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Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts

Saturday, March 10, 2018

The Complete Guide To The Best Earplugs For Concerts

 

Your Guide To Protecting Your Ears While Attending Concerts – The Best Earplugs On The Market In 2018

Concerts, music festivals, live performances – if you attend these events regularly you may be familiar with the negative effects of the loud music on your hearing. We all enjoy experiencing our favourite musicians on stage – seeing them perform live. However, when the music really ‘hits’ and you hear that ringing in your ears you know the pain is about to begin!

What many people do not realize is that damage to the ears does not always cause immediate signs and symptoms. Sometimes, the damage occurs over a long period of time and leads to complete hearing loss later in life.

We love our music here at BoomSpeaker, but we are serious about safety as well, so we have taken the time to prepare our top picks of the best concert ear plugs. Whether it may be for a nightclub, festival, concert or whatever else, these devices will protect your hearing and provide a better overall better experience.

 

Why Wear Earplugs To Concerts? How Loud Is Too Loud?

You may be asking, bow loud is too loud anyway? While the purpose of this guide is to present our readers with the best earplugs they can buy in 2018, we should really start out by taking a look at why you should definitely consider wearing earplugs when going to a music concert in the first place. Knowing the consequences of not wearing the adequate ear protection at a music concert is vital – this will help you realize just how important wearing earplugs is and also help you make the decision to wear a higher-quality type of earplug that will offer improved protection against the high-volume sounds.

Data published by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders explain that as much as 17% of teenagers in the United States, and as much as 24% of all adults within the country, suffer from some level of hearing loss in either one ear or both ears. What caused this? The data shows that one common cause was an attendance of music festivals and concerts, where millions of people are exposed to music at volumes much higher than what is considered safe.

The American Hearing Research Foundation explains that, on average, a rock concert usually exposes the human ear to a sound of 115 decibels, which is EXTREMELY LOUD!. They continue to explain that it is advised to avoid exposing the ears to more than 15 minutes of sound at 115 decibels on a daily basis, or damage may occur to the ears. A post on NPR Music’s blog explains that 90 minutes is a good average length of most music concerts. This means your ears are exposed to excessively loud sounds at approximately 115 decibels for around 75 minutes more than what is considered your daily safe limit when you choose to attend a rock music concert. Hey, this is some serious stuff!

 

Types Of Earplugs

There are many different types of earplugs on the market, but many people do not realize this. Walk into your local convenience store and you’ll find a limited selection of foam-based earplugs. These are the most common and also the cheapest option. They are, however, not the most comfortable and not the most effective option when it comes to providing an adequate level of protection for your ears.

Don’t get us wrong – foam-based earplugs are better than nothing. If you are on your way to a concert and the only place that’s open is a convenience store, then stop by and grab a pair of foam earplugs, sure. Even though these earplugs are unable to provide a maximum level of protection and comfort, they are still useful.

Let’s take a look at the most common types of earplugs that you can find on the market.

 

Foam-Based Earplugs

As mentioned, foam-based earplugs are extremely common. They are used by millions of people for a variety of reasons. Your partner snores in bed? Drive to your local convenience store and you’ll be able to buy a pair of these earplugs for only a few dollars. These earplugs offer a universal fit, instead of a custom-fit, which means anyone can buy them as they should fit in all ears, large or small.

Foam-based earplugs are inserted easily into the ear and they are usually comfortable to wear. This is usually the most important benefit of these earplugs for most people. The issue is however, it can be difficult to find the perfect fit that will completely block out the majority of noises. In fact, these earplugs don’t normally reduce noises to a completely safe level, they just lower noises to a ‘tolerable’ level.

 

Flanged Earplugs

When it comes to affordability, flanged earplugs falls just after foam-based earplugs. These earplugs also offer a universal fit, which means there is no need to have your ears measured, you don’t have to spend a significant amount of money and you don’t have to wait for a pair of earplugs to be made. Flanged earplugs are readily available at numerous locations, but they will most likely not be as readily available in your local area as foam-based earplugs.

It should be noted that, when it comes to comfort, foam-based earplugs offer a more comfortable fit than flanged earplugs.

These earplugs are designed with rims which are formed into cone-like shapes. When placed into the ear, the cones create a seal inside the ear canal, therefore blocking outside noise. This is why flanged earphones tend to be popular among musicians.

 

High-Fidelity Earplugs

Now let’s talk about hi fi! They are often used by musicians to help them protect their ears against extremely loud noises experienced while performing. They are also used by “behind-the-scene” crews such as photographers, videographers and other professionals.

High-fidelity earplugs offer numerous benefits over the cheaper options available on the market, including flanged and foam-based earplugs. While these are somewhat more expensive than the previous two options we mentioned, the benefits outweigh the price difference.

The purpose of high-fidelity earplugs is to reduce the intensity of the sound that is exposed to the wearer’s ears – the quality of the sound remains the same. When buying high-fidelity earplugs, you can either buy a universal one, which fits any ear, or visit an audiologist, who will be able to take measurements of your ear and have a set of custom high-fidelity earplugs designed for you.

 

Custom-Molded Earplugs

Custom-molded earplugs offer the highest level of protection among the different options available on the market at the moment, but they also fetch for the highest price. To obtain a set of custom-molded earplugs, you will first have to make an appointment and pay a visit to an audiologist. The audiologist will take measurements of both your ears, and then create a special mold from the measurements. The mold will then be used to create a special set of earplugs that will be designed to offer your ears the perfect fit.

Custom-molded earplugs are produced by a limited number of companies, including Sensaphonics and JH Audio. These options usually go for a minimum of $100 per pair of earplugs. It should be noted that the $100+ does not include your appointment with the audiologist, which will incur further costs. While custom-molded earphones do tend to cost a lot more than any other option on the market, the level of protection combined with the level of comfort, is usually well worth the money. As noted previously, custom-molded earplugs can also be obtained in a high-fidelity option to help reduce the volume of outside noise, but without affecting the clearness or quality of the sound.

 

The Best Earplugs For Concerts And Live Music

Now you should see the need for adequate hearing protection while attending concerts and other live events.  You should also be able to distinguish between the different types of earplugs that are available on the market, and recognize a more adequate option for the particular type of music concert you are planning to attend.

So, without further delay, here are our top picks for the best earplugs for concerts and live events…

 

 

1. Greatest Protection: Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs For Concerts Musicians

First on our list of top earplugs in 2018 is Eargasm’s High-Fidelity earplugs. These are state-of-the-art, top-quality earplugs that deliver some of the best protection you can possibly wish for when it comes to attending live events. The High-Fidelity earplugs by Eargasm are used by over 100,000 happy customers so far, and is trusted by many musicians. These earplugs are often recommended by associations that provide information and management services for music festivals and music concerts. The best feature of the Eargasm High-Fidelity earplugs is that these earplugs offer the ability to enjoy listening to your favorite musician performing live or even hear people talking with clarity, but not hearing any excessive noise!

These earplugs have been designed to reduce extreme noise without having any type of effect on the quality of the sound. Another neat feature of the design if that it is made with hypo-allergic soft silicone which will allow you to wear them comfortably for very long periods of time.

 

Pros:

  • Offers a high-level of protection against outside noise.
  • Available at a very affordable price. These earplugs can be purchased on Amazon for about $30.
  • Ergasm’s High-Fidelity earplugs are trusted by some of the top music festivals around the world.
  • The plug-part of these earplugs are made from a soft silicone that is hypo-allergic, which means they are perfect for extended wear.

 

Cons:

  • These earplugs are not as readily available as some other options, especially when comparing the availability to foam-based earplugs.
  • Eargasm’s products are not sold in all countries, which means individuals interested in these earplugs who reside in a country where the brand’s products are not stocked will not to pay extra fees for shipping.

 

2. Most Reusable: DownBeats Reusable High Fidelity Hearing Protection

Next on our list is the DownBeats Reusable High-Fidelity Hearing Protection earplugs, another excellent option if you are looking to buy a pair of high-fidelity earplugs. These earplugs are similar to the Eargasm earplugs meaning they are filters.

What do we mean by filters?

We mean instead of blocking outside sound like some other options on the market, these earplugs are able to help you hear the high-quality sounds from the environment but without allowing you to be exposed to the harmful noises that are also out there. Yep, unwanted noises are left out in the crowd!

These earplugs are able to reduce the intensity of the sound by approximately 18 decibels, and deliver a sound between 87 decibels and 92 decibels, which gives you up to eight hours of harm-free listening.

 

Pros:

  • The earplugs come with a durable and convenient aluminum carry case that makes it easy to carry them with you, no matter where you go.
  • Two different options are available when buying DownBeats Reusable High-Fidelity Hearing Protection earplugs. The Long Stem DownBeats provide an easier and more convenient way to insert and remove the earplugs on-the-go.
  • DownBeats offers a Long Stem version for larger fit.

 

Cons:

  • The original version of these earplugs might be difficult to insert and remove while on-the-move. This means you may have to spend more money to buy the Long Stem version of the product if you need the added convenience.
  • DownBeats products are not sold in all countries.

3. Most Affordable: Hearos Ultimate Softness Series Foam Earplugs

If you are looking for a more affordable solution to protecting your ears when attending a music concert, then the Hearos Ultimate Softness Series earplugs may be the perfect option for you. The Hearos Ultimate Softness Series are general purpose soft foam ear plugs for all noise reduction and hearing protection so they aren’t the most effective (as we have already explained about foam earplugs) but they are good enough if you aren’t going to be using them for long periods in an event where the noise isn’t very loud.

These are some of the best foam-based earplugs that you can find on the market, and they offer a higher level of comfortability and protection than many of the other foam-based earplugs that are currently available. The Hearos Ultimate Softness Series earplugs come in packs of 20 earplugs, and only costs about $7 on Amazon. See, pretty inexpensive!

 

Pros:

  • The earplugs offer a neutral color, which means they will blend it with your skin and not make it obvious that you are wearing earplugs.
  • Hearos utilizes a special polyurethane foam that provides a premium experience to the wearer, which includes a higher level of comfort as compared to some of the other foam-based earplugs you can buy.
  • These earplugs offer a noise reduction of approximately 32 decibels, which is much higher than many of the other options out there.

 

Cons:

  • These earplugs are disposable, which might make them convenient, but it also means you’ll have to continuously buy more of them.
  • The Hearos Ultimate Softness Series earplugs have been designed to block sound, and not filter sound, as with a High-Fidelity earplug. This means you will not be able to preserve the quality of the sound you are exposed to.

 

 

4. Most Convenient: Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs

Finally, this one is for those of you who are looking for a higher-quality option. The Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs have numerous benefits to offer over other options on the market. One of the most significant features is the fact that there is no need to visit an audiologist in order to use these earplugs. You can easily mold them to the shape of your ear at home! This is very convenient and allows for a more comfortable, customized fit.

Another major benefit would most certainly be the price – at only $25.99, you get a custom molded pair of earplugs! After purchase, you simply use warm water to heat up the earplugs, and then shape them to your ears. The earplugs will retain the shape of your ears, which means, in the future, you can easily pop them into your ears whenever you need protection. Good stuff!

 

Pros:

  • These earplugs offer you the convenience of custom-molded earplugs without the large price tag often associated with these earplugs, and without the need for visiting an audiologist.
  • Since these earplugs are shaped to your unique ear, they will offer a more comfortable and perfect fit as compared to earplugs that feature a universal fit.
  • The earplugs can be easily remolded – if you do something wrong during the initial process, simply heat and mold again.

 

Cons:

  • These earplugs are not available at local convenience stores, so there is no way to obtain them when you are in a hurry. You will have to log on to the official online store of the brand to order a pair.
  • Since you first need to heat and mold these earplugs, the first application is not for those on-the-go.

 

Are You Suffering From Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

If you suspect that you are suffering from hearing loss, then you have our sympathies as we will try our best to assist you below.

Firstly, we are not doctors, but there are some tell take signs that may be used to identify hearing loss. When these signs are detected after you have attended a music concert, you should ideally make an appointment with your doctor to have your ears checked out and to have your hearing tested.

The Better Hearing Institute explains that particular signs that individuals should be wary of include:

  • No being able to hear what someone is saying, especially if they are standing within three feet from you.
  • After leaving the concert, experiencing a sensation of “fullness” in either one or both of your ears may be a sign of damage.
  • If you are able to hear what someone is saying, but find it difficult to understand and process the information they are sharing with you, it may also be a sign of damage to your ears.
  • Signs of tinnitus also signals hearing impairment. This usually includes a buzzing or ringing sound in the ears. If damage has occurred while you attended the music concert, then signs of tinnitus may develop soon after you leave the noisy area.

Now, if you are experiencing these symptoms after a live event, then you are likely suffering from noise-induced hearing loss.

In addition to noting the symptoms, it’s important to realize that damage that is dealt to the ears due to exposure to high decibel sounds can be either temporary or irreversible. In case of temporary hearing loss or impaired hearing, the reduction in hearing ability may restore to an optimal level by allowing the ears some rest from exposure to loud noises. In a case where irreversible damage has been suffered, the affected individual would be affected by the level of hearing loss they have suffered from for the rest of their life. While hearing aids are available to assist with improving hearing abilities, the natural hearing ability would not be restored, even with extensive rest and with preventing future events where the ears are exposed to loud noises.

Of course, with rapid advances in technology, there is always new hope. Of course, it is always recommended that you speak with your doctor to get medial advice.

Conclusion

If you are planning on attending a concert or festival in the near future, then I’m sure by now you see the need for a good pair of earplugs. Your ability to hear is a gift. Your ears are sensitive structures that allow you to hear the world around you can be damaged easily.  If you do not take care of your ears by exposing them to significant levels of strain from loud noise during concerts other live events, you may end up with severe problems.

This can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, which may often include temporary hearing problems but, in some cases, may also lead to more permanent impairments in your ability to hear. Like us here at BoomSpeaker, we know you enjoy your music, we know you enjoy live events, but we are also sure you like hearing as well, so ensure you grab one of the best earplugs for concerts from this list and take care of your ears!

 

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Sunday, February 4, 2018

Do Bluetooth Speakers Use Data?

Do Bluetooth Speakers Use Data?

There ae several occasions wherein just before you turn on your Bluetooth, you pause, and a gush of anxiety rushes over you as you wonder will this use my data? It’s a question that is asked regularly for several situations, do bluetooth speakers use data?  Firstly, let us put your fears to rest because, Bluetooth itself does not use data. Again, Bluetooth will not use your data.

do bluetooth speakers use data

However, if you’re using an app that accesses data while using Bluetooth, you will use data through that app. Here’s and example. Lest say you’re listening to music on Spotify with a Bluetooth headphone, since Spotify is accessing data, you’ll of course be using data to access the Spotify app.

Nevertheless, you may want a specific explanation as to why Bluetooth will not use your data. In that case, we have got your covered, read on to find out why.

 

What Is Bluetooth?

To answer the question of whether or not Bluetooth will use your data, we should first clarify what Bluetooth is. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows devices to exchange data over short distances using radio waves at 2.4 GHz.

 

What Is Mobile Data?

While we are at it, let’s also define mobile data (mobile broadband). Mobile data is simply a marketing term for wireless access to the internet on mobile devices. Mobile broadband uses the spectrum of 225 MHz to 3700 MHz.

Now, as we can see, Bluetooth and mobile data are two very separate things. Bluetooth allows connection between two devices while mobile data allows connection between your mobile device and the internet. Therefore, there is no way that by the action of enabling your Bluetooth you could use up your data as that is a separate connection to a network (the internet).

 

 

 

Now, let’s look at certain situations in which using apps with Bluetooth could actually use up your data:

 

Using Bluetooth To Talk Hands Free In A Car

Let’s say you want to use your Bluetooth headset to talk hands-free in your car while driving. Will this use your data?
Answer: No, unless you are using a data service such as WhatsApp, Viber or Skype to make that phone call. In that case, it is the app (WhatsApp/Skype/Viper that is using data and not Bluetooth).

bluetooth headset

Listening To Music Using A Bluetooth Headphone/Speaker And Music App

This one was already explained in the intro

 

Conclusion

So, bottom line, do bluetooth speakers use data? Unless you are using another app or service with Bluetooth, you need not worry about your data usage!

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Monday, December 25, 2017

How to Place a Bluetooth Speaker to Get the Best Possible Sound

Bluetooth speakers are a pretty magical thing to have around your house. At the touch of a button you could be listening to your favorite tunes or a hopefully not boring podcast with great bass and clarity. However, depending on where they are placed, Bluetooth speakers can sound very different. Yes, sometimes it is indeed a problem with the product itself – some Bluetooth speakers aren’t great – but if you are lacking bass as well as getting atonal or tinny sound, you might want to think about moving things around.

So where can you place your Bluetooth speakers to get the best sound? Well, that question isn’t as easy to answer as you might think. Every single room and every speaker is different, but we can give you some advice to consider.

 

Picking Your Positioning

Picking the correct position for your speakers can make them sound significantly better. Obviously if you have your speakers facing a wall, the volume and sound clarity will be significantly dampened as the sound waves both bounce off and are absorbed into the wall.

Naturally, the first step is to position your speakers towards you or the area you want the sound to radiate at. However, it is important that the speakers aren’t too low or too high above where you want to be listening from. If you are positioning your speakers so that they are radiating at the couch, you will want them to be roughly at the same height of your ears while sitting there.

Another tip is to keep your speakers at least a few inches from the wall as it will improve the bass response. The bass might actually seem better if you get the back closer to the wall, but you might also notice that the mid-range sounds start to lose their clarity.

A placement that many audiophiles prefer is to place the speaker in a corner or a nook so that the hard surfaces better reflect quality sound and bass response. However, you don’t want to fully enclose it, for obvious reasons.

Tiled rooms are also great at reflecting sound since it just bounces right off and creates great acoustics. This makes your kitchen a pretty good choice if you have a tile backsplash on your counters. However, the most common titled room is your bathroom, and you probably won’t have too many kickin’ parties in there.

Finally, if you are using more than one speaker, if you want great surround sound, you should go for a triangle type placement around your usual listening area. This means that the sound should be coming at you from all sides and you will get an amazing listening experience.

 

Buying a Speaker of the Right Shape

Bluetooth speaker shape is occasionally pretty standard, but sometimes you will find cylinders or some more overly odd shapes among the pack. These shapes are not just about visual aesthetics, but they affect sound acoustics as well.

The shape of your Bluetooth speaker will also affect where you should place it. You standard cube or brick model does best when facing its audience. However, the cylinder shape thrives best when it is placed in the middle of the room since it radiates sound from all sides.

Even if you have an odd-shaped speaker like, for example, the BeoPlay S3 that looks more like a stately dodecahedron than your typical rectangular parallelepiped-shaped speaker, even then it usually will only radiate sound from all sides, or in this case, one face side. So the positioning tips for normal-shaped speakers still apply based on that knowledge.

 

Experimenting

While we can give you positioning tips, every single room is different. Some surfaces reflect sound better than others and some people like to listen to their speakers in different places. The only concrete tip we can give you is to experiment.

If you feel like your speaker isn’t giving you the best possible sound experience, try setting it in a different area, at a different height, or in a different direction. If, in the end, you aren’t getting the results you want, it may in fact be the speaker’s issue, possibly even the Bluetooth connection.

 

Bonus Tip: AptX

AptX is essentially Bluetooth, but with an audio focus. This is the reason that the sound can be better or worse on the same speaker depending on the phone you use. In an ideal listening experience, you want the speaker as well as the phone to be able to use Bluetooth AptX since it allows for higher quality music and sound streaming. While this is pretty standard in speakers and many phones, this isn’t something you will get with iPhones. They seem to waging a dirty little war with Bluetooth, and it is hurting us all in terms of sound quality since they don’t use AptX.

However, if your device does not support AptX, you can also get the same better quality sound by connecting your device via the 3.5mm port. However, in these days of wireless and mobility, less and less Bluetooth-enabled speakers are coming with that option.

 

Right now it’s at the bottom of page 1 and top of page for good JBL Bluetooth speaker keywords.  If you could get the kw “best Bluetooth speakers under $100” to rank mid to bottom page one then I think this site is a real winner.

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Sunday, December 24, 2017

Loudest Portable Bluetooth Speakers

 
1: The Big Turtle Shell
Do you personally go out of your way to find the most remote outdoor areas so you can play your music really loud? If you want a Bluetooth speaker that can really bring the volume, Outdoor Tech’s Big Turtle Shell is really your best option.

While its contemporary design may suggest a lack of durability, Outdoor Tech specifically designed their product so that it is not only easily recognizable, but built tough. With a stable foundation and a grill to protect from dust and water splashes, The Big Turtle Shell can stand with the best of them.

However, its true highlight is performance. The design allows it to pump out optimal sound quality at 110 decibels, making it easily the loudest outdoor boomer on the market. The turtle shell design also comes in a smaller, less loud size for easy transport. However, The Big Turtle Shell does have handles for easier transportation.
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2: VAVA Voom Premium
Loudest Bluetooth Speaker: VAVA Voom Premium
Shake tha room! The VAVA Voom Premium is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers that you can find on the market. It’s one of the few Bluetooth speakers that come with a dedicated subwoofer and high powered acoustic drivers.

This mega-device is not only loaded, but it delivers astounding sound quality with solid bass, clear mids and highs and excellent features (e.g the hands-free feature for your smartphone, wireless streaming and the magical Surround Sound EQ).

You would think that a speaker that delivers so much power would drain quickly, but then VAVA Voom provides 10 hours of music playtime at mid-level volume. There are even power bank slots for phone charging.

The device boasts two 5W drivers, two passive radiators and a 10W subwoofer combined to produce the most powerful and dynamic volume. Beyond that, the Voom is equipped with plus aptX audio coding technology paired with Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity for sublime audio performance.

With so much effort put into delivering powerful and audio performance, VAVA has managed to create a superb design for the VAVA Voom as well. The device looks rather sleek with every detail carefully sculpted.

Indeed, the VAVA Voom is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers you can find at this price range. Combine that with its incredible build quality and wide array of features and you have one top-notch Bluetooth speaker!

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Best Party Bluetooth Speaker

Best Party Bluetooth Speaker: Logitech UE BOOM2

Throw ya hands up! The UE BOOM2 is in da house! The Logitech UE BOOM 2 speaker is the best party Bleutooth speaker out there. Firstly, this speaker features “360-degree” sound and has 15 hours long battery life.

In UE’s own words ‘BOOM 2 was designed to live. To see the world. To get wet, muddy, covered in snow and beat up – but to always be awesome.’

It is small, sleek, durable and waterproof which means you can easily carry it around in your backpack, even if you are at the pool. However, beyond the cool design and great sound, the one feature that makes the UE Boom 2 GREAT for parties is that with the UE BOOM 2 App, you can wirelessly connect 150 (even more) UE BOOM 2 speakers together.

So, no matter how large your party gets, the UE BOOM2 is there to the rescue. In fact, you can connect the UE BOOM2 with the UE BOOM and the UE MEGABOOM speakers.

There’s even a feature called Block Party that allows you and your friends all play music through UE BOOM 2. All they need to do is to join the app and start playing!
#PartyUp

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Friday, May 19, 2017

Loud and Rugged: The Top 5 Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Outdoor Use

Whether it be walking by the beach or hiking up in the mountains, you love spending time outdoors, but you definitely don’t want to leave your music behind. For the avid outdoors person, you need a Bluetooth speaker that is portable, but is also rugged enough to not break after a few slight bumps in the road.

A good outdoor Bluetooth speaker also needs to have audio come out louder than a barely audible whisper too. So in short, if you like to spend your time out in the wild, you need a Bluetooth speaker that is both loud and rugged.

 

What to Consider When Buying Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers

When shopping around for a small speaker for your desk, you may consider sound quality and size, but when looking for a speaker to use in your campsite, there is a different set of criteria that your Bluetooth speaker needs to meet.

Durability – Your speaker needs to be able to handle the unexpected. At very least, your choice in speaker should at least be able to endure splashes of water and a bumpy ride down the road. Look for speakers with an IPX4 water resistance rating or above as well as one that has a bit of armor.

Portability – What good is a speaker if it weighs 100 pounds and you really don’t want to lug it around? The more durable outdoor models will be a bit heavier than your indoor ones, but the best ones won’t be unwieldy.

Functionality – This criterion can be different for every person. Some want a Bluetooth speaker that is easy to use and to set up while others want it to be able to do a number of functions at a touch of a button.

From fairly substantial to downright heavy-duty, here are five of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market to toss in the back of your truck and take out into the wilderness.

Loud: The Big Turtle Shell

Do you personally go out of your way to find the most remote outdoor areas so you can play your music really loud? If you want a Bluetooth speaker that can really bring the volume, Outdoor Tech’s Big Turtle Shell speaker is really your best option.

While its contemporary design may suggest a lack of durability, Outdoor Tech specifically designed the speaker so that it is not only easily recognizable, but built tough. With a stable foundation and a grill to protect from dust and water splashes, The Big Turtle Shell can stand with the best of them. However, its true highlight is performance. The design allows it to pump out optimal sound quality at 110 decibels, making it easily the loudest outdoor Bluetooth speaker on the market. The turtle shell design also comes in a smaller, less loud size for easy transport. However, The Big Turtle Shell does have handles for easier transportation.

Affordable: Photive Hydra

The Photive Hydra is one of the most popular outdoor Bluetooth speakers on the market, and for good reason. Encased in a smooth rubber grip on all sides, the speaker is water resistant and easy to carry around. The speaker itself is cover in a tough metal grill to protect it from any outside irritants. With a water resistance rating of IPX6, the Hydra can withstand splashes, but should not be submerged in water.

Where the Photive Hydra really shines is in its sound quality. It is small, but it is fierce. While the bass is not earth shattering, it is respectable for its size, but the clarity is amazing. The sound is so clear that it sounds like the vocals and instrumentals are coming from different speakers, but they are not. With its small size and punchy sound, the Photive Hydra is a great choice for the outdoors person who is always on the go.

Durable: UE BOOM 2

Don’t be deceived by its sleek and fashionable design, the UE Boom 2 only looks like it should stay indoors. In fact, its portable and eye-pleasing design is both durable and gives a great performance. Due to its design, the UE BOOM 2 gives off the loudest 360-degree sound on the market in crystal clear quality.

While small and easy to put out of harm’s way, if it does come into danger, the BOOM comes with sealed ports to keep liquid and debris away from its sensitive components. While the exterior mesh looks weak, it has been coated with water and stain resistant materials, making it look like an indoor speaker, but perform like an outdoor speaker.

Portable: Divoom Voombox

The Voombox may be tiny, but it is tough. With 6 drivers and a 15-watt output, the Voombox can put out a powerful sound making its portable shell so deceptive. The speaker is encased in a strong metal body that is reinforced with shock-absorbing rubber, making it ready for whatever adventure you have ahead.

Although it only has a IPX4 water resistance rating (making it only safe from splashes), you can enjoy 12 hours of omni-directional sound on one charge. Its small size and weight also make it easy to slip into a pack so that you are not carrying an 80’s-style boom box on your shoulder over to your campsite.

Overall Best: Fugoo Tough

What is the best overall outdoors Bluetooth speaker in terms of portability, durability, functionality, and sound quality? It is the fierce-looking Fugoo Tough.

Marketed as the world’s most rugged Bluetooth speaker, this is one model that lives up to its reputation. With six drivers spread across four sides, the Fugoo Tough delivers loud 360-degree sound at a respectable 95 decibel volume.

That performance is all wrapped up in a tough shell that isn’t just for show. While its IPX5 rating makes this speaker safe from splashes, it is also snow-proof, mud-proof, and dust-proof, assuring you can do pretty much everything with this speaker along for the ride.

While all of that is excellent in an outdoor Bluetooth speaker, does it really merit the $300 price tag? It does when you consider that its charger holds for 40 hours of continuous use. If you spend more time out in the bush than you do in the house, the Fugoo Tough is definitely worth the investment.

The post Loud and Rugged: The Top 5 Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Outdoor Use appeared first on Boom Speaker.

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Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Amazon Echo v. Tap v. Dot – Choosing the Right Alexa-Enabled Bluetooth Speaker For You

It has been long enough since the first introduction of Amazon’s home Bluetooth speaker-housed, cloud-based virtual assistant Alexa that looking in to it is no longer “jumping on the bandwagon.”  An act that might, if the Samsung Galaxy S7 has taught us anything, literally burst into flames in our face.

That’s the problem with the bandwagon. A lot of the time, we realize that the products are kind of useless several months afterwards, but it’s been over a year. Alexa and her systems have been tested, and they are still looking pretty cool. Instead of just one option, you now have access to Alexa on the Echo, the Dot, and the Tap, all provided by Amazon, and all featuring different disadvantages as well as selling points depending on what you want the most out of your Amazon Bluetooth plaything.

Let’s Get this Showdown Started!

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo is like the original iPod. It is your all-around package, but there are smaller or more affordable brand options out there. The original Amazon Echo is not as portable as the Tap and not as affordable as the Echo Dot, but in terms of all-around performance, this flagship product still excels.

The overall problem with these Bluetooth products – all of them – is that they don’t sound as nice as you would expect for the price. The large cylinder shape of the Echo does give better sound radiation, making this the loudest model of the three. However, you can find better performance in sound for a fraction of the price in other Bluetooth speaker brands, but what you are paying for is Alexa.

Alexa, like in all of the products, requires a steady WiFi connection; however, it is quick to pick up spoken commands. The Echo was made to showcase Alexa, so they might have sacrificed some quality to focus on her functionality. Unfortunately, the mobility of the device is completely undermined by the fact that it needs to be plugged in all the time.

Essentially, the Echo is what you want if you live in a big space and you don’t need your Amazon Bluetooth speaker to move. It has great sound if you are in one room, but it can be difficult to hear throughout the house. You can listen to news headlines and weather reports just fine. Even FM radio has decent sound quality and volume, but if you are a real sound junkie, well, this is actually the best you can do if you still want Alexa-enabled.

Get the Latest Info on Echo Here!


Amazon Echo Dot

As the name suggests, the Echo Dot is basically a smaller version of the Echo original. However, as with anything, making something smaller doesn’t always make it better. However, rest assured, Alexa still performs exactly the same. She’ll do anything she does with the Echo for the Echo Dot, and is still always-listening.

However, the shortcomings with the Dot come with the sound quality. Alexa’s voice, for example, is more feeble and just a touch tinnier sounding. As it doesn’t have the height of the original Echo, you also lose that great radiating sound. The Dot also still lacks a built-in battery like the original Echo, so it needs to be plugged in always.

So what is good about it? Well, the drop in price is good. However, those who will want the Dot are those who already have a speaker system set up, be it Bluetooth or otherwise. The Dot is awesome at pairing with other speakers through both Bluetooth and 3.5mm cable. Essentially, you can make your already existing and awesome Bluetooth speaker system Alexa-enabled.

So, in short, on its own, the Dot can’t compare to the original Echo. However, if you already have a speaker system, the Echo original is paltry in comparison to easily-synced Dot.

New Amazon Dot News and Features


Amazon Tap

Now it is time for the last member of the Alexa family (for now, anyway), the Tap. Essentially, the Tap was probably created with other speaker options in mind, namely those like the JBL Flip 3 or the UE Boom 2.

It is a shapely, handsome little cylinder that keeps things light, and, unlike it brethren above, comes with a built-in battery. The battery itself lasts about nine hours playing music, which is pretty standard for Bluetooth speakers of its size. Amazon probably wanted the Tap to be the thing for people who like to travel with their speaker, but they probably should have included even a little bit of advanced water resistance if that was the case.

However, that’s not the only potential problem of travel for the Tap. While it does have a battery so you can move it, Alexa isn’t accessed as seamlessly with the Tap. You see, “always-listening” is an always-battery drain. So to combat it, you have to actually tap the Tap before talking to Alexa. Alexa also needs to be connected to WiFi still to work. So unless there is a hotspot in the middle of nowhere, don’t count on Alexa’s help.

Without Alexa, the Tap is a just-okay Bluetooth speaker. The JBL Flip and UE Boom are cheaper and provide better quality, but the Tap does have Alexa. If you fit the niche, it can be a great portable option, but there are better ones out there.

Check out Amazon Tap

The post Amazon Echo v. Tap v. Dot – Choosing the Right Alexa-Enabled Bluetooth Speaker For You appeared first on Boom Speaker.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2017

8 Bluetooth Speakers So Small They Can Fit in Your Pocket

 

There are Bluetooth speakers and there are small Bluetooth speakers. The advent of Bluetooth technology was the advent of portable sound, from speakers at least. So you don’t need to be carrying a Bluetooth speaker the size of your 1980’s boombox on your shoulder anymore. While often a large package features a little more oomph, especially in terms of bass, many of the smallest speakers on the market still excel at providing loud, clear sound as well as being more friendly to the wallet.

So if you want a Bluetooth speaker so small it can fit into your pocket, what are your options?

Bose SoundLink Color II

It is like the Bose SoundLink Color was designed specifically to sit in a pocket almost as comfortably as a flask. It is wide, but flat so that it sits as comfortably in a pocket as it does on a shelf. As it is just over a pound, it doesn’t weigh you down either. Its eight hours of battery life could be better, but with it you also get that same Bose quality sound and rich bass that you have come to know and love from its other products.

 


Pac2Go Bluetooth Speaker

This is a speaker that benefits from its shape. The tubular design not only metes out crystal clear 360 degree sound, but it is created in the keychain design so that you can either slip it in your pocket or hook it on to your backpack. As it is both light and reinforced with a rubberized oil finish, it not only has some impact proofing, but a waterproof rating of IPX4 as well, enough to withstand splashes. It comes with a pretty standard eight hours of battery life which makes it an all around great small Bluetooth speaker, especially for the price.


JBL Clip II

With JBL you can always expect quality, as well as great waterproofing, in all their products. The Clip II is no different. Although it is about the size of the drain on your kitchen sink, this wonderful little speaker can put out loud, clear sound with reasonable amount of bass. As it also comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating meaning you can submerge it for up to 30 minutes so this is a speaker you can take any and everywhere. Its keychain clip that gave this model it’s name makes that even easier since you can clip it to your backpack or even your belt without it being a bother.


iEC Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The shape of this particular speaker makes it a little less pocket friendly, but that doesn’t make it any less small. The flat cuboid design was an interesting choice, but perhaps it was chosen because of its ability to radiate sound, because that is what this Bluetooth speaker does best. For such an obscure brand name, it does a great job radiating bass while still keeping the other sound clear, but it could want for a few more decibels to its volumes. Although, because it doesn’t get quite as eardrum-ringingly loud means it has a respectable 12 hours of playtime to assure you can take your music anywhere.


Anker SoundCore

The SoundCore is one of those speakers that looks deceptive in the pictures of it. You see, Anker speakers may appear bigger than they actually are. The SoundCore looks practically shelf-worthy, but it is actually not much larger than your average flashlight (though probably just as weighty). Despite the small package, the SoundCore can fill a whole house with perfect clear sound without much effort, although it does want for some better bass. However, instead of bass, that weight is added on by a 24-hour battery life and a 64 feet Bluetooth range which is superior to almost every other Bluetooth speaker product of its size.


Etekcity Rover Beats T3

Like the aforementioned SoundCore, the Rover Beats looks so much larger than it actually is. At just over two inches in height, width, and diameter, this is truly a tiny rolly-polly little thing, but it can bring the pain when it comes to sound. Its CSR 4.0 chipset provides the power and bass of Bluetooth speakers twice its size while it still features the standard eight hours of battery life. The nicest feature is that this is not just a Bluetooth speaker. It also has an audio jack and 33 feet of Bluetooth connectivity to give it optimum compatibility with a wide range of devices.


Arespark AS200

The Arespark is built in such a way that it is both compact enough to fit in most tight carrying spaces, but it is built to be rugged. Although it is only splashproof with its IPX4 waterproof rating, it does come built with rubber bumpers as well as reinforced plastics which allow it to take quite a pounding from outside sources. As for performance, it gives a respectable 12 hours of playtime with 33 feet of Bluetooth connectivity, but it is the powerful 7W acoustic drivers within that are responsible for the powerful sound it puts out. The bass is lacking, but the same could never be said about how loud it gets.


Beats Pill+

You know what makes the Beats by Dre Pill such an excellent small Bluetooth speaker? It is not that it is even that small, but rather long and designed in that lovely oblong pill shape that actually fits perfectly into a pocket. Not only that, but you get the quality sound that have caused the Beat by Dre products to take the sound world by storm. Despite its size, you get loud sound that also comes with the richness of top-quality bass. However, with its elevated price it makes you want to treat this speaker with kid gloves.

The post 8 Bluetooth Speakers So Small They Can Fit in Your Pocket appeared first on Boom Speaker.

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Monday, December 19, 2016

Best Bluetooth Headphones for Running

Anyone into fitness knows how a good playlist can completely change your workout. However, no one knows the importance of an energizing playlist more than those who run. Rhythmic beats, deep bass, and even uplifting lyrics can be the perfect motivation to push further. However, runners also know the importance of good Bluetooth headphones, or at least they should.

As a runner, you need headphones that meet some criteria that other less sporty music enthusiasts might not covet.

  • Headphones need to be both snug and stable enough to withstand the motion of jogging
  • Music needs to be heard clearly, but not completely block out noise if running outside
  • They need to function well in sweaty environments
  • They need to fit comfortably and have unobtrusive cords
  • It needs to be compatible with your Bluetooth music device

Top Picks for Bluetooth Headphones Made for Runners


Sony Smart B-Trainer

Although the price is a little daunting, the Sony Smart B-Trainer is the ultimate in Bluetooth headphones for fitness. It comes with GPS, an accelerometer, and heart rate monitoring that all functions right in the ear piece, all of which can be used to better track and monitor not only your runs, but any workout. While it has 16 GB of storage and is compatible for music played over iPhone and Android, it also comes with audio fitness coaching. However, one of its nicest features is that it has the capability to suggest what music tracks to play that match your heart rate. It is a fun tidbit that can add a little bit of excitement to your average run.


Bose SoundSport Pulse

Bose has always been a brand name that assures quality sound, and that quality does transfer to their SoundSport line of Bluetooth headphones. While all SoundSport’s are great Bluetooth headphones, the Pulse is specifically made with runners in mind. They come built in with a heart rate monitor that works seamlessly with apps like RunKeeper and Endomondo as well as Bose’s own Bose Connect app that lets you monitor your heart rate in real-time. However, compatibility with other fitness apps can be slightly more hit-or-miss. However, the best part of these headphones is that not only do you get the Bose quality sound clarity and deep bass, but you also get headphones designed for a tight fit. With it, you can better hear the music and don’t get the same irritating problem of the ear buds falling out of your ears as you run.


SMS Audio By 50

Bluetooth headphones with all these extra great fitness features are wonderful, but for many, not worth a near $200 price tag. However, if you still want the features, but also want the affordability, it comes in the SMS Audio. Created by the unlikely alliance of PC-chip creator Intel and rapper 50 Cent, the SMS Audio provides waterproof headphones that host incredible sound and also track your heart rate for a fraction of the price. However, while they sync seamlessly with Runkeeper and a couple of other fitness apps, compatibility with many other apps is limited. However, it you are not that much of an app person, these provide a solid and cheap pair of Bluetooth headphones that sound great and stay steady as you move.


Jaybird X3

One of the most frustrating things about ear buds is how they fit. Many high-quality ear bud manufactures make their sport models more like ear plugs so you get a solid fit without worrying about them falling out. However, they also have a noise-canceling effect, which is fine for treadmill use but potentially dangerous if you like to run outside.

The best feature of the Jaybird X3 is that they don’t completely plug up your ears, but come with different sized outer ear pieces that allow a secure fit for all different sized ears. While they don’t provide all the heart rate monitoring and other features of other sport headphones, they provide excellent sound, an excellent fit, and a lengthy eight hours of battery life, allowing you to exercise with confidence and focus. They also feature easy smart phone integration that allows you to take, reject, and call people at a push of a button, something that other sports models skimp on.


PowerBeats (by Dre) 2

With most ear buds, sport designed or not, you run into one common issue – bass, or rather, the lack thereof. Even the SMS Audio that 50 Cent had a hand in designing oddly lacks in bass despite his music being full of it. However, PowerBeats 2, a Beats by Dre product, brings a sport-ready ear bud that provides wonderful quality bass. This model takes more of a Bluetooth headset style to its design, but those outer bars are not just a style choice, they help keep the buds balanced and inside your ears. While it could have a better battery life than the 6 hours it provides, this is a set of Bluetooth headphones that gives runners the ‘oompf’ of solid bass to keep them endlessly motivated.

The post Best Bluetooth Headphones for Running appeared first on Boom Speaker.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Top 5 Bluetooth Shower Speakers

 

Some Bluetooth speaker owners like to have a speaker that sits on a shelf in the most used room of their house. Other owners like to have a speaker that they can take outside and it can withstand all the rolls and tumbles in their active life. However, I don’t care who you are, there is nothing more refreshing than singing along with your playlist while taking a shower.

Music and hot water, they just go together as the best way to start the day, but while any Bluetooth speaker can be put in the bathroom, it doesn’t mean it will thrive there. There are a few things you want in a Bluetooth speaker for the bathroom as opposed for other uses.

First and foremost, it must be waterproof. Even if you don’t intend on dunking it in the bathtub, bathrooms are steamy places and water-related accidents do happen. Second, unless you live in a super mansion where the bathroom could house a small family, you want to prioritize size so it will actually sit comfortably without being in the way. Finally, you want decent sound clarity. Volume is actually not as important because bathrooms often have awesome acoustics, but what good are acoustics when you can’t even understand the lyrics?

With waterproofing, size, and sound clarity in mind, what are the Bluetooth speakers to take to the shower with you?

UE ROLL 2

As we mentioned in our review of it, the UE ROLL 2 is our shower speaker of choice, and it still remains our favorite. Eye-catching in physical design and comes in a variety of fun color schemes, this is one Bluetooth speaker that is a joy to look at. However, that fun package belittles superior waterproofing. With an IPX 7 rating, you can put this bad boy into three feet of water if you want to for up to half an hour. With that, you know it can handle your steamy hour-long showers with ease.

Like all UE speakers, you also get great volume and sound clarity. This particular model is an upgrade of the UE BOOM, featuring up to 15 percent better sound quality.

Due to the shape of the model, it can be difficult to position on a flat surface, because it takes up a fair amount of space, but if you hang it, it remains compact, out of the way, and just radiates sound. It also has a range of 100 feet if you happen to be on the move with your phone.

 

JBL Charge 3

The major selling point of the JBL Charge 3 as a portable Bluetooth speaker, not just a shower speaker, is that it can connect up to three different devices and take turns playing music. You probably won’t need that feature in the bathroom, but that and its 20 hours of battery life make it one bathroom speaker that you can take anywhere. It also has the handy feature of its battery being able to also charge your smart phone as needed.

However, outside of that awesome cross functionality, you get optimum sound clarity in a small package that you can easily set on a counter and not have to fuss with. With an IPX7 water-resistance rating, like other models it can survive up to 3 feet of water for up to half an hour, and also comes in a variety of colors so you can match it to the fancy color coding of your bathroom. Unless you are some kind of monster who doesn’t have towels that match the bath mat, but even then, it probably still comes in a color you will like.

 

BOOM Swimmer

I’ll admit, it took a bit of looking at it before the design of this punchy little speaker clicked. However, once you get what they meant by “swimmer,” you can’t stop seeing it. Although initially positioned to like a strong swimmer, this speaker’s base is actually quite flexible. This means you can leave the original design intact or pick something a little more humorless (but ultimately space-saving and sturdy).

Although the name is a double entendre, this is a speaker meant to be poolside. It has a good IPX7 water rating, and its flexible base means you can stand it up anywhere. If you only have so much counter space in your bathroom, it can stand completely upright and still radiate amazing sound or even clip onto the show rod. It also happens to get ridiculously loud, another feature for its initial poolside use, but something not unwelcome in the bathroom.

The only real potential downside to it is that unlike other models, it only has a respectable eight hours of battery life. It’s not a bad battery life, but it is no 20 hours of music playing like the JBL features.

 

SoundBot Shower Speaker

Looking for an affordable shower speaker option? It is only natural that you don’t want to put a $200 showpiece speaker in the bathroom where any number of things can happen. If a low price is a must, the SoundBot is perfect. It features excellent sound, a small package that features a suction cup for wall mounting, and it comes in a wide variety of colors.

However, with low price, there is always some sacrifices, right? There are a few, but they are not exactly what you would call deal breakers. In terms of sound, the bass could be better, but a small package always sacrifices subwoofer power. Another downside is that it has limited Bluetooth range, only about 20 feet, which is fine if you have your phone in the bathroom, or even in another nearby room.

 

MPOW Buckler

While slightly more expensive, the MPOW Buckler is a great shower Bluetooth speaker for those that want affordability and just a bit more flair with the design. Like other models, it has a suction cup so that you can mount it to the wall, but in this model, it is not sound or battery life that is sacrificed, but waterproofing. It has a good IPX4 rating that makes it hearty against steam, but this is one model you definitely don’t want to fall in a tub or a sink.

That aside, it features a respectable eight hour battery, fast recharge time, and still delivers loud, crystal clear sound. However, it only comes in two colors – orange and black – so I hope either of those match

The post Top 5 Bluetooth Shower Speakers appeared first on Boom Speaker.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2016

5 Best WiFi Speakers for the House (Not Bluetooth)

One of, if not the only, great thing about a series of WiFi speakers as opposed to multiple Bluetooth speakers is that they hook up straight to the home internet system as opposed to having to rely on a computer, phone, or tablet.

This is especially helpful when, say, you normally use one device (phone) that is paired with the Bluetooth speaker and that device isn’t in the house at the time. (Say, you’re spouse or significant other isn’t home.)

Also, you won’t have those annoying alerts and notifications going off each time mom texts or an email comes in.  That just gets in the way, like when you’re at the gym and the music fades out each and every time a dang Facebook notification comes in.

Lastly, and here is the best part of us, you can actually play different music in different parts of the house.  Whichever room you’re in all you have to do is select the music that you want the machine and network will take over and do the rest.  Independent volume control and all…

Our review of the Sonos Play:1 is a great place to start looking as far as quality and price point.  It starts out at an awesome price and delivers stupendous sound quality.  Try to pair them up and get a great sounding system right in the house.

Besides the SONOS, let’s take a look at some of our other favorite WiFi Speakers for the home and the outdoors.

Best WiFi Speakers for the Home

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo - Black

Look, it may not be the trendiest “I wanna’ rock out” choice” for some of you, but it’s a straight solid speaker system that sounds so much better than you would think.  Actually, a lot better.  It’s got good reviews from Big Boys like Engadget, CNET, and Business Insider.  Some, like Engadget, make the case that all you really need is the Amazon Echo Dot The big draw to the Echo is that is so much more than just a good speaker, of course.

Downside:  No battery so it needs to stay plugged in to connect and work.

Libratone ZIPP (WiFi and Bluetooth)

 

We like the Libratone because it’s cool, man.  Great highs, booming bass, and 100 watts of power.  Like the Amazon Echo, the cylindrical shape of the Libratone gives us that 360° sound push throughout the room.  While we’re on the subject, sticking the Echo or the Libratone in a corner kind of wastes a lot of the 360 sound.  It does much better on a kitchen island or coffee table, if you don’t mind it being there.

Downside:  Price point at almost $300

Samsung Shape M7

As it happens, the Samsung S7 is viable competitor to Sonos and its wireless and affordable line of WiFi speakers.  The difference is that it actually sounds better and has the ability to stream Bluetooth as well.  And, of course, seamless integration and connectivity with Samsung TVs.  Even though it sounds better than the Sonos Play:3, that doesn’t mean it is better.  It has its limitations.

Downside:  Only streams Pandora, Amazon, Rhapsody, TuneIN, and DLNA without Bluetooth.

Sonos Play:3 (Still the “King”.  Red our full review)

One of the best features of the Sonos is that you can always expand your sound later. With easy connectivity to other Sonos speakers, you can fill your house with rich sound by buying other PLAY speakers, the subwoofer, or even the TV bar. One nice feature is that, if you wanted to, you could enable your speakers to play different songs in different rooms.

Downside: Not the most aesthetic of designs

Pure Jongo S3

In its early years the Puro Jongo was willing and ready to take on the Sonos Play:3…but they did it with flashy grills and colors.  Now, it’s a grown-up product all on its own.  We think that, currently, it’s the best competition that Sonos has…but still just a little bit below it in range of sound and clarity.  But the Jongo does get loud.  So loud, in fact that the bass can sometimes become a problem.

Downside:  Limited multi-room functionality with 3rd part apps.

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