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Things to Consider When Buying a Portable Speaker
Sound Output
It is imperative for you to check the exact type of sound a speaker produces, and buy the one that matches well with your needs. This means that while some people prefer a deep bass, others fancy a softer touch. If you have an inclination towards a deep bass, an apt choice would be a portable speaker with dual drivers and bass radiators since they enhance the bass response while producing a stronger sound for the best performance. While checking for powerful sound, you must keep in mind that the sound quality should also be stable enough for you to enjoy it. boAt Stone 700 is an example of a speaker that provides a clear sound output even in noisy areas.
Durability and Water Resistance
After checking the best sound output, you also need to check if the speaker is strong enough to withstand falls or even water. The speaker should have been built with strong materials so that you don't have to worry about it breaking after a brisk fall. It may have been difficult in the past to find the perfect portable speaker that has the perfect sound output as well as a robust structure. Nevertheless, modern markets facilitate users with an array of options available.
You also need to take into account its resistance to accidental water spills so that you can tag it along for a simple outing. Bose Sound Link Micro is an example of a speaker that has a robust framework coupled with a water-resistant body.
Portability and Design
Various horrid and hefty speakers have been manufactured over the years which makes their portability immensely onerous. Here, you are advised to choose the one with a stylish and light design. In other words, these speakers need to be light to fit anywhere easily and should be pleasant to look at. You will also have to take into account the colours as a characteristic feature of Bluetooth speakers’ design. Portronics POR-871 SoundDrum Bluetooth 4.2 Stereo Speaker is an example of a speaker that has a size that delivers enhanced portability.
Another great and effective feature present in many modern Bluetooth speakers is the pairing of two speakers of the same type together. This may not seem very helpful at first glance but aids magnificently in instances where two speakers need to be paired to augment the volume i.e., in crowded places.
10 Best Portable Speakers
Bose Sound Link Micro
This speaker has a round rectangular shape, and its frame is made of silicone which helps keep it safe from cracks and breakages while increasing its robustness. Also, the buttons are located on the frame to make it more seamless, and therefore, smooth. A detachable body enables it to be hung anywhere for the user’s convenience. For proficient alertness, it has a battery indicator as well as an LED light indicator. It has a 40mm speaker that allows clarity in the sound without distortions regardless of the volume level. It also blends well with the lows and highs to provide a natural sound.
The perks don’t end here. Its Bluetooth v4.1 allows one-tap connectivity with smartphones and TVs. The battery life of the speakers is 6 hours. This also equates to the fact that the speaker takes two to three hours to charge fully. The speakers are, moreover, water-resistant to deliver ease in usage in dry and wet areas. You can buy this at Rs.8,990 from boseindia.com.
JBL Flip 5
This is the latest speaker from the Flip series by JBL. Its shape is cylindrical and it is famous for its quality and great sound output. The nylon fabric used to build the speaker is renowned for its inversion to cracks and breakages. It weighs a bit more than the Flip 4. However, its bass is more pronounced and its lows and high cleaner than ever. Also, it doesn't have any sort of distortion at any volume level.
When tested, the speaker was water-resistant and could be submerged in 1m of water for about 30min without any noticeable damages. It only connects with a connect+ certified device. Its signal reception is good, but you may hear echoes when using it to attend to calls. Its battery life is about 5 hours at normal volume but drops greatly at high volumes. You can buy this at Rs.8,999 from Flipkart.
Sony SRS-XB10 Extra Bass Portable Splash-proof Wireless Speaker
This speaker doesn't have a great shape. However, it is available in 5 colours and has party lights as well. It has great sound output with extra bass and is great for the noisiest places. It has NFC as well as Bluetooth to make its wireless connectivity much easier. An extra feature for this speaker is that it is completely waterproof so you won't have to worry about it getting damaged from spills or splashes in daily use.
Along with its great bass, it can produce really loud music which is also clear without any sorts of distortions. Various apps by Sony will help you choose the one suitable for you. One of its downfalls is that it weighs 900 mg to provide a powerful sound output. It has 24 hours of battery time, and a USB DC port to allow the charging of a phone with it. You can buy this at Rs.2,999 from Cash Karo.
boAt Stone 700
The brand is famous for its sound-related devices, and this boAt Stone 700 maybe its best speaker manufactured till now. The quality of the speaker is great, and it has a rugged design. For durability, its outer part is manufactured using hardened fibre. As a surplus, its plastic mesh is covered with a metal grill to protect it from any breakages.
The 35mm speakers have a range of frequency from 95 Hz to about 1800 Hz. This means that the speaker volume is high and can be used in noisy areas. Its Bluetooth v4.2 allows easy connectivity with other devices, and it consumes less power while doing so. The device is certified by IPX6 proving that it is shockproof and safe from water jets. It is also water-resistant and has a battery life of 8 hours.
You can buy this at Rs.2,499 from Flipkart.
JBL Tuner
The tabletop Bluetooth speaker is a small but effective speaker that you can fit anywhere. It has a mesh grill that covers the whole front side along with the JBL logo. The speaker also has an LED display that shows the battery percentage, song name, and the FM station. The buttons are flexible and provide a fast click response. Moreover, its telescopic antenna may be folded when not in use.
Its 5W 40mm speaker provides great sound output. The speaker's wireless connection is made through the Bluetooth v4.1. The users also have the option of putting in an SD card. Its 3.5 aux allows you to connect it with devices without Bluetooth capability such as with a television. Moreover, its battery lasts for ten hours. It is best for indoor uses but can be taken outdoors as well. You can buy this at Rs.3,699 from Flipkart.
Anker Soundcore Flare
This is probably the best speaker with an affordable price tag. The Anker SoundCore 2 by the company didn't bid well in the market, so it manufactured this efficient piece that has a cylindrical shape. Its design, coupled with the ruggedness, makes it perfect for outdoor use. It has the capacity to endure breakages to a great extent.
The controls are present on the top whereas its battery is adjusted at the back. It weighs around 1.1 pounds and is IPX7 certified waterproof. It provides great lows and mids and works well at high volume levels as well. Features such as Bluetooth v4.2 and AUX provide the highest degree of connectivity in Anker Soundcore Flare. Its wireless range is nearly 20 m or 66 ft and comes with a great app for assistance as well. Its battery life is an astonishing 12 hours. You can buy this at Rs.4,176 from ubuy.co.in.
Portronics POR-871 SoundDrum Bluetooth 4.2 Stereo Speaker
Portronics is one of the leading brands in India which just manufactured its latest speaker. This speaker has a great shape with all its controls on the top. The grenade-sized speaker is highly durable while its FM tuner is immensely easy to use. It is, moreover, IPX6 water and dust-resistant. However, unlike its contenders, it can't stand much rough use.
It has two 5W speakers with amazing amplifiers that work together to provide great sound output. The portable size of the speaker also allows you to tag it along with you with great ease. It has been built to withstand falls without causing any breakages. The strong drum grills in these speakers speak for its strong structure. With a battery life of about 7 hours on a single charge, it provides serious challenges to its contenders. You can buy this at Rs.1,749 from Flipkart.
boAt Rugby Wireless Portable Stereo Speaker
If you are a staunch fan of Rugby, you will adore this speaker along with its wireless connectivity. The boAt Rugby Wireless Portable Stereo Speaker, provided by one of the best sound-related accessory-manufacturing companies, has a deeply enclosed structure. It is extremely easy to set up due to its upgraded Bluetooth connectivity. The AUX input allows it to be connected with many different smart devices such as Smartphones or Smart TVs that don’t support wireless connectivity.
The speaker can produce powerful sounds easily due to its 10-watt fidelity. The built-in mic, on the other hand, enables hands-free mode from a lot of distance. It has an 1800 mAh battery with which you will have about 8 hours of battery time. You can buy this at Rs.1,599 from Flipkart.
pTron Sonor Bluetooth Speaker
The company pTron is famous for making efficient as well as affordable sound-related products in India. This Bluetooth speaker is specially made for budget-conscious buyers. It has a circular shape with speakers on the lower side. The illuminated buttons are on top, and it is constructed from plastic. The overall construction quality of the speaker is not very proficient but still adequate considering its low price.
Moreover, it has a 40mm driver that can lit an entire room with sound. The speaker has a rich bass with clean vocals. The design of the speaker enables the sound to be amplified naturally with a fine audio signature. It comes with a package of Bluetooth v4.2 for wireless connectivity and a 3.5mm AUX for wired connectivity. However, the speaker's battery only lasts for about four hours and can only be charged from DC main supple or a power bank. You can buy this at Rs.1,049 from ptron.in.
Echo Dot (3rd Gen)
This Echo Dot 3rd generation portable speaker is one of the best speakers produced by its manufacturer, and it has achieved the first rank in their review list. It also has 360 degrees sound output. To improve it even further, Alexa is added to make the speaker user-friendly. Alexa will help you with any news, music, weather forecasts, etc. that you want to hear in both English and Hindi. With this, you will be able to access songs in Tamil, Marathi, English, Hindi, Bengali, etc. from apps such as Amazon Prime Music, Apple Music, JioSaavn and Gaana. You can buy this speaker at Rs.4,499 from Paytm Mall.
How to Best Maintain Your Speakers
Keep the Speakers Dust-Free
Dust can cause irreparable damage to your speakers which can be even more costly if you have an expensive speaker. It can also cause the breakage of electrical signals that travel between the speakers and the source by infiltrating the cable connectors. This can ultimately lead to disruptions in the sound system.
To protect your loudspeakers from dust, place them in a dust-free room so there would be no possibility of dust affecting the net or the inside of the speakers. You can also use dust pads, air canisters, or dry cloths to clean out the dust. All of these are very safe ways to clean out dust from the speakers. Also, avoid using any type of liquid cleaner on your portable speakers without referring to the instruction manual that comes with the speaker.
Protect from Heat
Just like dust, heat can also cause a lot of damage to your speaker. Heat from an indirect source can affect the plastic body while direct sunlight can even cause the speakers to corrode. It can, moreover, cause cracking or, in rare cases, melting of the framework. Speakers do not contain heat thermals in their systems. Therefore, exposing them to the direct sunlight can damage the sound and electromagnetic voice coils that are essential for sustaining the electric flow between the source and the speakers. So you should avoid placing them near a window, where sunlight can affect them. For further protection, you can cover them with an insulation sheet when not in use. Placing them next to a working fan after use is another remedy.
Protect Against Static Electricity and Power Surges
Static electricity has many negative effects on speakers. It can affect the inner system as well as the battery of the speakers. Hence, you should get anti-static mats for your speakers. Also, try to keep your speakers away from dry air which allows static-building at a huge level. You can use a humidifier on the speaker but don't place them at a safe distance.
Power surges can also be detrimental to speakers and, even though, some speakers don't directly connect to the power source, the source that they get the power from does. It can damage the interior components of a speaker. Therefore, eliminate the element of power surges from your speakers or the charging source. For this, you may use a voltage regulator or even an uninterruptible power supply.
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Don't Cross the Budget
Portable speakers are available over a well spread out price range. But you have to put your foot down somewhere. Do not spend too much over unnecessary features. Make sure you have a budget in your mind and try researching on the features you really want in your speakers and that will help you find the best speaker within your budget. Do not compromise for a higher price unless it is really worth it. Happy shopping!