Escape P9 black

With its height of 73 cm and its weight of 12.3 kg on the scales, the Escape P9 does not play in the same league as compact Bluetooth speakers. This Belgian sound column embraces deliberate excess: five drivers, 100 watts, eight hours of battery life, and an IPX4 certification to withstand splashes. A speaker designed to fill an entire garden with sound, not to fit in a backpack.

A column format built for large spaces

The P9 adopts a sleek rectangular silhouette, dressed in a multifilament polyester grille that lets the drivers breathe while protecting the whole unit. The fabric, available in black, white, or taupe depending on the version, gives it a textile rather than plastic look, which helps the speaker blend into a living room or onto a terrace. The die-cast aluminum handle, positioned on top, makes it possible to move the unit without strain despite its substantial weight.

The speaker stands on four feet that keep it a few centimeters above the ground. This space is no coincidence: the bass-reflex port exits downward, and this air volume beneath the speaker contributes to the bass performance. There is also a metal anti-theft anchor point here, a detail that reveals a design intended for semi-public spaces such as restaurant terraces or poolside areas.

Four drivers and a 20 cm woofer

360° sound dispersion relies on four 8 cm full-range drivers, arranged on each side of the column. Their polypropylene diaphragms are designed for significant excursion, and the ventilated voice coils limit distortion at high volume. An aluminum dust cap completes the equipment of each driver.

The 20 cm woofer occupies the lower part of the speaker. Its glass-fiber-reinforced frame supports an oversized magnet that powers the entire magnetic system. This downward-firing bass driver, coupled with the bass-reflex volume, produces deep bass without requiring an external subwoofer.

The digital amplifier delivers 100 watts RMS over a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Two 24-bit DSP processors handle signal processing and equalization algorithms, with “Indoor” and “Outdoor” presets accessible from the Escape app.

Bluetooth aptX and extension compartment

Wireless connection is handled by a Bluetooth 4.2 module compatible with aptX, AAC, and SBC codecs. The stated range is about 10 meters. For wired sources, a 3.5 mm mini-jack input is hidden under a waterproof cover at the left end of the control panel. A USB port allows direct playback of MP3, WMA, and FLAC files stored on a drive.

The top control panel, just below the handle, provides access to the essential functions: power on/off, playback, volume, source selection. By removing this keypad, you discover a waterproof compartment that houses a second mini-jack input and a powered USB port. Escape has provided this space to accommodate the optional M1 Air module, which adds Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and Spotify Connect. You can also install a Chromecast Audio there with the adapter provided by some retailers.

Twin mode for a stereo setup

Two P9s can be paired in Bluetooth to form a stereo pair. This Twin mode uses Bluetooth 5.0 for the link between the two speakers, with a recommended maximum distance of 4 meters between them and the source. The soundstage then widens noticeably, which can justify the investment in a second unit for events or large spaces.

Battery life and charging

The lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery offers 16 hours of battery life at ambient volume or 8 hours at sustained listening volume. This battery chemistry, more thermally stable than conventional lithium-ion, handles repeated charge cycles better. The charger is built into the speaker: a power cable plugs directly into the socket located under a cover at the bottom of the device. A full recharge takes about two to three hours. The speaker can operate while plugged into mains power.

A speaker with volume, in every sense

The P9 plays loud. At 25% volume, it already covers a medium-sized garden effortlessly. At full power, it can liven up a party without audible distortion, which sets it apart from many portable speakers that saturate as soon as the level is pushed. The 360° sound rendering guarantees consistent listening no matter where you are in relation to the speaker.

The mobile app offers a five-band equalizer and “Direct” or “Wide” modes to adjust spatialization. Indoors, it is better to reduce the bass slightly via the “Indoor” preset or custom settings, because the factory tuning favors outdoor projection.

The weight of 12.3 kg limits true portability. You can carry the P9 from one room to another or from the living room to the terrace, but it does not slip into a car trunk already packed for a weekend. A rigid transport case with wheels is available as an option for longer trips.

Technical Specifications

Amplification and Processing

• High-power digital amplifier: total power 100 W RMS
• Dual 24-bit digital signal processing (DSP) processor
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Speakers

• 4 premium speakers with aluminum core cover
• Optimized polypropylene (PP) diaphragm
• Linear suspension and ventilated voice coil
• Powered by an ultra-powerful magnet
• Impressive bass reproduction
  • 1 20 cm woofer with fiberglass-reinforced chassis

Battery Life

• Rechargeable lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery
  • 8 hours of battery life at normal listening volume
  • Built-in charger (240 V / 50 Hz, 110 V / 60 Hz) for recharging via power cable

Features

• Pairing mode to connect two Escape P9 speakers in stereo via wireless connection (Bluetooth)
• Control via Escape P9 app compatible with iOS and Android

Connectivity

• USB player
• Google Chromecast Audio module
• 3.5 mm auxiliary input
• Bluetooth 4.2 wireless connection (range approximately 10 meters)
• Audio codecs:
  • AAC
  • Qualcomm aptX
  • SBC
  • A2DP 1.3.1

Physical Characteristics

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 220 × 731 × 220 mm
• Weight: 12.30 kg

Included Accessories

• 50 cm 3.5 mm mini-jack cable
• 1.5 m power cable