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 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 View at Walmart 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.
10 Best Bluetooth Speakers For Outdoor Movies in 2021
An outdoor movie night is one of the best ways to spend the weekend and to enjoy quality times with friends and family. A bluetooth speaker is one of the smart home devices that you don’t want to miss out on. Reading on, you will find a list of the 10 best Bluetooth speakers for outdoor movies. If you do not find a small size Bluetooth speaker, get one that has a carrying handle.
This will enable you to move the speaker easily no matter the weight or bulkiness. You never can tell what the weather condition will be like when you are using the speaker for an outdoor movie night or dance party.
Be sure that the speaker is weatherproof, dustproof, mudproof, and even waterproof; this way it is resistant to adverse weather effects. Before you opt for the next available Bluetooth speaker you find online, take time to check the connectivity options that it has.
However, wireless connectivity sometimes affects the sound quality of the projector.
These Bluetooth versions are compatible with each other but they differ in terms of reach and energy consumption.
The sound quality in a room cannot be compared to one in an open space. This is usually indicated in the product description in online buying sites like Amazon.
Bass effects add much excitement to your viewing especially if it is an action movie. There are times when you just want to enjoy some cool music in the evening right there in your room. You do not necessarily have to do this with a projector; as long your speaker has a USB port or an SD memory card slot. If the Bluetooth speaker does not have a USB port, an SD memory card slot will also be a nice idea.
Sale JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker (Black), 1 Bluetooth – Wirelessly connect up to 3 smartphones or tablets to the speaker and take turns playing… Battery type : Lithium-ion Polymer (22.2Wh)2) 20 hours of playtime(varies by volume level and… It has a built-in rechargeable battery which can last for up to twenty hours of playing time; enough to take you through different movies at a go. Best tech: Bose sound link color Bluetooth speaker Bose SoundLink Color II: Portable Bluetooth, Wireless Speaker with Microphone- Soft Black Innovative Bose technology packs bold sound into a small, water resistant speaker
Built-in mic for speakerphone to take clear conference or personal calls out loud with a wireless… Rugged, with a soft touch silicone exterior that makes it easy to pick up and go With the Bose simpleSync technology you can pair two of this speaker together and will both play in sync.
It can assess your phone’s virtual assistant and can enable you to make calls hands free. The battery life is not impressive; you will need to constantly recharge the speaker to keep it from running out of power. Sale OontZ Angle 3 (4th Gen) Bluetooth Speaker, Crystal Clear Stereo Sound, Rich Bass, 100 Ft Wireless Range, Play Two Speakers Together (4th Gen only),… HIGHER QUALITY CRYSTAL CLEAR STEREO SOUND – The OontZ Angle 3 (4th Gen) is Designed and Engineered… It is just ten ounces, and can easily fit into your handbag or backpack; a perfect company for your workout sessions.
It is protected from rain and splashes of water, making it suitable for use in the shower, swimming pool, or at the beach. You can watch a series of movies and play songs before recharging the device. Sale Upgraded, Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker with IPX5 Waterproof, Stereo Sound, 24H Playtime, Portable Wireless Speaker for iPhone, Samsung and More ASTONISHING SOUND: Breathtaking stereo sound with deep bass is delivered with exceptional clarity… WATERPROOF BUILD: IPX5-rated casing offers complete protection against liquids Enjoy music all day, thanks to the twenty-four hours viewing time of this Bluetooth speaker. It produces loud and clear sounds with the help of the dual drivers, digital signal processor and bass port.
Sony GTKXB90 High Power Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black Extra bass for Deep, punchy sound The sound it makes is outstanding, clear, and very loud; just what you need for your outdoor parties.
It has a battery life of up to 14 hours; you can enjoy cool music for a long time. It produces quality sound loud enough to bring out the vibes in the music. FUGOO Tough 2.0 – Portable Bluetooth Speaker Waterproof Outdoor / Indoor Use 360 Degree Sound – Wireless Stereo Pairing, Rich Loud Sound & Deep Bass,… 100% WATERPROOF BLUETOOTH SPEAKER – The Rugged Fugoo Tough 2.0 is IP67 waterproof, snow proof, mud… AOMAIS Sport II Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speakers 20W Bass Sound, 15H Playtime, Waterproof IPX7, Stereo Pairing, Durable Design Backyard, Outdoors,… WATERPROOF IPX7: Designed for fully waterproof of highest incursion protection degree of IPX7 (…
DURABLE DESIGN: Featuring a smooth rubber exterior that protects the speaker from scratches and… Aomais Sport II Review | Big Sound Small Size, IPX7 Waterproof, 20W Bass Sale Sony SRS-XB12 Mini Bluetooth Speaker Loud Extra Bass Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth -Loud Audio for Phone Calls- Small Waterproof and… MUSIC THAT TRAVELS: Small size but mighty in volume to deliver powerful beats wherever you travel It has the ability to connect with another speaker to produce a greater sound effect.
It is also dustproof and will remain clean even in a dusty area. Portable Outdoor Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker- Wireless 10 Hour Rechargeable Battery Life, Powerful 5W Audio Driver, Pairs Easily to All Bluetooth… BEST SOUNDING SHOWER SPEAKER: Top Rated shower & outdoor Bluetooth speakers feature audio with…
It can easily connect with laptops, tablets, and even smartphones either Android or iPhone. It is perfect for workout sessions, hiking, cycling, and lots more; enjoy great tunes anywhere, and at any time.
Polk Audio Atrium 6 Outdoor Speakers with Bass Reflex Enclosure (Pair, Black) – All-Weather Durability | Broad Sound Coverage | Speed-Lock Mounting… Install your Atrium 6 Speakers in any large or open space—by a pool, in the patio, the sunroom,…
Equipped with 5 1/4″ Dynamic Balance driver 1″ dome tweeter provides WIDER SOUND DISPERSION &…
These loudspeakers come with a steeply-angled baffle design that fills expansive spaces with… Polk Audio Atrium 6 Outdoor Speakers with Bass Reflex Enclosure Apart from the fact that they give good sounds, they also save you from wire hassles.
Some Bluetooth speakers have unique features that are different from the ones discussed in this article. You may also find speakers for recording and for accessing your phone’s virtual assistant.
Last update on 2021-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Best Bluetooth Speakers for Outdoor Movies of 2021
On that note, let’s find out the best Bluetooth speaker for outdoor movies that can make this experience possible. This article introduces to you 7 of the most recommended and highly rated Bluetooth speakers ideal for outdoor film viewing.
It also has exclusive features that put it at the top of the choices, such as multiple device support and flexibility. Having played it myself, I loved the solid sound coming from it without having to boost the treble or bass for outdoor use. Another notable feature is the battery’s ability to recharge quickly, meaning you can use it again just when your chores are done. Bose Soundlink II is another excellent choice if you love outdoor excursions, including watching movies.
This one is another version featuring soft-to-touch silicone as the body’s main material, unlike the original’s hard plastic with rubberized trims. One notable feature of Bose Soundlink is that there are dual posing passive radiators underneath the silicone material. These passive radiators are what helps the speaker to produce exceptional sounds and keep surface vibrations minimal. As it is not designed for any particular genre, it produces crisp and balanced audio, whether it is for music or movies.
Besides the sound quality and silicone body, Bose Soundlink has IPX4 waterproof rating, making it splash-resistant. It also has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery capable of powering the speaker for up to 8 hours of movie-playing.
This speaker from Oontz is a modern Bluetooth sound system ideal for outdoor use. Oontz Angle 3 is a budget-friendly speaker with excellent sound quality and accurate mids and highs frequency thanks to its dual precision acoustic drivers.
One of the things you’ll probably find fascinating with Oontz Angle 3 is its triangular frame.
This frame and the downward-facing radiator makes it so that you can listen to a top-notch sound no matter what you are playing.
Oontz Angle 3 plays loud at mid volumes, making it ideal for any outdoor activities. It works not only for movie playing but also for parties, bringing crisp sound at full volume without any distortion.
However, some people might find the LED lighting distracting if you plan to use it for movie watching. That makes this not your average Bluetooth speaker, but it’s still plenty portable thanks to the built-in handles.
The handles help you easily pick up the speaker and move it outside for outdoor movie time.
When it comes to battery, Sony GTK-XB90 promises to last up to 24 hours, but that depends on usage. It’s a good thing that it automatically shuts off whenever there is no activity for 15 minutes, saving battery life. Like the other first Bluetooth speakers mentioned, it has the standard features you can expect from a device for outdoor use.
It comes equipped with a built-in omnidirectional microphone and an upgraded louder volume at 105db max. FUGOO Tough also features multi-speaker pairing for a louder, better outdoor movie watching experience. It’s a wireless external speaker for projectors boasting clear audio with a crisp sound. Polk Audio Atrium 6 is a powerful Bluetooth speaker meant for outdoors.
Together with the features it comes equipped with, Polk Audio Atrium 6 is one of the choices for the speaker for outdoor movies. Thanks to these, plus the cone driver and the butyl rubber, Polk Audio can deliver a decent bass despite its compact size. Polk Audio Atrium 6 also has a water-resistant power port vent, which helps it have a smoother airflow for an excellent bass experience. Portable Bluetooth speakers have a massive competition, but it looks like Aomais GO has an advantage when it comes to convenience. The speaker’s entirety is covered in thick rubber, which makes it sturdy and resistant to snow, mud, dust, and even shock.
What makes it one of the most convenient speakers is that it comes with a grippy handle for easy carrying around. These ensure that Aomais GO can deliver an outstanding audio output even with its compact size. Let’s see what features and other factors you should keep in mind when shopping around for a portable speaker to ensure you have a wonderful time watching movies outdoors.
The speakers on this list do not come with the hassles of wires without sacrificing the sound quality. The USB port is great if you want to play music directly from your pen drive.
If not a USB flash drive, it is also a great idea to have an SD memory card slot. Don’t worry that your device won’t work with the speaker just because they have a different Bluetooth version.
That said, it is an excellent choice to buy a waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, snowproof, and mud-proof outdoor speaker. Considering all these features, the best Bluetooth speaker for outdoor movies in this article is none other than the editor’s pick, JBL FLIP 4.
Best Bluetooth speakers 2021: portable speakers for every budget
It’s nothing to do with shortage of options – every online manufacturer from Apple to Ultimate Ears is vying for a bite of the Bluetooth cherry and by association, your hard-earned cash. We’ve done the heavy lifting and rounded-up our pick of the best Bluetooth speakers across all shapes, sizes and prices to ensure you discover a product you’ll be over the moon with.
It may sound obvious, but the number one piece of advice we always offer when looking for a Bluetooth speaker is to avoid opting for the first model that catches your eye.
JBL Xtreme 3 JBL’s rugged wireless speaker serves up a sonic surprise Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13.9 x 29.8 x 13.4cm Power: 100W Features: Bluetooth v5.1, PartyBoost for multiple connections to PartBoost enabled JBL speakers, IP67 rated Connections: 3.5mm, USB-C, USB-A out TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £279 View at Amazon £299 View at Richer Sounds £299.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Rugged build + Impressive detail and dynamics + Strong sense of timing Reasons to avoid – No smart features – No hands-free for phone calls Yes, it’s rugged, it’s IP67 dust- and waterproof certified and you’d be forgiven for thinking at first glance that it might be more preoccupied with the amount of bass it’s producing rather than musical quality. The JBL Xtreme 3 gained five stars across the board during our rigorous in-house testing, never appearing out of its depth no matter how complicated the musical arrangement.
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 Although portable enough to be your travel speaker (and boasting a stylish retractable travel handle and a 30-hour battery) the Katch G2’s dedicated mains charging port and adapter with bundled UK, EU and US adapter plugs makes it an easy fit for your lounge too – and once there, it’ll sound as detailed, clear and expansive as this money can buy.
It’s at the pricey end of the market, yes, but it’s a stone cold stunner, delivering excellent clarity, impressive bass weight and good looks in spades – so much so that we recently handed it a What Hi-Fi? If all you want is a portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as you can currently buy for around £100 ($100, AU$119), you’ll be hard-pressed to better the fantastic Flip 5.
Assuming you don’t mind the lack of an aux-in port or inbuilt microphone (as seen in the Flip 4), you’ll almost certainly be wowed by this speaker’s sonic chops. Tribit Stormbox Micro A fun and bubbly Bluetooth speaker that’s serious when it comes to sound Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 9.8 x 9.8 x 3.5cm Power: 9W Features: water/dustproof, Bluetooth 5.0, stereo-pairing mode Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £42.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Mature, musical sound + Surprisingly weighty bass + USB-C charger Reasons to avoid – Short battery life
It’s hard to imagine a home decor, backpack or personal taste that the Tribit Audio Stormbox Micro couldn’t merge in with happily. Although a speaker of such dimensions is obviously limited in terms of bass weight, it does remarkably well; close your eyes while listening and you’ll picture a bigger product. Take note, Ultimate Ears: a little-known brand called Tribit Audio just produced a budget belter of a Bluetooth speaker.
JBL Charge 5 Updated specs and subtle tweaks for JBL’s fifth-generation Charge Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.6 x 9.4cm Power: 30W + 10W tweeter Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v5.1, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: USB-C, USB-A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £159 View at Amazon £159 View at Richer Sounds £159.99 View at argos.co.uk Reasons to buy + Clearer and more detailed sound + Wider soundstage + Updated dustproofing Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this level
Its predecessor carried an IPX7 rating, meaning it could handle being submerged in water to a depth of 1.5m, but the IP67-rated Charge 5 builds on that durability by also being fully dustproof. Thanks in part to a new 10W tweeter and racetrack-shaped driver, the Charge 5 is currently as good a sound as you can get in a portable Bluetooth speaker design for under £200 ($200, AU$300).
Throw in its classy, well made design, easy to use operation and the bonus of Alexa, and you’re looking at a Bluetooth speaker sequel that has very much been worth the wait. JBL Go 3 JBL’s newest soap-sized speaker sounds good – but the finish and battery life won’t wash with today’s class leaders Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.8 x 7.5 x 4.1 Power: 4W Features: Water/dustproof IP67, Bluetooth 5.1 Connections: USB-C TODAY’S BEST DEALS £29.99 View at O2 Mobiles £34 View at Richer Sounds Prime £34.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Sensible treble + Fuller bass + More volume Reasons to avoid – Poor battery life – Not very durable finish Specifications Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 22 x 9.5 x 9.3 Power: 30W Features: waterproof, Bluetooth v4.2, power bank, voice assistant integration Connections: 3.5 mm stereo TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 148 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Rugged and water resistant + USB port for charging + Great sound quality Reasons to avoid – Perhaps too subtle for some
Not only is this one of best-sounding Bluetooth speakers around at this end of the market, it serves up a whopping 20 hours of playback from a single charge and, thanks to the arrival of its newest sibling, you’ll find this slightly older model discounted across several retailers.
Ultimate Ears has really made a splash in the Bluetooth speaker market with a number of colourful, fun-sounding and portable models. When pressed, it restricts the bass frequencies, allowing the UE to play louder through the midrange, which in turn makes the sound easier to hear when the unit is used outdoors.
Specifications Connectivity: Bluetooth and wi-fi Power: 250W (mains powered) Inputs: analogue audio jack, Toslink optical digital audio Battery life: N/A Dimensions (hwd): 20 x 66 x 18.5cm : Weight: 5.4kg 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 While the Award-winning Naim (below) 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. Open up the Dynaudio app and you’ll discover NoiseAdapt, a feature that helps sound cut through a noisy room – useful during loud parties.
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 gets itself a 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. The Audio Pro Addon C3 isn’t just the best Bluetooth speaker at this price, it’s a stylish, wi-fi connected, multi-room capable centrepiece – plus it’s a What Hi-Fi?
It has an fantastic sense of refinement for such a small speaker, not to mention a rear-firing bass reflex port that delivers plenty of low-end grunt.
This model won’t charge your smartphone but it does feature an ethernet port, giving you the option to hardwire it to your home network. The C3 supports streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz and Apple Music, and while there’s no built-in voice assistant, you can control the speaker via the Alexa app. 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.
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 + Full sound + Expressive and dynamic + Faultless build Reasons to avoid – Size won’t suit everyone Audio Pro tends to ignore gimmicks in favour of high-quality sound but this speaker does have the facility to charge up your smartphone or tablets via a USB port.
Specifications Connectivity: Bluetooth Power: Battery Inputs: 3.5mm Battery life: 15hrs Dimensions (hwd): 13.6 x 28.8 x 13.2cm Weight: 2.39kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime £241.90 View at Amazon 8 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Clean, clear sound + Balanced bass + Robust build Reasons to avoid – Hefty design – No wi-fi or multi-room smarts The rugged, IPX7 waterproof exterior, 15 hour battery life and ability to charge your phone from its USB port mean it’s a great option for the beach – and you’ll probably find deals on this model thanks to the arrival of the latest iteration, the Xtreme 3 (above).
And it won’t let you talk to Alexa or Google Assistant, just set a button to activate them in the manner of an earphone’s in-line remote. You get Bluetooth, wi-fi and Alexa smart assistant voice controls, meaning you can turn up the volume or play songs through Amazon Music Unlimited without lifting a finger.
The 360-degree sound and bass output is far better than one might expect for this kind of money; throw in Alexa smarts and you have a fun, energetic speaker that offers plenty of bang for your buck. Yes, it is intended to get us all invested in its virtual assistant, Alexa, but where much of the Alexa-enabled kit out there is audio based and concentrated on the Bluetooth speaker market in particular, the Echo Show 5 embraces both sound and video in its abilities to communicate.
Specifications Connectivity: Bluetooth and wi-fi Power: Battery Inputs: N/A Battery life: 16hrs Dimensions (hwd): 23.7 x 8.8 x 8.8cm Weight: 1.19kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 338 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Dynamic, detailed sound + Enthusiastic, punchy rhythms + Precise, taut basslines Reasons to avoid – Presentation is slightly lean – Not fully featured just yet The Roam works perfectly well as a standalone Bluetooth speaker but it’s also designed to be immersed in the company’s burgeoning multi-room ecosystem. Features includes support for AirPlay 2, voice controls and Sonos’ Trueplay tech, which uses the built-in mic to tune bass and treble to suit your surroundings. Other Bluetooth speakers offer a more expressive and detailed sound but if you’re invested in the world of Sonos, the Roam is a smart buy.
Best surround sound systems 2021
But a full surround sound system will cost more than a soundbar and requires more boxes in your room, including an AV receiver. A lot of soundbars come with Dolby Atmos, which does a very good job of replicating surround sound by positioning audio above you as well as around you. Whichever surround sound system you’re considering, do your research and make sure it will fit your space, and will accommodate your games console, 4K Blu-ray player, set-top box, and whatever else you’re planning on hooking up. Specifications Channels: 5.1 Subwoofer: 170W Finishes: Black Ash, Dark Walnut, Light Oak, White TODAY’S BEST DEALS £1,699 View at Richer Sounds £1,799 View at Audio Visual Online Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Oozes style + Full and warm sound + Expressive dynamics Reasons to avoid – Nothing at this price There are touch-sensitive play/pause and volume controls on the bar, while connectivity includes AirPlay 2, ethernet and eARC for Dolby Atmos from compatible TVs. The Sonos Arc uses 11 drivers to create your surround soundfield, a number of which are upfiring and angled into your room to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1HCP Wharfedale’s Diamond 12.1 speaker package is pure class for the masses Specifications Channels: 5.1 Subwoofer: 200W Finishes: Black, white, walnut, light oak Reasons to buy + Impressive insight and composure + Taut, melodic sub + Wide, uniform soundfield Reasons to avoid – Nothing With poise, effortlessness, cut-glass diction and charisma, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP is essentially the Audrey Hepburn of home theatre speaker packages.
The package is made up of a quartet of the excellent, mid-sized Diamond 12.1 bookshelf speakers for fronts and surrounds with the 12.C in the middle and the SW10 powered subwoofer supplying the bass.
Large enough to provide cinematic scale with a wide soundfield, but discreet and affordable enough to be accessible to a variety of audiences, the Diamond 12.1 system proves to be an excellent choice for both music and film.
Delivering Dolby Atmos from a small chassis is no mean feat yet the Sonos Beam Gen 2 achieves a convincing, immersive performance without so much as a vertical speaker in sight. Instead, when watching Atmos content, two of the soundbar’s five front-facing arrays are dedicated to reproducing overhead and surround sounds.
With its hefty processing power, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 uses psychoacoustic HRTF (head-related transfer function) technology to give the impression of height without needing to get vertical. While genuine overhead sounds are perhaps a stretch too far for this petite performer, its virtual delivery of the Atmos format outstrips any similarly priced soundbar and even a few that are more expensive. The Beam Gen 2 offers an enveloping, spatial soundscape with rich, detailed audio as well as tangible motion and depth. Not that many soundbars at this price point come with networking capabilities, but this being a Sonos product, the Beam Gen 2’s ability to integrate into a wireless multiroom system is fundamental to its design.
Sony HT-A7000 Powerful and muscular room-filling Dolby Atmos from a single soundbar Specifications Connectivity: eARC, 2*HDMI 2.1, optical, USB, WiFi, Ethernet Sound format support : Dolby Atmos/ Dolby AudioTM/ DTS:X/ DTS-HD/ PCM Streaming : Chromecast, Bluetooth 5, Apple Airplay 2, WiFi Voice control : Google Assistant, Alexa Dimensions (hwd) : 8 x 130 x 14 cm Weight: 8.7kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS £1,199 View at Sevenoaks £1,199 View at Richer Sounds Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Robust low-end + Excellent Atmos performance + Feature-rich Reasons to avoid – No VRR or ALLM at launch – EQ controls would be nice – Slightly confused styling A 7.1.2 slab of sound, this Dolby Atmos soundbar packs in two up-firing speakers, two beam tweeters, five front-facing drivers and a built-in dual subwoofer into a single chassis.
Using a combination of driver placement and psychoacoustic techniques, the Sony HT-A700 delivers a broad and high soundstage, whether you’re watching immersive content or not, while retaining musicality, presence and detail. In terms of height and precision, the performance is similar to that of the Sonos Arc, but the width of the soundstage and its forward projection is more convincing.
Alongside two HDMI 2.1 pass-through sockets capable of handling 8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz, and Dolby Vision HDR, there are ports for eARC, analogue and optical audio inputs and USB type-A.
There’s also an analogue output for Sony’s Acoustic Center Sync, which lets a compatible Bravia TV become part of the soundbar’s centre channel when the two are connected using the supplied cable. The timing is snappy, making for a fast but natural-sounding performance, while the centre speaker (which handles the all-important dialogue) is effortlessly dynamic and engaging. Sony HT-A9 A convincing Dolby Atmos home cinema sound system Specifications Sound formats: Dolby Digital and DTS surround and height formats Connectivity: 1 x HDMI, 1 x eARC, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Bluetooth, Chromecast Voice control: Works with Amazon Alexa and Google, Assistant Dimensions: Speakers: 31 x 16 x 14.8cm; control hub: 5 x 15 x 15cm (HxWxD) TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Not fussy about positioning + Entertaining, detailed, cinematic + Strong feature set Reasons to avoid – The additional sub is pricey – Slightly bright with stereo music – Appearance is a bit bland
Sony’s HT-A9 Wireless Home Theatre System encourages users to position its speakers arbitrarily, promising an even, uniform and immersive soundfield regardless of the symmetry of your set-up. The HT-A9 supports Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping which calibrates your room’s height size and combines it with speaker distance and relative location. While we reserve a healthy dose of scepticism regarding phantom channels and sound bubbles, the wide dispersion of the HT-A9’s speakers is instantly striking and undeniably effective. With five different audio inputs, three ways to mount it and ten drivers all working together to deliver an immersive sound experience, there’s plenty to talk about with the Dali Katch One.
And the bar serves up a great dynamic performance with a broad, clear soundstage which works well for movies, and it also boasts the ability to sound fun with music, too. DTS Virtual:X helps emulate the kind of immersive audio you’d usually only get from a 7.1.4 set-up, and it does a mighty fine job of it too, with a much bigger, more enveloping sound than you would expect from such diminutive dimensions.
It delivers a stunningly detailed 4K picture: images are wonderfully subtle yet sharp as you like, while the skin tones are rendered in jaw-droppingly lifelike hues. Eight HDMI inputs give you plenty of scope for sources, while Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and high-res audio support make it a joy to use.
A mighty fine alternative is the Panasonic DP-UB9000, which offers a similarly stunning picture (including Dolby Vision and HRD10+ support) and very good sound quality for the money. Specifications Sound format: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos Connectivity: 3 x HDMI in, 1 x HDMI out Streaming: Bluetooth Hi-res audio: 96k/24-bit PCM Subwoofer: Yes Dimensions: soundbar 8 x 118 x 14.5cm (HxWxD), subwoofer 40 x 25 x 43cm (HxWxD) TODAY’S BEST DEALS £1,299 View at Amazon 188 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Great integration + Booming bass + Bags of detail Reasons to avoid – Remote not intuitive
It’s a little smaller than some of its rivals, but still packs a punch sonically: there’s a definite sense of space and movement to proceedings, yet with no hint of harshness at higher volumes. It offers a crisp, insightful picture that’s bursting with detail, while the sound is dynamic and expressive with a fantastic sense of timing.
Best Bluetooth Speaker for Outdoor Movies in 2021 – A Hifi Enthusiast
You have already set up your outdoor projector and your BBQ pit, the preparation for your weekend backyard movie night at home is almost complete. The good news is we have already listed 10 of the best Bluetooth speakers for outdoor movies and you’ll just need to pick one. Bluetooth speakers are amazing for outdoor events as they don’t leave messy audio cables all over the place and they are also easy to set up, not to mention, the ease of carrying them around. For instance, once you are done with your outdoor movie night, you can just immediately carry the speakers back inside your home. Pair it with another Xtreme 3 using PartyBoost or better yet, use this feature to link up with multiple JBL compatible speakers to reproduce powerful and immersive sound. Xtreme 3 is rated IP67 waterproof and dustproof, you can place this Bluetooth speaker anywhere at your outdoor movie event without worries.
If your smartphones/tablets are running low on juice, you can charge them back with the speaker’s built-in power bank, providing you with an undisrupted movie experience. Unlike JBL Xtreme 3, this Bose portable smart speaker is only IPX4 rated, it could take some sprays and splashes but best avoid putting it near your pool or ice bucket.
One of the best features is that you can use either Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth for wireless connections, giving you loads of options on how you want to stream your content.
Bose Portable Smart speaker delivers a spacious 360° sound, ensuring everyone can hear it, and the bass is quite powerful for the size. Probably the way it was built to radiate punchy deep bass that makes it great for outdoor movie watching. Bose Portable Smart speaker has loads of features which makes it very versatile for both indoor and outdoor events.
It only weighs slightly above 2lbs, and the built-in handle makes it easy to carry this speaker in and out of your home. Anker Soundcore Rave is a powerful portable speaker, it can unleash 105dB of sound which is incredibly loud.
And even better, by using Outdoor Mode, you can now enjoy your movie and music at a higher volume with a brighter treble. Connect two Soundcore Raves, separating them as left and right channels, and you got yourself a true stereo mode that will deliver pristine sound quality and powerful bass throughout your outdoor movie night. There’s another fantastic feature, you can Rave-Chain these portable speakers via RCA audio cables, to reproduce a huge and immersive sound. Even after watching a few movies and you decide to start an outdoor party instead, you can switch on the Rave’s lights and see it dazzle with the beats.
Anker Soundcore Rave has that power and bass output which makes it a go-to Bluetooth speaker for an outdoor movie event. Rave-Chain Anker Soundcore Raves via RCA audio cables – to create a bigger and more powerful sound. If you want to further elevate your outdoor movie experience, use Sony’s Wireless Party Chain and connect up to 10 GTKXB90 High Power speakers, for an even louder and bigger sound. Enjoy higher quality Bluetooth streaming with Sony’s LDAC which enhances your wireless listening experience. If you feel like watching only 1 movie, you can go full blast and the battery will last up to 3.5 hours. Connect multiple JBL PartyBoost compatible speakers and give yourself an exhilarating outdoor movie experience like never before.
With the IPX7 waterproof rating, you need not worry about placing this speaker near your pool, rain or shine, JBL Boombox 2 will keep unleashing powerful sound reproduction from your movie sources. Long-lasting battery life provides you with up to 24 hours of playtime so you can watch movies from dusk till dawn without any disruption.
JBL Boombox 2’s bold look and powerful sound, will be the center of attention of any parties and the massive sound will immerse you, gluing your eyes to the outdoor movie screen as all the action scenes unveil with intensity. Watching an outdoor movie with Beolit 20 is an exquisite experience, the bass is not just deep and powerful, it is also rich in details.
The impeccable sound quality of Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20 is amazing for music too, captivating your senses. It would have been the perfect Bluetooth speaker choice for outdoor movies just based on the high fidelity sound quality alone, if only it was at least resistant to water.
Built with premium materials: anodized aluminum, durable polymer, and vegetable-tanned leather strap. Sonos Move has this cool feature called Trueplay, where it will continually tune the sound based on where you are and the content you are listening to. Always delivering crisp and clear highs, tonally balanced midrange, and powerful bass.
Sonos Move Wi-Fi connectivity opens up a whole load of features such as Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant, and more importantly, a way to enhance the sound quality even more.
If I were to nitpick then I will say the price point is not affordable, but you will need just 2 Sonos Move then your outdoor cinema wireless sound system will be complete. Sonos’ Trueplay tuning ensures optimal sound quality anywhere for any type of movie content.
This is for users who are having a tight budget constraint and still want to have a good time when watching movies outdoor. They may look small but don’t be mistaken, each OontZ Angle 3 PRO is driven by a 21 Watt digital amp, and they can go really loud. They are IPX7 rated and can survive submerged in water for a short period of time, so you can basically just leave them outside even when it rains heavily. If you prefer Bluetooth speakers that can spill out lots of bass for your outdoor movies event then Ultimate Ears Hyperboom will be a great choice.
You can easily pair with another Hyperboom for an even greater bass output and play at a loud volume that will most definitely wake up your neighbors. The IPX4 rating does allow UE Hyperboom to stand up against spills and splashes but I will still advise you to place it away from pools or ice buckets.
Hyperboom is Ultimate Ear’s loudest and most bass portable speaker ever made, and it sure can take up the challenge. Soundcast VG7 is quite heavy (21lbs | 9.5 kg), even with the handle it would still take some effort to move the speaker around but looking at the bright side, you don’t need to buy dumbbells anymore. The ultimate Bluetooth speaker, whether is for movies, music, or gaming, VG7 has the capability to perform and exceed our expectations.
Audiophile sound quality and deep powerful bass, a pair of Soundcast VG7 will be all you need for an exhilarating outdoor movie experience. Hands down, Cambridge Audio’s OontZ Angle 3 PRO Dual are the best budget Bluetooth speakers. You are getting two Bluetooth speakers at such an affordable price and you can immediately link them together as left & right stereo channels.
They could easily be the top picks for the overall best and/or best sound quality category, just that they are IPX4 rated and not acoustically built for outdoors. You should always hear them first and find out how good they sound based on your own ears and preference before making any purchase.
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. 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. These speakers are obviously not portable at all, but if you want a centerpiece sound system for your living room or office they’re likely your best choice. 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.
What is the Best Bluetooth Speaker for Outdoor Movies? – Outdoor Movie Projectors
If you are a long-term reader of the Outdoor Movie Projectors website or have just spent a few minutes browsing through the tips and tutorials available here, you will know that I always recommend you use an additional source of sound when throwing a backyard movie party. I say this because the projector you use might have built-in speakers, but they are never going to cut it in terms of sound quality and volume.
So, with that in mind, what do I recommend as the best Bluetooth speakers for outdoor and backyard movies? Home stereo sound with 200 watts, subwoofer, punchy bass, and crisp treble. The sound is insanely good, no matter how many people you have in your yard chatting and socializing. For the best results, I have two which I pair up at the same time to create left and right channels on backyard movie night.
What makes them truly exceptional for outdoor movie use, aside from the sound quality, is how robust they are. At backyard movie parties, drinks can be spilt, or you might even forget to bring them indoors at the end of the night. The manufacturers state that the speakers have been tested to a depth of 3.3 feet for half an hour and will still work. It’s ideal as a Bluetooth speaker for outdoor movie nights.
If you would like more recommendations for speakers suitable for backyard movies, then click here for additional products.
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. 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.
The process of connecting your phone or some other Bluetooth source to the speakers is a little bit tricky. 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 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. There is one 6-inch down-firing driver inside the subwoofer with a bass reflex port at the back. 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.
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