The best Bluetooth speakers in 2021 all tick three key boxes: they’re portable, durable and they offer superb audio quality in all kinds of environments. Last year, the Sonos Move was discounted by $100 / £100, and we saw lots of excellent deals on models like the JBL Flip 5 and the UE Boom 3 – so it’s well worth shopping the sales.
Save $50 – This Bluetooth speaker boasts excellent sound, a lovely water resistant shell and a powerful rubberised finish – and it’s at a great price for Black Friday.
Save $20 – This cute Bluetooth speaker comes with an IPX7 water resistance rating, so you can take it in the great outdoors without a worry.
Save £6 – This tiny Bluetooth speaker sports Micro SD support and AUX capability to provide endless audio options, a 15-hour battery life, and a 66ft wireless range. Well, portable speakers that stream music from your devices via Bluetooth are a great idea if you want high quality audio at home.
They’re also a solid option if you like to listen to music outside, whether that’s while you’re entertaining outdoors or working out, as well as if you like to be able to take a speaker to social events – like a party in your local park or down at the beach. Many of the best portable speakers you can buy today are multi-functional and may also feature voice assistant integration alongside audio playback. This device can seamlessly switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, integrate into a Sonos system, and it comes with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant onboard. The Sonos Roam is our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet, with a powerful sound, rugged design, excellent connectivity features, and smart home control.
A bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for use outdoors, while a clever Automatic Switching feature means it’s easily used indoors, too – though audiophiles may dislike the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling. Its slick design means the Sonos Roam won’t look out of place in your home, while a rugged, waterproof and dustproof build and a decent battery life make it ideal for listening to music outdoors.
Sonos Move The best-sounding Bluetooth speaker Specifications Weight: 6.61 pounds (3kg) Battery life: 10 hours Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2 Drivers: One down-firing tweeter, one mid-woofer, two Class-D digital amplifiers NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes (USB-C, and comes with charging dock) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 689 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Integrates with a home Sonos speaker network + Great for on-the-go tunes Reasons to avoid – Not as feature-rich when using Bluetooth – Cant be used as rear cinema speakers It’s not perfect – it’s heavy as a byproduct of its incredible sound, it’s expensive due to its rich feature set, and it sadly can’t be used as rear channels for a home cinema set-up.
This is a speaker that can get loud and not distort at higher volumes; be light enough to carry on a camping trip but remain durable enough to tumble in a bag unprotected. JBL’s Flip 5 is a simple soul with Bluetooth-only playback and modest features, but if you desire a rugged, great-sounding portable speaker and can sacrifice voice control or hands-free call functionality, you won’t be disappointed.
Coming in a range of cool colors – including an eye-catching camo print – there’s now a limited Eco Edition that’s made from 90% recycled plastic, while the portable speaker’s entire packaging is biodegradable. [Update: Don’t miss our JBL Boombox 2 review – we were mightily impressed by this portable speaker’s IPX7 waterproof rating, long battery life, and distortion-free sound.]
It doesn’t quite meet the sonic dexterity of the Sonos Move, or the value for money of the UE Boom 3 and JBL Charge 4 – but if you love that Bose sound and build quality, this is the portable speaker for you. Anker Soundcore Flare 2 The best budget Bluetooth speaker Specifications Weight: 1.29 pounds Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: 20m / 66ft Frequency response: N/A Drivers: Dual drivers and passive radiators NFC: No Aux-in: No Bluetooth version: N/A Weatherproofing: IPX7 Charges devices over USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Low Stock View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Great sound quality + Speakerphone feature + IPX7 water-resistant Reasons to avoid – No 3.5mm AUX jack
UE Wonderboom 2 The best outdoor speaker gets a refresh Specifications Weight: 0.93 pounds Dimensions: 104 x 95.3mm (H x D) Battery life: Up to 13 hours Wireless range: 100 ft (33 m) Frequency response: 75 Hz – 20 kHz Drivers: two 40 mm active drivers and two 46.1mm x 65.2mm passive radiators NFC: No Bluetooth version: N/A Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Dell Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 5 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Great sound for its size + IP67 dustproof/waterproof rating + 30% better battery life than its predecessor Reasons to avoid – Restrictive soundstage JBL Charge 5 The best mid-range speaker Specifications Weight: 2.11 pounds Dimensions: 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 (W x D x H) Battery life: Up to 20 hours Wireless range: 30 ft (10 m) Frequency response: 65Hz–20kHz Drivers: N/A NFC: No Bluetooth version: 5.1 Aux-in: No USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Low Stock View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Crutchfield Reasons to buy + Balanced sound quality + Gets extremely loud + Long battery life up to 20 hours Reasons to avoid – Takes a while to charge – No more Aux jack UE Hyperboom Powerful sound for parties both big and small Specifications Weight: 13 pounds Battery life: 24 hours Wireless range: Approx. In terms of features, the Ultimate Ears app allows you to connect the Hyperboom to other UE speakers and use them together, you can switch audio source and adjust volume, and you can select four different playlists in Amazon Music, Deezer or Spotify that can be started by holding down the Play button in three seconds.
Sony SRS-XB23 A powerful canister of sound for all your outdoor adventures Specifications Weight: 1.3 pounds Battery life: Up to 12 hours Wireless range: 30 feet Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz Drivers: X-Balanced Speaker, dual passive radiators NFC: Yes Aux-in: Yes USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Low Stock View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy Reasons to buy + Good sound quality + IP67 rating (waterproof) + Stereo pairing and Party Mode Reasons to avoid – Lower peak volume In terms of performance, it can get pretty loud without a massive amount of distortion and the passive radiators help the bass to sound clearer than it has on any of Sony’s previous models. That’s because the XB23 uses Bluetooth 5 and supports three major codecs – SBC, AAC and LDAC, the latter of which you’ll find on newer Android devices and sounds absolutely great.
Outdoor adventurers will love the ruggedness of this Sony Bluetooth speaker while us kick-back-and-relax folks will enjoy how snugly it fits into a lawn chair’s cup holder. Visually near imperceptible from the original A1, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) is an appealing and highly portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with (admittedly flawed) Alexa support. Urbanista Brisbane Scandi design meets decent sound Specifications Weight: 1.5 pounds Battery life: 10 hours Wireless range: 30m (100ft) Frequency response: 80-20,000Hz Drivers: 2 x 52mm NFC: No Aux-in: No USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Great audio performance + Second speaker pairing Reasons to avoid – Could be more rugged – Boring design Loud and rich-sounding, it’s a well-priced addition to anyone’s home, with a good battery life and the option to pair it with another Brisbane for true stereo sound. 1MORE Portable BT Speaker A luxurious Bluetooth speaker for the office and the home Specifications Weight: 268g Battery life: 12 hours Wireless range: N/A Frequency response: N/A Drivers: N/A NFC: No Aux-in: Yes USB charging: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Great sound quality for the size + Impressive bass response at low volume Reasons to avoid – Limited IPX4 rating – Average battery life
Some portable speakers are built with durability in mind, and will feature rubberized builds to prevent damage from drops and lightweight designs to make them easy to carry around. Of course, you can absolutely use your new portable Bluetooth speaker solely inside your home – and that means you can choose from a wider range of designs that will look great with your decor.
Sonos Bluetooth speakers are great if you want to bridge the gap between indoors and outdoors, with the ability to form part of a wider multi-room system – and you can be sure that they’ll sound fantastic, too. If waterproofing is a priority then look out for models from Ultimate Ears, which combine fun, colorful designs with rugged builds – many of which can withstand a dip in the pool.
Consider high-end audio brands such as Bose and Bang & Olufsen if you want a combination of stylish design and great sound – but be prepared for relatively high prices. If you want to save money then Urbanista, Tribit, and Anker offer brilliant speakers that won’t break the bank.
Best Bluetooth wireless speaker for 2021
So while there are plenty of mini Bluetooth speakers that deliver bigger sound than you might expect, they do have their sonic limitations. For a lot of people it’s a question of finding a speaker that’s not too big or too small — one that travels well but also is capable of producing good sound for its size. David Carnoy/CNET When it launched, Bose made some bold claims about its new SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, particularly its extra bass performance. Available in three color options — black, white smoke and stone blue (pictured) — it’s equipped with Bose’s PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speaker’s orientation and deliver optimized sound based on whether upright, hanging or flat on its back. The Flex also floats and Bose says it can survive drops and bumps, with a soft silicone back and powder-coated steel grille that “won’t peel or flake and is resistant to corrosion and UV light.” Aside from its great design, Bose’s SoundLink Micro stood out because it was able to deliver more bass than every Bluetooth speaker in its size class, and it also managed to have limited distortion at higher volumes.
It’s IP67 dust-proof and water-resistant (it can be fully submerged in shallow water for a short time) and has up to eight hours of battery life at moderate volume levels with USB-C charging. Like the Bose, this portable Bluetooth speaker has an integrated strap so you can clip it to your backpack or bike’s handlebars.
But for the fourth-gen Clip 4, JBL has moved to a more oval shape, bulked up the speaker slightly and added USB-C charging. It’s kind of a poor man’s version of JBL’s well-regarded Xtreme 2 speaker, which currently sells for around $200 though its list price is higher.
Equipped with a handle and weighing a little over 4 pounds, the speaker reminds me of one of those giant flashlights or “floating lanterns” that were in vogue about 30 years ago. Anker says the Motion Boom delivers “huge stereo sound” and yes, it plays pretty loud and has a decent amount of bass with reasonable clarity.
According to JBL, the speaker is equipped with a “racetrack-shaped driver,” with a separate tweeter and dual passive radiators, which improves both clarity and bass performance over the Charge 4. The Charge 5 comes in six color options: black, blue, gray, red, teal and “squad” (which looks like a kind of camo). There’s an integrated handle for toting the speaker, but the PartyBox 110 is pretty hefty, weighing in at 23 pounds and measuring slightly more than 22 inches tall. I didn’t test the stereo mode, but I was impressed with the sound of a single PartyBox 110 — it puts out lots of well-defined bass with good overall clarity in the highs and mids — and I suspect that pairing two of these together would be pretty awesome.
But it does deliver enough volume to fill a spacious living room with sound and also plays loud enough for a small pool or beach party. This is your best bet if you want a portable speaker that can deliver big, quality sound and operates on battery power. This portable Bluetooth speaker is both dust- and waterproof with an IP67 certification and is rated for 16 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels (it has USB-C charging while the older XB12 didn’t). David Carnoy/CNET Ultimate Ears Boom Bluetooth speakers come in a few different sizes, but none of them are as big as the all-new Hyberboom.
A supersize wireless speaker that tips the scales at a hefty 13 pounds, the Hyperboom makes the UE Megaboom 3 look unquestionably puny. UE Boom reps told me the Hyperboom was created after the company got feedback from its customers looking for a bigger speaker that could play loud enough and have deep enough bass to power a party. Besides sounding decent for streaming your favorite music and more, this affordable Bluetooth speaker is also fully waterproof. Like its predecessor, the fully waterproof Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 with Bluetooth connectivity carries a list price of $100, but often sells for less.
This Bluetooth device also has 30% better battery life — lasting up to 13 hours at moderate volume levels, according to Ultimate Ears — and you can link two together to create a stereo sound pairing by pressing a button on each speaker. Sarah Tew/CNET The Tribit MaxSound Plus ($50 with an instant coupon) is about 30% bigger than its sibling XSound Go and costs about $25 more, but it performs substantially better and is one of the best-sounding speakers in its size and price class. It’s also worth noting that the A1 has multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can connect this to your PC and smartphone at the same time and easily switch back and forth between the two if a call comes in on your phone. Additionally, the smart speaker is Alexa-enabled, meaning you can activate Amazon’s voice commands assistant by just saying “Alexa.”
Sarah Tew/CNET Although a little pricey, Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. It’s a fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker and available in three color options, although the blue version appears to be hard to find.
Best wireless speakers 2021: wonderful wi-fi speakers for the home
When it comes to driver-housing sonic boxes (cylinders, oblongs, spheres, wedges, jewels and teardrops) if you just want something for blasting out tunes in the kitchen, there are now some splendid options out there for little money. But if you need a wi-fi speaker for home with a bit more versatility and have a slightly more malleable budget, you can get a whole host of features plus better sound and multi-room capabilities for marginally (or substantially) more outlay. That means they’ll be at your beck and call when it comes to shopping, weather forecasts or taking charge of smart home appliances including your lights and thermostat.
Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.8 × 26.9 × 4.7cm Power: : 2 x 25W Features: Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, apt X HD, USB-out for device charging, battery life of 30 hours Connections: 3.5mm aux, dedicated mains charging port and adapter with UK, EU and US adapter plugs TODAY’S BEST DEALS £299 View at Richer Sounds £299 View at Peter Tyson Low Stock £329 View at Audio Visual Online Reasons to buy + Excellent clarity + Impressive bass weight + Classy build and finish Reasons to avoid – No daisy-chaining for multiple Katch G2s
Audio Pro Addon C10 MkII Audio Pro adds Google Cast and AirPlay 2 to a winning recipe Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 16.6 x 32 x 18cm Power: 2x20W + 40W Digital class D Features: wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 Connections: RCA, sub out TODAY’S BEST DEALS £349 View at Electricshop Prime £349.62 View at Amazon £359 View at Richer Sounds Reasons to buy + Levelled-up streaming support + Greater clarity + Cleaner and tighter bass Reasons to avoid – Lacks the fun of the original The 2021 update (sensibly titled MkII) to the three-time Award-winning Audio Pro C10 (also listed, below) adds AirPlay 2 and Google Cast to complete a multi-room home run and gain a 2021 What Hi-Fi?
We’re happy to report that it’s still the case today – if £500 ($500) is your maximum budget, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a speaker that comes close to the Audio Pro C10 MkII. We miss the leather handle and fun, slightly rock’n’roll aesthetic and sonic presentation of the original, but we can’t argue with three options for multi-room streaming (AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Audio Pro’s own slick and functional app) or the levelled-up grippy bass and improved hi-fidelity performance.
Apple HomePod Mini Apple’s new Siri-powered smart speaker is small but mighty Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.4 x 9.8 x 9.8 Power: 20W Features: Bluetooth 5.0, Siri, Apple Music, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: None TODAY’S BEST DEALS £89 View at John Lewis £89 View at argos.co.uk £99 View at O2 Mobiles Reasons to buy + Sophisticated, engaging sound + Substantial smart skills + Impressive music discovery Reasons to avoid – Limited third-party service support – Lacks a full control app Get its swirling orb of coloured light up and running (when Siri is listening or processing) though, and you realise you’ve got a classy performer on your hands. From the moment we start playing music, it’s clear that the HomePod Mini comfortably outperforms its size and price, quite frankly embarrassing its direct competition with the sophistication and maturity of its sound. Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation Just a few tweaks make for a superb second version Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 21 x 22 x 21 Power: : 300W Features: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Roon Ready, Hi-res up to 24-bit/384kHz, remote control Connections: 3.5mm aux, USB, optical S/PDIF, Ethernet TODAY’S BEST DEALS £749 View at Sevenoaks £749 View at Richer Sounds Prime £1,082.29 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Open, detailed and expressive + Loads of streaming options + Multi-room ready Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this price
You can now choose between an Olive, Terracotta or Peacock grille alongside the standard black, but the best tweaks Naim has made go far deeper. Remove whatever colour grille you’ve gone for and you’ll be rewarded with upgraded and optimised midrange and bass drive units, all powered by a total of 300W of amplification. Belying its box-like dimensions with a punchy bass alongside sparkling and rich tones across frequencies, the Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation scooped up a 2020 What Hi-Fi? Linn Series 3 The best-sounding wireless speaker we’ve heard Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm):25 x 29.6 x 20.6 Power: : 2x100W Features: Wireless integrated Linn DSM player, Exakt digital crossover Connections: Ethernet, USB, HDMI ARC TODAY’S BEST DEALS £2,690 View at Peter Tyson £2,999.99 View at Selfridges Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Wonderfully articulate + Luxury design + HDMI ARC for TV connection Reasons to avoid – No analogue inputs – No Tidal Masters support
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge This wireless speaker beats the competition by some distance Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm):25.4 x 28 x 26 Power: : 4x40W + 80W Features: proprietary mesh-system wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth v4.1 aptX HD, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay2, Roon ready Connections: Ethernet, USB TODAY’S BEST DEALS £749 View at Richer Sounds £899 View at Sevenoaks Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Detailed, balanced sound + Multi-room integration + Quality build Reasons to avoid – Limited B&W app – Expensive Yes, it’s pretty expensive for a one-box proposition, but the B&W Formation Wedge offers the kind of detailed, balanced, cohesive sound that cannot be ignored – making it a class-leader in its category. It has the same minimalist looks that the Scandinavian company is known for, complete with textured surfaces and embossed leather carry handle, but the wireless tech adds a whole new dimension to your listening. JBL Link Portable For a great, affordable, durable home smart speaker, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a product that can match JBL’s Link Portable Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 17 x 8.8 x 8.8 Power: 20W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, Google Assistant built-in, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS £139.99 View at Acer UK Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive sound + Packed with features + Premium design Reasons to avoid – No JBL Connect support – Fussy over placement Dynaudio Music 5 A superb sonic performance from a distinctive speaker Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 20 x 66 x 18.5 Power: 250W Features: 2x 25mm tweeters, 2x 8cm midrange, 13cm woofer, multi-room options, NoiseAdapt, RoomAdapt Connections: mains power, analogue audio jack, Toslink optical digital audio TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Expansive, weighty and accurate + Great for larger rooms + Top-notch build Reasons to avoid – No AirPlay 2 – No Spotify Connect
Love or loathe the way it looks, (think huge, Indiana Jones-style ruby or the objects in the abstract chamber in Pixar’s Inside Out) we can’t help but be won over by how the Dynaudio Music 5 sounds. While the Award-winning Naim (above) just edges it for both subtlety and a slightly livelier sound, there isn’t much in it – and the Dynaudio Music 5 boasts superiority in other ways. Depending on your room size and requirements, the Dynaudio Music 5 brings a meatier – and more easily adaptable – performance to the table.
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Wonderfully accomplished, sophisticated wireless speakers Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 39.5 x 19.7 x 30.5 Power: 2x 125W per unit Features: Bluetooth aptX HD, wi-fi, multi-room, Spotify Connect, Apple Airplay 2 Connections: USB, Ethernet TODAY’S BEST DEALS £3,499 View at Sevenoaks £3,499.99 View at John Lewis Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Excellent multi-room features + Snappy timing + Tight, authoritative bass + Transparent performance Reasons to avoid – No fully featured app They’re not cheap and the aesthetic won’t appeal to everyone, but if you want a wireless pair of standmounts that nothing comes close to right now in terms of sound, you’ve just found them. The multi-room feature set, while not perfect (we’d prefer a single app to handle every function), is more than made up for by the superb audio performance. This is actually an all-in-one system, comprising a network streamer, Bluetooth receiver and amplifier, all built into a pair of stereo speakers.
A Sonos One without voice control is still a great wireless speaker, whether stereo paired, added to a home theatre set-up or used solo. KEF LS50 Wireless II KEF’s revisions have paid off; these sequels are among the most thrilling speaker systems we’ve heard Specifications Hi-res support: 24-bit/384kHz Streaming services: Spotify Connect, Tidal, Google Chromecast, Qobuz, Deezer, Roon ready Bluetooth: 4.2 with aptX Inputs: USB, TOSLINK optical, RCA, ethernet, HDMI eARC Finishes: 4 Dimensions: 30.5 x 20 x 31.1cm (each) Weight: 10kg (each) TODAY’S BEST DEALS £2,499 View at Sevenoaks Prime £2,499 View at Amazon £2,499 View at Richer Sounds Reasons to buy + Big performance leap + Clean, punchy sound + All-encompassing connectivity Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this price
Tidal is one of many streaming services directly accessible from the new KEF Connect app – you have Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer and Spotify, as well as internet radio and UPnP servers, at your fingertips too. Their Uni-Q driver array, beautiful Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White and Crimson Red Special Edition finishes, and curved front panel all combine to create a thorough head turner – and really, they ought to be. Audio Pro Addon T3 Another compelling wireless speaker from Audio Pro Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 11.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 Power: 2x 5W + 15W Digital class D Features: Bluetooth V4.0 Connections: 3.5mm stereo, USB TODAY’S BEST DEALS £179 View at Currys Check Amazon 411 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Good balance + Expressive and dynamic + Faultless build Reasons to avoid – Size won’t suit everyone And that is where the upgrade on something such as the Roll 2 is justified – the noticeable leap in audio quality will have you enjoying music much more readily than on a smaller speaker.
The soundstage is gloriously spacious, giving each instrument enough room to breathe, and the sound is bathed in rich detail and fluid dynamics. Although we’re prepared to give it some good-natured ribbing for an aesthetic that abandons the dashing handsomeness of other Audio Pro speakers, the Drumfire is put together very well.
The big bottom portion of the Drumfire houses a 20cm subwoofer powered by a 200W Class D amplifier to pump bass into the room. Add in multi-room connectivity and the option to extend the Audio Pro family and you have an enticing, excellent high-end speaker. It’s a refined listen, too, able to handle dynamic shifts without breaking a sweat, with a soundstage that opens up like a vista in front of you. The multi-room titan’s first travel-friendly speaker (the 2019 Sonos Move is technically portable but weighs a hefty 3kg to the Roam’s 430g) isn’t short on connectivity or features.
Specifications Hi-res support: 24-bit/96kHz Streaming services: N/A Bluetooth: 4.0 with aptX Inputs: RCA, 3.5mm, optical digital Finishes: 2 Dimensions: 26 x 17 x 15cm (each) Weight: 4kg (each) TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 4 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Detailed, agile sonics + Spacious soundstage + Plenty of features Reasons to avoid – Don’t feel premium – Bluetooth issues – Pricey With Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, compatibility with TVs, and an optical input that supports 24-bit/96kHZ files, you’re not short of choice when it comes to sources you can add. You’re also spoiled when it comes to placement – the Xeo 10s have a switch that optimises their performance depending on where you put them, be it close to a wall, in a corner or out in open space. DSP and analogue combine to great effect in these wireless wonders, and there are some nice design flourishes to show off (such as the ability to change volume by running your finger along the front edge of the top panel).
To get the most from them, you’ll need Dali’s Sound Hub, which is basically a wireless preamp that adds Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer music streaming, plus Bluetooth.
It won’t leave you disappointed – the sound is dripping with drive and energy, while the bass has plenty of precision, agility and texture.
The best wireless speaker 2021: our top picks from Sonos, Bose, Google, and more
The best wireless speakers in 2021 come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, from compact voice assistant-enabled desk buddies right through to big multi-room models that’ll fill your home with sound. Sonos One The best wireless speaker you can buy Specifications Weight: 4.08 lbs Dimensions: 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 inch / 161.45 x 119.7 x 119.7 mm Drivers: 1 x tweeters, 1 x woofer Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm, RCA Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Walmart 2 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Full-bodied, rich sound + Alexa and Google Assistant + Combine two for stereo setup Reasons to avoid – Expensive for its size Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin (2021) The best wireless speaker for a detailed sound Specifications Weight: 6.5kg Dimensions: 210 x 650 x 194mm (H x W x D) Drivers: 2 x 1-inch tweeters, 2 x 3.5-inch midrange, 1 x 6-inch subwoofer Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 5, Spotify Connect, Bowers & Wilkins Music App (with Deezer, Qobuz and TIDAL support) Aux-in: No USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Balanced, detailed, full-range sound + Very acceptable control app Reasons to avoid – Not quite the stereo separation we were led to expect – Would suit an HDMI input nicely While it isn’t a substitute for an actual pair of stereo speakers, the Zeppelin serves up a wide, well-defined and endlessly engaging sound, no matter the genre of music. Sonos Play:5 The best-sounding wireless speaker from Sonos Specifications Weight: 13.8lbs Dimensions: 8.03 x 14.33 x 6.06 inch / 204 x 364 x 154 mm Drivers: 3 x tweeters, 1 x woofer Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm, RCA Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 288 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Easy to setup + Powerful sound Reasons to avoid – Simple design – Too big for some spaces Pure Evoke C-F6 The best wireless speaker with a radio Specifications Weight: 9.2lbs Dimensions: 14.9 x 5.7 x 8.7 inch / 380 x 145 x 223 mm Drivers: 2 x 3″ full range Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Modest and attractive design + Incredible playback options + Built-in radio Reasons to avoid – No Google Cast support
There’s a dazzling array of audio source options on offer here, with the biggest draws being Spotify Connect, DAB, Internet radio, Bluetooth and old faithful CD playback. Sonos Roam The best Bluetooth speaker that comes with Wi-Fi Specifications Weight: 0.95lbs Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inch / 168 x 60 x 62 mm Drivers: One tweeter, one mid-woofer Supported connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 Aux-in: No USB : Yes (USB-C) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Powerful audio performance + Easily portable design + Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Reasons to avoid – Bass can be overwhelming The Sonos Roam is our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet, with a powerful sound, rugged design, excellent connectivity features, and smart home control. A bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for use outdoors, while a clever Automatic Switching feature means it’s easily used indoors, too – though audiophiles may dislike the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling.
Its slick design means the Sonos Roam won’t look out of place in your home, while a rugged, waterproof and dustproof build and a decent battery life make it ideal for listening to music outdoors. Naim Mu-So Qb The best wireless speaker for stylish homes Specifications Weight: 12.3lbs Dimensions: 8.26 x 8.58 x 8.24 / 210 x 218 x 212 mm Drivers: 1 x Woofer, 2 x Mid-range, 2 x Tweeter, 2 x Passive Radiator Supported Connectivity: UPnP, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth aptX Aux-in: Yes USB: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Check Amazon 122 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Amazing looks + Full and vibrant sound + Small form factor Reasons to avoid – Setup isn’t seamless
You might not have heard of it before, but Naim audio is a company that produces some of the most stylish connected speakers in the business, and we think the Mu-So Qb is the best they’ve put out yet. But even if you don’t have your phone in hand, this wireless speaker is still controllable using its sleek touch-screen which allows you to access internet radio stations, for example. Sonos Arc The best wireless speaker for your TV Specifications Weight: 24.6lbs Dimensions: 3.4 x 45 x 4.5 inch / 1141.7 x 87 x 115.7mm Drivers: 11 high quality drivers Supported Connectivity: Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Aux-in: No USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Best Buy View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Dolby Atmos, TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus + Discrete all-in-one soundbar + Amazing surround sound and music playback Reasons to avoid – Doesn’t suit every room It then enhances the 3D soundscape using Dolby Atmos object tracks to bounce certain sounds off the walls around you so they feel like they’re coming at you from all angles.
While all this might sound complicated, the Sonos Arc setup couldn’t be simpler, involving just a couple of steps on the smartphone app. The minimalist cable connections and all-in-one system construction add to this no-fuss feeling and streamlined aesthetic – making it the best soundbar you can buy in 2021 that doubles up as a fantastic wireless speaker for your TV. Google Home Max The best Google Assistant home speaker Specifications Weight: 7lbs Dimensions: 13 x 7.3 x 5.9 inch / 335 x 187 x 150 mm Drivers: 2x Tweeters, 2x Woofers Supported Connectivity: DLNA, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm Aux-in: Yes USB: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Bed Bath & Beyond View at Musician’s Friend Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Sounds incredible + Google Cast built-in + Bluetooth compatible Reasons to avoid – Better sounding speakers are available KEF LS50 Wireless II The best stereo wireless speakers Specifications Weight: 44.31lbs Dimensions: 12 x 7.9 x 12.2 inch / 305 x 200 x 311 mm Drivers: Uni-Q Driver Array, low frequency aluminium cone, high frequency vented aluminium dome with Metamaterial Absorption Technology Supported connectivity : Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, ROON Ready, UPnP Compatible. Add to this a vastly improved app, the ability to adjust the EQ settings, and blissfully easy setup, and you have yourself a pair of stereo speakers that can really do no wrong in our eyes. Marshall Stanmore The best speaker for rock lovers Specifications Weight: 10.3lbs Dimensions: 13.8 x 7.3 x 7.3 inch / 350 x 185 x 185 mm Drivers: 2x Mid-to-high range, 1x Woofer Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth aptX, USB, Toslink/3.5mm Aux-in: Yes USB: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Verishop Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon 2 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Lots of connectivity options + Great retro design Reasons to avoid – Big heavy build – Pricey compared to better-sounding options The Amazon Echo Studio is an impressive offering – a smart-speaker and Dolby Atmos immersive sound home cinema unit, all in one tidy package. Some of its experiments with upmixing stereo sources can sound a bit confused, but it’s otherwise a very powerful, feature-rich smart speaker – especially considering the price.
But that’s a huge expense, and not practical for all living room arrangements, making the powerful Echo Studio an impressive value option. [Update: We’ve just reviewed the Amazon Echo Show 10, which comes with a rotating screen and can double up as a home security camera.]
Apple HomePod mini The best wireless speaker for Siri Specifications Weight: 0.76lbs Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch / 8.43 x 9.79 x 9.79 cm Drivers: Full-range driver and dual passive radiators for deep bass and crisp high frequencies Supported connectivity : Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, AirPlay Aux-in: No USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart View at Best Buy View at Staples Reasons to buy + Incredible sound + Sleek design + Only smart speaker with Siri built-in Reasons to avoid – Needs Apple Music for full function – Small number of compatible smart home devices
Braun LE01 The best one-box hi-fi system Specifications Weight: N/A Dimensions: 27.5 x 10.6 x 3.89 inch / 700 x 271 x 99mm Drivers: 3 x front-firing drivers, 2 x passive radiators and 3 x class D amplifiers Supported connectivity : Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, AirPlay, Chromecast Aux-in: Yes USB: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Refined sound and build quality + Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast streaming Reasons to avoid – Needs to be set up using Google Home – Basic app
That’s a good thing, because the LE01 smart speaker comes with only Bluetooth 4.2; there’s no sign of aptX hi-res audio streaming. The Devialet Phantom I is a continuation of the French audio brand’s iconic range of wireless speakers, which come with powerful side-firing bass reflex ports that pulse in time to your music. The sound is nothing short of outstanding, and a good range of connectivity options and an easy-to-use app make the Phantom I easy to recommend – if you have a lot of money to spare, that is. This speaker packs a real punch, presenting a powerful, immersive sound, thumping bass, smooth mids and detailed trebles.
If you’re looking for room-filling sound, check out models that feature 360-degree grilles and disperse audio at all angles; the Amazon Echo Studio or the Sonos One are good places to start.
7 Best Wireless Surround Sound
Every good home theater starts with two fundamentals: the largest and sharpest screen possible, and high-quality surround sound to accurately reproduce the multi-channel soundtracks of modern films and digital entertainment. For years, that meant doing some extensive (and, sometimes, expensive) wiring for at least five separate speakers plus a subwoofer.
Still, it’s a lot more convenient than trying to tuck 50 feet of speaker cable into the walls or under the carpet. Depending on your budget, space, and priorities, a wireless surround system could be just the ticket to make your movie nights a little more immersive.
Whether branded Dolby, DTS, or something else, this is a 5.1 system, with the “point one” referring to a separate channel for a subwoofer. You’ll want to make sure that your entire system fits inside a circle with a 30-foot (or less) radius, and you’ll need to be comfortable with the limitations in quality imposed by the low bandwidth of Bluetooth connections, which have to compress the signal a bit and take out some of the fine detail.
If you aren’t completely comfortable with the nuts and bolts of operating Wi-Fi equipment, you’ll want to get some help from a qualified installer. Don’t be fooled by claims of extensive bass performance due to “ports” or “resonance chambers.” To shake the floor, you need raw power and size.
I’ve been building and evaluating traditional wired home theaters for almost 25 years. I looked for a wide variety of performance, price, and size options, relying on manufacturers with an established reputation for repeated excellence in amplifier and/or speaker construction.
These Wireless Sound Bar Systems Recreate Cinema-Style Sound at Home
Products featured are independently selected by our editorial team and we may earn a commission from purchases made from our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. This isn’t just for avoiding messy and tangled wires or having to drill holes in your walls to hold speakers. Connectivity to WiFi also means syncing up with services like voice control, Airplay, Chromecast, and of course, adding other speakers. Syncing up with the rest of your smart home can be easy too, as some systems effortlessly link up with Amazon Alexa. There’s also a wireless subwoofer included too, which provides deep bass and can be adjusted with the remote separately from the other two speakers. Amazon Alexa is built right in so you can play music, check news, set alarms, and more, completely hands free.
The bar itself is 45 inches wide, with eight speaker drivers (including the two side-firing tweeters), and can receive Dolby Atmos or DTSX when streaming through apps like Netflix. This is an absolute house-shaker of a system that lets you connect six devices, and features a 52-button wireless remote for full control of pretty much everything.
The remote’s capabilities cover the basics, but also offer easily selectable sound settings depending on what you’re watching, such as sports, news and cinema.
There’s also the Night mode, which compresses the dynamic range of a Dolby digital signal to provide better sound quality at softer volumes.
The Best Bluetooth and Wireless Speakers for 2021
Big, small, portable, expensive, cheap, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi…the sheer amount of choice can seem overwhelming. Bluetooth is a point-to-point wireless system, pairing a transmitter (your phone or computer) with a receiver (your speaker) to play music.
It’s very direct and easy to set up, and can stream pretty high-quality music thanks to technological advancements that have greatly improved audio fidelity over what it was a few years ago.
It can also integrate into your home network, so you can easily play audio from any device connected to your Wi-Fi without pairing anything.
It’s worth noting that the new Sonos Move supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, so compatibility isn’t an issue at all. With some exceptions, any speaker you pick up at an electronics store will be able to stream audio either over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
They let you easily stream from your iPhone or iPad at better quality than Bluetooth, but if you’re an Android user, you won’t find much utility in it. Like Chromecast, setting up multi-room Echo audio is performed through the same app as your voice assistant and smart home devices, only it’s all Alexa instead of Google.
These usually aren’t as complex or robust as Wi-Fi multi-room systems, but they’re a simple option that can provide an alternative to using your home network to stream music. Larger speakers generally offer fuller sound and richer bass, but they can be more expensive and are often not portable. For a speaker to be portable, it needs to both be small and light enough to easily carry around, and be equipped with a battery so it can run without being plugged in. Since Wi-Fi speakers rely on a separate network to enable multi-speaker and multi-room audio playback, they’re rarely portable.
Look for speakers with IPX ratings and guarantees of water and shock resistance if you want to carry them around to the beach, the lake, the slopes, or the sewers. Our guide to IP ratings explains what those numbers mean, so you can know whether your speaker can handle getting dunked in the pool, or if it simply will stay intact in a light drizzle. Big bass isn’t for everyone, but unless your speaker is downright tiny, it should be able to reproduce low frequencies accurately without distorting at high volumes. Clarity is more important than sheer power, and a balanced, clean sound should be your goal when shopping for a speaker.
They also generally support third-party skills that let you do anything from order pizza to play trivia games. The most prominent first-party voice assistant speakers like the Amazon Echo and the Google Home don’t have batteries.
Don’t be afraid to look for similar speakers to the ones on this list, either; a number of the options included here have solid predecessors that you can now find for much less since they’ve been replaced.
18 Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems In 2021
We have tried to list all the upsides and downsides of these surround sound systems and make your search much easier. A lot of technological innovations and improvements in audio and video equipment made it possible for regular people to have their own small home theater systems. Don’t you hate all those cables going under your carpet, or even worse, lying on the floor or dangling from your walls? Unless your house or your entertainment center is pre-wired, you will have to spend a lot of time wiring your home theater system, connecting all the speakers to the receiver, and trying to make all those cables ‘’invisible’’.
Then, the manufacturers made it possible for us to pair two wireless (Bluetooth) speakers and use them as left and right stereo channels. If you watch a lot of movies (using Blu-ray, DVD, or some of the streaming services) with surround sound audio tracks (5.1, 7.1, etc.
Surround sound system puts you (the viewer) in the center of the action and makes you feel like you are in your own private cinema. If you want to improve your experience even more, you can expand your surround sound system by adding two speakers behind your ”sweet spot” (Surround Back Left and Right) and get 7.1 or add an additional subwoofer and make 7.2 surround sound system but, in order to get the maximum out of this system, you will need to play some Blu-ray disc with Dolby True HD or DTS HD audio track.
Some of the latest Blu-ray movies feature Dolby Atmos or DTS:X audio tracks and, in order to hear that kind of surround sound properly, you are going to need one, two, or four height (or ceiling) speakers (which means that you have to expand surround sound system to 7.1.2, or 7.1.4).
Most of the wireless surround sound systems on our list are 5.1 and some of them can even simulate DTS:X or Dolby Atmos audio formats. Wireless surround sound systems have been introduced a few years ago and you can’t really expect them to be perfect. If you compare two affordable (or cheap) systems within the same price range, you will definitely be happier with the sound coming from the wired one.
If you are prepared to pay more than, let’s say $1000, the difference in sound quality (between wired and wireless) becomes less noticeable. Most of them have the main unit (soundbar in most cases) that has to be connected to your TV through wires and it also has to be plugged into the wall outlet (SONOS and other Wi-Fi systems).
This main unit receives the signal from the TV and then transmits it wirelessly to other speakers. They are definitely not crappy but you can get similar performance for half the money if you decide to buy a wired system.
Having all these downsides (price, reduction and not elimination of the cables) in mind, we still think that you should buy one of these wireless systems if you have that kind of money. After the introduction of digital audio, Nakamichi wasn’t such a big name anymore.
The company wasn’t shut down and they managed to survive by making car audio systems. A new branch of Nakamichi audio was opened in the US and their only area of expertise are home theater systems. Their first product was Nakamichi ShockWafe Pro 7.1 Bluetooth soundbar with a subwoofer and two rear speakers and it was a big success. It’s called ShockWafe Pro 7.1 but it’s more like enhanced 5.1 surround sound system.
Some of the greatest things about this system are that it offers much more connection options than previously reviewed SONOS 5.1 system, installation is relatively simple, surround sound performance is pretty good, and the price is more than affordable. Greatest flaws of this system are lack of support for object-based surround sound audio and, in some cases, an unstable connection between the soundbar and subwoofer.
Inside the big box, you’ll find another smaller one with all kinds of accessories. When it comes to accessories, Nakamichi was more generous than any other manufacturer of surround sound systems.
On the front side of the soundbar, you will see black aluminum grille with 10 LED lights at the bottom. These ten indicators will show you which input is selected, which type of surround sound is being played, and many other things (you will see a different combination of LED lights flashing or glowing depending on the source, surround soundtrack, type of settings you are adjusting, etc.).
Soundbar also features Bluetooth 3.0 so you can pair any of your Bluetooth-enabled devices with it and stream music or podcasts. Inside the subwoofer, there is an 8-inch down-firing driver (you shouldn’t expect extremely deep lows).
At the back of the subwoofer there is one pairing button with a blue LED indicator, power switch, AC input, and two output ports for surround speakers. Nakamichi ShockWafe 7.1 Pro is black, it’s quite stylish and just a little bit oddly shaped.
The best thing about this system (besides the sound) is that you can connect all kinds of audio sources to the soundbar. This soundbar is basically a substitution for AV receiver, it saves space and makes things a lot simpler.
You can also connect any Bluetooth-enabled device to the system and stream any music from your phone, laptop, iPad, etc. Shockwafe 7.1 Pro supports Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 surround sound formats.
It can decode only 5.1 surround soundtracks so it’s probably not fair to advertise it as 7.1 system (if you consider those two small angled tweeters on both ends of the soundbar speakers, then you can say this is 7.1 but in reality, it is not – it’s 5.1). 7.1 Pro offers crisp clean sound with pretty good soundstage and nice separation between left and right channels. It delivers an immersive listening experience, especially when watching movies (music doesn’t sound that good – it is clean and pretty loud but you won’t get enough bass with that 8-inch subwoofer).
The frequency response of the system spans from 35Hz to 22KHz, maximum SPL is 104dB, RMS power is 150W (peak – 400W).
On top of all this, you can choose between 6 EQ modes (Movie, Music, Game, TV, Sports, and Night) or you can adjust bass and treble manually. Here comes another surround sound system from the highly praised Nakamichi Shockwafe line. Like with all the other Nakamichi speaker systems, everything comes packed inside one large and hefty cardboard box. These are so-called ambient effect drivers and, as the name implies, they will widen the soundstage and make your movie watching experience more realistic.
Right in the middle, beneath the Nakamichi logo, there’s a nice and intuitive LED display.
The subwoofers that come with the Elite feature the same kind of design as the previous Nakamichi system on our list (the original Nakamichi 7.1 Pro) and the same kind of driver (8in down-firing driver with rear-firing port).
Installation is relatively easy and shouldn’t take too long, especially if you don’t want to mount the soundbar and satellites. Nakamichi systems don’t come with an auto-calibration mic or some kind of software for calibration, but you can find the recommended speaker layouts for different room sizes and configurations in the manual and you should try to follow them.
Also, the remote has a room size button (3 options – small, medium, large) so you can play with it and find the type of sound you like. Based on the time of day or the content you’re watching, you can select of one of many interesting DSP sound modes – night (lowers the bass), music, movie, entertainment (game/show/news), clear voice (improved intelligibility), stereo, and pure direct. In the end, it supports object-based surround sound formats – Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. This control panel has only 5 buttons and offers only basic adjustments (power on/off, source, volume).
You can use it to select the source or the DSP mode, to adjust the master volume, dim the LED display on your soundbar. Surround sound effects are powerful and immersive, especially when playing standard 5.1 and 7.1 tracks. We were not impressed by height effects but, to be honest, we didn’t really expect them to be extremely immersive or accurate. First of all, unlike some other wireless surround sound systems, this one doesn’t come with an auto-calibration tool (mic, software, app).
Since Ultra 9.2.4 comes with the same soundbar as Elite 7.2.4, these two systems have the same inputs, the same features, and they support the same surround sound formats. The calibration tool doesn’t exist, but there’re recommended speaker layouts for different room sizes in the user manual. You can select the mode depending on the content, time of day, or your personal preferences. Those two huge bass modules will add some crazy rumble to every explosion and make you feel like you’re in the movie.
The remote is really great and gives you so much control over the system but it wouldn’t hurt to have a backup option. There is a lot of possible combinations – you can combine one PLAYBAR (or PLAYBASE, which is SONOS wireless sound base) with SONOS subwoofer (simply named SUB) and 2 speakers (either PLAY:1, PLAY:2, or PLAY:3) and make your own 5.1 surround sound system. You can start with the PLAYBAR (which is the main unit and the one that connects wirelessly to other speakers) and then make upgrades. Everything looks really premium and expensive – after all, it would be a surprise if that wasn’t the case considering the price of the system.
It’s probably better to mount it on the wall – that way the drivers are facing toward you and make the soundstage much wider. The front panel is completely covered with a black and soft grille made of acoustic fabric. Even if you decide to buy PLAYBAR only, you will be impressed by the soundstage and perfectly clear sound. Besides the SUB, you will get one power cable, a quick start guide, and a warranty card.
You can place the SUB horizontally or vertically – both ways offer pretty much the same type of sound. Inside the SUB, there are two 6-inch oval drivers firing at each other with 2 class-D amplifiers (no info on amp output or max SPL).
In each box, you will find power and Ethernet cable, quick start guide, and warranty card. Wall mounts and floor stands are not included and you can buy them on Amazon or order them from SONOS website.
Inside each PLAY:1 speaker, there are two drivers – one woofer and one tweeter with dedicated class-D amplifiers (just like BOSE, SONOS doesn’t provide any info on max SPL, amp output, frequency response, sound to noise ratio, etc.). This tool uses mic on your iPhone to calibrate all the important sound-related characteristics and adjust the speakers. TRUEPLAY doesn’t work with Android devices and you are going to need an iPhone (or iPod) to calibrate the sound. SONOS 5.1 system supports Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and that’s pretty much it.
There are two more additional features that you can activate through SONOS app – Speech Enhancement and Night Mode. This thing really improves the intelligibility by making the voices louder and clearer and background sounds and music quieter. Some would say that Denon Heos AVR 5.1 Surround System is better when it comes to sound quality and that’s probably true but there are some functionality issues that make it really user-unfriendly. SONOS 5.1 doesn’t support DTS 5.1 surround sound audio format and that’s the greatest downside of this system. PLAYBAR and PLAY:1 speakers are pretty good for the price, but SUB with 6-inch drivers should definitely cost less. HW-Q line is created in cooperation with Harman Kardon (which is, by the way, Samsung’s daughter company).
Inside the box, you’ll find all the speakers (soundbar, subwoofer, rears), 4 power cords, remote (batteries included), one HDMI cable, mounting equipment, user manual, and 1-year warranty. The soundbar is entirely wrapped in a semi-transparent black grille, just like the rear speakers.
Adaptive Sound Mode is a very interesting feature – the soundbar will analyze the audio and optimize the output depending on the content you’re watching. HW-Q90R supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround sound formats.
9 front-firing, 4 up-firing, and 2 side-firing drivers, combined with that 8in subwoofer, will envelop you with sound from all directions.
So, if you are watching a basketball game, it will emphasize the audience and send that audio to your rear speakers.
Also, if you’re watching something at low volume, it will emphasize the mids while reducing the bass in order to make the dialogues more intelligible. Adding a larger subwoofer would make the movie-watching experience even more immersive but we don’t know what kind of effect would that have on the midrange reproduction (especially on the dialogues).
With the existing subwoofer, all the speakers work in perfect synergy and deliver very reliable wireless performance. At this price point, we have expected some additional features like Google Chromecast and Airplay support. This is a common thing with soundbars and wireless surround sound systems so it can’t be considered a deal-breaker. Polk Audio Signa S2 is an ultra-slim and ultra-compact soundbar/subwoofer 2.1 system offering versatile connectivity, great ease of use, Dolby Digital decoding, several DSP sound modes for improved sonic performance and better intelligibility, and pretty good overall audio quality. Both main components of the system have a very small footprint and don’t require too much space. Some parts, like the side covers, have a shiny finish and look a bit cheap.
The remote gives you a few more options – it allows you to adjust the bass levels and enable one of the available DSP sound modes. The soundbar has four LED lights located on the front panel, right in the middle, and protected with that cloth grille. The meaning of different LED combos (source – Signa S2 user manual) The purpose of each mode is to optimize the audio output for different types of content.
The last one lowers the bass levels, improves the dialog clarity, and provides you with a more enjoyable listening experience at night. The system decodes Dolby Digital 5.1 and that’s one of the key features the manufacturer likes to advertise.
The system is loud, the bass is present and punchy, and the vocals are perfectly clear, even without the VOICE ADJUST feature. The bar is mountable but the wall mounting kit is not included and you have to buy it separately.
The first wireless surround sound system from Enclave Audio, CineHome HD 5.1, was a big success. It was one of the first systems with a WiSA certificate and one of the best-sounding 5.1 wireless home theaters on the market, especially in its price range.
Today, we will review the cheaper and a bit more compact of the two units – CineHome II. If you don’t have enough wall outlets for all the speakers and other equipment, you may want to buy additional power strips.
It may seem a lot, but if you compare it to other higher-end home theater systems, even wired ones, you will see that this can be considered affordable. We’ve heard people calling CineHome systems soundbar killers and we couldn’t agree more with that statement.
Nothing can replace a true surround sound experience with a dedicated speaker for each channel, regardless of how good the simulation is. CineHome II comes in a huge box with a nice sketch on the front side explaining the contents.
On the top, you will find the main unit called the CineHub packed inside a separate box. Instead, the center channel was in charge of all the sound processing and wireless communication with other speakers. Power cords for all the front speakers (FL, FR, C) and for the subwoofer are 6ft long. You can also order the remote directly from Enclave Audio for $15, but we don’t think there’s a need for additional expenses.
The existence of CineHub is the first big difference between the old Enclave Audio surround sound system and the new ones.
In other words, Enclave Audio doesn’t want you to use your CineHub as the hub for your entire entertainment system. They want you to connect all video sources to your TV and then just send audio to the CineHub, either via HDMI, TOSLINK, or AUX cable. This will unload the burden from your surround sound system, but it will put a strain on your TV.
Anyhow, an important thing to think about when buying CineHome II is the number of devices that you want to connect via HDMI cable. The speakers have hard plastic cabinets and solid semi-transparent grilles protecting the drivers. Behind the grilles of the FL and FR speakers, you have one 3” woofer, one 1” tweeter, and an airflow port at the top. Rear speakers feature a bipole design – each looks like an irregular hexagonal prism.
This kind of design is supposed to additionally improve surround effects and make the stage even wider. As mentioned earlier, the entire system has been redesigned and doesn’t look at all like the old version.
Even if you’re new to the world of wireless surround sound, you shouldn’t need more than 30-60 min to take the speakers out of the box, place them, and set them up. CineHome II is not like some other wireless surround sound systems that are supposed to be easy to set up but are actually not (who said Bose?
On the back of each speaker, there’s a power button and an LED connection status indicator.
This app will allow you to do some basic things (turn the system on, select the audio source, control the master volume), but will also let you do some fine-tuning.
From the Home screen, you can mute the system, adjust the volume, and select source (HDMI, optical, AUX, Bluetooth). In this section, you can also do some manual calibration (adjust the distance between you and speakers), adjust individual speaker levels, select Dolby ProLogic Mode (Off/Auto/Movie/Music), select Dolby Dynamic Range Mode (Standard/Minimum/Maximum), or turn on/off Whole Room Stereo.
Finally, you can use the Settings tab to install firmware updates or to send your complaints to the Enclave customer service. Thanks to Dolby ProLogic, the CineHub can up-mix any stereo recording to 5.1 surround sound. Besides physical inputs, CineHome II also features Bluetooth connectivity, so you can stream your favorite tunes wirelessly. You have to completely close the app (not just leave it in the background), then open the Bluetooth settings on your phone, search for the available devices, find CineHome II, connect to it, and then open the Enclave Audio Remote app, and select Bluetooth as a source.
Other surround sound formats, like object-based Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, are not supported, but that’s perfectly logical. The sound quality was, along with easy setup and use, one of the trademarks of the first Enclave Audio CineHome HD 5.1.
Surround effects produced by those bipole speakers create a vivid experience. Adding a bigger subwoofer is not an option because you would compromise the balance created by the rest of the system.
The best option for large rooms, in our opinion, is going for a bigger system from the same series – Enclave Audio CineHome PRO.
For small rooms and in a price range up to $1000, the Enclave Audio CineHome II wireless surround sound system is one of the best options, along with Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4.
CineHub can concentrate on sound processing and doesn’t have to spend resources on sending video to the TV. The comments are mostly related to app instability (frequent crashes and loops) and to the inability to locate the speakers.
CineHome II lacks special DSP modes you can find on some other wireless surround systems. VIZIO is probably one of the most affordable brands when it comes to wireless surround sound systems and it’s a go-to option if you’re on a budget.
Their systems offer good value for money, but don’t expect them to be on par with SONOS or Nakamichi.
Also, the system supports DTS Virtual: X which is supposed to bring some height effects but we didn’t really hear them.
Inside an L-shaped box, you’ll find all the speakers (soundbar, subwoofer, 2 satellites), power cables (for the soundbar and sub), speaker cables (you are supposed to connect the satellites to the subwoofer), remote, a set of audio cables (optical, HDMI, AUX to AUX, AUX to RCA), mounting gear (screws, brackets, templates), user manual, and a warranty card (1 year). The entire system is really small and it’s not a good choice for medium or large rooms. The subwoofer is the largest and heaviest part of the system but, to be honest, it doesn’t really look that big. The soundbar is the hub and you have to connect all the sources (TV, gaming console, Blu-ray player, etc.)
Since there’s no auto-calibration tool, you are supposed to follow the recommended speaker layout – soundbar goes below or above your TV and the subwoofer goes on the opposite side of the room (next to your couch, for example). The idea is to enable a clear line of sight and prevent any connection issues. First, there are five buttons on the top panel of the soundbar (power, source, Bluetooth, volume). You can also use your TV remote to control the volume or turn on/off the system (when using the HDMI ARC port).
The good thing is that you can use the VIZIO SmartCast app instead of remote(Android and iOS). The app is not perfectly stable and it crashes occasionally but it’s still the easiest way to control the system. It’s not crazy immersive and it’s not going to rock your world, but it gives a nice sense of space and it’s so much better than your small TV speakers.
Yamaha YAS-207BL Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer Bluetooth & DTS Virtual:X Inside a large 29-pound box, you will find the main unit (YAS-CU207), the subwoofer (NS-WSW42), remote, two power cables, digital optical cable, mounting template (no wall mount kit – you have to buy it separately), user manual, and 1-year warranty. The front panel and left and right ends are wrapped in traditional fabric grille.
On the front panel there’s a small silver strip at the bottom with Yamaha logo on the left side and 9 LED indicators in the middle – DD (green) or DTS (red), DPL (lights up when Dolby Pro Logic is activated), HDMI, TV (digital optical), Analog (AUX input), Bluetooth, Surround, Bass Extension, and Clear Voice. The system supports Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 surround sound as well as PCM. DPL LED with glow when stereo sound is played in surround mode (Dolby Pro Logic is activated).
This system features some nice additional functions like bass extension, clear voice, and dimmer. Clear Voice mode will push forward certain frequencies and make dialogues much better and more intelligible than standard settings. Dimmer button allows you to adjust the brightness or completely turn off LED indicators on the main unit.
When this function is enabled, the system will turn off after 8 hours of inactivity or after 20 minutes without an input signal. Compared to other soundbars within the same price range it does offer a bit wider soundstage (not like some true 5.1 systems but still decent).
You won’t get perfect vertical audio experience but that’s pretty much what you get from any soundbar that imitates (simulates) object-based surround sound. Yamaha also recommends connecting gaming console to AUX input, but we all know that’s not the right way if you want surround sound experience.
JBL Bar 5.1 Home Theater Starter System with Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer JBL is one of those big players that like to be competitive in every field of the audio industry. They are already famous for making portable wireless (Bluetooth) speakers like Flip, Charge, Xtreme, Pulse. But, this is not their only area of expertise, they also make all kinds of home and car audio, headphones, etc. JBL Bar 5.1 is their 5.1 wireless surround sound system but it can be also considered a home theater in a box since it has a bunch of inputs and it doesn’t require AV receiver. JBL doesn’t give up on their packing policy and really tries to make a nice presentation.
You will find almost everything you need in this box – one soundbar, wireless subwoofer, wireless surround speakers (work on 5.8 GHz), remote (with batteries), 4ft long HDMI cable (you will have to buy three more for your other devices – that’s the number of HDMI inputs on the soundbar), 4ft long auxiliary cable, 4ft long optical cable (TOSLINK), calibration mic, mounting brackets, mounting guide, user manual, and 1-year warranty card, On the front panel, there is JBL logo in the middle and a small LCD status display just behind the grille (it will show you the selected source, volume levels, activated mode, etc.).
Dolby 7.1, DTS 7.1 or object-based surround sound audio formats are not supported. The moment you disconnect your device, the soundbar will go back to the previous audio source.
Mids and vocals don’t sound crisp and clean if your subwoofer volume is set too high. This system lacks some extra features like wi-fi connectivity, Alexa and Chromecast support and it doesn’t offer support for object-based surround sound formats, but it still delivers more than satisfying performance for the price.
You’ll find a simple 5-button control panel on the top (power, source, Bluetooth, volume up/down). It allows you to select the source, initiate Bluetooth pairing, adjust the volume, adjust the bass level, select the sound mode (movie, night or music), or choose one of three dialog enhancement modes. Sound modes represent different EQ settings and are supposed to improve the watching experience depending on the content. DHT-S316 represents a significant upgrade compared to your TV speakers but it’s not the best virtual surround sound system on the market.
This is a great-sounding entry-level soundbar/subwoofer combo but it offers average (or even below-average) surround sound performance.
VIZIO SB4051-C0 40-Inch 5.1 Sound Bar System with Wireless Subwoofer & Rear Satellite Speakers
Some issues and things we don’t like are still there but there are also some noticeable enhancements like 2 HDMI ports (one IN and one ARC OUT), better build quality (they decided to use aluminum instead of plastic for some parts), and better sound quality (especially the sound coming from the soundbar). In the left corner, behind the grille, there are 9 LED indicators arranged in a vertical line.
This is not a great change compared to LED indicators arranged horizontally on older models. LED indicators are not more intuitive, and you will still have to read the manual to understand the meaning of different combinations of LED indicators (and different combinations will appear when you are trying to pair some Bluetooth device, adjust bass, treble, center, or surround levels, turn on or off surround sound, night mode, DTS TruVolume, adjust audio delay, enable VIZIO TV remote or program your TV remote made by some other manufacturers, etc.). VIZIO really needs to improve these LED indicators or even add a backlit LCD display.
If your TV doesn’t have HDMI ARC input, you can use digital optical cable.
Controlling the system and using the remote is also quite easy but you will have to consult the manual if you need to make some advanced adjustments. You can also use your TV remote for some basic settings (adjust system volume, power on/off).
In theory, it’s nice and useful feature and it saves you some money by lowering power consumption, but it powers off the unit if there is no input signal for a few minutes or even quicker – this feature is definitely not programmed appropriately and some firmware update should solve this issue. Bass is really big part of the sound signature of VIZIO SB4051-CO but it is often too ‘’boomy’’ and practically unbearable.
8 Best Home Theater Systems 2021
We can help you hone your choices, open your eyes to possibilities you may not have considered, and save you money in the process – just like we’ve done for thousands of customers over our 40 years in the business. A last word of advice: if not us, buy your new home theater from a trusted, authorized dealer. We opened our doors in 1979, gained a small yet diehard following, won a slew of national awards for everything from killer car audio installations to customer service, grew the business online… and today we enjoy a faithful following of like-minded TV-watching, music-listening, gear-loving defenders of fun for the whole family.
Best Bluetooth Surround Sound Home Theater System (2021)
In this article, we have narrowed down your choices by compiling a list of the best wireless and Bluetooth home theatre speakers across various different styles and types. We’ve gone ahead found the best wireless surround sound and Bluetooth home theater systems that are for sale on Amazon right now!
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