Ever since Swedish audio brand Urbanista introduced its solar headphones, which charged even while they were being used, consumers have been eagerly waiting for the company to apply this technology to a larger audio product. Now, Urbanista has done just that with the release of their new portable wireless speaker, the Malibu.
The Urbanista Malibu utilizes Exeger’s Powerfoyle solar cells to recharge its battery. This means that the speaker can replenish its power while unplugged using both indoor ambient lighting and outdoor sunshine. In addition to its solar capabilities, the Malibu is also fully waterproof with an IP67 rating, making it ideal for use at the beach or around water.
Priced at $149 (£149 or €169), the speaker can be paired with another Malibu to create a stereo pair. It is available in the classic black color as well as a new Desert Gray option. Mårten Sahlén, the product director at Urbanista, explains that the rugged design of the speaker houses a powerful 3,600-mA battery that powers the dual 10-watt amplifiers inside. While the solar cells can fully charge the battery, there is also the option to charge via USB-C.
To enhance the user experience, the Malibu comes with an accompanying app that allows for customization of the sound profile and provides information on the speaker’s live light-charging and historical data. This feature allows users to monitor how much free energy they have harvested over the product’s lifetime, adding an eco-friendly element to the speaker.
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Urbanista claims that the Malibu has a full-day battery reserve, which translates to a play time of up to 30 hours. However, the burning question is how long the speaker can continue playing music while under sunlight. To find out, Urbanista conducted in-house tests using a curated playlist of songs and setting the speaker at the volume they believed other brands use for testing.
According to their tests, the Malibu can extend its 30-hour play time by up to 15 hours with 50,000 Lux solar light charging. This level of outdoor light is equivalent to what is typically found on an average sunny day. Considering that solar light ranges from approximately 20,000 to 100,000 Lux, Urbanista chose to test the speaker under “half-sun strength” conditions. This means that in optimal conditions, the Malibu has the potential to run for a total of 45 hours on a full charge.
While there are already solar-powered speakers on the market from lesser-known brands, what sets Urbanista’s Malibu apart is the efficiency of its Powerfoyle solar cells. This efficiency allows the speaker to continuously recharge when not in use and significantly extend its play time. As long as the battery is not completely drained in one long listening session, users can enjoy a longer play time by taking advantage of the solar-charging feature.
Sahlén provides three examples of battery drain scenarios for the Malibu. In the first scenario, if the speaker is used twice per week for a total of seven hours and kept in complete darkness the rest of the time, the battery should last up to 30 days. This showcases the speaker’s ability to conserve power when not in use and highlights its potential for long-lasting battery life.
Overall, the Urbanista Malibu offers an impressive combination of solar technology and high-quality audio performance. With its waterproof design, stereo pairing capabilities, and customizable sound profile, the Malibu is a versatile portable wireless speaker that is perfect for outdoor activities. Whether you’re at the beach, camping, or simply enjoying your backyard, the Malibu ensures that your music never runs out, thanks to its efficient solar-charging feature.
