Summer is in full swing and it's nice to be outside with some music. For this we can choose from an almost inexhaustible number of different bluetooth speakers. Computer!Totaal made a good attempt and listened to 12 models.
Bluetooth speakers are actually lifestyle rather than technology products. This can be seen in the many different colors in which you can purchase almost all the models discussed, but also in the fact that they show similarities rather than differences. We have experienced it many times: let someone who is not yet familiar with the phenomenon hear a bluetooth speaker and they are soon surprised about the sound quality. The expectations are of course not high with the often small boxes, which makes it difficult to assess a speaker in itself. If you put twelve next to each other, then there are indeed differences audible and visible in the functionality. Also read: 10 tips for Spotify - This is how you get the most out of the streaming service.
Functionality
To start with the latter. Most, but not all models can serve as 'hands-free' telephones: there is a button for this and a built-in microphone. Handy, then you don't have to do strange things when you receive a call (usually your smartphone will be the source of your music). Most models have their own volume control, some models also have buttons with which you can further control the playback (for example, stop or pause). The volume control therefore usually works independently of that of the playing device.
We also see here and there extras such as a headphone output at Fresh 'n Rebel, simple mp3/wma/wav music players with a microSD memory card reader at Edifier and Creative and a charging function via a USB port at Creative, Fresh 'n Rebel, JBL and Sony. A surprising number of the participants are minimally splash-proof. The degree of water resistance is not clearly stated by all manufacturers and ranges from IPX4 'can withstand water splashes' to IPX7 'can be submerged for half an hour'.
Sound quality
In terms of sound quality, there are few real setbacks in the test. This is partly because we have not set the bar too low in the selection of models, the cheapest model still costs about sixty euros. Sound quality is of course a subjective and personal concept, but modern technology ensures that the small drivers are surprisingly versatile in capacity to reproduce a large part of the audible frequency range. More luxurious models have DSPs (digital signal processors) that can (largely) partly compensate for the inherent weaknesses of very compact designs, whereby even surprisingly deep lows can be realized.
Test
For this article, we've listened to all twelve speakers with the same selection of songs to map the playback of five different genres, namely pop, rock, rap/hip-hop, techno and classical. We also looked at how quickly distortion occurred at higher volumes - after all, these speakers will often be used outdoors, where some extra power may be needed. We were generally not disappointed, although most models will deform uncomfortably at the peak of their ability. Also for the battery life it is recommended to keep the volume at seventy percent or below. Speaking of which, it is difficult to accurately and reproducibly test playtime. Much depends on the volume and the selected source. It is advisable to take the manufacturer's information with a grain of salt. Half is always achieved, two-thirds usually are. In addition, we have made an inventory of the functionality and taken it into account in the final assessment. All data can be found in the table accompanying this article.
Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 *****
The Roar 2 from Creative is the most expensive model in the test, but the device has a lot to offer. In addition to the Bluetooth speaker function, it is also suitable for hands-free calling, but we often find that function. Rarer are the built-in MP3 player and microSD memory card reader, the ability to use it as an external sound card, and to record with the built-in microphone and charge a smartphone via USB with the built-in 6000mAh battery. Creative specifies a playtime of 8 hours on the battery, which you can charge via the supplied adapter or via the built-in micro USB connection.
Internally, the Roar 2 contains two drivers for mid-range and treble, plus a woofer with its own amplifier. The layer is further deepened by two passive radiators. With a weight of almost a kilo, it is quite heavy, but the very compact dimensions make it suitable to take with you. The sound production of the Roar 2 is impressive, with a very high maximum volume and very solid bass. That dominates to some extent at times, but on the whole this is an excellent speaker, especially for the asking price. Support for the AAC and Apt-X codecs helps with that.
Price
€ 230,-
Website
//nl.creative.com
Pros
Very versatile
Excellent sound quality
Negatives
Battery life not the best
high weight
Edifier MP233 ***
The Edifier MP233 doesn't have such an appealing name, but it makes up for it with its looks and capabilities. It is narrowly the cheapest player in the test, yet it offers a built-in MP3 player with microSD card reader, NFC, on-device controls and hands-free calling. Edifier supplies this speaker in various colors, our copy was beautiful blue. Internally there are two 4.8cm full-range drivers and a passive radiator at the rear to give the low end some body. According to Edifier, the battery should last for twelve hours, which is respectable. The entire device weighs 450 grams and is therefore easy to carry. In practice, the MP233 sounds reasonable, but the quality is not always easy in both the low and the high. It quickly becomes shrill and the bass is subpar. With simple pop or a not-too-demanding classical piece, the MP233 can keep up with it, but you shouldn't expect much more from it. Considering the price, that is understandable.
Price
€ 60,-
Website
www.edifier.com/nl/nl/
Pros
Lots of extra features
Can play independently
Negatives
Poor sound quality
Fresh 'n Rebel Rockbox Brick Fabriq ****
The Rockbox Brick Fabriq is one of many models from this very productive brand from the outset. The Fabriq models distinguish themselves with a cool fabric as a finish instead of a metal speaker grille. They are available in various pastel colours. This Brick is a compact box with touch-sensitive playback and volume buttons, an auxiliary input and a headphone jack. You can recharge your smartphone thanks to the USB-A connection.
The internal battery has a capacity of 4000 mAh, according to the manufacturer sufficient for a playing time of no less than twenty hours. Internally there are two unspecified full-range drivers and a passive radiator. Although the bass leaves something to be desired, the Rockbox still delivers a pretty convincing sound for its price range. Rock sounds nice and solid and pop comes out well too. With a solid rap or techno song we miss punch in the low end, but below the line we are quite charmed by this speaker. It has relatively few extras, but the features present are useful and the rest of the budget has clearly gone to the sound quality.
Price
€ 60,-
Website
www.freshnrebel.com/nl/
Pros
Headphone jack
Charging function
Negatives
Lacks power in the low
Jabra Solemate ****
The Solemate from Jabra is a bit older, but can still keep up perfectly. An interim update gave the oversized speaker NFC, but otherwise the functionality is basic. In addition to playing music, you can make calls with it, connected via micro-usb to a PC, it can work as an external sound card. The Solemate has one thing: the sound quality and that is excellent. Two tweeters, a woofer and a passive radiator take care of the reproduction. The bass response of this speaker is impressive for its size, and so is the maximum volume. The DSP that optimizes the display does a great job, because despite the lack of support for the Apt-X codec, the Solemate sounds like a clock. Thanks to the rubber foot, it stands firmly and does not vibrate even with songs with a solid bass. The Solemate simply does very well in a variety of genres, with a solid mid-range, sufficient highs and convincing lows. It is a musical all-rounder and only its somewhat striking design will probably stop you from choosing it. If you don't care much about looks, this is still a very good choice that can be found today for a very reasonable price.
Price
€ 116,-
Website
www.jabra.nl
Pros
Excellent sound quality
NFC
Negatives
Relatively heavy
Battery life not the best
JBL Charge 2+****
JBL claims to be the market leader in Bluetooth speakers and the Charge has long been the brand's most popular model. The Charge 2+ is the most recent incarnation. Like many recent JBL models, it is splash-proof. You can even hold the device under running water, so you don't have to worry about some rain. Like most manufacturers, JBL also supplies its products in many trendy colours. Our copy of the Charge 2+ came in a fun mint green, but there are plenty of alternatives if that color doesn't appeal to you. The feature of the Charge line is the possibility to charge a smartphone via a USB host port. The built-in 6000 mAh battery offers more than enough capacity for this. According to JBL, it is also enough to listen to it for about twelve hours, although the final time depends of course on the volume. The Charge 2+ sounds great, with sufficient detail in the mids and highs and a pretty solid bass thanks to the passive radiator. It is nice that you can listen to up to three different sources, so you can, for example, alternate with the choice of music at a party. It's not the cheapest in its class, but the large battery justifies the price in our opinion.
Price
€ 149,-
Website
www.jbl.nl
Pros
Splash-proof
Charging function
Negatives
Relatively heavy
