Samsung M7 review: Wireless speakers that just work

Samsung’s M7 is the top dog of its modular speaker line. It forms part of a range that makes it possible to line your home with inconspicuous speakers, each churning out the music of your choice, and it’s all controlled from the nifty remote known commonly as smartphones.

Getting the greatest performance from the M7 requires it to be used as part of a larger network of speakers. It works with other Samsung speakers, such as the M3 and M5, to create a wireless multi-speaker setup. Music can be isolated to different rooms or the same song can waft throughout the home.

Streaming the music takes place over a home’s wireless network. Having multiple Samsung speakers work together requires Samsung’s Multiroom app to be downloaded (iOS and Android) and the purchase of the M2 multi-room hub.

Good Gear Guide was issued the M7 speaker only, though we were able to stream audio over a home network by plugging an Ethernet cable into our modem-router. The application holds your hand and walks you through the setup, and the M7’s indicator light informs of a successful connection by alternating from red to blue.

Streaming music over a Wi-Fi network results in better quality audio. The M7 supports the 2.4GHz/5GHz frequencies; however, streaming over Wi-Fi is most convenient when running a network of Samsung speakers.

Our preferred wireless method was Bluetooth. Near the few controls on the M7’s face is an NFC mark. Tap compatible smartphones on the mark and the speaker will ‘beep’ to let you know the connection has been established. The NFC mark on the M7 appears larger than most speakers and is easier to pair to as a result.

Read more: Samsung's Galaxy Alpha review: A peek into the Galaxy S6

The face of the M7 is largely bare, save for a few capacitive buttons. The speaker itself dons a wedge shape, like that of a triangular prism. Samsung claims it can be mounted to ceiling corners or placed in a corner on a flat surface. This way the speakers can produce a stereo image wide enough for the whole room.

Beneath the grille of the M7 are five speakers in total: two 19mm tweeters, two 56mm mid-range drivers and one 4in woofer. The culminating sound produced from these speakers — and from such a tight footprint — impresses.

The M7 will punch out hearty sound even as a standalone speaker. Amping the volume to max will exceed levels of comfort and yet the M7 won’t distort. Music sounds layered and not cluttered, although the bass sounds impotent once the volume reaches approximately 85 per cent. This is the only time the M7 feels ill equipped as a standalone, hinting that it works as part of a larger network of speakers.

We’re confident multiple Samsung speakers would create an enveloping audio experience. The sound is clean and transparent, as opposed to exaggerated, and based on the M7, the range should be versatile enough to handle all kinds of applications, from party anthems to home entertainment.

Stiff competition is opposing Samsung in the modular speaker market. Sonos is the defending champ, LG has launched its own modular system and even Panasonic is getting in on the action. But based on the M7, there’s a compelling argument to go Samsung.