Bluetooth speakers have been gaining popularity for their convenience, portability and, more importantly, improvement in sound quality. With the popularity of streaming services and more people listening to music through computers and mobile devices, they are becoming a must-have in every modern home.
Bluetooth speakers have been gaining popularity for their convenience, portability and, more importantly, improvement in sound quality. With the popularity of streaming services and more people listening to music through computers and mobile devices, they are becoming a must-have in every modern home.
The new SRS-ZR7 has built-in support for Google Cast and Spotify Connect. It also has an HDMI input for you to connect to a TV set. The speaker comes with Sony’s ‘Wireless Stereo’ function and can be paired for a wider stereo effect with either another ZR7 or the ZR5 model. The speakers will automatically split the right and left channels between them when paired. The sound quality is impressively well balanced for such a compact speaker.
Compact, powerful and packed full of features, Creative’s latest Bluetooth speaker comes with a USB charging port for your mobile device, and an app for iOS and Android for you to personalise your audio via your device. The built-in 9000mAh Li-ion battery provides up to 20 hours of playtime on a full charge. The audio quality is impressively full-bodied and loud for its size.
Louder and better sounding than its predecessor, the Soundlink III is compact enough for you to move it around your home. The battery has been improved – it can now last 14 hours without recharging. However, this model uses an AC adapter for charging, while most other speakers use USB or micro- USB. There is no speaker phone function, either. It may not score high on features, but the audio quality is one of the most impressive for a speaker of its size.
HOW IT WORKS
Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology that connects devices over short distances. However, not all devices – such as a DVD player or TV – come with such technology. So if you’re thinking of connecting non-Bluetoothenabled gadgets to the speaker, do check its connectivity specs. To test for sound quality, play some songs that you’re familiar with over the speakers via Bluetooth with your mobile device, at various volume levels.
ASK BEFORE YOU BUY
When shopping for a Bluetooth speaker, ask yourself which functions are the most essential to your lifestyle. Do you need it to be lightweight, rechargeable and small enough to take with you on your travels? Do you prioritise high-fidelity sound? Or are you looking for additional functions, such as speaker phone or a USB charging port for your mobile phone? There’s a Bluetooth speaker out there that will meet your budget and needs.
