Inspired by the looks of guitar amps, the Newport has beautiful metal grills and physical knobs to adjust the volume, treble and bass. I tried a variety of tracks, from Korean pop (don’t judge me) to classical to rock and came away impressed at how the sound holds up. Besides being a portable Bluetooth speaker, the Fender can also charge your phone through a USB port at the rear.
Fender Newport Bluetooth speaker review: It’s not just a nostalgia trip, this speaker sounds great
The Newport is one of the best-sounding single-cabinet Bluetooth speakers of its size on the market, totally justifying its $200 price tag. If you didn’t catch it in the intro, the Newport is designed in the style of a portable Fender amp, like the famous Princeton, Reverb, or Twin. Appreciation for the superior tactile and visual feedback afforded by old-school analog controls is rare in a world that’s enamored with touchscreens. Note that the treble and bass are actually boosts, adding emphasis to the high or very low frequencies; they’re not boost-cut types like on a real guitar amp.
The Newport is sturdily constructed, as is evidenced but its 3.25-pound curb weight, although some of that is undoubtedly due to the large battery inside. The speaker measures 5.6-inches high, by 3.5-inches deep, by 7.25-inches wide, which makes it a bit more cumbersome that most, albeit still perfectly portable.
That will charge the unit much faster than a 5-volt USB style hookup, but of course it’s not as common as the micro-USB connector that most BT speakers use. The minute you hear the guitar strum that accompanies power up, you get the idea that the 30-watt Newport’s emanations might be on the plus side of pleasant.
It has enough top-end to keep things clear, the mid-range is decently tight, and turning the bass up to 10 provides more than adequate thump for most music genres. Fender claims up to 12 hours of run time for the Newport, and that’s just about how long it ran at low volume.
Fender Newport review
Fender’s brand name is better associated with its guitars, but it has recently been taking steps into the world of consumer electronics with its own range of headphones and wireless speakers. We’d recommend choosing a song you know well and turning the bass knob from the bottom to the top a few times until you find the spot you like and – then do the same with the treble dial. In our testing, we prefer around the mid-way point – five or six – but that may well differ depending on your room size and shape, and the surface you’re keeping the speaker on. Solange’s Don’t Touch My Hair is kept in line by the Newport, with the bass beats put in their place to make room for Knowles’ clear and delicate lyrics. The two woofers perform well, able to differentiate between the thumping strikes which keep time through the track and the way the bass changes to a lower gear for the deeper beats. The Newport reveals the small breaths, the melisma to her tone, and the texture of Sampha’s husky whispers when he comes into the song.
It wouldn’t be a proper test of a Fender product without some classic rock ‘n’ roll, so we blast out Jimi Hendrix’ Voodoo Child (Slight Return). The choppy guitar at the start of the track rises from the depths well and, once the first few licks have been played and the full force of Hendrix’s riffing begins, the Newport’s sense of dynamism is revealed. Strong and forceful for a speaker in this price range, it’s a game performer that handles the change from loud squealing notes to quieter, rumbling riffs to satisfaction. It’s timing is tight too – though your foot starts tapping a little more readily when listening to the £150 Ultimate Ears Blast, the Newport keeps good pace.
Fender Newport Bluetooth speaker review: It’s not just a nostalgia trip, this speaker sounds great
The Newport is one of the best-sounding single-cabinet Bluetooth speakers of its size on the market, totally justifying its $200 price tag. If you didn’t catch it in the intro, the Newport is designed in the style of a portable Fender amp, like the famous Princeton, Reverb, or Twin. Appreciation for the superior tactile and visual feedback afforded by old-school analog controls is rare in a world that’s enamored with touchscreens.
Note that the treble and bass are actually boosts, adding emphasis to the high or very low frequencies; they’re not boost-cut types like on a real guitar amp.
The Newport is sturdily constructed, as is evidenced but its 3.25-pound curb weight, although some of that is undoubtedly due to the large battery inside. The speaker measures 5.6-inches high, by 3.5-inches deep, by 7.25-inches wide, which makes it a bit more cumbersome that most, albeit still perfectly portable. That will charge the unit much faster than a 5-volt USB style hookup, but of course it’s not as common as the micro-USB connector that most BT speakers use. The minute you hear the guitar strum that accompanies power up, you get the idea that the 30-watt Newport’s emanations might be on the plus side of pleasant. It has enough top-end to keep things clear, the mid-range is decently tight, and turning the bass up to 10 provides more than adequate thump for most music genres. Fender claims up to 12 hours of run time for the Newport, and that’s just about how long it ran at low volume.
The best Bluetooth speakers 2021: the top portable speakers for any budget
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 Prime View at Amazon View at Sevenoaks View at very.co.uk 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 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 Prime View at Amazon View at very.co.uk View at John Lewis 8 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 View at Currys Prime View at Amazon View at argos.co.uk 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. 150 ft Frequency response: 45 – 20,000Hz Drivers: N/A NFC: Yes Aux-in: N/A USB charging: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at John Lewis View at Currys Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Excellent sound performance + Smart dual connection function + Stylish design Reasons to avoid – Fairly heavy at 13lbs
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 Prime View at Amazon View at John Lewis View at very.co.uk 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.
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 Check 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.
12 Loudest Bluetooth Speakers of 2021 (Big and Small)
This article is all about buying a loud Bluetooth speaker and because of that we’ve added a Safe Music Listening Guide at the end with tips on how to protect your hearing. This should help you understand loudness, how it’s measured, and what to be aware of so you can enjoy your music for years to come. Take a peek at the graph below comparing the weight – which is usually not a bad indication of the physical size – of the loudest Bluetooth speakers on our list, with their corresponding volume:
While most of our selection can be picked up and carried relatively easily, they are not the type of speakers you just throw in your backpack and head off to the beach.
While they’re portable they are slightly larger than our petite speakers and therefore pack more of a punch and generally deliver a better sound. They are compact portable Bluetooth speakers you don’t expect to be very loud, and they end up surprising you with some serious sound.
There would be some merit to that approach, but we are all about helping you make good purchase decisions, and we think that’s not the way to go. One of the limitations or challenges of driver design is that most speakers notoriously start distorting their sound and lose quality as you crank up the volume. We’re selecting speakers that will deliver crisp undistorted lows, mids, and highs when performing at top volume.
34 lbs IPX: 5 Check Price The SOUNDBOKS is the loudest portable Bluetooth speaker money can buy. The large gauge mesh on the front of the third generation Soundboks openly displays the two 10″ woofers and 1″ tweeter that provide the top-quality music listening experience you will get with this Bluetooth speaker, and the side panels of this device each have an inlaid durable handle that will make handling this speaker more convenient. If you’re looking for a bargain you aren’t going to find it here, but for those of you looking for an incredible speaker with a great list of features and connectivity options you have found something special here.
13 lbs IPX: Unspecified Check Price One of the loudest Bluetooth speakers on the market at the moment is the Aiwa Exos-9. Design and Features The Aiwa Exos-9 is a modern portable Bluetooth speaker but with classic HiFi/boombox characteristics.
The fancy onboard capacitive touch control panel allows you to switch between inputs, play/pause, and adjust audio settings. Conclusion The Aiwa Exos-9 is an absolute beast and will be the perfect loud portable Bluetooth speaker for any occasion. Having said that, the speaker is well built and will be good company for BBQs, garden parties, or even tailgating. Even though this speaker isn’t waterproof, you can still use the Exos-9 for a pool party positioned at a safe distance from the water. 15.5 lbs IPX: Unspecified Check Price So, you want a high-end party speaker that will blast music, but you don’t want to spend enough to pay for a month’s rent, introducing: the Bose S1! This is a Bluetooth PA speaker that will undoubtedly blow your and your friend’s socks off with its sheer volume at 109 dB peak. Like most Bose products, the S1’s visual design is practical and sleek with a no-frills sort of appeal to it. The speaker is quite sturdy, it is made of very durable plastic, so it will go wherever the party is without any issues and provide you with music for 11 hours on a single charge. If you want more control over your sound, this speaker has two built-in 3-channel mixers and integrated EQ and reverb processing. The Bose S1 offers very high-quality audio at deafening volumes, and if you want your music any louder, you’ll need to pay quite a bit more for it.
Conclusion In conclusion, the Bose S1 Bluetooth PA speaker is a fantastic audio solution for parties, gatherings, or home audio if you are looking for intense volume and great quality but don’t want to spend the extra money for the highest the high-end has to offer. These are the speakers that you’re likely to park in a room and expect them to fill with great sounding (and in this case loud!) Featuring an IPX7 rated waterproof case, BassUp technology, and an integrated app, the Soundcore Trance is a great party speaker that will get the whole crowd moving without breaking your budget.
Around the speakers, there are two circular LED lights that morph and dance along to your music and keep the party going strong.
Soundcore’s BassUp technology allows for both a balanced sound profile for indoor events and a Bass Boost mode for an improved outdoor listening experience. Feel free to take your Soundcore Trance into the pool or out on the boat because its chassis is rated for IPX7 waterproofing, so you don’t have to worry about going without your favorite music even if it gets fully submerged!
On top of all of these fantastic features, you can also use the Soundcore Trance’s robust 18-hour battery to charge your devices, or pair two of these speakers together for a stereo music experience. With the Soundcore App, you can play party games, change between indoor and outdoor listening modes, and choose from 5 different LED visualizers that will sync with your music!
For its price, the Soundcore Trance delivers clear treble and great bass without distortion or popping. Conclusion Overall, the Soundcore Trance is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers in its price range and boasts great build and sound quality. The Soundcore app integration and front-facing LED light show make this speaker a perfect audio solution for parties whether they’re indoors or outside, rain, or shine. It’s waterproof, loud, and durable, so no matter where the party takes you this Bluetooth speaker will have your back and provide you and your friends and family with all the music you love.
8 lbs IPX: 7 Check Price The makers of the Turtlebox present it as an “outdoor rugged Bluetooth speaker”, and you have to take but one look at the design to believe that they’re probably serious in this claim. Design and Features The design of the Turtlebox is different, though not completely unique, in that at a first glance you’ll be forgiven to think the makers took a hard-shell case, commonly used to protect and waterproof outdoor gear and camera equipment, and built a speaker in it. The IP67 Turtlebox shell is waterproof, dustproof, and shock-resistant and is intended to handle anything the elements throw at it. The lows are rich and it does a great job at keeping the mids and highs balanced at the same time. If you want something more “refined” for your living room, consider the Aiwa Ecos-9, but if you’re looking for a speaker to take outdoors, this one should be top of your list. In fact, if you’re looking for a really loud small form-factor Bluetooth speaker you should consider the Turtelbox, whether you’ll be taking it outdoors or not.
The DBSOARS is designed to be carried like a briefcase, making it the perfect speaker to take… well, on the go. Design and Features The speaker comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating, which means it can be submerged to a depth of 1m (3.3 ft) for up to 30 minutes.
The built-in battery offers up to 30 hours of playing time, which means you can take the DBSOARS on extended trips, camping, tailgating, and more. The speaker also features a 4-button onboard control panel, including functionality to play/pause, adjust the volume, skip tracks, and pair Bluetooth devices. The DBSOARS features two 15W full-range drivers coupled to two bass radiators delivering up to 30W of sound. The mid-range and treble response is average sounding when compared to the more premium speakers on this list, but still clear enough to enjoy your music.
The speaker offers simple features with a big sound to keep the party going no matter where you are. 5.27 lbs IPX: 7 Check Price JBL is a firm favorite in the portable speaker market. The mega pro-audio brand has a product for just about every application but definitely leads the way when it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers.
The JBL Xtreme 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker was released a few years ago but continues to be a firm favorite with consumers.
At 11.5 inches long and weighing just 5.27 lbs, the Xtreme 2 is portable enough to throw in a large backpack to take on any adventures. Design and Features The JBL Xtreme 2 is somewhat chunky, a bit bigger than the average portable Bluetooth speaker. The speaker is covered in JBL’s signature rubberized mesh, offering protection from the odd bump and drop. The Xtreme 2 has an IPX7 rating, which means you can take it to the pool or beach without worrying about it getting wet (or even falling in!).
The JBL Xtreme 2 features a built-in speakerphone with a mic so you can make and receive calls while your mobile is paired with the speaker. Call quality is decent, but you need to be close to the speaker for the caller to hear you properly. You can pair up to 3 Bluetooth devices at the same time, making it easy to take turns playing music with your friends. There is a 6-button control panel on top of the Xtreme, allowing you to play/pause, adjust volume, skip tracks, pair Bluetooth devices, and enable JBL Connect+.
As to be expected from JBL, the Xtreme 2 is rock solid when it comes to sound quality. The Xtreme 2 is surprisingly warm and bassy for such a small speaker with a clear and upfront mid-range. If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker for use at home, around the pool, and perhaps even on the odd outdoor adventure, then the JBL Xtreme 2 will be an excellent choice.
3.5 lbs IPX: 3 Check Price If you’re looking for a sleek and stylish portable Bluetooth speaker, then you may want to take a peek at the RIVA TURBO X.
The minimalist design, capacitive touch buttons, and high-gloss top give the TURBO X a sophisticated, premium look. The TURBO X features an impressive 26-hour built-in battery placing it above many of the premium competitors in this department.
Audio Connections and Controls The TURBO X offers Bluetooth for wireless and ⅛-inch AUX for cable inputs. The TURBO X has an adjustable EQ and even offers a PHONO MODE for when you connect a turntable via the ⅛-inch AUX input. Buttons include power, Trillium™ Surround, input selection/Bluetooth pairing, mute, volume, and TURBO MODE. If you’re watching movies or playing games on your mobile, Trillium Surround will enhance the audio experience.
If you’re watching movies or playing games on your mobile, Trillium Surround will enhance the audio experience. When engaged, the TURBO X will enhance specific frequencies, particularly the low-end, for a louder, more immersive audio experience.
Overall, the TURBO X is a fun Bluetooth speaker to listen to, especially for urban and dance music genres. Conclusion RIVA Audio is relatively new to the market but has already released several incredible Bluetooth speakers. In the last part of this article, we’ve included a list of 5 small loud Bluetooth speakers.
In this small selection, you’ll find speakers as cheap as $28 while some of the premium brands will cost between $100 to $150.
1.47 lbs IPX: Unspecified Check Price Bose is one of the most popular consumer audio brands. This awesome little speaker is great for use around the home but is compact enough to fit inside a backpack or even a small handbag.
This all-metal design offers durability but also gives the SoundLink Mini II a premium look and feel. As an optional extra, you can purchase Bose soft covers to dress your SoundLink Mini II stylishly and prevent the speaker from getting scratched. The SoundLink Mini II will give you 10 hours of playing time from a fully charged battery.
The cradle is also great for acoustics as it prevents the speaker from vibrating and moving on the surface it’s playing from.
The computerized voice tells you the remaining battery life, Bluetooth pairing instructions, and even says who’s on the other end of the line for an incoming call. The SoundLink Mini II also has a built-in microphone so you can use voice assistants like Siri and Google.
The speaker is also compatible with Alexa devices, and you can even pick up a SoundLink Mini II with an Echo Dot as a bundle offer on Amazon. Bose doesn’t specify the power output of the SoundLink Mini II; however, we can confirm it’s seriously loud for its size.
Where most competitors tune the low-end of their Bluetooth speakers for dance and urban music, the SoundLink Mini II sounds incredible for all genres. The mid-range is forward with the SoundLink Mini II delivering excellent vocal clarity, especially given the speaker’s size!
Conclusion Bose is renowned for its quality in both sound and aesthetics, and the SoundLink Mini II is no different. 1.3 lbs IPX: 7 Check Price When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, Ultimate Ears is always up there just behind or often on par with big brands like JBL, Sony, and Bose.
The speaker features a built-in speakerphone with a microphone allowing you to receive calls and use voice assistants. A single tap to the top of the speaker will play or pause songs, while a quick double-tap with skip to the next track.
The MEGABOOM features 2 x 2″ full-range drivers paired with 2 x 2″ passive bass radiators for improved low-end performance. Although the speaker has minimal onboard controls, the MEGABOOM app allows you to access many more functions and settings.
The SoundBox Touch features a 12-hour built-in battery that will fully recharge from flat in under 4 hours. The speaker carries an IPX4 waterproof rating which essentially makes the SoundBox Touch splashproof.
The call quality isn’t great, so I wouldn’t base my purchase of the SoundBox Touch on its speakerphone! Buttons include play/pause/call management, skip left and right, volume control, and input selection. The speaker will easily fill a small room which is great for dorms, home offices, the bedroom, or the kitchen.
Mid-range and treble response is undoubtedly better than most Bluetooth speakers under $30, but nowhere near the quality of premium brands.
Conclusion If you’re looking for a cheap Bluetooth speaker that still has a premium sound and finish, then the DOSS SoundBox Touch is one to consider. The Touch comes in at the same price point as the Anker Soundcore, and both speakers have a similar sound profile.
The rubberized sides don’t just protect the Soundcore 2 from bumps and scratches, but also prevent the speaker from moving around when turned up to max volume. Adventure seekers will be pleased to know the Soundcore 2 features an IPX7 waterproof rating protecting the speaker against complete submersion to a depth of 1 meter (3.2 foot) for up to 30 minutes.
Audio Connections and Controls You have the option of cable or wireless with a ⅛-inch input and Bluetooth. With the latest version of Bluetooth onboard, you can expect stable connectivity and range from the Soundcore 2. The Soundcore 2 delivers a decent amount of low-end; however, I wouldn’t call it a bass speaker by any means. Conclusion If you don’t like the gloss finish on the DOSS SoundBox Touch, then the Anker Soundcore 2 is a good alternative.
Decibels show the ratio between different signal levels whereas watts are an exact measurement of an electrical circuit’s rate of energy transference. This means that simply adding power is a very inefficient way to increase volume due to the dynamic driver speaker’s inherent design flaws.
This means that in order to hear a very low-pitched frequency, like 20Hz, at the same perceived loudness as a noise of 1kHz (1000Hz) you would need to increase the dB by +50.
If your speakers have a great frequency response but your room is filled with hard surfaces that reflect noise, your sound quality may still be muddy. Sit in the same spot and play the same song or clip from a film and make small, measured adjustments to the location of your speakers, be sure to get creative! All rooms are different so take notes on increases and decreases in quality; you will be surprised how much a small adjustment can change your audio experience.
Place throw rugs where sounds tend to bounce off of hard floors or add a few canvas paintings to your walls. If you want to spend your whole life listening to great speakers, the best approach is to be sure you protect your hearing. Standalone hardware dB meters usually cost anywhere from $50 to $300, so the app can get you a lot of functionality at a much lower price point. When using headphones, it is common knowledge to never listen at max volume, but with speakers’ people have differing opinions about what levels are comfortable for them. Many speaker systems have great frequency response and don’t require extreme volumes to hear details in the audio signals you are listening to. When listening at louder than normal volumes in the cases of concerts, festivals, and parties it is always wise to wear earplugs to protect your ears.
Wear earplugs in loud public settings like concerts or construction sites, and at home, don’t crank that knob all the way! It feels like Bluetooth speakers have come a long way in such a short space of time. Another spin-off feature of improving battery technology is that many Bluetooth speakers no also double as a power bank to charge your other devices.
Brands like JBL, SOUNDBOKS, Bose, and Sony continue to deliver on sound quality.
These brands do charge a premium, but the quality is far superior to the budget end of the Bluetooth speaker market. More and more Bluetooth speakers are also including Alexa integration with the ability to connect with Echo devices.
While not the loudest Bluetooth speaker we’ve come across, just listen to this: the 4500 peak watts are enabled by 108 patents.
Fender’s new Mustang GT amps have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth so you can build your tone with an app
You can also modify and save sounds directly from the amp, but while the color LCD display and well-marked buttons aren’t bad to use, the interface is better suited to making quick little adjustments than for fiddling with all the dozens of variables of a tone. Most electric guitar players probably won’t let the Mustang absorb their entire setup, of course, and there are certainly effects that are better suited to life inside a physical pedal, if only for interface reasons. I picked the GT 40 to test, because in some sense the size doesn’t determine your tone with these series, only the volume. In the original demo I received, with another highly talented man playing guitar for me and quickly cycling through sounds, everything sounded a little “canned” to my skeptical, non-guitar-amp-expert ears, but once I started tweaking the tone and playing the guitar myself, I was totally sold on the experience.
Product Review: Fender Newport News Bluetooth Speaker
You can adjust your treble or bass settings according to the music you’re listening to using their distinguishable witch-hat knobs and enjoy classic Fender tone with two full-range speakers and one Tweeter. The Newport also features onboard microphone echo-canceling technology (great for whenever calls come in), and a USB charge port just in case you want to power up your phone or any of your other devices. The only complaint I have (if I really wanted to nitpick) is the weight of the speaker (perhaps it would be bothersome if you’re traveling with it a lot), but I’m more than happy to tote it around it if it means I’ll be getting a great, clean sound when streaming music.
Newport Bluetooth Speaker review: Decent sound in a small classic looking package
Our Fender Newport Bluetooth Speaker review takes a look at a second, and smaller, recent entry into the market by the well-known guitar and amp company. aptX, AAC, SBC Power Requirements: AC Adapter with barrel connector, input 100-240V, output 2.8A/16V
The front speaker grille is made from metal and features rows of small slits. Like the bigger Monterey, one thing you can’t do with the speaker, however, is control playback so you’ll have to keep your phone or other device handy to play, pause or skip tracks.
It’s obviously not at the level of the Monterey, but with 30W of output, it gets pretty loud and has a nice balance across lows, mids, and highs. Generally speaking, you should be able to get close to the sound you want using the volume, bass, and treble dials on the speaker.
While the speaker sounds pretty fantastic out of the box, I did find I was able to squeeze even more bass out of it when enabling the equalizer on my phone. With a stated Bluetooth range of 33′, the Newport lets you move pretty freely around the house or backyard with phone in hand.
Of course, an area with more direct sight lines to the speaker will allow you to get further away but for the most part, the Newport fared well with reception and range from my phone while in use.
Given that it also has the capability to charge your smartphone from the USB A port on the back, that will also affect battery life. At an MSRP of $199.99USD, the Fender Newport is leaning towards the higher end for portable Bluetooth speakers. Given the Fender name, quality construction, decent battery life, and sound output, the price is pretty reasonable.
With Fender’s music background, it’s not surprising to see the second of their two introductory Bluetooth speakers take home a Top Pick of 2017 Award here at Techaeris. Compact, great sound, stylish retro design and an all-day battery are just some of the reasons why you should consider the Fender Newport Bluetooth speaker.
Reviewed: Fender Monterey and Newport Bluetooth Speakers
Classic design features like witch hat dials, blue jewel indicator LEDs and silver face era grille cloth lend a touch of rock and roll charm to your hi-fi cabinet. If the idea of an instrument manufacturer of the stature of Fender veering into other avenues sticks in your craw a bit then I totally understand, but the fact remains that both the Monterey and Newport execute their purpose above and beyond the call of duty.
Be First to Comment