Smart speaker recommendations
Discussion
Hi all. I'm looking for a smart speaker which can play music from Amazon Music. I have an Echo dot but obviously the quality doesn't really do it.
The ones I've considered are the Bose 300, Amazon Studio, Sonos One. I would prefer the option of a battery to make it completely portable, but I don't believe any of these 3 have one?
Anyone any recommendations? Either of these 3 or anything else? Budget around £200
The ones I've considered are the Bose 300, Amazon Studio, Sonos One. I would prefer the option of a battery to make it completely portable, but I don't believe any of these 3 have one?
Anyone any recommendations? Either of these 3 or anything else? Budget around £200
I’ve a few Sonos Ones. They have no battery.
At normal volumes they sound ok, but turn them up loud and they get a bit mushy.
They can get themselves easily confused when you start pairing them up and using multiple devices to control which can be a pain.
On the whole reasonable value for money IMHO.
At normal volumes they sound ok, but turn them up loud and they get a bit mushy.
They can get themselves easily confused when you start pairing them up and using multiple devices to control which can be a pain.
On the whole reasonable value for money IMHO.
If you have any old hi fi speakers lying around, you can buy bluetooth amps. Pair with your smart phone and upcycle those old speakers.
I've just bought one for £32 from Amazon. Its tiny, but sounds much better than my battery bluetooth speaker. The best bit is, in true PH juvenile, schoolboy humour, they're branded "nobsound".
I've just bought one for £32 from Amazon. Its tiny, but sounds much better than my battery bluetooth speaker. The best bit is, in true PH juvenile, schoolboy humour, they're branded "nobsound".
Cheers guys. I’m buying blind as not being able to go to John Lewis and listen to them first so recommendations are the only way at the moment.
I’ve just got amazon prime so makes sense to stick with Amazon music as it’s included and seems to have a decent range of music for me.
So what I basically want is a Sonos one but with a battery lol. Hasn’t anyone had a go at making one? I’d have thought it wouldn’t take much powering?
I think the old speakers and Bluetooth amp are a good idea but probably too much for my simple head lol.
I’ve just got amazon prime so makes sense to stick with Amazon music as it’s included and seems to have a decent range of music for me.
So what I basically want is a Sonos one but with a battery lol. Hasn’t anyone had a go at making one? I’d have thought it wouldn’t take much powering?
I think the old speakers and Bluetooth amp are a good idea but probably too much for my simple head lol.
Edited by audi321 on Saturday 18th April 14:16
Sonos make one called the Sonos Move but it is very expensive...I’ve had a Bose Soundlink Mini for years. Great battery and even better sound. 100% recommended.
https://www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/speakers/por...
Https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/audio-and-headphones...
https://www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/speakers/por...
Https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/audio-and-headphones...
We’ve got one of these in our largeish kitchen.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124053417561
Got a good what hi-fi rating & we’re really pleased with it.
Connects to google home or can be used with Apple Music via Bluetooth.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124053417561
Got a good what hi-fi rating & we’re really pleased with it.
Connects to google home or can be used with Apple Music via Bluetooth.
I missed the battery/portability requirement. I have a few devices called Aether Cones. Once a reasonably reviewed £300 Bluetooth speaker, the business went bust and they released a final firmware that made them less smart and just good Bluetooth/airplay portable speakers.
An online vendor purchased the final stock and they are now sold out never to be available again, but I noticed two listed as new on eBay for £50 a piece. There are probably better options for £200 but for £50 you won’t find better I don’t think - I love mine.
An online vendor purchased the final stock and they are now sold out never to be available again, but I noticed two listed as new on eBay for £50 a piece. There are probably better options for £200 but for £50 you won’t find better I don’t think - I love mine.
Libratone Zipp 2 or Zipp Mini 2 might be worth a look? I have several - they can work off battery, the sound quality is pretty good for their size and they are supposed to do the Alexa / Amazon Music thing I think (never tried it myself though).
They also do Spotify & AirPlay 2 so won't lock you in if you change your music provider in future.
They also do Spotify & AirPlay 2 so won't lock you in if you change your music provider in future.
My son is an acoustic engineer and has designed speakers for music, theatre, cars etc
For a sensible budget he bought me one of these. Really good for the price.
Tribit xsound go
Gets good reviews in:
Techradar
cnet
etc
For a sensible budget he bought me one of these. Really good for the price.
Tribit xsound go
Gets good reviews in:
Techradar
cnet
etc
What ever you do, avoid the Bose Soundlink Color's - they are terrible.
In your budget, the Bose Soundlink Mini II is a good bet currently at £144.95 direct from Bose. It is not a "smart speaker" but is battery powered and sounds excellent.
I've got the Sound Touch 20, which is a "smart speaker" and it is excellent. No battery, but does have a lovely sound.
I compared the ST 10, 20 and 30 in-store and actually preferred the sound of the 20.
If you fancy a Bose buy direct from their website ... you get a 90 days "free trial" .... you actually buy it, but can send it back within 90 days if you don't like it, no questions asked.
In your budget, the Bose Soundlink Mini II is a good bet currently at £144.95 direct from Bose. It is not a "smart speaker" but is battery powered and sounds excellent.
I've got the Sound Touch 20, which is a "smart speaker" and it is excellent. No battery, but does have a lovely sound.
I compared the ST 10, 20 and 30 in-store and actually preferred the sound of the 20.
If you fancy a Bose buy direct from their website ... you get a 90 days "free trial" .... you actually buy it, but can send it back within 90 days if you don't like it, no questions asked.
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