Portable Bluetooth Speakers

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Dabble

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#157261 25-Nov-2014 15:26

Hi guys, Im looking to purchase a portable Bluetooth speaker and am looking for some advise.

The JBL charge looks to be my bets bet http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/phone-and-gps/portable-speakers/jbl-charge.html

More specs here: http://www.jbl.com/estore/jbl/us/products/JBL-Charge/JBL%20CHARGE_JBL_US

Otherwise there is the more expensive JBL Pulse which just seems to be priced based on its flashy lights:
http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/phone-and-gps/portable-speakers/jbl-pulse-wireless-bluetooth-speaker-with-led-lights.html

Has anyone had experience with either of these? Or have another recommendation? I don't want to spend more than about the $300 mark.

Thanks

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Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#1182873 25-Nov-2014 15:42

I purchased the Charge at the start of the year, and love it - take it with me any time Im out for the day. Puts out a good sound for its size and the battery lasts for ages.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Tinshed

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#1182879 25-Nov-2014 15:57

I love my Logitech UE Mini Boom and bought it passed on favourable reviews. It is a small space speaker and perfect for travelling. However its big brother, the Logitech UE Boom, is also highly rated and has very good range and 'boom'. The portable Bluetooth speaker market looks pretty crowded these days so no doubt there are equally good products out there.

Tinshed
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Handsomedan

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#1182886 25-Nov-2014 16:06

I'm a big fan of the SOL Republic Deck.

GREAT speaker at a reasonable price...

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Krishant007

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#1182888 25-Nov-2014 16:20

UE Boom - quite good. With regard to the JBL Charge - my mate mentioned that they have messed up the sound quality on that one. Not sure as I havent heard it myself. But some of the reviews tend to favour the UE Boom (wirecutter + the verge).

I used the Jawbone Jambox (original) for more than 2 years. Was more than happy with it but the age is showing on that one so got the UE Boom as replacement

@Handsomedan - How is the Deck?? I was looking at getting the Deck Ultra but then i heard that the charging cable is proprietary and does not take the USB Micro standard. That was off putting hence I didnt go down that path.

xpd

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#1182891 25-Nov-2014 16:27

Krishant007: UE Boom - quite good. With regard to the JBL Charge - my mate mentioned that they have messed up the sound quality on that one. Not sure as I havent heard it myself. But some of the reviews tend to favour the UE Boom (wirecutter + the verge).

I actually preferred the JBL (obviously) out of all the units JB had on offer, the others either had no bass, or no treble, or too much. The JBL just has a nice all round sound to my ears :)

But it does come down to personal preference. If you can, visit somewhere like JB/HN at a quiet time with your own music, and try them all out. That way you'll get what you're happy with, not what a reviewer is happy with ;) (Yeah I know the whole "but 100000 other people who gave it 5 stars cant be wrong" ;) )

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Dabble

31 posts

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#1182893 25-Nov-2014 16:34

xpd:
Krishant007: UE Boom - quite good. With regard to the JBL Charge - my mate mentioned that they have messed up the sound quality on that one. Not sure as I havent heard it myself. But some of the reviews tend to favour the UE Boom (wirecutter + the verge).

I actually preferred the JBL (obviously) out of all the units JB had on offer, the others either had no bass, or no treble, or too much. The JBL just has a nice all round sound to my ears :)

But it does come down to personal preference. If you can, visit somewhere like JB/HN at a quiet time with your own music, and try them all out. That way you'll get what you're happy with, not what a reviewer is happy with ;) (Yeah I know the whole "but 100000 other people who gave it 5 stars cant be wrong" ;) )

I listened to the JBL ones at Harvey Norman and actually thought the charge sounded better than the pulse, but it was too busy to test a range of music.

I didn't try any other brands.

The JBL charge for sale at Harvey Normans actually seems to be the older model. Does anyone know the difference?

kendog

325 posts

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#1183083 26-Nov-2014 07:20

We got a UE Boom a few weeks ago, love it.
Good sound and battery, water resistant so we use in the bathroom.

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shk292

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#1183111 26-Nov-2014 08:30

I boubht a Charge a couple of months ago in the US. Very pleased with it - I'm not an audiophile but to me the sound quality is excellent for taking out onto the deck or travelling. And the ability to charge your phone etc is a bonus, one less gadget to carry

garvani

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#1183174 26-Nov-2014 09:53

I have the original UE mobile boombox (now renamed to UE mini boom). Great device, have taken it many places and people are always surprised by how impressive the sound from it is. The newer model apparently goes louder than the original as well which would be nice, theres an app that allows you to change the eq of the speaker (not compatible with my model which annoyed me).
Im thinking of upgrading to the UE Boom, the price is a bit of a put off though, can't seem to find it much cheaper overseas either.

toyonut

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#1183176 26-Nov-2014 09:55

Just got a Logitech X300 as a freebie from one of our suppliers for buying some SSD drives. It has really good sound, is really nice and portable and comes in a good range of colors. Downside is it doesn't do anything flash and has about 5 hours battery. For about $80 it is excellent and I am well pleased with getting it for free.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

garvani

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#1183179 26-Nov-2014 09:59

paulmilbank: Just got a Logitech X300 as a freebie from one of our suppliers for buying some SSD drives. It has really good sound, is really nice and portable and comes in a good range of colors. Downside is it doesn't do anything flash and has about 5 hours battery. For about $80 it is excellent and I am well pleased with getting it for free.

I saw those at our suppliers, will have to see if i can wrangle a free one somehow ;). Didn't logitech buy UE for there audio range, why are they now pumping out logitech branded bluetooth speakers again? Im assuming these are the budget orientated range, next minute the x900's are out that are better than the UE boom.

richms

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#1183200 26-Nov-2014 11:14

I bought a fake bose for $20 usd and it's great and loud and clear.

Richard rich.ms

Satch

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#1183242 26-Nov-2014 12:24

Another vote for the UE Boom. Nice and loud and clear. Sufficient bass for a speaker of its size.

Handsomedan

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#1183243 26-Nov-2014 12:24

Krishant007: UE Boom - quite good. With regard to the JBL Charge - my mate mentioned that they have messed up the sound quality on that one. Not sure as I havent heard it myself. But some of the reviews tend to favour the UE Boom (wirecutter + the verge).

I used the Jawbone Jambox (original) for more than 2 years. Was more than happy with it but the age is showing on that one so got the UE Boom as replacement

@Handsomedan - How is the Deck?? I was looking at getting the Deck Ultra but then i heard that the charging cable is proprietary and does not take the USB Micro standard. That was off putting hence I didnt go down that path.

The Deck is great...a bit on the expensive side, but the sound quality is fab for a device of the size and shape...really delivers a full sound for a little flat device.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
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dafman

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#1183260 26-Nov-2014 12:58

I have both the UE mini Boom and the Sony SRS-STS50. Both are great. Overall, I would recommend the UE as it charges via micro USB (whereas Sony is proprietary charger) and it's louder, so fills a bigger space. The only problem is that it's too loud for quiet at desk listening, so tend to use the Sony for this which, to my ear, to a little more refined for low volume listening.

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