Topic: Bluetooth Speaker Recommendation

[Belexes]

I am in market for bluetooth speaker. This will just be to run audio from my phone out onto my patio. Budget is up to $200.

Amazon's ranking:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/7073956011/ref=sr_bs_1

Bose is #1, but you pay for the name and it looks like their are some cheaper alternatives that may do the same job.

Thoughts?

[jlykos]

TDK A33. Blows the Bose away by a country mile and is half as expensive to boot. Only shortcoming is kind of short battery life; six hours max, but it sounds exceptional.

[Colin Liston]

For shear volume, The Block Rocker by Ion.  Costco has these on sale for $120.  I have one I take to the beach, drowns out the wind and the waves. 

http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/block-rocker-am-fm

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Marking thread. I need one of these too. I have a tiny one I use as a clock radio in the bedroom, but it doesn't cut it when I'm working in the yard or garage.

[kubacheck]

For shear volume, The Block Rocker by Ion.  Costco has these on sale for $120.  I have one I take to the beach, drowns out the wind and the waves. 

http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/block-rocker-am-fm

darn, that one looks pretty good, but just went to Costco's website and it says they're out of stock....

[TSNéa]

I never heard any of them, only a low cost Chinese one. But when I was in the market for a portable monitor, I found this one:


http://store.soundmatters.com/foxl-intro.html

from: http://jwsoundgroup.net/http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/15643-portable-speaker-for-the-road/?hl=foxl#entry176882
http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/15095-portable-battery-powered-loud-speaker/?hl=foxl#entry170114
http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/11634-cart-speaker/?hl=foxl#entry121361

I've been very happy with it for two years. It's more like a near field monitor I mainly use with my computer, when I need sound, or to listen some podcasts or Internet radio in another room.

[Belexes]

Good recommendations so far. Keep them coming. 

[Phil Zone]

I have a photive soundscape 8 and the sound is insane. I've compared it to the Bose 200 dollar one and I think it sounds better and it gets a lot more volume. Battery rocks and its easy. One of my best purchases ever

[Belexes]

Helpful link for research: http://www.bestwirelessspeakersreview.com/category/bluetooth-speakers/

[hoppedup]

I have the Creative D100 and I paid around $40 for it. I've been listening to it on battery power for three days here at work (4 AA rechargeables). It sounds good enough for me and looks like it got a solid review at the site you posted.

I just bought a second one to put in my truck as all I have is am/fm radio and no aux jack.

[spyder9]

TDK A33. Blows the Bose away by a country mile and is half as expensive to boot. Only shortcoming is kind of short battery life; six hours max, but it sounds exceptional.

I just bought the little brother, TDK A26.  Not the loudest, but very impressive sound. 

[spyder9]

During a recent Best Buy run, I checked out the available bluetooth speakers. 

Logitech UE Boom > Bose Soundlink mini

[Belexes]

I have a photive soundscape 8 and the sound is insane. I've compared it to the Bose 200 dollar one and I think it sounds better and it gets a lot more volume. Battery rocks and its easy. One of my best purchases ever

I am leaning hard on this one, but does anyone know where I can get it in black? Amazon just seems to have grey.

[Phil Zone]

I have a photive soundscape 8 and the sound is insane. I've compared it to the Bose 200 dollar one and I think it sounds better and it gets a lot more volume. Battery rocks and its easy. One of my best purchases ever

I am leaning hard on this one, but does anyone know where I can get it in black? Amazon just seems to have grey.

I got mine in black from amazon weird that they don't still have it. Maybe wait a few days if you can and see if it comes up. Even in gray it rocks and just for validation the battery life is as good if not better than stated in the description

[acidjack]

I use something a little unconventional, the UE Boom. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_596UEBOOMB/UE-BOOM-Black.html?tp=63340&awkw=75622038265&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47439269905&awdv=c

It's not a traditional form factor like the Bose ones, but it's lightweight, can get pretty loud, and easy to use. Obviously not an audiophile thing, but perfectly good for the beach/pool/party and the design is less directional, making it useful for non-traditional listening environments. I had a backyard party for like 25 people a few weeks ago and just stuck this out there. It was more than sufficient for that.

[kubacheck]

one portable "workaround" that I've been able to employ inside the house is to just use one of my Apple "Airport Express" along with a boom box.... then I've got access to everything I've got stored on my main desktop....  as opposed to just pairing a speaker with my iPod, which has a bit less on it than the desktop.....  of course, if you're in a situation where you don't have any outlets, that solution won't work......

[DigiGal]

The hotel we stayed at over the weekend had these in the rooms and they sounded surprisingly good for their size.  Wouldn't recommend for use as an alarm clock though due to the brightness of the LCD display.

Edifier USA MF240BT White Tick Tock Bluetooth (5.2 x 3.5 x 4.8 inches)
Bluetooth connectivity to any Bluetooth enabled device
Front firing speaker driver Omni-directional tweeters
LED display screen for FM/AUX/Time display
Auxiliary 3.5mm input jack for additional audio connectivity
FM radio function

[Colin Liston]

Just saw these on sale, have no idea about the sound. 2 speaker 2 channel bluetooth.  Looks cool in theory

http://altatac.shop.rakuten.com/p/arion-two-channel-bluetooth-v3-0-edr-speakers-two-speakers-white-black/249684325.html

[spyder9]

I use something a little unconventional, the UE Boom. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_596UEBOOMB/UE-BOOM-Black.html?tp=63340&awkw=75622038265&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47439269905&awdv=c

It's not a traditional form factor like the Bose ones, but it's lightweight, can get pretty loud, and easy to use. Obviously not an audiophile thing, but perfectly good for the beach/pool/party and the design is less directional, making it useful for non-traditional listening environments. I had a backyard party for like 25 people a few weeks ago and just stuck this out there. It was more than sufficient for that.

That's the one.  Logitech owns them now.  I just can't get my head around the price.  Little steep for non-audiophile.  That said, I agree:  portability + loudness + water resistance, makes it a great outdoor speaker. 

[Belexes]

I have a photive soundscape 8 and the sound is insane. I've compared it to the Bose 200 dollar one and I think it sounds better and it gets a lot more volume. Battery rocks and its easy. One of my best purchases ever

I am leaning hard on this one, but does anyone know where I can get it in black? Amazon just seems to have grey.

I got mine in black from amazon weird that they don't still have it. Maybe wait a few days if you can and see if it comes up. Even in gray it rocks and just for validation the battery life is as good if not better than stated in the description

ONE Black one came up on Amazon today, so I snagged it. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Phil Zone]

I have a photive soundscape 8 and the sound is insane. I've compared it to the Bose 200 dollar one and I think it sounds better and it gets a lot more volume. Battery rocks and its easy. One of my best purchases ever

I am leaning hard on this one, but does anyone know where I can get it in black? Amazon just seems to have grey.

I got mine in black from amazon weird that they don't still have it. Maybe wait a few days if you can and see if it comes up. Even in gray it rocks and just for validation the battery life is as good if not better than stated in the description

ONE Black one came up on Amazon today, so I snagged it. Thanks for the recommendation.

Sweet! Congratulations

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I did just pick up one of these. Doesn't sound great, but not horrible either. It's waterproof...for the shower. Not like you need super high fidelity with the noise in there. It is plenty loud to hear though. Pretty happy with it so far.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KHV6TIE/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bonus points for coming in Mets colors which is nice because I don't have a lot other going for me as a Mets fan.

Also comes in 'Murica colors if your a 'Murica fan.

[kubacheck]

I did just pick up one of these. Doesn't sound great, but not horrible either. It's waterproof...for the shower. Not like you need super high fidelity with the noise in there. It is plenty loud to hear though. Pretty happy with it so far.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KHV6TIE/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bonus points for coming in Mets colors which is nice because I don't have a lot other going for me as a Mets fan.

Also comes in 'Murica colors if your a 'Murica fan.

if you don't need it with an fm radio, you can get them for $23, and there appears to be a coupon attached for another 10% off......

http://smile.amazon.com/Abco-Tech-Shower-Speaker-Speakerphone/dp/B00DV1KFBY/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1405713222&sr=1-2

[vwmule]

I am happy with this Cambridge Audio system, which has very impressive battery life: http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Minx-Go-Compatible/dp/B00CBFOQM0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406042512&sr=8-1&keywords=cambridge+audio+minx+go

[kubacheck]

For shear volume, The Block Rocker by Ion.  Costco has these on sale for $120.  I have one I take to the beach, drowns out the wind and the waves. 

http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/block-rocker-am-fm

for the next couple of days (until 7/31, I believe), these are also on sale at Sams Club for $120, can order online and select store pickup if your local store has them in stock..... the "Job Rocker" is also $120, but can only be bought at the store..... as far as I can see, the differences are that the Block Rocker has a USB port and wheels, and the Job Rocker, since it's meant to be used on job sites, has a couple of extra AC outlets (that only work when it's plugged in) but no USB, and supposedly an extra 25ft of bluetooth coverage..... same 50W speaker..... also, only available online at Sams is the "Road Rocker" for $75..... bluetooth and usb port, but no mention of speaker wattage anywhere that I can see.....

[capnhook]

Any stereo machines?  Possible?

I have a JVC Charge, and there's supposed to be some way to link two together for R & L.

[kubacheck]

^^^ one way to do that is to plug a wi-fi or bluetooth receiver into a stereo boombox or something like that and stream the music from whatever your source is...... I've done this with an Apple Airport Express and a boombox, but to be honest, since I mainly listen to audience recordings, I don't really notice much stereo separation or need it.... of course, since the Airport Express needs an outlet, it no longer becomes "wireless".... there are small bluetooth receivers with an "audio out" jack that you can plug into a boombox or stereo that would be wireless, though...... I'm sure there are other ways as well.....

edit: such as this.....   http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2426425,00.asp

[Colin Liston]

Don't forget these bad boys from Ion Audio

Block Party:  Portable Wireless Speaker System with Party Lights

Party Time, Party Rocker, House Party:  Wireless Speaker System with Built-in Light Show

http://www.ionaudio.com/products/bluetooth-audio/speakers

[bryonsos]

Followed the link. The planter speaker is brilliant!

Don't forget these bad boys from Ion Audio

Block Party:  Portable Wireless Speaker System with Party Lights

Party Time, Party Rocker, House Party:  Wireless Speaker System with Built-in Light Show

http://www.ionaudio.com/products/bluetooth-audio/speakers

[capnhook]

^^^ one way to do that is to plug a wi-fi or bluetooth receiver into a stereo boombox or something like that and stream the music from whatever your source is...... I've done this with an Apple Airport Express and a boombox, but to be honest, since I mainly listen to audience recordings, I don't really notice much stereo separation or need it.... of course, since the Airport Express needs an outlet, it no longer becomes "wireless".... there are small bluetooth receivers with an "audio out" jack that you can plug into a boombox or stereo that would be wireless, though...... I'm sure there are other ways as well.....

edit: such as this.....   http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2426425,00.asp

Thanks, exactly.....those are niiiiiice.

[carlbeck]

I recently bought the JBL Flip, I have to say I'm pretty impressed! It sounds pretty good for a little tiny speaker & the battery life is great.

[kubacheck]

For shear volume, The Block Rocker by Ion.  Costco has these on sale for $120.  I have one I take to the beach, drowns out the wind and the waves. 

http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/block-rocker-am-fm

thanks for this recommendation and putting these speakers on my radar.... when I eventually found that my local Sams Club had them for the same $120, I went down there and they had both the Block Rocker AND Job Rocker for that price, so I sat there for like 10 minutes debating the pro's and cons of each.... since I'll mostly be using it around my house and out on the deck, I decided that the 2 AC outlets in the back of the Job Rocker trumped the USB outlet on the Block Rocker, and I'm glad I made that decision.... I can stream my Mac directly to it via Bluetooth, but that makes the speaker the only playback audio device... many times, I'm in and out and when I step inside, I can no longer hear the music being streamed out on the deck, but I realized I can just plug one of my "Airport Express" receivers directly into the back of the Job Rocker and use a patch cable to make it another component of my wi-fi network audio "network".... so now I've basically got my whole house and deck wired for sound to the Mac, thanks to that little Job Rocker....