Honeywell Aviator Hi-Fi Speaker Review: The Rs 40K Bang & Olufsen Alternative Nobody Saw Coming

After spending a decade reviewing audio gear, I rarely find a product that genuinely surprises me. The Honeywell Aviator Hi-Fi speaker has done exactly that. When Honeywell, a brand traditionally associated popularly with air purifiers, announced their entry into India's premium audio market with a Rs 39,900 tabletop speaker, I was skeptical. However, after months of extensive testing, I can confidently say that the Aviator deserves serious attention from audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

For those wondering if it's a Sony, Sonos, Harman Kardon, or Marshal competitor, let me tell you that it can match up with an ultra-luxury brand like Bang & Olufsen, which pairs high-end audio with unusual artsy designs.

PROS

• Exceptional build quality and distinctive design
• Well-balanced, room-filling sound
• True lossless audio support with included dongles
• Versatile connectivity options
• Competitive pricing for the features offered

CONS

• No remote control included
• Limited lighting customization options

Design: Art that functions

The Aviator immediately catches your eye with its unique design language. Breaking away from the conventional boxy speaker aesthetic, Honeywell has opted for an elegant oblong shape supported by a tripod-like stand. "I have seen such designs somewhehre," was my first thought, and fairly so, because its design idea reminded me of Bang & Olufsen speakers I have reviewed.

It looks very different and can look good in most living room setups. I have had this for over three months, and 7 out of 10 people sitting around it have asked "what is that?" and "is that a projector?", even when it is switched off - clearly because of its unusual design, and aesthetic value.

The semi-circular touch panel on top, wrapped in a leather-like material, adds a premium touch that feels right at home in modern Indian living rooms. If you care about aesthetics and still want quality acoustics, the Aviator does both. Not only this, but it serves well as a soundbar to watch movies and a good 5.1-channel speaker for music and gaming. So with one speaker, you can get a promising option that does it all and does it well.

Available in grey and dark grey variants, the speaker strikes a perfect balance between making a statement and blending into your decor. The premium fabric mesh front conceals the drivers while maintaining acoustic transparency, and the ambient lighting around the base adds a subtle feel-good factor when you play it in dim lighting. I like a subtle lighting touch, I have been a fan of what Harman Kardon does with the Aura series of speakers. Which cost less than the Honeywell Aviator, but there's a huge difference in the type of sound you get from both, the Aviator is more powerful and can cover a larger area.

At 5.5 kg, the Aviator is hefty which speaks to its build quality. Measuring 48.2 cm × 22.5 cm × 22.8 cm, it's substantial without being unwieldy. So, if you keep it on a tabletop the kids might reach it, but it is very unlikely to fall off - the 5kg plus weight and the tripod stand is designed to distribute the weight in a way that it's very tough to slip or fall. The textured, rubbery top panel has a decent grip for when you need to move it around.

The only downside, if you look at it that way, is that it requires 50 cm of space to be placed the way it's designed to be arranged. And if you buy the grey variant, which I've been using, clean it at least twice a month if you wish to keep them looking at their best. Dark grey might do a better job of hiding dust and stains for longer.

Sound Quality: A Pleasant Surprise

Let's address the elephant in the room - how does it sound? In a word: impressive. The Aviator's 240W output is not just about raw power; it's about how that power is harnessed. The implementation of a 5-channel amplifier and three independent sound cavities results in a soundstage that's both precise and expansive.

What truly sets the Aviator apart is its proprietary True-Lossless 1MBPS+ audio codec. While many speakers in this price range claim "high-fidelity," the Aviator delivers. The codec preserves the nuances in your music that often get lost in transmission, particularly noticeable in complex orchestral pieces and vocal-heavy tracks.

The bass response is particularly noteworthy - punchy without being overwhelming, a common issue with speakers targeting the Indian market. The mids are well-articulated, ensuring that vocals remain clear and present, while the highs maintain their sparkle without becoming harsh at higher volumes. This balanced sound signature makes the Aviator equally adept at handling everything from classical music, 80's rock, and hip-hop to Bollywood soundtracks.

What left me super impressed is the overall value you can pull out of that Rs 40,000 you spend on this speaker. You get plug-and-play speakers, for high-fidelity music, and a multi-channel room-filling soundbar-like experience for movies and games. All packed inside an aesthetically pleasing yet sturdy package.

Features and Connectivity: Thoughtfully Implemented

Honeywell has packed the Aviator with features that matter. The inclusion of a Lossless Booster Dongle with both USB Type-C and Lightning connectors is particularly thoughtful, allowing for high-quality audio playback from various devices. The Bluetooth 5.3 implementation offers a stable connection up to 30 meters, while the 3.5mm AUX input ensures compatibility with older devices.

The thought of putting dongles somewhat kills the pain of not having a remote control, as it's quite convenient to pass around the dongle to the one who wants to play the music. You just have to plug the dongle into your phone and your phone can control the playback and volume of the speaker.

I said somewhat because you need to walk to the speakers to switch between lossless, Bluetooth, and AUX input modes. The touch controls are responsive and intuitive, though the absence of a remote control is a notable omission. The ambient LED lighting adds a nice touch to the overall experience, though if you're someone who has a specific taste for lights, it doesn't have color customization options. It's not a dealbreaker for me.

Value Proposition

At ₹39,999, the Aviator positions itself in the premium segment while offering exceptional value. When compared to similarly priced offerings from established audio brands, the Aviator more than holds its own, often surpassing expectations in terms of build and sound performance.

Final Verdict

The Honeywell Aviator is a remarkable yet underrated debut in the premium audio segment. It successfully combines striking design, excellent sound quality, and thoughtful features into a package that punches well above its price point. While the lack of a remote control and non-customizable lighting might be minor inconveniences for some, they don't detract from what is otherwise an excellent audio product.