rated to deliver up to four hours of wireless play.

 
The built-in rechargeable battery delivers up to 4 hours of audio (click to enlarge). Sarah Tew/CNET

I've been playing around with the Jam for a few days and while it doesn't sound great, it sounds OK, is attractively styled, and has a little bit of heft to it. Because it felt substantial in my hand I actually thought it might sound a bit better. While it definitely offers bigger sound than devices like the iPhone and iPad, like a lot of these small speakers, it sounds pretty thin and doesn't pump out a whole lot of bass.

At $39.99, however, it's very affordable. Just don't expect this to sound as good as the Jawbone Jambox or even Logitech's Mini Boom Box, which retails for about twice as much.