Portable Bluetooth speakers

[8bit]

What are the decent ones these days? Going on holiday soon, it seems my Audio Dynamix one has sadly died and the company (or at least their consumer product arm) has gone out of business so I'd like to replace it. Don't use these things terribly often so don't want to spend masses, say about £120-£150 if that'll get something that sounds reasonably nice?

[XFRFred]

Easy. Bose Soundlink mini.
I have two now, and for the size, the sound quality is amazing.

[8bit]

Thanks. Seems to be two versions now, are they both recommended or should I look for the older one (Costco seem to still sell them)?

[toon10]

What Fred said. I'm not a huge fan of Bose from a sound quality point of view but I have one of these and it sounds great, can fill a decent sized space and the bass is strong without overpowering. All from a tiny device. I use mine when travelling but it's also my music source when having a lie in on a weekend in bed.

[BigBazza]

UE Boom are also really good, pretty tough and great sound. I have a Bose mini and love it but for holidays we use my daughters UE Boom.

[Scott W]

Another vote for UE Boom too.

[8bit]

Thanks all. For either of the suggested options, is use of a specific app required for streaming? Or just for specific configuration options? Haven't seen anything to suggest the Bose needs one but something on the UE website pointed to that for their offering.

[prand]

I've bought a couple of Anker soundcores from Amazon, were about £30 last year, though it seems now like there's a newer (better?) version for £39.99.

I was surprised by the quality and volume from such a small box. I use it round the house and travelling. Battery life seems very good, seems to last for weeks between charges.

[toon10]

8bit said:

Thanks all. For either of the suggested options, is use of a specific app required for streaming? Or just for specific configuration options? Haven't seen anything to suggest the Bose needs one but something on the UE website pointed to that for their offering.

With the Soundlink, it's just a straightforward Bluetooth connection. No app needed.

[XFRFred]

Version 1, Costco sells them for £137, it uses a proprietary charger.
Version 2 has USB charging and a built in speaker phone (Bluetooth phone calls)

But units are practically the same in terms of sonic ability.

[joshcowin]

Mega Boom here its been great nearly 2 years old now, yes I use the app, not sure if you need to or not, but it makes it very easy to use the speaker.

[J8 SVG]

No need to use the App for UE, three of my friends have them and they all work fine just connecting with bluetooth

They've been on some hefty adventures and festivals and keep going and going - if you're heavy handed at all I'd definitely recommend

I've been using a a pioneer for three years https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-XW-BTSP1-N-Portab...

It was £35 when I bought it and sounds great but is NOT worth £100+

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-XW-BTSP70-Bluetoo... looks like it's been replaced by this which could be pretty good.. could get two for £100!

[Ascayman]

UE Megaboom. Fantastic speaker.

[8bit]

Thanks all, that's helped a lot

[Hol]

prand said:

I've bought a couple of Anker soundcores from Amazon, were about £30 last year, though it seems now like there's a newer (better?) version for £39.99.

I was surprised by the quality and volume from such a small box. I use it round the house and travelling. Battery life seems very good, seems to last for weeks between charges.

We use an Anker Soundcore for foreign holidays too.
I did the tea search at the time (2 years back) and it was a top 3 speaker and by far the cheapest, if it got broken/went missing.

Around the house/garden we have a Bose that does the duty.

[T5SOR]

I was asking myself the same question about 12 months ago. I went for the UE Megaboom and it has been very good. I might get another and synch them together.

Amazon have 48% off these at the moment.

Edited by T5SOR on Monday 16th April 18:40

[Digger]

Minirig.

www.minirigs.co.uk

https://minirigs.co.uk/speakers/bluetooth-minirig-...

[kingston12]

T5SOR said:

I was asking myself the same question about 12 months ago. I went for the UE Megaboom and it has been very good. I might get another and synch them together.

Thanks for this, I didn't know that this feature was available.

I have had a Bose Soundlink Mini for travel since they first came out, and have never found a reason to upgrade it.

The option to have two speakers for larger rooms and longer trips is attractive. The one thing I don't like about Bluetooth speakers is that they are always blasting at you from one location in a room rather than two like 'proper' speakers.

I can't seem to find much to suggest that the Double Up feature actually turns them into a stereo pair (like Sonos Play speakers), that would be better still.

T5SOR said:

Amazon have 48% off these at the moment.

I can see they have them for £125. Is that about the best price?

[Digger]

A pair of Minirigs can be setup as a stereo pair via Bluetooth, or hard-wired. Matching sub can be added as well.

[kingston12]

Digger said:

A pair of Minirigs can be setup as a stereo pair via Bluetooth, or hard-wired. Matching sub can be added as well.

That looks really good, but a 2.1 system (however small) might be pushing it for me for a system that is only ever used on the move.