MIMIO SOUND BOX PC speaker review: clear voices and a USB-power noise problem

YouTube voices were hard to hear through the monitor's speakers

I bought an ASUS VP327Q 31.5-inch monitor. I am pleased with the picture and plan to discuss it in another article. For my use, though, its built-in speakers make speech hard to follow. I wanted clearer voices when listening to people on YouTube.

I looked for external speakers, but space around the desk is limited. I also use it at night and do not need deep bass carrying into the next room. On the other hand, thin, weak sound would defeat the point of adding a speaker. I wanted a compact product with a light sound and intelligible speech.

I chose Audio-Technica's MIMIO SOUND BOX, model AT-SP270TV. It is designed to bring TV sound closer to the listener, but seemed suitable for low-volume video playback beside a PC too.

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An integrated speaker focused on clear voices, with separate audio and power connections

The unit contains left and right speakers. According to the manufacturer, its sound correction raises the frequency range of human voices. It is designed to make news and drama dialogue easier to hear, matching my purpose.

Item	Main specification
Product and model	MIMIO SOUND BOX / AT-SP270TV
Speakers and maximum output	Two 52mm drivers, stereo, 4W total (2W + 2W)
Dimensions	W182.3 × D71 × H86.8mm, excluding protrusions
Weight	Approximately 500g, excluding cables
Audio input	3.5mm stereo mini plug
Power	USB Type-A, DC 5V; USB adapter sold separately, rated at least 5V 1A
Cable length	Approximately 5m each for audio and USB power

The manufacturer's product information is here.

https://www.audio-technica-mimio.com/…/MIMIO-SOUND-BOX

USB supplies power only; audio goes to the headphone jack. A speaker carrying both audio and power through one USB cable would be easier to wire to a PC. This arrangement, however, lets me take audio from the monitor's headphone output, which suits this setup.

Five meters is long for use right beside a PC. Still, reaching from the monitor to the listener makes placement flexible. The excess can be bundled up.

It feels easier to place than two small stereo speakers

In person, it has more presence than my imagined 'slightly larger than a smartphone'. It has substantial height and depth, unlike a thin miniature speaker.

Because everything is in one unit, it fitted an available space around my desk easily. I could adjust its position using the nearby shelves, keeping it out of the way in a confined area.

The nearby volume knob is convenient, and closer voices need less volume

The large top-mounted volume knob was particularly useful. It also switches the power on and off, and a simple turn adjusts the level. When voices differ in loudness between videos, I can reach over and change it immediately.

Placed close to my face, it made YouTube voices easier to understand at low volume. The sound is light, but speech has enough body. It feels better suited to quietly following explanations and conversations than producing strong bass.

I did not measure sound leakage into the next room, but I only need enough volume at my seat, reducing the need to fill the whole room. I am pleased that speech is now comfortable to follow quietly.

Low-volume electronic noise disappeared when I changed from a USB power strip to a battery

There was an initial concern. At low playback volume, electronic beeps and tones appeared every few seconds. At first, I suspected a faulty speaker.

After investigating and trying different connections, the USB-equipped AC power strip I was using seemed to be involved. Supplying power from an external battery made the noise inaudible.

What I established is that changing the power source improved the symptom. I did not measure the power strip's circuitry or hold all other conditions, including volume and wiring, constant, so I have not identified the electrical cause.

The manufacturer's manual also suggests trying another USB port or power adapter if noise occurs. An AC USB adapter is an officially supported power source; the particular power strip's supply environment simply seems not to have suited my setup. If you encounter similar symptoms, testing another power source is worthwhile.

https://www.audio-technica.co.jp/…/AT-SP270TV_UM.pdf

A satisfying purchase for listening to video speech quietly

The MIMIO SOUND BOX lets me enjoy videos at low volume nearby when speech was difficult through the monitor. The easy-to-place integrated unit and accessible volume knob are convenient too.

The electronic noise was confusing, but changing the power source resolved it. For listening to YouTube voices at night around a cramped desk, it suited my needs well. It was a worthwhile purchase that reduced a small daily listening frustration.

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