When it comes to portable speakers, the market spans from budget-friendly options to premium audio devices. Let's compare two very different approaches - the new Morel BIGGIE at $299 and the Anker Soundcore Mini at $59.99, released in late 2023 and mid-2023 respectively.
Today's portable speakers have evolved significantly from the tinny-sounding units of the past. Modern speakers use advanced digital signal processing (DSP) - essentially a tiny computer that optimizes the sound - along with sophisticated driver designs and efficient amplification to deliver impressive audio from compact packages.
The Morel BIGGIE demonstrates what's possible when engineering prioritizes sound quality. Its two-way design uses separate drivers for high and low frequencies - a 1-inch soft dome tweeter handles the detailed high notes while a 4-inch woofer manages mid-range and bass. This separation allows each driver to focus on what it does best, much like a high-end home speaker.
In contrast, the Soundcore Mini takes a simpler approach with a single 5W driver paired with a passive radiator. Think of a passive radiator as a speaker cone that moves based on air pressure rather than electrical signals - it helps reinforce bass notes without requiring additional power. While clever engineering, it can't match the BIGGIE's ability to reproduce the full range of music.
With 60 watts of amplification (45W for bass, 15W for treble), the BIGGIE can fill large rooms or outdoor spaces with clean, undistorted sound. It reaches 95 decibels at one meter - about as loud as a motorcycle at close range. More importantly, it maintains clarity at high volumes thanks to sophisticated DSP limiting.
The Mini prioritizes efficiency over raw power. Its 5W amplification suits personal listening or small rooms, but pushing it too hard results in noticeable distortion. This isn't necessarily a criticism - it's a natural limitation of its size and price point.
The BIGGIE showcases modern connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3, offering improved range (165 feet) and stability compared to older versions. It's also "Auracast-ready," meaning a future update will enable broadcasting to multiple speakers simultaneously - great for parties or multi-room setups.
The Mini uses Bluetooth 4.0, which still provides reliable 66-foot range but lacks newer features like improved battery efficiency and multi-device broadcasting. However, it includes conveniences like FM radio and SD card playback that the BIGGIE doesn't offer.
Both speakers benefit from recent advances in battery technology. The BIGGIE's lithium-ion battery delivers 20 hours of playback and features fast charging - 20 minutes provides 4 hours of use. The Mini manages a respectable 15 hours, though without fast charging capability.
The BIGGIE excels as a home speaker, especially when paired with a second unit for true stereo. Its frequency response (40Hz-20kHz) covers nearly the entire range of human hearing, making it suitable for movies and TV when not being used for music. The detailed high frequencies help dialogue clarity, while the substantial bass adds impact to action scenes.
The Mini wasn't designed for this role. While it can certainly play audio from your TV, its limited frequency range and single-driver design make it better suited as a personal audio device.
Here's where intended use cases really diverge. The BIGGIE's robust construction and powerful output make it ideal for backyard gatherings or beach trips where you want quality sound for a group. Its only limitation is its 5.7-pound weight.
The Mini shines in portability - at just 200 grams, it's perfectly pocket-sized for hiking, travel, or any situation where weight matters more than absolute sound quality.
The Morel BIGGIE represents significant value for audio enthusiasts, offering near hi-fi performance in a portable package. Its build quality, advanced features, and acoustic engineering justify the premium price for users who prioritize sound quality.
The Soundcore Mini delivers impressive functionality for its modest price. While it can't match the BIGGIE's acoustic performance, it offers 80% of the features most casual users want at 20% of the cost.
Consider your primary use case:
The BIGGIE represents the current state of the art in portable audio, with features like Auracast support showing Morel's forward-thinking approach. Its DSP implementation and driver design demonstrate how far portable audio has come.
The Mini, while more basic, shows how trickle-down technology has improved budget offerings. Its sound quality would have been impressive in a premium speaker just a few years ago.
Both speakers excel within their intended use cases. The Morel BIGGIE delivers premium audio and features that justify its price for discerning listeners. The Anker Soundcore Mini offers remarkable value for users prioritizing portability and basic functionality.
Your choice ultimately depends on how you'll use the speaker and what aspects of performance matter most to you. Either way, both represent significant improvements over their predecessors and showcase how far portable audio technology has advanced.
| Morel BIGGIE | Anker Soundcore Mini |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial Investment | |
| $299 (premium pricing) | $59.99 (budget-friendly) |
| Sound Output - Determines room coverage and outdoor use | |
| 60W total (45W woofer + 15W tweeter) | 5W single driver |
| Driver Configuration - Impacts sound quality and clarity | |
| 1" tweeter + 4" woofer, two-way design | Single full-range driver with passive radiator |
| Frequency Response - Range of sounds speaker can produce | |
| 40Hz-20kHz (full range audio) | Not specified (limited bass response) |
| Maximum Volume - Important for larger spaces | |
| 95dB @ 1m (room-filling volume) | ~85dB @ 1m (personal listening level) |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 20 hours, fast charging (4hrs in 20min) | 15 hours, standard charging |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects range and stability | |
| 5.3 with 165ft range, Auracast-ready | 4.0 with 66ft range |
| Size & Weight - Impacts portability | |
| 7"x7"x4.5", 5.7 lbs (substantial) | 6.9"x6.9"x6.9", 200g (highly portable) |
| Additional Features - Expands use cases | |
| TWS stereo pairing, USB-C power bank | FM radio, SD card slot, aux input |
| Build Quality - Affects durability and sound | |
| Premium MDF cabinet, metal grille | Plastic construction, rubber base |
| Ideal Use Case - Primary intended purpose | |
| Home/outdoor entertainment, audiophile use | Personal audio, travel, desk companion |
The Morel BIGGIE offers superior sound quality and features but costs more at $299. The Anker Soundcore Mini at $59.99 is better for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize portability over sound quality.
The Morel BIGGIE costs $299, while the Anker Soundcore Mini is priced at $59.99, making a $239.01 difference between them.
The Morel BIGGIE offers 20 hours of playback with fast charging capability, while the Soundcore Mini provides 15 hours of playback with standard charging.
The Anker Soundcore Mini is significantly more portable at just 200g, while the Morel BIGGIE weighs 5.7 lbs, making it less suitable for frequent transport.
Both can be used outdoors, but the Morel BIGGIE offers better volume and sound quality for outdoor gatherings, while the Soundcore Mini is better for personal listening.
The Morel BIGGIE delivers significantly better sound quality with its two-way driver system and 60W amplification, compared to the Soundcore Mini's 5W single driver setup.
The Morel BIGGIE supports True Wireless Stereo (TWS) pairing with another BIGGIE speaker, while the Soundcore Mini doesn't offer this feature.
The Morel BIGGIE offers 165 feet of Bluetooth range with version 5.3, while the Soundcore Mini provides 66 feet with Bluetooth 4.0.
The Anker Soundcore Mini is ideal for travel due to its compact size and lightweight design, while the Morel BIGGIE is better suited for home or destination use.
Both speakers can pair with multiple devices, but the Morel BIGGIE offers more advanced connectivity features including future Auracast support.
The Morel BIGGIE delivers superior bass response with its dedicated 4" woofer, while the Soundcore Mini offers basic bass through its passive radiator system.
For pure value, the Anker Soundcore Mini offers good basic functionality at a budget price. However, the Morel BIGGIE provides better value for those seeking premium audio quality and advanced features.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: theabsolutesound.com - ecoustics.com - crutchfield.com - techradar.com - crutchfield.com - tpdhifi.com - audioxpress.com - nlp.stanford.edu - eisa.eu - muzix.eu - outeraudio.com - soundcore.com - youtube.com - unwiredforsound.com - community.anker.com - youtube.com - soundcore.com - community.anker.com
