If you’re looking to enjoy some tunes on the go and also make some hands-free calls, give YUBZ’s MAGNUM a listen. The MAGNUM resembles a subwoofer but delivers a lot more range than that, in both sound and functionality.

As I mentioned above, at first glance the MAGNUM looks just like a subwoofer, in fact that’s what I thought it was. But once you plug it in or put some batteries inside it, you discover that it has solid highs and lows, and can even make and receive phone calls via bluetooth. As for the lows, there’s no doubt that it’s cylindrical shape helps in that department, but the highs are just as pronounced.

For my test I plugged it into an AC outlet. You can also use 4 AA batteries, which will give you up to 10 hours of power. Then I searched for it via Bluetooth. Within seconds it was paired (via A2DP) and working perfectly. I cycled through a variety of songs and each one sounded just as crisp and clear as the previous. The MAGNUM also comes with a cable so you can still listen to tunes the old fashioned way (i.e. with a wire).

In addition to being a speaker, the MAGNUM is a hands-free kit for any compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile device. Unfortunately for me, this is where the MAGNUM was a disappointment. While I could hear the person I was calling perfectly, more than one caller remarked that it sounded as if I was talking through a plastic tube. This is unfortunate, especially given the US$109.95 price tag.

Aside from the sound quality when you receive a call, the MAGNUM has all of the right stuff. It sounds great when playing back music, looks cool, and ships with an audio cable, power cable, and even a carrying case. It also comes in a variety of colors, though I prefer the charcoal one that I tested.

If you’re looking for a great solution for listening to music on the go either via a cable or A2DP, the MAGNUM will not disappoint. However, don’t expect callers to be happy with the sound quality of your voice.