How to choose a portable speaker

When choosing a portable speaker you should pay attention to the connection standard and some other technical characteristics of the device.

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How to choose a portable speaker: what to look for
Main selection criteria
Top manufacturers

How to choose a portable speaker: what to look for

The key criteria when choosing a portable speaker are:

Connection standard (wireless, wired, reading external drives);
Battery capacity and type of built-in batteries;
The number of speakers and other acoustic characteristics;
Additional functionality.
The manufacturer is also important.

Main selection criteria

Connection type

There are three types of connecting a portable speaker to a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device:

Wired (via line-in);
Wireless via Bluetooth;
Wireless via AirPlay.

In addition, some speakers also support the connection of external drives - memory cards, USB flash drives, even low-power hard drives or individual power supplies.

Line in has maximum compatibility. Portable speakers equipped with this connector can work with almost any multimedia device that has a headphone output - a portable player, radio, mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, etc. In addition, this connection standard requires less battery consumption - both the speaker itself and the device connected to it.

The disadvantage of the line input is that it requires a wired connection, so you won't be able to leave the column and go with the device “for a walk” connected to it.

Bluetooth connection - The most common communication standard used in portable speakers. Implies a wireless connection using the appropriate protocol.

Wireless connectivity has many advantages over wired. First, you can not carry with them the AUX cable. Secondly, you can leave the column in any one place, and take the smartphone connected with you to take with you - in the open air Bluetooth 4.1 has a range of about 40-50 meters. Finally, when turned on, the column automatically connects to the smartphone, since it stores the data for authentication.

The disadvantage is the low autonomy of devices connected via Bluetooth. Both smartphones and speakers are discharged rather quickly - in about a few hours. However, this time is enough for most cases.

When choosing such a speaker, you should first pay attention to the standard used by Bluetooth. The higher it is, the better. Bluetooth 4.1 provides better autonomy and greater range than 4.0. However, the current standards of this wireless protocol must support both the telephone and the portable speaker. If one of them uses Bluetooth 4.0, the transfer will be carried out according to this standard.

Additionally, Bluetooth speakers can be equipped with an NFC module.With this technology, the pairing of the speaker and the phone will occur very quickly - literally with one touch. The function is quite useful, but whether it is worth overpaying for it is a separate question. After all, the pairing in most cases occurs once in the entire operation of the column.

AirPlay connection - Another wireless standard. Only he does not use Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. The high data transfer rate theoretically allows you to play on the speakers Hi-Fi-music. In practice, the quality of the speaker in most cases is not high enough to hear the entire sound scene of music in such a bitrate.

The lack of such columns is obvious - they, in fact, cannot be carried outside the apartment. When using “in field conditions”, you will have to raise a local Wi-Fi network on another smartphone.

Speakers that connect via MicroUSB or Lightning, like devices with line-in, save the smartphone battery and its own built-in battery. However, they must be connected via cable to the mobile device.

Speakers equipped with SD and USB connectors are able to play music from memory cards and flash drives, respectively. This allows you to use them even without communication with the smartphone. The function is convenient, but only if the appropriate storage media are available.

Speakers with FM-radio, as the name implies, can play public radio stations. There are not so many practical benefits from this function, but at least such devices will not let you get bored with the sat down smartphone and the missing external drives with music.

Battery capacity and type of batteries installed

The power source for portable speakers can serve as installable batteries of sizes AA, AAA or even D; and built-in batteries, most often lithium-ion.

Installed batteries are most often used in budget portable speakers. The battery life of the device depends on the quality of these batteries and averages several hours. In most cases, built-in batteries cannot be recharged and, therefore, after the “landing,” they are simply replaced by new ones - which increases the cost of using the column. But, going on a trip, you can grab with a few spare batteries.

Speakers with built-in battery more practical. With a discharged battery, the device can be simply connected to a computer, power supply, powerbank or car adapter for recharging. There is only one “but” - during charging, the vast majority of portable speakers simply do not work.

The battery life of portable speakers with built-in battery depends on the capacity of the latter. It can be specified both in milliampere-hours (however, manufacturers rarely indicate the exact value of this parameter), or in the direct hours of autonomous work. The last parameter is more adequate.

However, if the battery capacity is indicated in milliampere-hours, it is worth remembering that the higher it is, the longer the portable speaker will work. It is desirable that it be more than 2000 mAh.

Acoustic Characteristics

acoustic characteristics

There are two acoustic parameters that you should pay attention to when buying a portable speaker - the number of speakers (sound configuration) and the total power of the device.

The number of speakers defines the sound stage. So, with portable mono speakers, in any case, it will be flat (even if some frequencies prevail), and from stereo - surround. There are three types of sound configurations:

Mono. A single flat speaker is used. Nevertheless, this configuration is sufficient for most cases - unless, of course, the performers have added a couple of effects to the song, which can only be distinguished on stereo channels;
Stereo. Uses two speakers that produce surround sound.Universal solution for lovers of a wide sound stage and various effects;
2.1. Two speakers are complemented by a subwoofer that publishes deep and rich bass. Unfortunately, speakers with such a sound configuration quickly discharge the built-in battery. But the width of the stage and the overall audio quality will please even the hardened music lover.

For most cases, a portable speaker with mono or stereo will suffice.

Speaker power determines the maximum volume. The larger it is, the more loudly the music will play. However, this parameter is not very objective, therefore it is worth paying attention only to second priority.

In addition, speakers with high power discharge the battery more and therefore have a short battery life.

It is worth noting that budget models of portable speakers with high-power speakers can greatly distort the sound - a “growl” or other unpleasant factors such as unnecessary reverberation will appear.

Additional functionality

additional functionality

Among the additional features of portable speakers are:

Presence of fastening or carbine allows you to place a column on a wall, belt, belt, etc. This makes using the device more convenient. For carrying also suitable speakers with a handle.
Work as a power bank is found only in speakers that are equipped with a built-in battery. They are able to recharge a smartphone in a critical situation. Of course, after this operation, the battery life of the column will decrease.
Dust and water protection - Essential features for those who want to take a portable speaker with them for picnics or country trips. Or at least in the bathroom. The level of protection against moisture and dust is indicated by an IP certificate. The higher the two-digit number after this symbol - the more reliable the device resists aggressive external factors. The vast majority of secure portable speakers are IP66 certified. Such a device is completely dust-tight and withstands short contact with water. But columns with IP68 protection can even “drown” for a while.
Connection mode combines two speakers into one “stereo system”. The function is quite useful, but one stereo device usually costs less than two mono.
Built-in equalizer allows you to fine-tune the sound quality for individual preferences. It can be either a band (you can set the intensity of individual sets of frequencies) or it can be equipped with presets (separate parameter sets for each genre). The presence of a built-in equalizer will be able to compensate for the shortcomings or increase the advantages of the sound stage of a portable speaker.

However, if there is no built-in equalizer in the speaker, you can use it installed on your smartphone, player or other sound source.

Top manufacturers

The best manufacturers of portable speakers are:

Jbl The largest portable wireless speakers, which is known for the widest range and very good quality of its products. For example, he became a pioneer in the market for fully waterproof devices;
Sony. Released portable speakers for lovers of tangible bass. Acoustics use proprietary magnets and high-quality electronics, including integrated sound cards and virtual amplifiers, for the most enjoyable sound;
Harman / Kardon, Bose, Marshall are top manufacturers producing high-end acoustics. Accordingly, portable speakers for their authorship provide a rich, bright and clear sound without an excess of any of the frequencies (if the performer did not plan this, of course). The main disadvantage is a very high price, an average of 200-300 dollars;
Xiaomi. The leader of the budget market. Produces cheap but not lousy wireless speakers.An ideal choice for use with branded smartphones, since the MIUI EQ often contains loudness presets for certain branded accessories.
You can also highlight the company Beats, which produces a very popular portable speakers. But they have an important drawback - a very high and always overpriced price. In addition, the quality sound provides literally one single model - Pill 2.
Ultrabudgetary segment makers such as Sven, Defender, or 3Q are remarkable for their surprising "instability." Sometimes they let out both qualitative columns, and frank nonsense. Therefore, before buying a column from one of these companies, it is worth a thorough examination of the reviews.