Bluetooth speaker recommendation
0I know, I know. But I need one. I’m just looking for something that sounds relatively decent, not like it’s coming out of a tin can, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I guess $100 or less. Want it basically for playing music at home when having people over. Also, no echo or google home.
Bose SoundLink? Ultimate Ears Boom? Sony? JBL? Somebody have one they’d recommend?
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For the price, I like Jawbone Jambox Mini. Appears to be discontinued, but you can still find them around. Amazon has some in some pretty colors, if that’s your thing:
@lichme If it’s anything like mine (and a lot of others), the input plug will crap out.
@narfcake
I always use it with bluetooth, never tried the input, that sucks
I’m very happy with my Anker Soundcore, but my criteria was under $30.
It’s plenty loud with a surprising amount of bass for its size, and the battery lasts forever - well, they claim 24 hrs, but I don’t use mine all that often, so I’ve only charged it twice in ~1.5 years (including the 1st charge out of the box) - but when I do use it, it’s usually for a few hours at a time.
Range is great, too - listed at 66ft., I’ve used it at least that far away and through a wall and a door - some occasional hiccups at that extreme range, but no issues when not pushing the limit.
Only real drawback is that it just has one button playback control - press once for play/pause, double press to skip to the next track - no prev. track or ffwd/rew.
For up to $100, I’m sure you could get something with more/better controls, but that and a more recognizable brand name might be all you’re really paying for, considering sound quality, range and battery life.
I set such a low budget because I wanted something I wouldn’t worry about ruining when I use it while doing messy home improvement projects and/or in a steamed up bathroom while I shower.
In the end, I put it inside of a plastic bag anyway, so even though it’s been through many hours of sanding, painting and so forth, it’s still good as new.
Anker has released a Soundcore 2 that is water resistant, so now the original is even cheaper than when I bought it - $22 at Amazon right now - having owned it, I’d say it’s easily worth twice that.
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Soundcore-Portable-Bluetooth-Playtime/dp/B016XTADG2
edit: BTW - a caveat when shopping for these cheaper, smaller BT speakers - Make sure they are actually stereo…
Some are just one single speaker and there are even two-speaker models that are just dual-mono, not true stereo.
I use my $25 Quirky Ohm Qi Charger’s speaker every night to listen to OTR/podcasts before going to sleep. I have 2 more, one in the kitchen and one in the office that I use often as well. I have bigger bluetooth speakers but the Quirky seems to fit me well.
Is portability important? I have and like both the BT version of Creative T12 and S2. I’ve got one that looks like an Altec Lansing Jacket H2O that sounds pretty good and has good battery life.
@walarney Not so much interested in portability, just want good sound in the house.
This isn’t the exact brand of the ones I got from Meh previously (I have the qfx e-200s), but it looks to be very similar: https://morningsave.com/deals/que-wifi-portable-15w-speaker-system-4
Morningsave also has the larger qfx ones at $34 I believe.
Work well plugged into the wall but also runs on battery, sounds good and loud enough to use outside but isn’t overpowering. And you can do multiples with the wifi feature, although you’re limited on sources to what’s on the app or airplay. At $18 it’s super solid.
Here’s discussion from a previous offer: https://meh.com/forum/topics/2-pack-que-wifibluetooth-speakers
Just about any of the Cambridge Soundworks Oontz speakers. I’d go with this one personally:
https://smile.amazon.com/OontZ-Angle-ULTRA-Exceptional-Splashproof/dp/B073BVWRSP/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1521140354
@cinoclav I cannot agree more. After a few random brands, got an Oontz a few weeks ago and am astounded at the difference. This sucker rocks, and is water/sand resistant for beach or outdoors.
@cinoclav With a name like that, the bass must sound great.
Oontz Oontz Oontz Oontz Oontz
@Pamtha I’ve been a longtime advocate of Cambridge Soundworks products. They’ve always offered outstanding sound for the value, often beating the top names in sound equipment. I don’t think anyone has ever been unhappy after taking me up on my recommendation to buy one of their products. Glad to hear you’re enjoying yours!
@cinoclav @pitamuffin If I had a $100 budget, I think I’d buy a pair of these.
I’ve also been happy with Cambridge Soundworks (have a set of computer speakers/sub that I’ve been using forever) and I really like the fact that you can set these up as a stereo pair.
Looks like it has better controls and a couple more watts than my Anker, and if you use 2 as a stereo pair, you’re going to have plenty of volume.
! Dude I got the speaker here last year and I love it. I went to show it off to a sound geek and he said it’s one of the best quality speakers you can get.
@lenea9011 I mean, meh.¯_(ツ)_/¯
Hmmm, lots of different recommendations here, no clear-cut winner. But it looks like more money for the bigger names (hello Bose) doesn’t mean better sound.
Not sure yet which I’m gonna go with, but I appreciate all the input.
@pitamuffin I got the Kineta K1 from meh in December. We were at Yosemite last weekend staying in the Lodge. It’s an annual veterinary conference and there are a few of my wife’s vet school classmates who come up every year and we all wound up hanging out in our room most evenings. I set up the K1 and it filled the room pretty well. It had acceptable bass, especially for a portable wireless speaker. (I’m a bass player so I can’t deal with tinny speakers.) Definitely worth the money. And I haven’t even used the removable battery pack.
Story behind the purchase: After mine arrived, a second one showed up a week later. I contacted meh support and they said “Thanks. No need to return.” So I have one still in the box. One couple at Yosemite with us has a twelve-year-old son who we’ve known since he was born and at some point he said something about how cool the speaker was. At the end of the weekend I gave it to him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a twelve-year-old boy’s face light up like that. He even sent us a thank-you card! He now thinks I’m the coolest and most generous person on the face of the earth. Thanks, meh shipping department!
@pitamuffin For my money, this can’t be beat: https://www.harmankardon.com/factory-refurbished/ESQUIRE.html
We’ve got one that we keep outside on the patio, and another that we keep in the living room for “mood music”.
It sounds terrific and, for a Bluetooth speaker, has plenty of bass.
There are probably plenty of other great options in your budget, but we’ve been very happy with these.
My 2 cents worth.
https://smile.amazon.com/SoundBot-Bluetooth-Wireless-Streaming-Hands-Free/dp/B00QQYM5O8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521294352&sr=8-1&keywords=soundbot+sb520
Do not get the 525 instead, drastically inferior sound.
I think a couple of the speakers mentioned above may be mono - even though they have two speakers.
Many of these things turn out to be dual mono instead of true stereo.
If it doesn’t specify “stereo” in the product description, I’d be dubious.
For me, playing music (which, with very few exceptions is recorded in stereo) in mono is a travesty.
Caveat emptor!
I once had a gift certificate to use at an online store that sells specialized sports and outdoor gear (everything was high-end and pricey). The only thing that caught my attention was a rugged bluetooth speaker. I had never heard of the Braven brand, but hey, got it for a fraction of its price and figured if these uppity folks were selling it it must be good. Well, lemme tell ya, I have yet to hear another speaker as clear and loud as this thing. Zero distortion even at max volume. We even use it on road trips since our oldish van’s stereo doesn’t have Bluetooth nor aux in and it overcomes the road noise no problem. So, my recommendation is for a Braven. The model I got is the 625s. Reviews on Amazon must be jumbled with different models because lots of people give low ratings due to not having a volume control, but mine does have it. If you check on Best Buy, reviews are solid. They don’t make this model anymore, but just try and find what the equivalent current model is and you should be good. hth
@jester747 there was recently a Braven rugged speaker on Meh. It’s on Morningsave right now, along with a more frou-frou looking waterproof model that doesn’t have the rugged exterior.
PARTY BOT!
I have relied solely on Bose products for the better part of 20 years. I swear by their products. But the soundlink color…it’s not great. I feels like corners were cut to make it cheaper. It’s lacking in bass, it doesn’t get quite loud enough for larger outdoor occasions, and it really only sounds full when you put it in a corner. Unless you can find a used one for a decent price I would look elsewhere.
I don’t know if you have ever had or seen Boombotix but I have bought 3 of them and they sound great. You can set the main speaker on the base if you want more bass to your music it also doubles as the charger. The removable Bluetooth speaker has a large clip on it so you can take it with you wherever you go. You can also record some of your favorite music on it. The battery last a good 8-12 hrs or more. If you buy 2 you can pair them to work in stereo mode. Check it out see what you think looking is always free, for now.Most of all the price is great. I’m going to buy me 2 more right now. Hope I helped
peace ✌ out.