All-in-one Wi-Fi speaker boasts superb sound and plethora of playback options
The Lithe Audio iO1 is a slick looking outdoor ready speaker than can be configured in multiple ways and is capable of wireless streaming via a plethora of platforms and services. The sound quality is superb and you even have the option of adding an extra passive speaker to create a stereo pair. It's a superb all-in-one option for anyone looking to enhance their outdoor entertainment.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Multiple mounting possibilities
- Numerous streaming options
- Fully weatherproof
Cons
- App is a bit clunky
- Initial setup is clumsy
- Google multiroom has issues
- No native Alexa
Key features
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, Ethernet
- Ecosystems: Apple Home, Google Home
British integrated speaker specialist Lithe Audio unveiled a new all-in-one wireless speaker earlier this year… the Lithe Audio iO1.
The iO1 is designed primarily as an outdoor speaker but, thanks to multitude of mounting options, is also more than suitable as a stylish indoor speaker as well.
I’m referring to the iO1 in the singular because, for your £720, you do get an all-in-one ‘Master’ streaming speaker, with amplification built in; but there is also the option of adding a passive paired speaker, for £300, to create a stereo setup too.
I’ve had the Lithe iO1 (and its passive pal) in use in my garden over the autumn months, read on to find out why I loved it so much.

(Image credit: The Ambient)
Design and build
- Rugged, IP66 rated
- Numerous vertical and horizontal mounting options
- Black or white
With a history in built-in ceiling and wall speakers, you won’t be surprised to learn that the iO1 is designed to fit seamlessly into a range of placements.
It’s a rugged and almost industrial metallic looking thin box of tricks, measuring 465 x 170 x 100mm, with plenty of jagged angles and sharp points.
It’s certainly got enough about it aesthetically to stand out but, as mentioned, it can also be seamlessly ‘hidden’ thanks to its wide range of mounting options.
Without any additional mounts you can simply place the speaker horizontally on a counter or shelf (although the included mount does give it more stability in these scenarios), or it can be flush mounted in a corner in a vertical position.
To do this you simply pop the aluminium grill off of the front and use the screws provided in the box to attach to your chosen corner.

(Image credit: The Ambient)
Additionally, for hanging from a ceiling, there is a pendant mounting kit or you can use a garden spike if you want to position your iO1 in your flower bed or lawn.
Whatever way you decide to place it, you’ll need to work out what wires, if any, apart from the power cable you’ll need in place.
That’s because there’s a waterproof wiring system on the back of the speaker whereby you can feed through your speaker wires, optical cable, Ethernet and power, and have it all locked in safely thanks to a rubber pinch-system that is clamped down with a piece of metal to hold everything in place.

(Image credit: The Ambient)
If you are looking to wire this speaker up then use thin cables to make your life easier, the optical cable that I tried to use in my initial setup, pictured below, was too fat and I couldn’t get the rubber in place.

(Image credit: The Ambient)
Also consider how you are going to power the iO1. Outdoors, you’ll obviously need access to an outdoor plug but indoors you can use existing light circuit power – handy if you are mounting up high or from the ceiling.
If you are leaving the iO1 outdoors then there’s no need to bring it inside over the winter; it is IP66 rated with an Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Polycarbonate housing, and it can operate in -10C to 50C (-50F to 122F) temperatures.
Features
- Dual band Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- Chromecast, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2
One you’re all set up physically, the next thing to do is to get some tunes blaring from the iO1.
The Lithe Audio iO1 offers multiple streaming options including Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Google Home multiroom and Spotify Connect.
To make the most of these wireless streaming options you will, of course, have to hook it up to your home network but the good news there is that there’s dual-band Wi-Fi, and there’s 2 Ethernet ports available too.

(Image credit: The Ambient)
So if you’re worried that your home Wi-Fi won’t stretch outside, it’s worth considering whether you can get a Cat6 cable to it instead. Ethernet can also be used to daisy chain speakers.
Setting up the Wi-Fi connection through the Lithe app is a little clunky, the step-by-step guide could do with being a lot clearer; the manual actually differs from what’s stated in the app.
And the Lithe app itself is pretty basic; you can set up local music sources (from NAS drives and the like) and Spotify appears as a built-in integration but you will be much better off using the likes of AirPlay, Spotify Connect or Bluetooth and simply using the native streaming apps.
You do have the option inside the app to tweak the EQ settings though, so don’t delete it from your phone too hastily. There’s also some nice preset EQs for indoor, outdoor and hanging pendant use.
If you want to just ignore the network aspects completely then you’ll be pleased to hear that Bluetooth works straight out of the box.
When you first plug the Lithe IO1 in, you’ll see the LED status light flashing green and the speaker should show up as a discoverable device from your smartphone/tablet/laptop. If it doesn’t, just push the pair button next to the light.
Once it has made a Bluetooth connection to your device, then that LED will turn blue. And you’re good to go.
If you do go down the path of using the networked features – and you really should as you’d only be scratching the surface of the iO1 if you treat it as just a Bluetooth speaker – then you have a few options on how to handle playback.
I tested the iO1 using an iPhone and a Mac and, therefore, it was super simple to use AirPlay. I was even able to add the iO1 to a multi-room system with AirPlay enabled Sonos speakers with no issues.
Likewise Spotify Connect, where the iO1 can be grouped with other compatible speakers and simply shows up as an option within the Spotify app.
The Google side of things was a little less plain sailing though. While the iO1 can be added as a speaker in Google Home and be used as part of a Google Home multi-room audio setup, I found numerous issues, mainly to do with grouping and volume control.
I’ll give Lithe the benefit of the doubt here though as Google’s multi-room streaming has been a mess ever since its legal tangle with Sonos, with features being deleted as a consequence of the search giant being on the wrong end of some rulings.
Chromecast direct was faultless though, so if you have an Android phone then this is a great option for streaming music from your favourite apps.
There’s no native Alexa support but you can, of course, pair an Echo smart speaker with the iO1 using Bluetooth should you wish.
Audio quality
The Lithe iO1 boasts a powerful duo of 3-inch waterproof coated paper cone woofers, and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, and it delivers a superb audio experience, with high-resolution audio at 192 kHz, 24 bits.
At the heart of the iO1 lies an impressive RMS power of 100W (2x 50W), driven by Class D (Digital) amplification.

(Image credit: The Ambient)
This results in a sonic performance that is not only powerful but also remarkably clear. The speaker’s frequency response of 60Hz – 20kHz (-3dB) ensures a rich and dynamic soundstage, while the extended frequency range of 38Hz – 20kHz (-10dB) promises a deep and immersive listening experience.
During our extensive testing, the Lithe more than matched the similarly priced Triad Garden Array Satellite speakers, which were originally part of my Control4 review setup, but are now powered by a Sonos Amp.
The Lithe iO1 couldn’t quite match the high volume of the Triad pair but, given it uses a built-in amp with no additional hardware required, the volume level, without distortion, is mightily impressive.

(Image credit: The Ambient)
The bass response is superb, offering a deep and resonant foundation that brings music to life.
Vocals are rendered with remarkable clarity, making every note, lyric, and nuance clear to hear, whether listening to something big and brash like Welcome To Brixton by SR or something a bit more delicate such as What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish.
While the iO1 shines as a standalone speaker, its true potential is unleashed when paired with its passive stereo partner but if you’ve only got the money for one, it more than lives up to the billing as a solo artist.
If you do pair it up, it’s as simple as running speaker wire from the back of the ‘Master’ to the passive one; there’s no need to plug the secondary one in. In case you’re wondering, the passive one becomes the ‘right’ speaker of a stereo pair.
Final thoughts
The Lithe Audio iO1 is a fantastic way of getting some great sounding music into your outdoor space. You will need to consider how to power it, and whether your Wi-Fi is up to the job of reaching outside, but if you can overcome those hurdles then it’s a breeze to get music streaming from your chosen platforms, via a wide range of methods.
How we test
When we publish our reviews, you can rest assured that they are the result of “living with” long-term tests.
Smart speakers usually live within, or even control, a smart home ecosystem, or a range of products that – supposedly – all work in harmony. Therefore, it’s impossible to use a connected speaker for a week and deliver a verdict.
Because we’re testing smart home kit all day, every day, we know what matters and how a particular smart speaker compares to alternatives that you might also be considering.
Our reviews are comprehensive, objective, and fair, and, of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.
Read our review process for smart speakers to learn more.
Lithe Audio iO1: Specs
Speaker Specifications | |
---|---|
Dimensions | 465 x 170 x 100mm |
Power Input Supply | 100 – 240V, 50/60Hz / 2.5A |
Colour | Matt Black or White |
Woofer | 2 x 3″ Waterproof Coated Paper Cone |
Tweeter | 0.75″ Waterproof Coated Silk Dome |
Operating Temperature | -10C to 50C (-50F – 122F) |
Storage Temperature | -20C to 60C (-68F – 140F) |
Net Weight | 3.7kg (8.1lbs) (Single) |
IP Rating | IP66 |
Housing Material | ABS+PC (UL f1/f2 Certification Standard UL746C-V0) |
Grille | Aluminium (UV Powder Coating) |
Wi-Fi | 2.4Ghz/5Ghz (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) |
Ethernet | 10/100 (In/Out) |
Connectivity | Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth 5.0 |
Line In | Optical, auto-detecting |
RMS Power | 100W RMS (2x 50W) |
Frequency Response (-3dB) | 60Hz – 20kHz |
Frequency Range (-10dB) | 38Hz – 20kHz |
Impedance | 4 Ohms nominal (8 8) |
Sound Quality THD+N | <0.01% |
Sensitivity (1W/1m) | 82dB |
Coverage (1 – 4kHZ) | Vertical 100 degree / Horizontal 170 degree |
Type | Class D (Digital) |
Audio Compression | 192kHz / 24 bits |