Bluetooth mode is very basic. It does not have microphone, so you can’t use it to take a call. Also, none of the button works in Bluetooth mode. So you can only operate it from your mobile. At least the next / previous button should have worked in Bluetooth mode. Now the biggest upgrade on this Musicbar compared to the previous model is the Karaoke function, which uses these two mics included in the box. Saregama also includes four Duracell AA batteries, two for each mic. The mics themselves connect to the soundbar automatically once you hit the mic button on the soundbar and turn on the mics.

The tagging of the collection also leaves a LOT to be desired. The Artists collection has several singers, but then a lot of songs are also put under names which are not the artists but rather music directors and even lyricists (eg. Javed Akhtar, Kalyanji Anandji, Shankar Jaikishen and others who really weren't singers). I guess this is only done to have a perception of a large number of artists, otherwise most songs would end up under 'Lata Mangeshkar' and 'Kishore Kumar'. The Musicbar Karaoke has a very sharply V-shaped sound signature with recessed modes, but sounds really fun for any kind of music that thrives on bass. Clarity does suffer as you turn the volume higher, but even at around 50% volume, the soundbar should easily full most reasonably-sized rooms. Note that out of the 5000 'songs' in the device, many are instrumental, bhajans, aartis, classical etc.,- not all of the songs are old film songs - so if it's really the songs you are looking for you might be better off buying them from Saregama itself. The design and feel of the Carvaan 2.0 remains largely the same as its predecessor, with a fourth function button added to give users access to Internet-based content. Additionally, Saregama has also launched the Rs. 15,990 Carvaan 2.0 Gold, which like its predecessor, comes with Harman Kardon-certified speakers, and similar Wi-Fi connectivity for access to online content. Connecting to the Internet has also been simplified, and is done through the Saregama app - available for iOS and Android. Once connected, the Carvaan receives the Wi-Fi credentials through the smartphone, and automatically connects and functions when the Wi-Fi mode is activated. Of course, users can continue to access the preloaded content as well.

REVENUE

Apart from this, you’re also provided a remote to control various functions, an HDMI cable and a 3.5mm cable—all in the box itself. A remote would have added more ease to the unit. I know it is not included to give it a retro look, but think about it. This unit is trying to cater for both older as well as new generation. The older generation wants a radio like feel, and songs from their era. The newer generation wants to play their own songs with more control using bluetooth and pen drive. Now, you have these options, but newer generation also don’t want to walk to the unit to skip the current song. So, while people will love it for retro radio effect but find it little difficult for playing songs on pen drive and always has to walk to the unit for skipping a song. This is not an issue while playing via Bluetooth, as full control is in mobile.

Battery lasted for more than 6-7 hours while playing built-in songs. It was still showing around 20-25% battery, but we decided to charge. So, battery life is great on built-in songs. I did not try Bluetooth all the way, but playing for more than an hour on Bluetooth, I didn’t see much of battery loss. So, my vote is that it has good battery. I wish they had given the specs about battery capacity in mAh.USB implementation is very good. If the songs are spread under various folders, you can easily skip through folders using big dial. But songs on USB are played sequentially. Geetmala is another treat for old timers, who remember the first ever weekly countdown show of India. You get all 50 year worth of annual show of this!! The Carvaan range of speakers includes the Saregama Carvaan and Carvaan Gold, which offer a variety of content and connectivity options. Both the soundbar and subwoofer are made of plastic, which makes them very light. The soundbar weighs just 1.6kg, while the subwoofer comes in at 4.92kg.