Just slightly larger than the new iPhone 6, and substantially smaller than the iPhone 6 Plus (5.3" x 3" x 15/16"), the Esquire Mini is a sleek, elegant speaker system. It's about half the size of the original Esquire.

They say you can't judge a book by its cover. True that. However, you usually can assume quite a bit by that cover. When I first saw the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini portable Bluetooth speaker ($150), I knew it was something special.

Harman Kardon has more or less mastered the art of combining sexy, elegant design with quality audio performance, so the pocketable Esquire Mini Bluetooth speaker comes as a bit of a surprise. Visually, the speaker lives up to the Harman Kardon branding, but its audio performance does not distinguish itself from other modest-sized competitors. Unfortunately, its price distinguish it: At $149.95, the Esquire Mini feels about $50 more expensive than a speaker that tends to distort should be. A speaker this size needn't have deep bass response, but a speaker this price shouldn't suffer from distortion. If you don't mind a slightly higher price and a slightly larger frame, the Editors' Choice Bose SoundLink Mini ( at Amazon) offers far better sound quality with similar portability. DesignThe Esquire Mini exudes class, looking like the kind of gadget a CEO has in his or her briefcase or coat pocket. Measuring 3 by 5.5 by 0.9 inches (HWD), the 8.4-ounce speaker is offered in black, b...

The suave, svelte Harman Kardon Esquire Mini delivers certain musical genres cleanly and crisply, but others can suffer from distortion or weak bass.

Crisp audio performance; Can get quite loud for a speaker this size; Handsome, easily portable design; Built-in speakerphone

Distorts on some deep bass tracks, even at modest volumes; Classical tracks tend to sound thin and lacking in lows

Over the last few years Harman Kardon has been hard at work reinvigorating the design of its products, offering a level of elegance and simplicity once reserved for the likes of Bowers & Wilkins, or (dare we say it?) even Apple.

Chic portable design; Excellent build quality; Powerful; dimensional sound signature

Weak bass and midrange; Distorts with heavy bass tracks; Introductory price is too high

Inside the box I found Esquire Mini wireless speaker, a USB cable, a leather wrist strap and paperwork. I was surprised- shocked actually- that the speaker didn't come with any sort of protective carrying bag or punch.

Small size; Good sound; Built-in stand; Easy controls; Works with Bluetooth connection or a wired one; Excellent speakerphone thanks to dual-microphones; Solid build

No included protective pouch; Battery life is okay but not great

Though its name and style indicate that its strictly for the on-the-go professional, I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone looking for a portable, reliable and stylish Bluetooth speaker solution.

Full sound, Charges devices, Multi-directional mic, Amazing battery life, The Harmon/Kardon Esquire Mini easily fulfills its duties as a long-lasting and capable on-the-go speaker; Its compact size makes it easy to slip into a pocket or a bag to accompany your travels.

Kickstand isn't adjustable, No battery button, Grille is lint-prone, Only a few minor gripes keep me from gushing non-stop about this cool device; On the unit, there's no dedicated solution for checking the battery levels.

Introduction Harman Kardon is a company renowned for their audio products; they're the parent company of brands like JBL and AKG, which are both highly regarded in the audio community.

There are dozens of Bluetooth speakers available in Australia today that follow a standard template: internal rechargeable battery, Bluetooth, microphone for handsfree calls, and a set of mono or stereo speaker drivers to make the best use of that precious remaining chassis space.

Beautiful design; grille; Involving; warm sound quality; USB mobile device charging

Middling battery life; Low maximum volume level; Minor design quibbles

The Esquire Mini exudes class, looking like the kind of gadget a CEO has in his or her briefcase or coat pocket. Measuring 3 by 5.5 by 0.9 inches (HWD), the 8.4-ounce speaker is offered in black, brown, crème, and white models, and sort of looks like a cigarette case.

Crisp audio performance; Can get quite loud for a speaker this size; Handsome, easily portable design.

Distorts on some deep bass tracks, even at modest volumes; Classical tracks tend to sound thin and lacking in lows

Harman Kardon's Esquire Mini is one of those products you'd love to receive as a gift, but you might hesitate to acquire on your own for $150 ( £124.95 UK, $229 AU). It's part Bluetooth speaker , part high-quality portable speakerphone and part external battery charger.

The Harman Kardon Esquire Mini Bluetooth speaker has a slim, sleek design, and a built-in kickstand; It makes for an excellent speakerphone and can also charge your phone

Since it doesn't have much bass it doesn't sound great with music; a little pricey