The SOULION R100 is a 16-inch stereo soundbar for a desk. One USB cable carries both power and sound from a computer, and it switches to Bluetooth for a phone or tablet[1, 2]. It needs no drivers, and a USB-C adapter is in the box[2].
Key facts
What is it?
The Amazon listing is model R100, a two-channel stereo soundbar made by Shenzhen Soulion Technology[1]. SOULION’s own store sells the same R100 with the same description, in black and in white[2]. This review covers the black one on the listing.
SOULION also sells an R30, which needs a 3.5 mm cable for sound, and an R100 Plus, which has a battery and an AUX input. Neither is this speaker, so their specs don’t apply.
Does it need a 3.5 mm audio cable?
No. In PC mode the R100 is a USB sound device. The listing’s setup photos show it appearing as “R100” in the Windows output device list and as a USB device in macOS Sound settings[1]. The single cable ends in a USB-A plug, with a USB-C adapter for laptops that only have USB-C[2].
The flip side: no 3.5 mm or optical input. It won’t take sound from a monitor’s headphone jack, a TV or a console unless that device can act as a USB audio host.
How do you set it up?
Plug the USB cable into the computer. It powers on by itself, and no drivers or software are needed[2]. Then pick “R100” as the output device in Windows sound settings or in macOS Sound settings[1].
For Bluetooth, keep the USB cable plugged in for power, press the M button to switch modes, and pair with “R100” on the phone or tablet[2]. A USB phone charger works as the power source in Bluetooth mode[1].
What do the buttons do?
There are four buttons on top[2]:
- M: press to switch between PC (USB) and Bluetooth. Hold to power on or off.
- ☀ (light): press to change the light effect or turn it off. Hold for 3 seconds to clear the Bluetooth pairing memory.
- + and −: press or hold to change the volume.
The computer’s own volume control works too, since the R100 is a normal output device.
What about the lights?
A rainbow LED strip sits along the bottom edge and lights the desk rather than your eyes. It has four effects[2], and the listing says the light moves with the sound[1]. The light button turns it off, which you may want before your next video call.
How big is it, and how does it sound?
It measures 16 × 2.5 × 2.5 inches (about 41 × 6.4 × 6.4 cm) and weighs 1.43 lb[2]. That fits under most monitors. The body is a tube covered in fabric[1].
What we couldn’t confirm: how loud it gets or how it sounds. SOULION publishes no power rating, frequency response or Bluetooth version. The only figure is in the listing’s photos, which label each of the two drivers 5W[1]. SOULION and the listing name Windows and macOS for setup, and say nothing about Linux. Expect a clear step up from laptop speakers, not a pair of studio monitors.
What would a developer use it for?
Desk audio with one cable and no setup. It suits a monitor that has no speakers, or a laptop on a stand. Moving it to another computer is one plug and one click in sound settings[1].
Bluetooth mode lets your phone play through it without unplugging anything[2]. For calls, use headphones anyway: your colleagues don’t need your build logs and your music.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Final Verdict
Get the SOULION R100 if you want better sound than your laptop or monitor speakers from one USB cable, with Bluetooth for your phone on the side[2]. Skip it if you need a 3.5 mm input for a monitor, TV or console, or if you want published audio specs before you buy[1].
Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the R100 need a 3.5 mm audio jack?
No. Sound comes over USB, and it shows up as an output device called “R100”[1].
Does it work with a MacBook that only has USB-C?
Yes. Use the USB-C to USB adapter in the box, then pick “R100” in Sound settings[1].
Does it have a battery?
No. It needs USB power in both modes[2]. The rechargeable model is the R100 Plus.
Can I turn the lights off?
Yes. The light button cycles the effects and turns them off[2].