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Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Bumrush

Bumrush

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,770
Hi All, it's summer and I would love to get a portable Bluetooth speaker that I can bring outside, to the beach by me, to the pool, etc. I'd ideally love to spend around $100, but could spend more if needed.

The Ultimate Ears Boom 2 reviews really well. Any experience with it? https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Blu...UTF8&qid=1531098182&sr=1-2&keywords=ue+boom+2

What else?

Thanks in advance!

Edit: I ended up purchasing the UE BOOM2 and I love it. Here are my thoughts:


I received the UE BOOM2 yesterday and have spent a few hours with it. Honestly, very impressed.

For $90 shipped, the thing packs a ton of sound. It definitely is thin on the bass side of things, and it gets messy at the highest volumes, but it produces A TON of sound for such a little box. I listened both indoors and outdoors (where I would be using it) and was shocked at just how loud it can get. The original echo - which is a larger package (and obviously not portable) sounds like garbage when compared to this thing - both at low volumes and as you get louder. Compared to my friend's JBL Flip 4, the UE BOOM2 both gets louder and sounds much richer.

Additionally, I have a gym setup in my house and this has (beautifully) replaced headphones. It has enough sound to overpower the treadmill without sounding like garbage.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a relatively inexpensive option for music at BBQs, by the pool, at the beach, etc.
 
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fluffydelusions

fluffydelusions

Member
Oct 25, 2017
12,466
Those JBL ones that you can clip onto things seem popular but I never used them. I know Bestbuy sells them though.
 
santouras

santouras

Member
Nov 6, 2017
4
The UE BOOM2 is a good speaker. Not a huge amount of bass, but good range and battery life. The best feature is you can link multiple UE Boom's together. Have had parties where friends brought theirs over, linked up four of them to surround everyone. Works really good.
 
geomon

geomon

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,007
Miami, FL
I love my Jam Classic

HX-P230-05388-6-e1432604315639.jpg
 
CrankyJay

CrankyJay

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
11,318
Bose Soundlink Color is $129, rated pretty high

I have the soundlink mini 2 which I think is discontinued ($200) but I still use it to this day. Excellent Bluetooth speaker with some decent bass.
 
DigitalOp

DigitalOp

Member
Nov 16, 2017
9,292
JBL Charge is a great bang for buck

BOSE SoundLink Colors are nice as well.

The UE Booms get alot of love but from my experience sound really whispy and lack alot of bass.
 
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Bumrush

Bumrush

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,770
santouras said:
The UE BOOM2 is a good speaker. Not a huge amount of bass, but good range and battery life. The best feature is you can link multiple UE Boom's together. Have had parties where friends brought theirs over, linked up four of them to surround everyone. Works really good.
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How loud would you say it can get? I know it's small but can you hear it, say, 30-40 feet away outside?
 
Vautrin

Vautrin

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
936
U can find the bose soundlink on sale all the time if you look

Got mine for 79
 
nicoga3000

nicoga3000

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,986
We bought a Bose for like $150 or so a few years back. Wasn't thrilled at the price at the time, but it's worth it. Only one I've used that legit sounds great and projects.
 
Valkerion

Valkerion

Member
Oct 29, 2017
7,246
anker-soundcore-2-08.jpg

I've had one of these Anker Soundcore's for about 2 years now and its been great for home or outside. Nice and cheap but is fairly loud too. Great for pick nicks and just hanging out. Think I got one for like $25 or $35, I believe they had a newer version come out as well at some point that ads a few features.
 
Pein

Pein

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,242
NYC
I have a jbl xtreme and it's dope as fuck, battery lasts mad long and really nice and loud. Build quality is on point too, also came with a nice carrying strap.
 
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Bumrush

Bumrush

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,770
Valkerion said:
anker-soundcore-2-08.jpg

I've had one of these Anker Soundcore's for about 2 years now and its been great for home or outside. Nice and cheap but is fairly loud too. Great for pick nicks and just hanging out. Think I got one for like $25 or $35, I believe they had a newer version come out as well at some point that ads a few features.
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Hmmm I just read reviews for this that said it's great. How loud does it get outside? Does it deteriorate at higher volumes?
 
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Bumrush

Bumrush

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,770
I ended up grabbing a UE BOOM2 for a good price.

If I'm not pleased I'll end up going with one of the other recs!!
 
Ashdroid

Ashdroid

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,320
I have a Skullcandy Air Raid, and I really love it. Currently $45 on Amazon, stereo speakers, good battery life, can get very loud, and still sounds great at max volume. I've been using mine daily for over two years with no issues.
 
Aussiebattler

Aussiebattler

Member
Oct 27, 2017
251
Sydney
Valkerion said:
anker-soundcore-2-08.jpg

I've had one of these Anker Soundcore's for about 2 years now and its been great for home or outside. Nice and cheap but is fairly loud too. Great for pick nicks and just hanging out. Think I got one for like $25 or $35, I believe they had a newer version come out as well at some point that ads a few features.
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Jbl speakers are great quality but this little beast is the best portable speaker I've ever used. The battery lasts fucking forever, I use mine daily for an hour or two and needs charging once every 2-3 weeks.
 
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Bumrush

Bumrush

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,770
Shao Kahn said:
I have that speaker. Great loud clean sound, and you can connect 3 Bluetooth devices in case you have friends who want to queue their songs.

Enjoy the purchase.
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Thanks, I don't really care about deep bass with this type of speaker. More (exactly as you said) "loud clean sound". Plus the fact that it seems pretty rugged is a bonus
 
_RT_

_RT_

Member
Oct 31, 2017
214
Harmon Kardon onyx (any version). Brilliant speakers . Phenomenal sound, even at volume.
 

Deleted member 925

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
3,711
I don't care for the UE Booms, they lack bass and have a tiny sound. I have a Bose Soundlink Color, which is excellent for the size. And a JBL Pulse 3 for the bigger, 360 sound and the light show.
 
rokkerkory

rokkerkory

Banned
Jun 14, 2018
14,128
Valkerion said:
anker-soundcore-2-08.jpg

I've had one of these Anker Soundcore's for about 2 years now and its been great for home or outside. Nice and cheap but is fairly loud too. Great for pick nicks and just hanging out. Think I got one for like $25 or $35, I believe they had a newer version come out as well at some point that ads a few features.
Click to expand...
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Have this one and the anker cube. Works and sounds great for price.
 
Ryaaan14

Ryaaan14

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,055
Chicago
UE Roll for LIFE

That little mothafucka is IDEAL for the beach, pool, your bed, whatever. Buy a refurbed one on Amazon for dirt cheap since you're gonna be getting it dirty anyway
 
floridaguy954

floridaguy954

Member
Oct 29, 2017
3,631
JBL charge 3. Tested it out at a Walmart about a year ago and was sold. Rugged, waterproof, admirable bass, and impressive battery life (I work 12 hour shifts and the speaker literally last through over 2 shifts of constant music with 1-2 bars left).
 
Vaelic

Vaelic

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
2,048
Valkerion said:
anker-soundcore-2-08.jpg

I've had one of these Anker Soundcore's for about 2 years now and its been great for home or outside. Nice and cheap but is fairly loud too. Great for pick nicks and just hanging out. Think I got one for like $25 or $35, I believe they had a newer version come out as well at some point that ads a few features.
Click to expand...
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Link plz
 
TAJ

TAJ

Banned
Oct 28, 2017
12,446
I bought a huge one that will explode small woodland creatures at close range and has 80 hour battery life.
Then I bought another one.
Sometimes I link them for stereo and increased volume and sometimes I keep one at work.
 
Valkerion

Valkerion

Member
Oct 29, 2017
7,246
Bumrush said:
Hmmm I just read reviews for this that said it's great. How loud does it get outside? Does it deteriorate at higher volumes?
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It definitely is loud. Its got a good sound spread imo, no one ever complains about not being able to hear it even before it maxes out on its boosted volume/the device its linked to. Could always hear it when its used in the park near my house or when we were walking around a crowded arcade at maybe 80% volume for a video we made. Would assume it holds up fairly well in a more noisy setting like the beach too.

Vaelic said:
Link plz
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https://www.anker.com/products/variant/soundcore-bluetooth-speaker/A3102011

Also like someone else said, the battery on it lasts forever. I use it over night linked to my phone and only have to charge it every two weeks or so if that.
 
Aske

Aske

The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
5,582
Canadia
I love my UE Megaboom. It's the Boom, but with more colours and better sound.

In the US, it's called the Geneboom.
 
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Bumrush

Bumrush

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,770
Update:

I received the UE BOOM2 yesterday and have spent a few hours with it. Honestly, very impressed.

For $90 shipped, the thing packs a ton of sound. It definitely is thin on the bass side of things, and it gets messy at the highest volumes, but it produces A TON of sound for such a little box. I listened both indoors and outdoors (where I would be using it) and was shocked at just how loud it can get. The original echo - which is a larger package (and obviously not portable) sounds like garbage when compared to this thing - both at low volumes and as you get louder. Compared to my friend's JBL Flip 4, the UE BOOM2 both gets louder and sounds much richer.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a relatively inexpensive option for music at BBQs, by the pool, at the beach, etc.
 
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Not Donald Trump Jr

Not Donald Trump Jr

Alt-Account
Banned
Dec 14, 2017
5
Pretty much every one that's been mentioned is fine. I've bought around 6 of these and they all suffer from having thin sound compared to a typical receiver/speaker setup. Get the one with the best battery life and aesthetics to your liking.
 
F2BBm3ga

F2BBm3ga

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
4,085
71fuJaB7DjL._SY355_.jpg


The best bluetooth speakers hands down. And Ive tested them all at where I worked. I mean I tested all of them.

Thing is waterproof too


The Boom 2. And they have a larger sized one if you need a bigger one, the megaboom.
 
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Bumrush

Bumrush

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,770
F2BBm3ga said:
71fuJaB7DjL._SY355_.jpg


The best bluetooth speakers hands down. And Ive tested them all at where I worked. I mean I tested all of them.

Thing is waterproof too


The Boom 2. And they have a larger sized one if you need a bigger one, the megaboom.
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I ended up getting one. It really is amazing how much sound comes out of that thing. $90 well spent.
 

Deleted member 2625

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
4,596
I've got two UE ROLLs that are dope because they float. And pair for stereo of course.

Also I have had great luck with ANKER stuff.
 
Luschient

Luschient

Member
Oct 30, 2017
1,624
Kind of a random question but I'm not finding an OT for bluetooth speakers.

Sonos has updated their speakers for Airplay 2 and I'm tempted to pick up a pair of Ones to pair with my Apple TV. Does anyone currently have this setup and/or any impressions with Airplay 2?
 
Pickman

Pickman

Member
Nov 20, 2017
2,266
Huntington, WV
I have a Vizio Crave 360 that I won at work that's pretty nice. It's heavy as hell but that's because it has a monster battery pack and a subwoofer built into it. You can hear it all the way across the pool area at my apartment complex (I tested it there, I don't actually play my music loud af in a shared space).
 
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Bumrush

Bumrush

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,770
Luschient said:
Kind of a random question but I'm not finding an OT for bluetooth speakers.

Sonos has updated their speakers for Airplay 2 and I'm tempted to pick up a pair of Ones to pair with my Apple TV. Does anyone currently have this setup and/or any impressions with Airplay 2?
Click to expand...
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Something like the Sonos messageboards or the forum over at AVSForum might have more on that as they have a larger community dedicated specifically to Sonos.
 
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