When it comes to Bluetooth speakers, small is hot. We have Jawbone and all the marketing it put behind its Jambox partially to thank for that. With its rechargeable battery and impressive sound for its size, the Jambox showed how you could take a tiny portable speaker and pair it with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to create a mini wireless stereo system just about anywhere you were.
But some folks don't want to drop $150 to $175 on a portable speaker, which is why I've put together this list of less expensive alternatives. We'll be reviewing more inexpensive portable Bluetooth speakers as the year goes along and we'll continue to update this list as we listen to new products and earlier models we might have missed.
The good: The iHome iDM11 is an attractively designed, affordably priced, compact Bluetooth speaker that sounds decent enough and plays reasonably loud. It also has a built-in rechargeable battery, speakerphone capabilities, and an audio input cable for non-Bluetooth devices.
The bad: It's a little short on bass and detail; a protective carrying case isn't included; and a proprietary combo cable is needed for wired audio playback.
The bottom line: The iHome iDM11 doesn't sound quite as good as the Jawbone Jambox, but it's a better value at less than $70.
After the success of the Jawbone Jambox, portable Bluetooth speakers are proliferating and iHome has two affordably priced compact models out for 2012, the iDM11 (reviewed here) and the iDM8.
The iDM11 has a boxy design (it looks a little like a miniature version of the Boxee Box) with a corner shaved off so the speaker sits at an angle. It's pretty stylish (I liked the blue light at the base) and feels well-built. This is arguably one of the better-designed products from iHome I've encountered in recent years.
iHome iDM8 (black)
The good: The iHome iDM8 is a distinctly designed, affordably priced, compact Bluetooth speaker that sounds decent enough and plays reasonably loud. It also has a built-in rechargeable battery and an audio input cable for non-Bluetooth devices.
The bad: A little short on bass and detail; no protective carrying case included; a proprietary combo cable is needed for wired audio playback.
The bottom line: The iHome iDM8 is a good portable Bluetooth speaker for the money; we just like its step-up brother, the DM11, a little better.
After the success of the Jawbone Jambox, portable Bluetooth speakers are proliferating and iHome has two affordably priced compact models out for 2012, the iDM11and iDM8.
Available in black or red, the iDM8 ($60 list, $50 online) reviewed here has a bulbous design and seems to be modeled after the top of a microphone (it's a little bigger than your typical singing microphone). It certainly is distinct-looking, feels substantial in your hand, and can be easily placed just about anywhere.
We had no problem pairing an iPhone 4S with the iDM8, which is compatible with all smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices that are Bluetooth-enabled (A2DP). Like other Bluetooth speakers, you can get about 30 feet away from the speaker before you start to lose your wireless audio connection. There's a volume control on the speaker, but most people will chose to set that at the highest level--or near it--and control volume from your phone or other portable device.
Sound quality is decent for a small speaker of this size, though not great. Like its step-up brother, the iDM11, it doesn't have as much bass as the Jambox and its sound isn't terribly detailed. However, most people should be impressed with what it can output and that it can play fairly loud. It'll fill a small room or office with sound, but you won't want to crank your tunes to the max because you'll get some distortion at high volumes, especially with bass-heavy music.
Monster iClarityHD Micro 100(silver)
The good: Two 35mm drivers provide clear sound with ample bass; built-in microphone for voice conferencing; 5-hour battery life; small footprint.
The bad: Very expensive; lacks remote control; rechargeable battery only.
The bottom line: The Monster iClarityHD Precision Micro Bluetooth Speaker 100 delivers excellent sound quality and even includes a microphone for hands-free teleconferencing with a Bluetooth smartphone, but we can't recommend a $120 accessory when Logitech and Creative offer a similar product for less.
The Monster iClarityHD retails for around $75--a drop from its $120 list price.
(Credit: Monster
Bluetooth speakers offer the convenience of playing music from a connected smartphone or computer at your next backyard barbecue or picnic, but because manufacturers drive to make these devices as small as possible, they can also come with an overly ambitious price tag. Such is the case with the Monster iClarityHD, one of the smaller Bluetooth speakers we've seen that delivers excellent audio quality thanks to the dual 35-millimeter drivers and a proprietary passive subwoofer inside that handles the low end. On the other hand, its fidelity doesn't compare to the pricier Soundmatters FoxL v2 and instead sounds more like the lesser-quality Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515 or the Creative D100. Unfortunately, with the latter two devices priced for less than $100, we can't fully recommend the overpriced Monster iClarityHD.
Measuring approximately 4 inches long and 2 inches wide and with a weight of only 0.45 pound, the Monster iClarityHD is certainly the most portable Bluetooth speaker to come through CNET.com, although the FoxL v2 comes close at roughly the same size as a king-size Snickers candy bar. On the other hand, we actually prefer the heft of the FoxL's metal chassis to the fragility of the plastic on the iClarityHD, especially for a product designed to travel in a bag and operate outdoors.
The Monster speaker features dual 35mm drivers hidden behind a plastic grille on the front, and a fluorescent blue light shines in the middle to indicate the status of the Bluetooth connection. On the right side, you'll find four buttons for power, volume up and down, as well as a "phone" button for answering or ignoring calls through the speakerphone.
The back has a simple on/off power switch, a Mini-USB port for charging the rechargeable battery, and a 3.5mm audio-in jack to hard-connect your non-Bluetooth music players. Finally, the top of the iClarityHD features a large reflective surface that looks like a large button, but is actually just for aesthetics and attracts fingerprints as badly as a mirror.
Logitech Mini Boombox (black)
The good: Designed to augment the sound of tablets and smartphones, the Logitech Mini Boombox is a very compact--and cute--Bluetooth speaker that has a built-in rechargeable battery, speakerphone capabilities, a line input, and touch controls. Its sound is impressive for its tiny size.
The bad: The Mini Boombox can't handle heavy bass at higher volumes and the glossy finish is prone to showing scratches.
The bottom line: The Logitech Mini Boombox Bluetooth speaker doesn't sound quite as good as the Jawbone Jambox--or look quite as slick--but it can play loud and has identical features for about half the price.
The Logitech Mini Boombox costs around $80 and has speakerphone capabilities.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
Jawbone has had some success in the market with theJambox, a small Bluetooth speaker with speakerphone capabilities. Designed to augment the sound of smartphones and tablets such the iPad, the nice thing about the Jambox is that it plays loud and takes up little room in your bag so it makes for an excellent traveling companion.
Logitech's Mini Boombox does exactly the same thing as the $175 Jambox, and while it doesn't do it quite as well--and isn't as slickly designed--it only costs half as much.
The Mini Boombox is smaller than the Jambox and about the same size and weight (1 pound) as the Monster iClarityHD, which also sells for around $100. The Mini Boombox has touch-sensitive buttons on the top of speaker and an auxiliary input for plugging in audio devices that aren't Bluetooth-enabled (optional cable not included).
Touch controls on the Mini Boombox's top are illuminated.
The first word that comes to mind when you see this is "cute." Yes, this little guy has an understated but perky design that's sure to get some curious glances from onlookers. My only gripe is that the dark, glossy plastic finish on top of the unit seems prone to showing scratches and fingerprints, so you'll have to be careful to protect the speaker or else it may start to look a little beat up. Alas, Logitech doesn't include any sort of cheap pouch or cover for storing the device.
To recharge the battery, you use the provided USB cable, which you can either connect to a computer or the included power adapter.
Pairing the speaker was simple enough: you just tap the Bluetooth icon on top of the unit and search for Bluetooth devices on your phone or tablet from within the Bluetooth menu. Once it connects, you're ready to start streaming music or a movie soundtrack to the speaker.
Creative D100 (black)
The good: Dual 3-inch drivers carry impressive bass output; runs on four AA batteries; four color options.
The bad: Lacks remote control; can't use it as a speakerphone.
The bottom line: The Creative D100 speaker plays music wirelessly from your Bluetooth-compatible music player with impressive low-end range from its dual 3-inch drivers, making it a worthwhile addition to your next outdoor get-together. And although it doesn't have a remote control or speakerphone functionality, the price is right for this portable speaker and it earns our recommendation.
The Creative D100 is a wireless boom box that connects easily to any device with a Bluetooth connection, and its versatile connectivity options and lightweight design make it easy to bring along to your next barbecue or outdoor gathering. At $80, it's priced favorably next to the more expensive SoundMatters FoxL v2 and Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515, while delivering better sound quality and more bass thanks to the dual 3-inch drivers prominently displayed across the front of the speaker. If you're on the hunt for a portable music player to free your music from a Bluetooth smartphone, the Creative D100 is a great buy.
The cylindrical shape of the Creative D100 is physically larger than the Logitech Z515, but it actually weighs just 2.2 pounds so you can easily move it around your house or stuff it in a picnic basket to add tunes to your outing. Creative offers it in blue, pink, green, or black to accommodate a variety of palettes, but we wish that it came with a protective case like the one included with the Logitech Z515.
The design is very straightforward, with Bluetooth and volume controls spread across a small strip of plastic on the front of the device, and an on/off switch, auxiliary-in port, and the power port rounding out the rear. On the bottom of the speaker, you'll find four rubber feet to prevent the D100 from slipping across a tabletop as well as a battery cover that slides off to reveal a compartment for the four AA alkaline batteries you need to power the device on the go. Unlike the Z515, the D100 doesn't come with a built-in rechargeable battery (which accounts for the lower price tag), but Creative rates the battery at up to 25 hours of music play.
The good: Includes wireless USB adapter and Bluetooth connectivity; durable case; moderate sound quality; 10-hour rechargeable battery.
The bad: Lacks remote control; can't use it as a speakerphone; rechargeable battery only; Creative D100 has bigger drivers and four color options.
The bottom line: With its durable outer shell, multiple connectivity options, and wide range of sound, the Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515 makes a great sidekick for your next backyard barbecue or picnic party. However, if portability isn't your primary concern, you can trade size for sound quality with the Creative D100, another Bluetooth speaker that costs less than the Logitech.
The Logitech Z515 isn't sexy, but it does sound decent and is a good value.
(Credit: Logitech)
The $100 Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515 is a simple solution for freeing your music from the aural prison of your computer and mobile audio player. We've reviewed portable Bluetooth speakers in the past, but most have to sacrifice price for size like the SoundMatters FoxL v2, a tiny Bluetooth speaker that'll set you back $200.
The Logitech Z515, on the other hand, offers decent audio quality, two ways to connect to the speaker, and a tough outer shell built to handle the rigors of portable play for $100, while still maintaining a small footprint. It lacks features like a remote control and the option to use alkaline batteries, but we still have no issue recommending the Z515. On the other hand, if you care more about sound quality than size, the Creative D100 comes with dual 3-inch drivers (the Z515 has dual 2-inch drivers) and a price tag $20 cheaper than the Logitech.
The Z515 is made of a tough black plastic and has two 2-inch drivers mounted on the front of the speaker, but they're hidden behind a solid mesh grille to protect them from the elements. We're not thrilled with the aesthetics of the speakers, and it feels clunky and boring next to the Creative D100's four color options and oval construction. The Z515 feels tough, though, and although the Creative D100 is actually a bit lighter, the Z515's overall footprint is still smaller and actually feels stronger thanks to the extra heft. Logitech also includes a zippered carrying case made of ballistic nylon to shield the device even further.
Aside from the two drivers, the front panel is almost bare, save for two small LEDs for battery power and connection status. A thick plastic foot pops out of the back for free-standing operation, and you can store the wireless USB dongle in a small yellow pocket underneath. The volume and power buttons live just above the foot, and although they're all lined up horizontally, each one is shaped differently, which makes it easy to distinguish them without looking. Finally, two rubber feet sit on the very bottom of the speaker to brace it against a tabletop while in action.
(courtesy:www.cnet.com)
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