Pages

Monday, February 6, 2017

5 Best Bluetooth Gaming Headsets

If you are a gamer, you have enough wires to contend with without throwing a headset into the mix. However, unlike many other peripherals, you can easy sacrifice the wires on your headset without sacrificing performance. While a Bluetooth gaming headset may be the dream, you still need to consider the important factors of price, latency, and batteries when buying.

While Bluetooth may be the gold standard for wireless sound technology, that doesn’t mean that all gaming headsets are created equal. You need to find the perfect balance between excellent sound quality and the occasionally ridiculous price that can go with Bluetooth gaming headsets.

Best Bluetooth Gaming Headsets for the Great Gaming


SteelSeries Siberia 840

If you want the combination of supreme comfort, great battery life, and good sound quality, then there is no better than the Siberia 840. A step up from the non-Bluetooth Siberia 800, this SteelSeries headset offers no lag Bluetooth-enabled performance while featuring over 40 hours of play time between its two hot-swappable batteries. SteelSeries has always been known for its comfortable fitting headsets, which in turn provide a good seal on the ear to make the great sound quality and surround sound of this headset even more noticeable.

However, because these are the best Bluetooth gaming headset on the market, you pay the price for such equipment. It there is one potential turn off, it is the fairly steep price tag that goes along with this headset.


Logitech H800

Some see Logitech as a cheap brand. Some see Logitech as a reliable brand. No matter what your stance, the Logitech H800 provides a solid Bluetooth headset for a great price. While the H800 doesn’t deliver complete surround sound, it does feature noise cancelling and rich digital sound quality.

With a 40-foot wireless range, you can easily walk around your house while talking smack to your gaming friends in between rounds. However, the downside is that it only has around six hours of battery life. The plus side is that it does charge quickly via USB, but every six hours, you essentially need to turn your wireless headset into a wired one.

The real selling point for the Logitech H800 is the headphone covering. Typically you get padding that completely covers the ears or sits on the ears to create a sound seal. This model features padding that completely covers the ear but doesn’t cuff them so you don’t get a weird suction effect while still having noise cancelling and optimum comfort.


Kotion Each B3506

If you are looking for sheer affordability, then any Bluetooth headset by Kotion Each is a good option. However, as is typical with models based on sheer affordability, not all of them are great products. The B3506 is their cream of the crop, but still not without some major kinks.

In terms of sound quality, Kotion Each actually works great. It has immersive 360-degree sound that offers crystal clear rhythm and strong bass. It also has a pretty nice eight hour battery life and is USB rechargeable. If you are used to more expensive Bluetooth headsets, the battery life seems low, but in the price range, it is actually quite generous. However, the microphone can be another story. Unlike other models that have an extendable mic, the mic is built into the earphones. If you are a quiet talker, you might find it harder to get your voice to pick up.

Another potential issue is the earphones on the headset. They are shaped like the ear to give an optimum fit over them, but if you have bigger ears, then it is kind of like stuffing them in there each time you need to use it.

However, while the earphones and microphone are potential setbacks for certain people. For the price, you won’t find a better Bluetooth headset.


Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5

When it comes to gaming, there are only a handful of brands that gamers trust completely to provide quality peripherals, and Turtle Beach is one of them. While more expensive than some super cheap models, you do get what you pay for in terms of features.

While marketed for console use, the Ear Force can just as easily be used for PC gaming as well.  It allows for up to 18 personalized presets and because all the buttons are on the Bluetooth transmitter, you don’t need to worry about accidentally hitting one. The only thing that is sitting on your head is the surround sound earphones and the microphone.

With 15 hours of continuous play and USB recharging, the Ear Force is a great option for those that want something in between the bottom of the barrel and the top of the line.


Plantronics Voyager

Not every gamer needs the full-on headset, or even likes one. You get more immersive sound quality when you have earphones that slip over your ears, but it doesn’t really do anything for performance. If you just need a way to hear your game and be able to communicate in your team chat, a normal Bluetooth headset like you would use for your phone can work.

The Plantronics Voyager is one of the best low latency headsets you can buy. While it easily connects to your PC as easily as it connects with your phone, it does take some tweaking in order to get it to sync with consoles.

With noise canceling layers to prevent wind interference and a range just short of 100 feet, this headset provides optimum talk quality. However, it does fall a little short with only a seven-hour charge.

The post 5 Best Bluetooth Gaming Headsets appeared first on Boom Speaker.

http://ift.tt/2jWHnja

Friday, February 3, 2017

Best of the Best Gaming Chairs with Bluetooth Speakers

It doesn’t matter if you believe in the PC master race or are a tried and true console junkie, there is one piece of equipment that can enhance any gaming experience, but it is not the headset or the peripherals, it is the chair. While gaming chairs are a worthwhile investment for those that want to enhance their gaming prowess, or just want to be able to game longer in a more comfortable way, not all gaming chairs are created equal. There are gaming chairs that are made for comfort and ergonomics and then there are gaming chairs that are set up for comfort and ergonomics with speakers.

Not only can the sound of explosions, laser blasts, and the clang of swords right by your ears enhance your immersion, but it can even help you detect those subtle footsteps of an enemy sneaking up on your six. Yet, you can have that immersion with just a few wires, but this world is quickly advancing beyond wired technology. If you have your house fully integrated with Bluetooth for your music, why shouldn’t it be the same way for your gaming?


Why You Should Have a Speaker in your Gaming Chair?

When it comes to gaming, these days it is all about immersion. They craft intricate stories, go for either intense realism or the quality suspension of disbelief, and even VR is about better getting you pulled into the world of the game.

If you have a surround sound system, then that offers some decent immersion, but there is no better experience than sound that you can actually feel. Getting blown away by a tank shell in Battlefield has never felt so satisfying when your entire chair starts vibrating from the noise.

While you can get away with getting some satisfying sound, volume, and vibration from other sound systems, they likely won’t be Bluetooth and they will like be a couple thousand dollars in price and take up a lot of room in your house unlike a Bluetooth gaming chair that is both wireless, affordable, and produces quality sound in a complete and compact package.


Features to Look for in a Bluetooth Gaming Chair

When shopping for a gaming chair, there are a number of features that you need to keep in mind, but if you want a specifically Bluetooth gaming chair, then those features that qualify a good chair begin to shift slightly. You not only need a chair that is going to last, but other factors, like sound quality, begin to matter.

Material and Style

Even if you are looking for a chair that is able to immerse yourself in sound, you still want it to be not only a quality chair that will last, but a comfortable one. Otherwise, you might find yourself not even using it. As for the style of chair, typically companies only make them in two styles, rocker and executive. However, the executive-style chair are a rarity, but necessary if you intend to do a lot of PC gaming.

As for material, you often have a lot more options available to you. Leather, pu leather, and faux leather are all popular across both rocker and executive-style chairs. However, mesh is also a popular material, though often only as an addition. Leather, be it fake or real, makes for the sturdiest chairs and also makes them easy to clean. However, if you get hot easily, you will want to either choose mesh or find a chair with air holes in the back to keep things from getting too ridiculously hot.

Ease of Use

What is the point of having a Bluetooth gaming chair if you can’t figure out how to use it? Not only should a good Bluetooth chair be easy to set up, but the control panel should be in a place where it won’t get in the way, but you can still reach it when you need to make adjustments.

Thankfully, ease of use for Bluetooth chairs isn’t normally so complicated. Other wireless chairs require setting up a transmitter for each of your devices, but the benefit of using Bluetooth is typically it is just a button press away from being synced.

However, more important is the placement. You don’t want something that will be in the way where you will constantly have to worry about pressing the buttons and volume control accidentally. You will also need to consider if the controls will be damaged after years of repeated use. Some gaming chairs put the controls in the actual seat of the chair and as the cushion get smashed down, so, too, do the controls. Many are in a protective casing, but that can also be a problem when it comes to comfort.

Sound

It can be difficult to judge the sound quality in a gaming chair, even when shopping for one in person since you can’t actually test the speakers. In order to get good quality sound, you want to stick with a brand you can trust, which in this market is either X Rocker or Lumisource.

When shopping, typically you want to pick a model that comes with both speakers and a subwoofer, since without the subwoofer, you lose a bit of the depth of sound. However, the larger the subwoofer, the more powerful the sound vibration will be in the chair itself, but you run the risk of other problems like a loss in clarity or a subwoofer hum.

It is also important to consider the placement of the speakers. If they are in the front of the backrest, your own back could muffle the sound. If they are in the back of the backrest, then that sound is getting radiated behind you. These two issues are typically compensated by excellent volume. However, the optimum placement is on the sides of the backrest. This way, the sound is still radiated somewhat towards you, without being muffled by your body.

Wireless Gaming Chairs VS Bluetooth Speaker Gaming Chairs

When it comes to picking out a gaming chair, it can be a frustrating process, especially if you want wireless, but specifically Bluetooth. Typically, the terms are used interchangeably, and it is not wrong to do so. Bluetooth is a form of wireless after all, but not the only form of wireless.

When shopping for a wireless gaming chair that uses Bluetooth, many sellers will just say that it is “wireless,” but to be safe you should lean more towards models that specifically say Bluetooth. As Bluetooth is the gold standard of wireless, smart companies won’t miss a chance to put it in the description.


Budget Bluetooth Gaming Chairs for Under $200

If you want the sound and immersion of a Bluetooth gaming chair, but don’t want to break the bank, then you are in luck. There are a number of great Bluetooth-ready gaming chairs that provide quality sound and comfort for under $200. While you can get a gaming chair without Bluetooth or even without speakers for under $100, for Bluetooth you need to be ready to throw down a little more. However, you need to be aware that if you are going budget, you may not be able to get a good PC gaming chair unless you have a particularly low desk.

GM Seating

At a glance, the GM Seating chair looks just like your average ergonomic office chair, but that split lumbar support is actually a set of Bluetooth speakers that provide sound and soothing vibration from said sound. This is an excellent chair if you are big into PC gaming because it is tall enough to sit at a desk. Unfortunately, while the vibration from the sound is nice, having your back against it does muffle it slightly, but it has smaller speakers on the back that help negate it.

With controls on the base, out of the way from accidentally hitting them, even if you aren’t using the speakers, this is actually quite the quality office chair. The tilt adjusts and locks, the seat depth adjusts, the armrests adjust, and even the lumbar speakers adjust for an even more comfortable sit.


X Rocker Surge

Although rocker-style chairs have a near monopoly on gaming chairs with speakers – wireless, Bluetooth, or otherwise – typically the cheaper you go, the worse quality you get. When it comes to the rocker-style from the trusted X Rocker brand, the Surge is as cheap as you go without sacrificing either a lot of sound quality, bass, or both. The Surge comes with crystal clear sound that radiates out of the side speakers at the top of the headrest and respectable bass that you can feel from the subwoofer inside the chair.

Although it is built in the rocker-style with easy to clean faux leather, the Surge also features the racing-style inspired air space in the back to keep your shoulders nice and breezy so your back doesn’t completely overheat during long gaming sessions.


Lumisource BoomChair Stingray

Lumnisource makes a number of great gaming chairs in its BoomChair line, but the most affordable of which is the Stingray. Although it looks a little flimsy at a glance, it is a surprising sturdy little chair that you can tell was built with immersion in mind.

The whole idea behind the Stingray is to be able to move while you game. It is a concept that is not for everyone, but the way the chair is made allows the user to easily move around while they are playing. With the speakers on the side, you get the sound radiating upwards as you play. However, they are located far enough away that even those with wide bottoms don’t really have a problem of covering them up.

One potentially problematic feature is the position of the control panel, though. Since it is positioned literally right between your legs, it is something that you can expect to accidently hit on occasion. However, the placement is actually pretty convenient when you need to plug in headphones, which is likely what they had in mind when they created it.


X Rocker 0287401

When shopping for gaming chairs, the racing-style is one of the most popular designs around. They comfortably cradle the body and are actually the perfect design for the long gaming sessions. However, very few racing-style chairs actually come with speakers. This X Rocker model is the rare exception.

Although you don’t get the color options that come with other chairs, you get a racer-style executive chairs that prioritizes comfort without impeding sound quality. The Bluetooth speakers on the back pump out surprisingly loud sound with the controls located on the seat of the chair. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a separate subwoofer so don’t expect any vibrating bass from this gaming chair. What it lacks in bass, it does make up for in volume, though. While it lacks a lot of the finer adjustable features of higher end office chairs, because the control panel is on the actual seat, you do get more resilient padding in the seat which makes it much more comfortable than your typical racing model.


Black Sound Kube Ottoman

If you’re not willing to throw down the cash on a Bluetooth gaming chair that you may or may not even like, a good alternative is to get an ottoman like the Black Sound Kube. Not only is it an affordable way to get immersive sound, but it can transform your already favorite chair into a respectable gaming chair.

The faux leather is both padded and attractive with large speakers that radiate sound throughout a room. Although it is a little bulky for an ottoman, it does also have a storage compartment so you can store things like your headset or your controllers in one convenient place. However, because it is not built specifically to be a chair, there is no headphone jack or other nice features you get with actual chairs.


Top Picks for the BEST Bluetooth Speaker Gaming Chairs

If money isn’t really an issue and you just want the best Bluetooth gaming chair to suite your particular needs, we have you covered. However, you need to evaluate what features you specifically need over a gaming chair, because you might have to make some sacrifices.

Most Powerful Subwoofer

 X Video Rocker Vibe

If you want a serious subwoofer, one that has the power to shake your seat, you won’t find one in a gaming chair not even if you have serious cash to burn. You won’t find a subwoofer bigger than four inches. However, what you can aim for is a chair like the Vibe. It features clear sound and great bass, each controlled by separate volume and bass controls, but features a vibration mode that is not only soothing, but strengthened by that bass blasting off with each exciting moment in your game. While the vibration doesn’t enhance the bass, the bass does enhance the vibration.

Bass and vibration aside, this racing-inspired rocker-style chair features a comfortable and easy to clean polyurethane exterior and air holes to keep you from getting too hot after long hours of sitting. While it folds down to save space, the best feature of this rocker is that fact that it comes with armrests, something you often have to sacrifice with the style. While the armrest could be more padded, it does offer you an even more comfortable sit.


Best Quality Sound

X Rocker X-PRO

Typically when a brand slaps “pro” in front of their product, it is a lot of bluster. However, when X Rocker does it, it means they have stepped up their game. Not only is the X-Pro one of X Rocker’s more comfortable chairs, it pumps out some of its top quality sound.

The X-Pro features padded armrests for that extra touch of comfort, but it is that extra layer of padding over the seat and backrest that make it really worth sitting in. This chair was designed for long hours of gaming, but it also feels like it helps the subwoofer resonate throughout the seat when that bass goes off. Yet, the real star of the show is those two speakers on the side of the headrest that offers up unimpeded crystal clear sound with a volume that can really rock your gaming room.


Most Comfortable

Long Rail Shiatsu Massage Chair

Although the Long Rail isn’t specifically made as a gaming chair, it is without a doubt the most comfortable gaming chair you can get. It is both a great chair, but a massage chair as well. Who couldn’t do with a little shiatsu massage when they are getting spawn camped?

The Long Rail is specially crafted to give the seated the best possible massage. The form-fitting memory foam headrest cradles the neck and head while the sides see you snugly fit so you can both relax and dominate in the game world. The speakers on the side provide great quality sound and are easy to connect, but this chair doesn’t come without its kinks.

As you can tell by its specific build, the chair comes with a low maximum weight limit of 200 pounds, and even then, some people with wide hips may be threatening to spill over the sides or accidentally touching the control panel. It is also sadly without a subwoofer, but typically the massage function makes up for that.


Best Bluetooth PC Gaming Chair

X Rocker 0778401

For console gaming, the type of gaming chair you sit in doesn’t really matter. However, when it comes to PC gaming, unless you have your rig and monitors on a set of milk crates, you need a chair that can match the height of your desk. It should also be easy to connect and easy to switch between speakers and a headset.

This X Rocker model is one of their few that aren’t designed in the rocker-style, but instead opts for the racer-style. Not only do you get those attractive racer-style colors that can set off any gaming room, but you get the air holes in the backrest to keep you from getting too hot. The control panel is located on the seat of the chair and the speakers are located behind the backrest so there is no chance of muffling them. As the chair also comes with its own subwoofer and the backrest is thinner than the typical rocker-style, you also get that great bass that you can really feel.  As this X Rocker combines the height and comfort of a proper desk chair with the speakers that make the brand so coveted, it becomes an all around excellent gaming chair that you can use to switch between the PC and console if need be.


Best Overall

X Rocker Pro Series II

So what is the cream of the crop in terms of Bluetooth gaming chairs? Well, it has the overall good quality sound of the X-Pro, but improved upon the overall model. It is the Pro Series II. This is the absolute top of the line from X Rocker when it comes to their Bluetooth models.

Not only do you get upgraded padding from the X-Pro for extra comfort, but the chair is wider, taller, and all around bigger to accommodate people of any size. As the Pro Series II is also a pedestal rocker-style chair, you can use it for not only console gaming, but PC gaming as well.

This is a chair for gamers that want the complete package. If you want comfort, but also quality sound and bass, the Pro Series II is easily your best option.

The post Best of the Best Gaming Chairs with Bluetooth Speakers appeared first on Boom Speaker.

http://ift.tt/2kCS0XT

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.

http://ift.tt/2jglHKW

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.

http://ift.tt/2h5L3hj

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.

http://ift.tt/2g2obuu