Portable Bluetooth speaker

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Portable Bluetooth speaker

kiwis

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#273364 18-Aug-2020 16:06

I'm looking to get a speaker and have no idea what to look for in a good one?

It's for my deck area, want it to be loud but not party loud just a strong clear sound. Don't want a tinny sound.

Also looking for reliable bluetooth signal and batter life.

Any ideas without spending a tone of money.

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Webhead
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#2543815 18-Aug-2020 16:29

What is your budget?

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alasta

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#2543826 18-Aug-2020 16:56

Sonos Move.

jonb

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#2543839 18-Aug-2020 17:12

I have a JBL Xtreme2, nice rounded sound, waterproof and mega battery life as it is pretty big - can even charge phone from it.

mattwnz

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#2543840 18-Aug-2020 17:13

Sony are selling these at the moment. https://store.sony.co.nz/hifisystem/GTKPG10.html Think they originally sold for close to $500 originally if you check as shown at https://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?itemID=453629 . I got one and they have pretty good sound quality for a bluetooth speaker. PLus has built in radio and lots other features. It is also quite large which probably helps with the sound quality.

Scott3

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#2543845 18-Aug-2020 17:26

I have the UE Boom 3. Works well for my needs. $219

https://www.smithscity.co.nz/tv-and-audio/personal-audio/bluetooth-speakers/ultimate-ears-boom-3-wireless-speaker-night-black-9053198

This is the best known brand in the space. They also have a smaller & bigger versions too (wonderboom2, and megaboom3).

Consider going to a retail store like JB hifi for a listen (assuming outside of Auckland).

Personally I liked the sound from the bose equivalent better, but wanted waterproof, so went with the UE boom.

xpd

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#2544053 18-Aug-2020 22:41

I've got the original JBL Charge, very happy with that, puts out a decent sound for its size. Also, have a Veon IPX4 speaker, looks tacky as hell but actually puts out a decent sound for the price - don't think they sell this particular model anymore though.

Don't ignore the cheaper brand ones, listen to them yourself instore (when/where possible) and make your choice. My father got a cheap little SD card player a while back, and it puts out an amazing sound for the tiny size.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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#2544092 19-Aug-2020 02:12

alasta:
Sonos Move.

Umm, OP didn't want to spend a ton of money. A $700+ speaker is kinda the opposite of that.

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Handle9

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#2544093 19-Aug-2020 02:14

UE or JBL are both very good. I have the UE Blast which is both Bluetooth or wifi. Highly recommended.

nathan

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#2544097 19-Aug-2020 06:01

Bose SoundLink Mini

foxy38

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#2544468 19-Aug-2020 14:24

Brought a fugoo style xl a few years back...awesome sound and base..speakers both sides..good sound and loud should u need it..impressive battery life..40 hours ..brought mine from amazon was a lot cheaper than nz prices...http://nz.fugoo.com/fugoo-style-xl.php

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#2544472 19-Aug-2020 14:32

I have a Megaboom 3 down in the gargage. Honestly not that impressed with the music quality. It lacks any sort of bass and gets quite harsh at anything pushing a decent volume. The Bose Soundlink Mini we have in the house sounds much better at less than half the size.

Handsomedan

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#2544485 19-Aug-2020 14:50

I'm currently listening to a JBL Charge 3.

Loud and bassy when wanted, but excellent when being played at lower volumes.

Nice and crisp in the highs and mids, without being muddied by the bass, despite there being a fair kick to it.

Battery life is amazing and I often use it in summer on the deck while bbqing etc.

Link to new version: JBL Charge 4

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xpd

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#2544489 19-Aug-2020 14:57

Dang, I paid about $300 for my original Charge, but that was quite some time ago ;) And its not waterproof :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Fred99

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#2544493 19-Aug-2020 15:04

I've had a Marshall Kilburn for years. To be honest, I bought it for "WAF" so that justified the cost (they look like a very small retro guitar amp), the one I've got has cream tolex and retro spangly grille cloth. I guess the bonus in the design is that it looks 50 years old already, so in 10 years time it'll look 60 years old, which may or may not be better than something that looks like it was made last decade - but then again I don't think that concept worked with the "new" VW beetle - so who really knows?

Very basic - no control of the source device, has on/off toggle switch, volume, bass and treble knobs, 3.5mm jack, bluetooth pairing button and a "wake" button. I'm not sure if the new model has more BT controls or not. I'd never use them anyway.

Good things : it sounds very good for what it is, pretty loud, it's supposed to have some degree of weather resistance - but I'd not trust that at all, and it's got a huge battery that's user replaceable by removing an access panel underneath. Bluetooth pairs reliably with anything I've connected it to.

Bad things : it's kind of heavy, probably partly due to relatively big battery and hefty drivers, and for some obscure reason, it'll only charge when plugged in if the power switch is on - which has caused the odd surprise as if it's been left on to charge, then pairs to my phone, big whoops when I go to use my phone.

I don't know what not costing a "tonne of money" means. IIRC it cost $500-600 - so there's plenty of cheaper stuff out there, but nothing else really appealed to me - I suppose it was kind of expensive, but I'm happy with it.

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#2544593 19-Aug-2020 15:49

xpd:
Dang, I paid about $300 for my original Charge, but that was quite some time ago ;) And its not waterproof :)

Yes, Charge 4 looks way better value than my xtreme2 also.

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