Review of portable speakers - the best acoustics for tourism

Most users mistakenly believe that high-quality sound can only be obtained by using classic cable speakers, and connecting via Bluetooth is the prerogative of portable speakers. But this opinion is erroneous, since even computer speakers are now available with wireless communication support, which significantly increases the ease of use. We bring to your attention a rating of Bluetooth Hi-Fi speakers, from the most affordable to expensive models - only the best.

No. 10 – Defender SPK 260

Price: 900 rubles

The most inexpensive representative of the top Defender SPK 260 impresses with its functionality. This is a standard 2.0 speaker with cable and wireless connections, which also has a built-in FM receiver and supports USB drives and MicroSD cards. It is enough to have a memory card with music to enjoy your favorite songs without using a computer or other sources.

You shouldn’t expect miracles in terms of sound quality from cheap acoustics, but for an undemanding user the SPK-260 is fully suitable; they do not reveal the fullness of instrumental compositions, but they cope well with watching videos and films, games, as well as simple genres of music.

No. 9 – Sven MS-304

Price: 2,700 rubles

Affordable 2.1 format speakers, which are loved by users due to their compactness, bright appearance and high-quality sound. Like the previous model, Sven MS-304 supports playback from a flash drive/USB and has a built-in radio, but in terms of sound it is a much more solid model, which also has a good headroom for low frequencies due to the presence of a subwoofer. There were no significant shortcomings with the MS-304, with the exception of the flimsy control panel.

#8 – Logitech Z207

Price: 2,900 rubles

A compact stereo pair from the famous manufacturer Logitech Z207 will be an excellent solution for offices or just small rooms where speakers are primarily required to be easy to use, rather than powerful sound. Like any Bluetooth-enabled speaker, the Z207 offers the ability to connect up to two devices wirelessly, and another source using a cable. In addition, one of the speakers has a 3.5 mm headphone input, so switching between audio sources when using this model is faster than ever.

We also suggest that you familiarize yourself with the rating of portable speakers for 2022.

Conclusion about Bluetooth speakers with good sound

In the review, we looked at many models of Bluetooth speakers: with backlight, the smallest and the largest with loud sound for parties or other loud events. Each of them is supported by high scores from customers.

The first category is classic speakers. They are ideal for use at parties, in the forest or when traveling. The devices have a modern design and improved functionality. Among the speakers chosen by users are Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Speaker 2, JBL Flip 5, Sony SRS-XB23, Bose SoundLink Revolve, HUAWEI Sound, JBL Pulse 4.

The second category is portable speakers with mounts and straps. They are used most often on long trips, have a mount and hold a charge for a long time. In this category, some of the highest ratings were earned by JBL GO 3, Nakamichi Punch, JBL Xtreme 3, Harman/Kardon Go + Play Mini, Marshall Kilburn II, Bang & Olufsen Beolit ​​20.

If we consider large models, they most often have a convenient handle for transportation. They weigh from 1.5 kg, and some more than 5 kg. Among the models chosen by customers: SVEN PS-485, JBL Boombox 2, Marshall Tufton.

No. 7 — SVEN SPS-750

Price: 4,990 rubles

SVEN SPS-750 are two-way speakers with a power of 50 W, which look and play much more expensive than their price. They are made of matte MDF, decorated with a glossy plastic insert on the front panel, it looks beautiful, but it collects fingerprints and dust mercilessly.

The SPS-750 is praised for its ability to quickly control low and high frequencies, a convenient remote control, the presence, in addition to Bluetooth, of two AUX and one optical output with a mini-jack connector, as well as the ability to control playback from the remote control when connected wirelessly. But the complete unit must be protected, since 90% of the acoustics functions are regulated only through it.

Which column should I choose?

For review, we chose popular models from the very same manufacturers who know everything about sound quality. Let's start with MARSHALL.

In 1960, Englishman Jim Marshall opened his own store selling musical instruments. He was dissatisfied with the quality of the amplifiers he was selling, so he decided to assemble them by hand. Two years later, the first 50-watt devices appeared on sale.

Today the English company is a world-renowned manufacturer of stage speakers, guitar amplifiers and audio equipment. Marshall fans consider their sound to be a reference.

MARSHALL Stanmore II

Design

A classic just like it is: textured vinyl finish, iconic logo, durable wood frame. This speaker will add rock and roll to any room.

Perhaps she has the most recognizable appearance. This is the case when the design has not changed for many years, but fans are happy. We see the same cabinet and colors as the very first Marshall amps. Thus, the manufacturer does not let the brand history be forgotten.

Peculiarities

This speaker system is ideal for a country house. Stanmore II produces clear and accurate sound even at the highest levels. It contains two 15 W Class D amplifiers that power its high-frequency speakers, and a 50 W Class D amplifier to drive the subwoofer.

Featuring Bluetooth 5.0 and Qualcomm® aptX™ technology, the system plays music in stunning stereo sound wirelessly.

The speaker can hardly be called portable. It is powered only from the mains. And it was included in the review because in a country house its powerful sound and loud sound can be appreciated without compromising good neighborly relations.

If the presence of a battery is still important, Marshall has such models. Portable speakers with iconic retro designs make anyone feel like they're part of the rock community.

MARSHALL Stockwell II

Design

The younger brother in the family of the legendary brand. The case is made of special, impact-resistant, dense silicone. The speakers are covered with a metal grille.

At the ends of the speaker there are gold-plated “ears”. A high-quality leather strap clings to them for convenient carrying of the device. On the inside there is velvet padding, like professional guitars.

Peculiarities

The Bluetooth button on the case will remind you that the speaker is not a blast from the past. You can connect two data sources simultaneously. There is no need to install any special applications.

You can adjust the volume both from your phone and with the good old “knobs” on the case. There are also two more controls here, which are responsible for adjusting the bass and frequencies.

Nearby is a battery indicator of 10 blocks. Reminds you that it's time to charge.

Despite its compact size, the Stockwell packs plenty of bass. Not as powerful as those of their older brothers, but quite suitable for listening to music in the room or on the country veranda with a cup of evening tea.

The autonomy of the gadget is surprising. According to user reviews, it can work continuously for more than a day!

The downside is the lack of serious moisture and dust protection. Only splash protection is provided here - IPx4 standard. A couple of drops of water won’t do any harm, but a full-blown rain will do.

#6 – Creative T30 Wireless

Price: 7,200 rubles

Compact Bluetooth speakers with a lot of capabilities; in addition to Bluetooth with support for the aptX protocol, they are equipped with an NFC chip for quick synchronization with a smartphone. The sound is not very loud, you shouldn’t expect high power and ultra-deep low frequencies from such little ones, but for speakers of this size the T30 plays very well: the mids and highs are clean and well-developed, the bass is soft, there is no background noise.

The kit includes a cable for a wired connection and a 2RCA to jack adapter, there is also a remote control, and the speakers themselves have high and low frequency controls. The Creative T30 Wireless has only one drawback that affects the comfort of their use - the non-adjustable sleep timer; the speakers will automatically go to sleep after a couple of minutes without sound, which will require them to be turned on again. This only applies to cable connections; when using Bluetooth, sleep mode is not activated.

Rating of the best budget portable Bluetooth speakers

Many modern devices such as laptops and tablets, even phones, have poor sound quality. The easiest way to fix this is to get a Bluetooth speaker, which is the easiest way to improve audio performance if you don't plan on using headphones.

There are countless offers on the market, and although the best models cost a lot of money, not all buyers are willing to spend an amount on a speaker that exceeds their budget for purchasing this device.

If you're looking for something a little more premium, check out our review: Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers

Luckily, there are plenty of models that don't cost much but can still produce decent sound. Yes, these are not always unknown brands, but you have a choice.

Best Inexpensive Portable Bluetooth Speaker: JBL GO 3

JBL GO 3 is the best cheap Bluetooth speaker. Although it lacks additional features such as voice assistant support or a companion app. With a built-in carrying loop, you can attach it to your backpack or bag.

This compact speaker can be used outdoors as it has excellent build quality and is IP67 rated for dust and water resistance. It also has a fairly balanced midrange, so vocals and lead instruments sound quite decent.

While it can't get very loud, it does provide fairly clear sound at maximum volume. Its latency on iOS and Android is quite low, which is great if you like to use the speaker while watching videos.

Unfortunately, the JBL GO 3 lacks low bass and doesn't have an equalizer to help you customize the sound to your liking. Its continuous battery life is about five hours, which some may find insufficient.

But there is a power saving function that turns off the speaker after 20 minutes if there is no sound, so you can save battery power. If you're looking for a simple, compact, no-frills Bluetooth speaker for everyday use, this is the right choice.

Tronsmart T6 Plus Upgraded Edition is one of the most versatile budget Bluetooth speakers

This durable, waterproof speaker is not only capable of delivering 360-degree surround sound from dual 20W speakers, but it can also function as a 6600mAh power bank for emergency charging of your phone or other devices, and also allows you to connect to it. The voice assistant can be activated with one touch of the control wheel.

For the money, you get decent sound quality, thanks to Tronsmart's proprietary Sound Pulse algorithm and dual passive radiators to deliver balanced and well-defined sound with no sign of distortion. And transferring audio to the speaker is easy with support for microSD, USB storage, and Bluetooth streaming.

This updated model adds NFC connectivity, eliminating the hassle of pairing your smartphone. Battery life is also decent, with up to 15 hours of playback at 50% volume.

If you purchase two devices, you can take advantage of wireless stereo pairing.

Inexpensive Bluetooth speaker Creative Muvo Play - good value for money

Given the price of the Muvo Play, it's hard to complain about anything. This portable Bluetooth speaker has a lot to offer.

It has a stylish, compact design, and the Muvo Play is IPX7 waterproof, which is unusual at this price point. It has easy-to-use buttons, and its 360-degree shape means you can place the speaker anywhere and it will sound equally good.

This model has a 3.5mm auxiliary connection, but you can easily use Bluetooth 5.0, which provides a decent wireless connection. You can also connect two Muvo Play speakers together to create a stereo pair.

The Creative offers decent, punchy sound for little money, thanks to a pair of full-range drivers and a pair of passive bass radiators.

While the speaker is good for listening to a lot of music and podcasts, it struggles a bit with low frequencies, only going down to 70Hz. This is really the only downside to this excellent speaker.

Best Budget Compact Bluetooth Speaker: Tribit Stormbox Micro

Although the Tribit StormBox Micro is low-priced and small in size, it delivers excellent sound quality, especially when it comes to low frequencies.

Its portable size allows it to fit easily in the palm of your hand, and the fixed strap is also convenient for attaching to a bicycle. Plus, with an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, you can take it with you in any weather.

However, with its modest dimensions, you only get Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. The USB-C port is only for charging, and there is no additional port. However, with an eight-hour battery life, Bluetooth connectivity should be sufficient in most cases.

The sound quality is loud enough to fill a large room with sound. Otherwise, this speaker is ideal for those who are on a budget and want a portable device that they can always take with them.

Best Customizable Bluetooth Speaker Sony SRS-XB23

If you like to customize your sound profile based on your preferences, consider the Sony SRS-XB23. This model has a companion application with a built-in graphic equalizer. Since the speaker has a cylindrical shape with a 360-degree angle, this gives it a wide and large soundstage.

It has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. It also supports voice assistant via your smartphone and has low audio latency on iOS and Android devices.

This speaker has excellent Bluetooth capabilities. It can connect to two devices simultaneously and has a long range. It has low latency on both iOS and Android, which is very good when watching videos.

Sony SRS-XB23 has very good battery performance. It provides over nine hours of playback and turns off after about 15 minutes to save battery life. You can turn this feature on and off through the companion app.

If you like to customize your sound profile, the SRS-XB23 is a good choice.

Wireless Bluetooth speaker Tribit StormBox

The Tribit may not be the best Bluetooth speaker if you're looking for a cheap model, but it has a good balance in everything you need: design, build quality, features and sound quality.

It is similar to many models with a cylindrical shape - albeit a little rounded. Features a stylish black color with large white buttons that are easy to see and use.

There are small buttons on the back for things like XBass, which you'll probably just leave on.

For this price you get a very good IPX7 waterproof rating. This means the speaker can be completely submerged in water, making it great for pool use.

While the bass is good, there are some gaps in the frequency response, so the overall sound isn't as full as I'd like. The quality may not be very noticeable to the average listener, but to more critical audiophiles it will sound like it's missing something.

Best Original Budget Bluetooth Speaker: JBL Clip 4

The JBL Clip 4 is a small, portable speaker with a built-in carabiner for carrying. It is always convenient to take it with you on the road, since it is battery-powered and easily fits in your hand. Its speaker tries to reproduce heavy low frequencies but does not have a good enough sound profile.

The real time of 5.5 hours of battery life is less than the stated 10 hours. However, it has excellent build quality and is rated IPX7 for outdoor use. JBL Clip 4 has a very compact size and original appearance.

This portable device has excellent Bluetooth connectivity. While you can't connect it to more than one device at a time, it has low latency on iOS, its latency on Android is even lower.

The JBL Clip 4 does not have outstanding performance in many respects, but what makes it stand out among others is its bright, original design. You can choose among different color options: Black, Blue, Grey, Green, Orange, Pink, Red, Squad with Camouflage Turquoise, White, "Yellow" and "Blue-pink".

No. 5 – Dialog Progressive AP-250

Price: 4,900 rubles

Massive floor-standing 2.1 wireless speakers with a subwoofer, delivering a total power of 80 W. The speakers are made of MDF and reproduce a standard frequency range of 40-20000 Hz. The AR-250 sounds powerful and assertive, there is a good headroom in low frequencies, but the bass itself cannot be called crystal clear, nor can the mids and highs. This is a mediocre solution for lovers of academically correct sound, who, when listening to musical compositions, will immediately find a bunch of shortcomings in this acoustics, but those who buy speakers for movies and games will be satisfied - these giants will rock any room. In terms of connectivity options, there is complete order, there is Blueotooth, support for playback from memory cards and USB flash drives.

№4 – Edifier R1280DB

Price: 6,190 rubles

The optimal choice in terms of price/quality ratio and at the same time one of the most popular multimedia stereo pairs on the market. Edifier R1280DB, at its affordable price, provides almost ideal sound for a small room - soft, clear and detailed throughout the entire frequency range.

An undeniable advantage of the R1280DB is also its stylish design; in addition to the standard wood-look color, they are available in a stylish black color. Note that there are many connection options; in addition to standard Bluetooth and mini-jack, RCA and AUX inputs are also provided. The disadvantage is the short network cable, but given the many advantages, it can be neglected.

Best Inexpensive Portable Speakers (Mono)

Monophonic acoustics, regardless of their class, perform the same task as surround speakers - sound reproduction. The main difference between such devices and more advanced solutions is the use of only one channel. Moreover, in some cases, the device itself is equipped with several speakers. Portable models are good because you can take them with you into nature, attach them to a bicycle, or throw them in a backpack. And monaural speakers are usually cheaper than their stereo counterparts.

Xiaomi Mi Round 2

We'll start with the Chinese company Xiaomi, which recently announced that it plans to enter the automobile market. Her high-quality Mi Round 2 speaker is an ideal solution for the home. You can also take the device with you, for which the kit even includes a special control locking ring. But the lack of any protection does not allow you to comfortably enjoy the speaker outdoors.

The power of Mi Round 2 is 5 W, the sound quality is above average. If you need a solution for listening to music while cleaning the house or cooking in the kitchen, then choose a good portable speaker from Xiaomi. The device is controlled very simply: a long press on the wheel turns the device on/off, a short single press – answer a call, pause and play, and a double press – breaks the current pairing. By rotating, the user can change the volume level.

Advantages:

  • convenient control;
  • white/black colors;
  • pairing speed;
  • activity/charge indicator;
  • low price from 1500 rubles.

Flaws:

  • There is no charging cable included.

JBL GO 2

The second generation of the popular compact speaker from JBL. The capabilities of GO 2 are enough for home and outdoor gatherings with a small group. True, you need to use the device quite carefully. IPX7 protection will save you from water getting on the case and even a short-term fall of the speaker into a pool or pond. But dust or other small particles may still get inside the JBL GO 2.

The portable speaker is equipped with a noise-canceling microphone, which allows you to answer phone calls with it.

One of the main advantages of the model under review is its compactness and beautiful design. The manufacturer offers about a dozen body color options, so consumers can choose the right option to suit their clothing style. One of the best JBL Bluetooth speakers is equipped with a 730 mAh battery that can provide up to 5 hours of battery life. The battery charges in 150 minutes.

Advantages:

  • many colors;
  • good sound;
  • moderate cost;
  • compact dimensions;
  • excellent sound quality;
  • protection from water.

Flaws:

  • not the best autonomy.

Ginzzu GM-885B

For some buyers, the cheap Ginzzu GM-885B speaker will be even more interesting than our chosen leader among monophonic models. Firstly, it is incredibly powerful (18 W) and is equipped with two speakers (50 and 152 mm). Secondly, the device can work via Bluetooth and completely independently. For this purpose, the GM-885B has a radio tuner, an SD reader, and a USB-A port that allows you to connect external drives. The Ginzzu speaker weighs an impressive 2.5 kg and its dimensions are 320x214x240 mm. This is quite a lot, so the manufacturer has provided a handle for ease of carrying.

Advantages:

  • high power;
  • two microphone inputs;
  • quality of radio reception;
  • high-quality assembly;
  • excellent functionality;
  • good volume reserve.

Flaws:

  • large dimensions;
  • weak bass.

Sony SRS-XB10

Beautiful, reliable, convenient - these are the main advantages of the Sony SRS-XB10. The Japanese manufacturer tried to make its compact speaker flawless for all users. Here even the instructions are made in the form of illustrations that anyone can understand. The Sony speaker is available in several color options, from standard white and black to bright yellow, red and orange.

The SRS-XB10 comes with a convenient stand, which is attached to the device using a rope. This allows you to place the speaker not only vertically, but also horizontally, and also mount it on a bicycle.

An important advantage of this model is IPX5 protection. This allows you to take the device with you into the shower and get caught in the rain with it. The sound quality of the speaker is very good. By the way, the designation XB in the name means Extra Bass. And the low frequencies are really great here. However, the mids and highs didn’t let us down either, especially considering the attractive price tag of 2,500 rubles.

Advantages:

  • high-quality assembly;
  • built-in NFC module;
  • powerful bass;
  • beautiful design;
  • mount/stand;
  • splash protection;
  • loud sound;
  • excellent combination of price and capabilities;
  • autonomy up to 16 hours.

No. 3 – Harman Kardon Aura Studio 2

Price: 11,200 rubles

Aura Studio 2 from Harman Kardon can be called a real work of design art. But it will win your love not only with its stunning appearance, but also with its high-quality sound - the acoustics consist of six 40 mm speakers responsible for reproducing high and mid frequencies, as well as a 112 mm subwoofer, which together create powerful spatial sound that fills the entire room.

You can connect two devices to Aura Studio 2 via Bluetooth, and there is also an AUX input. And you shouldn’t be afraid that you will accidentally break the acoustics - its transparent dome is made not of glass, but of high-strength plastic, it is durable and can even withstand falls to the floor. Among the shortcomings, users note a slight rattling at maximum volume, but for a small room, half of what the Harman Kardon Aura Studio 2 can produce is quite enough.

№2 – Edifier R2730DB

Price: 14,300 rubles

On the second line of the rating is another product from Edifier, a generally recognized leader in the production of multimedia acoustics. These are three-way speakers with the highest build quality, classic design and balanced sound. When positioned correctly, the R2730DB can provide an amazing sound stage in a room; in addition, the manufacturer has provided the ability to connect a subwoofer to them, which is useful when organizing a home theater.

The downside of the Edifier R2730DB is its somewhat outdated appearance; compared to many analogues, they look rather faded, but if you buy acoustics to listen and not admire its design, then in the price category up to 15 thousand there is simply no better option than the R2730DB.

How to choose acoustics for your dacha?

The variety of portable speakers and acoustic systems on the market is dizzying.
How not to get confused in the huge selection of devices? Design and sound quality are subjective characteristics. But there are marker indicators. What to look for when choosing acoustics for country living? Brand

If a company has been producing acoustics for several decades and specializes in this particular direction, it is obvious that the quality of its products will be higher than that of brands that produce everything from toasters to televisions.

Nevertheless, multidisciplinary companies also have very popular models on the market. Due to the ratio of affordable price and good quality, portable speakers from electronics giants are popular.

For demanding users, the search for ideal sound is usually narrowed down to Marshall, Harman/Kardon and the more budget-friendly JBL. These companies have devoted many years to developing technologies for ideal sound. And they succeeded in this direction just like Mercedes did in car production.

Dimensions and power

These two indicators are directly interdependent. The larger the device, the more space it has to accommodate larger speakers, an amplifier, and a battery. Accordingly, choosing according to these criteria begins with understanding the purpose of using the column.

If you are buying acoustics for a country house for constant use, you can't go wrong by choosing a large speaker.

If you come to a suburban area from time to time, it is more logical to choose more portable devices. Medium-sized speakers are convenient to carry with you. Their sound quality will please you both in a city apartment and during a barbecue party.

For those who do not want to bother their neighbors with loud music, like to listen to tracks without headphones while cycling and use a speaker for background accompaniment while relaxing in nature, compact speakers are quite suitable.

Size vs power - unfortunately, you have to choose and sacrifice something.

frequency range

The larger it is, the richer, richer and brighter the sound. The only indicator that interests us here is the lower threshold of the frequency range, since this is what shows how the device will reproduce bass.

Due to its small size, a pocket speaker cannot reproduce low frequencies. Typically its frequency range starts from 120-150 Hz and above. Another thing is a large speaker capable of delivering lows from 40-60 Hz. This one will pump up any party.

The upper figure does not play an important role. Some manufacturers indicate the range of these frequencies up to 35 kHz and higher. This is nothing more than a marketing technique. The fact is that the average person’s ear is capable of detecting sound with a frequency from 16–20 Hz to 15–20 kHz. We simply will not be able to evaluate any indicators outside this range.

Subwoofer

A subwoofer helps reproduce low frequencies. Its power is measured in watts - from 1 to 150. Did you see the figure of 80 W? Great! Such acoustics will sound great even at maximum volume. An indicator of about 10 W is found in portable devices that are not designed to listen to the entire cottage community.

These are the main criteria that you should pay attention to when choosing acoustics for a summer house or country house. But there are other less significant characteristics:

  • Power supply . The speaker can have a built-in battery or can be powered from the mains. In the first case, pay attention to how many hours the acoustics last without recharging.
  • Types of connections . The more there are, the better. Having a wireless connection (bluetooth or wi-fi) is a must-have.
  • Radio . The feature is nice, but not required. If you don’t have a tuner, you can download the corresponding application to your phone, connect to the speaker and listen to stations without interference.
  • Moisture and dust protection . The marking of the degree of protection of electrical equipment is indicated by the IP mark (International Protection Marking) and two numbers from 0 to 8.

№1 – Acoustic Energy Aego 3

Price: 22,300 rubles

Acoustic Energy is a well-known and respected British audio brand that has just begun to enter the domestic market. Their new model Aego3 is offered in two versions: a subwoofer and a soundbar, or a subwoofer and two front speakers. All elements of the sound system operate via aptX wireless connection; a minijack and optical output are also provided.

We recommend paying attention to 2.1 acoustics. Aego3 is a desktop system for personal listening; compact speakers will not be able to rock the room, but in the near field they produce detailed and balanced, correct sound that even hardened audiophiles will like. The price is certainly steep, but these acoustics are definitely worth the money.

Portable acoustics TOP 10 portable bluetooth speakers on Aliexpress

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