Bluetooth speakers have become almost a necessity, especially for audiophiles. A few years ago, bluetooth speakers did not provide premium sound quality. Of course, with so many options in the market consumers can get confused on which one to buy.
Which is why, our team of experts have tried and tested multiple products and created a list on the best bluetooth speaker for audiophiles. After going through our list, you will be able to choose which bluetooth speaker is best for you.
There are multiple factors that we have considered before making our pick and we will go through each of the little details that we have considered so that you can make an informed decision. Now, let us dive into the reviews.
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Best Bluetooth Speaker for Audiophiles Reviews
As an audiophile, it can be hard to pick the right bluetooth speaker. Getting the perfect sound quality while also making sure it gives a good value for money. The following section goes through the top five bluetooth speakers for audiophiles.
1. JBL Flip 4, Black – Waterproof, Portable & Durable Bluetooth Speaker
Sometimes along with great sound quality, you will also want portability, finding that right combination can be a hassle because smaller bluetooth speakers usually cannot provide that powerful premium sound.
However, JBL’s Flip 4 portable bluetooth speaker provides that right combination of premium sound and portability. It has that JBL’s signature sound which we all know is just amazing along with two JBL bass radiators on the side.
Most likeable features
JBL Flip 4 also provides 12 hours of playtime, we have tested multiple devices and the results have always been the same. On a full charge, JBL Flip 4 does provide 12 hours of playtime. Given how small it is that is quite impressive.
Along with that, it is also waterproof. JBL Flip 4 comes with an Ipx7 waterproof rating. This means that these speakers are protected against 1 meter of water for up to thirty minutes. So even if this speaker gets splashed with water, you have nothing to worry about.
Probable Drawbacks
During our testing with this product, we did notice that there is a slight 50ms delay when plugged in through the auxiliary connection and the delay is increased when plugged through videos. Which makes this speaker not the best option if you want to watch videos with this as the sound output.
Key Features
- Ipx7 Waterproof
- 12 hours of playtime
- JBL Signature Sound
- JBL Connect+
2. Sony SRS-XB23 EXTRA BASS Wireless Portable Speaker
For users, who are always using their portable speakers on the go, finding the time to charge it can be a problem. As a solution, you will probably want the best audiophile bluetooth speaker that comes with efficient charging.
The Sony SRS-XB23 offers a USB Type-C charging port. This allows the bluetooth speaker to be charged in a very efficient manner. After multiple tests we can confidently say that it takes only four hours to fully charge, and it gives twelve hours of playback.
Most likeable features
It also comes with an IP67 rating which means that it is both waterproof and dustproof. This will allow you to use this speaker in harsh environments such as in the rain or anywhere outside and you will not have to worry about it getting damaged.
Sony’s SRS-XB23 comes with party connect which allows you sync up to one hundred different bluetooth speakers with it. So, if you have another bluetooth speaker lying around, you do not have to get rid of it. You can just sync it with this one and enjoy music through both speakers.
Probable Drawbacks
At higher volumes Sony’s XB-23 can sound tinny and the bass can get a bit poppy but in lower volumes the sound is just perfect. So, if you are looking for something that produces premium sound on very loud volumes, you may want to look at another product on the list.
Key Features
- IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof
- USB Type-C
- Party Connect
- Extra Bass
3. Oontz Bluetooth Speaker | Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Some people just want to keep their device that streams music along with them while their bluetooth speaker keeps playing.
The Oontz Angle 3 Bluetooth Speaker is perfect for that. Our test results have shown us that this portable speaker has a range of up to 100 feet. Its advanced antenna design along with Bluetooth 4.2 provides a greater range and faster connection.
Most likeable features
If you are looking for a portable speaker which produces premium sound at higher volumes, then this is the device for you. This makes it the ideal outdoor speaker since its loud volumes with no distortion produces high-quality sound.
It is ultra-durable, we have done multiple durability tests on this device, and it survived even through the most extreme circumstances. Of course, there was some damage to the product, but the functionality was still near perfect.
Probable Drawbacks
Since, the Oontz Angle 3 has a rating of IPX5, it is waterproof but unlike the other products in this list, it cannot withstand being partially or fully submerged. It can resist gentle water spray and come out working fine but prolonged exposure can cause damage to the device.
Key Features
- 100-foot wireless range
- Good quality sound at louder volume
- IPX5 water resistance
- Playback of up to 14 hours
4. JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
You may be looking for the best bluetooth speaker for audiophiles that does not just produce premium sound. You may want it to have multiple functionalities such as being able to charge your phone with it or even take calls.
The JBL Charge 3 offers a variety range of functions that can be quite helpful in different situations. It can work as a power bank being able to charge multiple devices at once. This is great if you just want to charge your device while playing music at the same time.
Most likeable features
JBL’s Charge 3 Bluetooth speaker will allow you to connect to three smartphones, tablets, or any other device with Bluetooth compatibility at the same time. This can be quite helpful for those who want to take turns playing music.
This portable speaker comes with a staggering 6000mAH battery which gives about 20 hours of playback. We have tested this and the charge on it seems to last forever. Since it has a bigger battery, the device also comes with ports that allows it to act as a power bank.
Probable Drawbacks
When testing this product, we found the sound quality to be a bit lacking compared to the other products, however, after downloading the companion JBL app and giving it a firmware update, the quality of the sound has been superb, but going through the update can be a hassle.
Key Features
- IPX7 Waterproof
- 6000mAh battery with 20 hours of playback
- Connect to 3 other devices
- Noise and echo-cancelling microphone
5. Sony SRS-XB12 Mini Bluetooth Speaker Loud Extra Bass
A lot of audiophiles are not just happy with premium quality sound. They may be looking for something extra to get that perfect listening experience, something like extra bass.
Well for audiophiles, who prefer having that extra bass, the Sony SRS-XB12 mini-Bluetooth speaker is perfect for them. When testing this product, we found that it does give an amazing sound but can provide more bass than the other products in this list.
Most likeable features
The speaker is small and very easy to carry around. It even comes with a detachable carry strip which makes it perfect to either hang, carry or clip the speaker to a bag or something similar. It is perfectly portable, and you will have no hassle carrying it around.
Speakers of this size usually come with smaller batteries, but we were quite surprised when testing this product. It consistently held charge for up to sixteen hours. Usually, speakers of this size have a battery life of around ten to twelve hours but sixteen is just amazing.
Probable drawbacks
The Sony SRS-XB12 does produce amazing sound with extra bass but of course since it is smaller, its volume cannot go as high as the bigger speakers in this list. But that can be solved when you pair it with another speaker but of course buying two of the same device can be a hassle.
Key Features
- Extra Bass
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof
- 16-hour battery life
- Perfectly Portable
Bluetooth Speaker for Audiophiles Buying Guide
Of course, deciding on which portable speaker is right for you even from this list can be difficult. Therefore, we are going to tell you all the things you might want to consider before coming to a final decision and buy that new bluetooth speaker.
Portability
Just because it is a bluetooth speaker, does not mean that it is perfectly portable. A lot of devices on the market are quite big in size and that makes it hard to carry it around.
To make sure the product is portable, check the dimensions, see how big or small the speaker is before deciding. If you want a great sound speaker which is also very portable, you do not want to end up with a speaker that weighs three or four kilograms and is bigger than the bag you intend to carry it around in.
Sound Quality
Of course, since we are picking the best bluetooth speaker for audiophiles, sound quality has always been our biggest priority. Now a lot of people will not just be happy with a speaker that provides premium quality sound, they may be looking for something extra.
Something like extra bass or great sound at louder volumes. Not every portable speaker can provide all of that. Make sure whatever bluetooth speaker you are going to pick; it checks the sound requirement you are looking for before deciding.
Battery Life
One of the biggest things that we emphasized during our testing sessions was battery life, we know how important it is for a bluetooth speaker to have a good battery life. Of course, you must consider the fact that speaker sizes can influence the device’s battery life.
A bigger bluetooth speaker comes with a bigger battery and that means it will have a longer battery life and a smaller portable speaker comes with a smaller battery so it will have a shorter battery life comparatively.
Waterproof and Dustproof
You do not want your new bluetooth speaker to be damaged when it is splashed by some water or is exposed to dust. Since it can act as a portable speaker having a device that is waterproof and dustproof is always great.
There are devices that will even allow you to go swimming with it and it will come out completely unharmed. So, make sure to check the waterproof rating before deciding.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
1. Can Bluetooth speakers play songs from a thumb drive?
Bluetooth speakers usually cannot play songs from a thumb drive unless they specifically mention it. If you are looking for that then please check before purchase.
2. Do Bluetooth speakers come with auxiliary ports?
Yes, unless specified, Bluetooth speakers do come with an auxiliary port through which you can connect to your speaker to and play music without requiring to connect through Bluetooth.
3. Do all portable speakers come with a carry case?
Carry cases are considered as an extra accessory that the product manufacturer may or may not want to include with the product that they are selling.
4. Are Bluetooth speakers compatible with all smartphones?
Bluetooth speakers are compatible with any device that has Bluetooth functionality and can play music. And all smartphones come with Bluetooth so yes, it is compatible with all smartphones.
5. Can I take my Bluetooth speaker into the shower?
Before doing that, make sure whether your Bluetooth speaker is waterproof or not. If it is waterproof, you can take it into the shower with no worry at all.
Final Word
In the end, it is up to you to decide which speaker you want to buy and is best for you. The speakers mentioned in this list all produce great sound and have their own pros and cons. Buying the best bluetooth speaker for audiophiles can be tough but hopefully, we have been able to make it easier.