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Ponyryd
09-14-2014, 09:27 AM
So I'm looking for a portable speaker for the home. I've seen a few, but have no idea what to look for when it comes to them, but here's what I need/want:
Looking to spend $150 or less if that's realistic.
Something compact that can be easily carried from place to place by my wife/kids.
Something powerful, with good sound quality.
Something rechargeable, with good battery life.
All my wife's music is on her laptop, some kind of MAC, its about 1.5 years old, I would guess it has Bluetooth capability, but really I don't know.
I've seen some when out shopping, the only one I remember is the beats pill, comes in cool colours, seems to be a good quality unit, no idea what it costs, or if there is something better.
Thanks.

Biz
09-14-2014, 10:12 AM
I've pretty much listened to every Bluetooth dock on the market for the last 5 years.

I currently have the following:
Jambox -Portable
Big Jambox-Portable
JBL Charge-Portable
JBL On Air
Harmon Kardon Go n Play-Portable
and my Newest edition the Samsung DA E750

Those all connect to my phone.

The original Jambox was awesome when it came out but its dated now and very low volume.
The Big Jambox is simply amazing. Sound Quality is great and it's loud enough to do a gathering of several people or a trip to the park or beach.
The JBL Charge is not as loud as the Big Jam but it sounds great and also has a feature where you can charge your phone.
The Harmon Kardon Go Play is bang for the buck the loudest and best sounding dock I've ever had. Problem is its a battery hog and doesn't recharge and its the size of an old school boom box. Plus you need a Bluetooth adapter.

I'd look at the JBL Charge or the Big Jambox.
Both will do exactly what you want.
The Charge will be in your price range where the Big Jam varies on sale at around $229.00
Here's a picture of the two of them.

http://i.share.pho.to/fb915a82_l.jpeg

Ponyryd
09-14-2014, 04:20 PM
Thanks Biz, very helpful.
Did a quick amazon search and there's a charge 2 for $150, any experience with that one? The charge is $134

Biz
09-14-2014, 04:58 PM
The charge 2 has the ability to answer calls. It has a built in microphone.
Other then that they are pretty much the same.

Here's the reviews on the charge.

http://www.engadget.com/products/jbl/charge/

Biz
06-14-2017, 12:04 PM
I bought a new Bluetooth speaker today. (yeah I know like I needed another one) :D
The tech has advanced quite a bit since I bought my JBL Charge.

This new Sony just kicks. Very impressive. The lights are a bit hokey but you can thankfully shut them off.
Impressive base for a Bluetooth speaker. Best I've heard yet.

http://sonyglobal.scene7.com/is/image/gwtprod/383ebc9d8b04bc789d46d9f2eb28469b?fmt=jpeg&wid=720


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJKIrbMPTCM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJKIrbMPTCM



http://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/wireless-speakers/srs-xb40

Harmon Kardon Go n Play-2009 (Still the supreme champion in sound)
Mini Jambox -2011
Big Jambox -2013
JBL On Air -2014 (sold)
JBL Charge -2014
Samsung DA E750 -2014 (sold-could never hold a Bluetooth connection)
Sony SRS XB40 -2017

IanGTCS
06-14-2017, 08:58 PM
We have this one http://headrushaudio.com/en/speakers/headrush-bluetooth-boombox-beat-box/ and honestly for $100 it sounds really good. Plus it has a radio which is nice. I won a bose soundlink mini 2 and sold it because I didn't like it as much as the cheap one.

Take my opinion with a grain of salt, my hearing is probably shredded from hundreds of concerts.

Ponyryd
06-14-2017, 11:04 PM
Radio would be nice. My wife is on her second Charge now, I think it's a Charge 2, actually her 3rd since her first Charge blew a speaker and was replaced under warranty. She still loves it, and I use her old one sometimes, it still works but the battery life has dwindled and it doesn't last her long enough at work. I will say one thing,mother customer service from JBL Canada was horrendous!

Next time I need a new one I'll be pm-ing ya Biz, lol.
Although lately I've been thinking of buying something bigger for the house, we only have a few small radios.

Biz
06-15-2017, 07:12 AM
Radio would be nice. My wife is on her second Charge now, I think it's a Charge 2, actually her 3rd since her first Charge blew a speaker and was replaced under warranty. She still loves it, and I use her old one sometimes, it still works but the battery life has dwindled and it doesn't last her long enough at work. I will say one thing,mother customer service from JBL Canada was horrendous!

Next time I need a new one I'll be pm-ing ya Biz, lol.
Although lately I've been thinking of buying something bigger for the house, we only have a few small radios.

This new Sony fills a large room with sound quite easily. It's louder than my Big Jambox which is impressive. Also the Sony allows you to daisy chain more of them together should you ever have the need. It's probably 50% louder than the charge but the sound quality and bass are a huge improvements.

Uncle Buck
06-15-2017, 08:49 AM
I have this little Bose guy. I'm very impressed by it although it's a bit more money than you wanted spend. Worth it imo

https://www.bose.ca/en_ca/products/speakers/wireless_speakers/soundlink_mini_ii.html#v=soundlink_mini_ii_carbon