Take your favorite music with you to nature or on a trip? Enjoy its clear and powerful sound? Easily! They come to our aid wireless speakers. Of course, you can simply turn on music from your smartphone, but not every model provides the sound quality that even the simplest wireless speaker can give. However, to really enjoy good sound, it is necessary to approach the choice very scrupulously. We are in a hurry to make your life a little easier: we have found the best portable speakers in different price categories- there is an option for both a picky music lover and simple user who wants to get acceptable sound quality for little money and not go into a lot of nuances.
Let's start with basic information. If you are a speaker specialist, you can skip this section. We have prepared a brief educational program for those who first encountered the choice of a portable speaker and does not know how to find a really high-quality model.
When choosing, pay attention to the following parameters:
- system power directly affects the volume. The most compact speakers have a power of about 3-5 watts, larger models - 15-20 watts or more. It should be understood that the closer the volume is to the maximum, the more distortion there will be in the sound;
- number of lanes. Each column band is responsible for reproducing certain frequencies and their combinations. The more bands, the clearer and more natural the sound will be. The cheapest and most common option is single-way speakers equipped with only one universal speaker. 2 way speakers have two speakers: tweeter and woofer. These are also fairly common models. Less common three-way speakers, which also include a midrange speaker;
- frequency range. Everything is simple here: the wider the range, the more believable the sound will be. The minimum frequency in portable acoustics is 20-500 Hz, maximum - 10000-50000 Hz;
- sound format, or number of channels. There is monosystems(1.0), they play music on the same channel. The bass in them is not particularly pronounced, the format is becoming a thing of the past, but is still used in inexpensive compact speakers, even from famous manufacturers. stereo systems(2.0) give more surround sound, have increased power and volume . Systems 2.1 differ from 2.0 by the presence of a separate low-frequency speaker ( subwoofer), it gives a richer and denser sound. The power of the subwoofer ranges from 1 to 150 W;
- signal-to-noise ratio- another indicator of how good the sound from the speaker will be. The higher the value of this indicator, the better. In most speakers, it is 45-100 dB. Many little-known manufacturers often indicate not quite correct values, but the data that claims large companies, can trust;
- technology wireless connection
. The most widespread Bluetooth-columns. They are easy to pair with tablets and smartphones. It is advisable to take a column that works with the standard Bluetooth 4.0: power consumption will be minimal, and this is very important for portable speakers on batteries. Data is compressed when transmitted via Bluetooth using the AptX codec, which allows you to produce CD-quality sound. Some players support the AptX HD codec - the sound quality, clarity and volume will be many times higher, but it is important that the smartphone or tablet also supports this codec. To facilitate Bluetooth connection, some speakers may use technologyNFC: it is clear that the smartphone must also support it. Music can be transmitted andWi—
fi, the connection range at the same time depends on the power of the network routers. Special mention should be made of the technology Airplay, which is used in devices from Apple. It allows you to transmit excellent surround sound to the speaker, which is achieved through the use of proprietary codecs that transmit music with almost no loss in quality. In expensive speakers, several wireless connection options can be implemented;
- other music sources. The speaker can play music not only from a paired smartphone. Most models have memory card slot, in more advanced USB- connector for reading flash drives and external hard drives. Another option is to connect to a smartphone speaker. inAUX-port, but at the same time wireless device can no longer be named. Some speakers can be connected to computers and TVs, but they are rarely used for such purposes;
- autonomy. Most portable speakers are powered by their own rechargeable batteries - models powered by AA batteries are becoming a thing of the past. Manufacturers indicate battery capacity and duration battery life. The latter is often measured not at maximum volume, keep this in mind. Good result for wireless speakers - 10-15 hours battery life and more. The speakers are recharged via microUSB from an outlet, laptop or external battery;
- control carried out using a paired smartphone or buttons on the speaker itself. Some models have a screen for convenience;
- the weight. good acoustics it cannot weigh a little, but you don’t want to take a heavy speaker with you to nature, so choosing a portable speaker is always a compromise on compactness and sound quality. If you plan to take music with you for a run or bike ride, then pay attention to more miniature models. If quality comes first, then take a column weighing from 500 g;
- additional functions. These include radio, equalizer for more precise sound settings, alarm clock, remote control, backlight, as well as speakerphone(this is a built-in microphone that allows you to speak loudly to the whole group of friends). Some speakers get protection against moisture and dust- this is important if you take the device with you on leisure. Some columns also work like power bank while charging other gadgets. There are models equipped wireless charging and even solar panels;
- manufacturers. Among the very best are JBL, Sony, Beats, as well as Sven and Xiaomi.
It is also necessary to take into account purpose of use. For example, a simple one-way mono or stereo system is suitable for noisy outdoor parties: the purity of the sound cannot be fully appreciated anyway. Pay attention to protected and fairly autonomous speakers. For travelers, there are compact models, the size of a palm. They receive special mounts, often have water protection, but maximum level their volume is very limited - however, when the speaker is located nearby, nothing else is required. For cyclists there are speakers with special mounts. For home use you can take both a compact and a fairly large model with high sound quality, design becomes important here. 
The perception of sound is an individual thing. It is better to single out a couple of models for yourself and listen to their sound live, this is the only way to do it. right choice. We offer you some of the best wireless speakers that you should definitely pay attention to when choosing.
Best portable speakers 2017/2018
JBL Flip 4
In terms of price / quality ratio, this is about one of the best portable speakers at the moment. JBL Flip 4 has arrived to replace JBL Flip 3, a real bestseller. The manufacturer claims that he was able to make an even more perfect device and, studying the dry technical characteristics, you begin to believe him. When you listen to the sound of the speaker live, there is no doubt - everything is great. The company says that the new model sounds 20% better than the previous one: it is not known exactly how they measured this percentage, but the sound is very, very good, and the bass is juicy.
Among other things, the model received higher autonomy and increased protection levelIPX7
- now the product is not afraid even of immersion in water. The speaker interfaces with gadgets via Bluetooth, has a mini jack connector for wired connection and several control buttons. Among the bonuses - built-in microphone and the ability to connect up to a hundred speakers into one system thanks to JBL Connect+. The widest variety of colors. Cons are hard to find.
JBLGO
JBL is renowned for the quality of its portable acoustics, even we are talking oh so budget options. This is one of the most compact and inexpensive wireless speakers on the market. It has a good range and signal-to-noise ratio, and the minimum dimensions allow you to take the model with you anywhere. There is a strap attachment.
The model is available in seven colors, has a very simple operation. At the end there are buttons not only for adjusting the volume, but also for answering a call - it's great that they didn't forget about this possibility and made a speaker for talking.
The speaker plays music when you connect a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, or via a 3.5 mm jack. The sound of this "baby" is amazingly good: clear, loud, with bass. There is nothing to complain about, especially considering the size and price of these acoustics.
Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Speaker
What field of activity today does without Xiaomi? The company has shown itself well in the field of portable acoustics. Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Speaker is the most expensive speaker in the company's range. It sounds amazing, given the pricing policy of competitors, but there is no catch. column almost completely made of aluminum, looks stylish, presented in a mass of colors. The model connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth, it is possible to read audio files from cards microSD memory , not without a 3.5 mm output. There is also a microphone for receiving calls, but its quality is not the highest. Management is implemented very conveniently, there is a light indicator that reports the battery charge.
As for the sound, then everything is on the level. Company Special attention paid low and medium frequencies, in some melodies the column even starts to vibrate, which, in principle, is only good. With the upper frequencies, everything is somewhat worse, but in general, the sound for compact model for $40 more than acceptable. it great model for those who are not accustomed to listen to every note and meticulously evaluate everything to the smallest detail.
Sony SRS-XB20
Powerful speaker with water protection as standardIPX5. Model feature - LED lights along the contour of the device, which blinks and shimmers when playing music. The sound quality is not bad, fastidious music lovers may find fault with the processing of low frequencies, but at medium volumes all the melodies sound great. Another feature of the column is support NFC, so it will be easier to pair it with your smartphone. Among other things built-in microphone and a mini jack.
If you want better sound and more effective lighting, you can look away XB30 and XB40 but they cost more.
JBL Charge 3
A real beast! One of the best portable speakers of our time. Powerful, with sufficient autonomy and waterproof case. The manufacturer thought out the design and ergonomics to the smallest detail. There is a built-in microphone for answering a call, and it is also possible to combine the speaker with others into one well-coordinated system. Model received water protection as standardIPX7 , withstands temporary immersion under water, and does not care about rain and splashes at all. The 6000 mAh battery is enough for a record 20 hours of music playback - this is an amazing result for portable acoustics. Given these figures, it is not surprising that the column can charge other gadgets, acting as an external battery. Another nice feature is having speakerphone.
As for the main thing, the sound quality, everything is as expected fine: powerful speakers with a good frequency range, two passive radiators and very very clean sound. Nothing to complain about. Naturally, this whole set of advantages is more expensive than compact "road" speakers.
Xiaomi Square box Cube
The manufacturer does not indicate the frequency range and signal-to-noise ratio, but those who have heard the sound of this speaker say that it produces really good sound. The volume is average, but this is inevitable with such a power and speaker size. On the high volume it starts to wheeze a little, at an average volume the sound pleases, and this at such a price! There is only one control button, the 1200 mAh battery is stable and allows you to listen to music up to 10 hours. The model received a module NFC, passive subwoofer, but does not have a mini jack. In general, in terms of price / quality ratio, this is a very, very good offer.
JBL Clip 2
Compact wireless speaker. The presence of a special mount makes it easy to connect the gadget to a backpack or bicycle. Model received waterproof housing, built-in microphone and mini jack. The sound quality and autonomy, as for such a baby, are at their best. Add in ease of use, quality build, cute design and really powerful sound, and we end up with a good portable speaker that you can take with you anywhere.
Still on sale JBL Clip 2 Special Edition. Column is different original design, the rest of the parameters are the same.
Marshall Kilburn
This device is for those who can appreciate the purity of sound and prefer only the highest quality acoustics, even in its portable version. However, with such a weight, you can take it with you only in the trunk of a car. It is also suitable for home use. We will not list a bunch of epithets - just say that This speaker gives perfect sound., which is easy to understand even from dry specifications. The user can himself adjust low and high frequencies , and the music source is connected via Bluetooth and mini jack. The design is also great.
Harman/Kardon Go + Play Mini
Another beast snuck into our review. It's expensive, heavy, but sounds great. The volume margin here is perhaps the highest in the class of portable speakers, and at the maximum, the sound remains clear and of high quality. Design, management, assembly - everything is on top. Autonomy, however, let us down, but with such characteristics it is difficult to expect anything else, but there is the possibility of power supply from the network.
Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Speaker Mini
it cheapest and lightest wireless speaker, on at least, in our review. The manufacturer provided it minimum set necessary functions, set a ridiculous price and was a success. The design of the speaker is good, it sounds great at medium volume: you obviously don’t expect a device for $ 15 decent results, but this model pleasantly surprises. Small wheezing appears only at high volume, but in the room such a loud sound is unnecessary, and in nature - wheezing is invisible. Of the bonuses, there is only a built-in microphone, the connection with the music carrier is carried out only via Bluetooth.
Samsung Level Box Slim
Samsung has also released its own portable speaker version. It is easy to operate, and its compact size allows you to take it with you anywhere. Moreover, the model has moisture protection as standardIPX7 and solid battery. The only thing is that we could not find the range of reproducible frequencies, so it remains to trust the opinion of users that it sounds good. Among the bonuses the ability to charge other gadgets from the speaker. The downside is the lack of a wired connection, which, at this price, is at least a shame. Everything else is great.
SUPRA PAS-6277
One of the best portable speakers ever price segment, and certainly the most functional. This "baby" gives maximum volume at 77 dB, has a built-in flashlight, radio, can play music from a memory card, there is a headphone output. The model even received a bike rack. The sound quality, of course, is not the most ideal, but for portable acoustics it is more than acceptable, and given the price, it is generally excellent. Users complain about non-disconnectable voice prompts and low power flashlight.
When choosing a portable speaker, the expression "keep your eyes open" is more relevant than ever. The recipe is simple: listen to products that are suitable for the price in the store, turn on different capacities, and if you like something, take it, if you want to save money, come home and order via the Internet.
The most powerful in the world acoustic speakers for music playback were created by Bose. The most amazing thing is that this company was not worldwide famous brand, until this product, the company remained in the shadows. These speakers were designed to perform a specific task - sounding large open areas like stadiums. The customer of such unusual device became Sir Paul McCartney, who needed powerful acoustics in order to organize the most massive festival in honor of the Beatles.
If you add up the power of all acoustics and amplifiers, it turns out that it had the following parameters: power 4900 watts and a maximum volume of 139/145 decibels.
It should be noted that the developer company stated that 4900 watts is not the maximum power of the speakers, they could even reach 11000 watts, but this is already too huge a figure. According to the press and media mass media, then at least 70 people suffered from too loud sound at this festival. Most of the victims are people who were near the columns. Within a week of the festival, all of these people had headaches and tinnitus. This unpleasant behavior of the nervous system was caused by a powerful sonic boom.
Despite everything, all these people again arrived at the next event a month later. This event was held with the participation of Sir Paul McCartney himself. The event also featured this powerful speaker system. In fact, there is information that there are more powerful speakers. The fact is that they were made by an illegal Japanese company, and their power can even reach 7800 watts. However, the most powerful sound system in the world is considered as Ultra-Slim ARRAY by Bose, because the Japanese product was not registered and put into production legally.
At the Sir Paul McCartney Festival, a large stage was set up with a set of huge Bose speakers. The acoustic systems consisted of three long speakers in the center of the podium, as well as two canopies above the stage. There were also two bundles of small speakers at the edges of the stage. That's not all - right under the bundles were exposed two large amplifiers. It is not known how those people who happened to be right on stage felt after the performance.
Bose itself liked its invention so much that for 2011 a new improved version of this speaker system was announced. According to the developers, the frequency range has been improved in the new speakers, as well as the harmonic coefficient. This time the company did not increase the power of the speakers. First, more high power unlikely to be used anywhere. Current indicators are already excessively large. Secondly, the company is worried about possible damage and injury to people when listening to music through this system.
The datasheet says that the TDA1516 chip can operate from 6 volts - do not believe it. For the experiment, I bought a 6 volt battery for 6 amperes, connected it to the circuit, thought it would work, but only heard some kind of wheezing. At first I assumed that the microcircuit could be defective, but then by connecting an additional lithium-ion battery from the phone in series with the battery, everything worked fine. I decided to buy another battery 6V 6A.
Tape them together and connect them in series.
The amplifier itself was assembled by surface mounting. The circuit is very simple, only two capacitors and the microcircuit itself. Here is a circuit diagram of a homemade active speaker:
Instead of a 2200 uF capacitor, it is better to put 4700 uF 16 volts. I "planted" the microcircuit on back cover columns.
2. Power button.
3. "off/on" indicator.
4. Pens are just for beauty.
5. Charging socket.
Now the speakers. Instead of a high-frequency speaker, I installed a domestic 3GD-2. I connected it through a 1uF capacitor. A tweeter and a large speaker are connected in parallel. Then he took up the calculation of the phase inverter, used the BassPort program.
Charger. scheme charger took the simplest - transformer, rectifier, diode bridge and limiting resistor. We select its resistance based on the desired charging current(0.1C). A resistor (10 watts 5.1 ohms) picked up a current equal to 0.6 amperes. The battery charge lasts 10 hours, put it on at night - in the morning the voltage is normal.
That's all, the speaker at full volume from the phone holds a charge for about 10 hours - this is enough for me. Design author: ruslan70915.
Discuss the article POWERFUL ACTIVE SPEAKER WITH AUTONOMOUS POWER
Choosing speakers for your computer is easy, but if you don't want to constantly hear the sounds from the bucket, then this issue needs to be approached wisely.
For an office computer (documents, Internet), any of the cheapest speakers will suffice, as they say (to accompany the workflow) But I still recommend limiting ourselves to the SVEN and Genius brands, since they even have inexpensive models are of acceptable quality.
Computer speakers Genius SP-U120
For multimedia computer(movies, simple games) it is better to take speakers in a wooden case of the SVEN brand with a total power of 10-20 watts. The sound quality will be much higher.
Computer speakers SVEN SPS-619
For large space or if you like powerful sound, it is better to take more powerful speakers (40-60 watts).
Computer speakers SVEN SPS-611S
If you like music (especially classical or rock), then a more realistic sound in the mid-high range and soft transparent bass will be provided by Edifier or Microlab speakers with a total power of 40-60 watts.
Computer speakers Edifier R1100
For games, you can take the SVEN 2.1 speaker system (with a subwoofer) with a total power of 40-60 W, which will provide powerful driving bass.
Computer speakers SVEN SPS-820
Well, for a home theater, a 5.1 multi-channel system manufactured by Creative, Microlab, Logitech or Sven will be an excellent choice.
Computer speakers Logitech Z506
As for laptops, there are several options. If you plan to use speakers where there is a socket, then take inexpensive computer speakers in a plastic case for 5-10 W manufactured by SVEN or Genius. If you want to use the speakers in nature or in other places where there is no outlet, then you need a USB-powered mobile speaker with a total power of 4-6 watts. Recommended manufacturers are SVEN, Genius and Defender.
Computer speakers SVEN 120
2. Assigning columns
Office - inexpensive stereo speakers (2.0) with low volume and sound quality. Suitable primarily for sound reproduction operating system helping in daily work. Sometimes they can be used to watch videos on the Internet or creating a lung musical background.
Home - stereo speakers (2.0, 2.1) of medium volume and quite acceptable sound quality. They are versatile and suitable for music, movies and games.
Gaming - multi-channel audio system (5.1) to create surround sound, helping to navigate the games of their avid fans.
Home theater is a multi-channel audio system (5.1, 7.1) for watching movies with multi-channel sound. It can have multiple inputs, so you can connect a computer and a video player to the same audio system at the same time.
Portable - small portable stereo or mono speakers for laptops and other mobile devices. They usually have low power and can be powered by a laptop USB connector or a built-in battery.
3. Speaker manufacturers
quality acoustic systems for high-tech computers produced by: Creative and Logitech. But they are also the most expensive.
Separately, I want to note the Sven speakers, which have an excellent price / quality ratio in the entire price range.
The inexpensive Defender brand is also popular now, but the choice of speakers from this manufacturer needs to be approached more carefully, since their assortment includes both successful models and not so good ones.
If you need inexpensive speakers for an office computer, pay attention to the brands: Genius and Sven.
High-quality portable speakers are produced by: BBK, Creative, HP, Jabra, JBL, Microlab, Logitech, Philips.
Of the cheaper brands in the portable speaker segment, you can consider: A4Tech, Defender, Genius, Sven.
4. Warranty
speakers top brands, as a rule, are of good quality, rarely fail and the warranty for them is 1-2 years, depending on how expensive the model is. Speakers from cheaper brands are not of such good quality and are more likely to fail within the first year of operation. Therefore, it is desirable that the warranty on them be at least a year. For the cheapest office speakers, sellers can give a guarantee of only 3-6 months.
5. Number of channels
The number of channels is determined by the number of speakers in the speaker system. Office speakers usually have 2 channels and correspond to the type of 2.0 speaker system.
Home speakers can have 2 channels or 2 channels and a subwoofer, which corresponds to the type of 2.1 speaker system. A subwoofer is a special speaker with a large diameter speaker for playing low frequencies, resulting in more powerful and deeper bass.
The simplest speaker system for games and home theater has 5 channels and a subwoofer, which corresponds to the type of speaker system 5.1.
Please note that the computer must support the required number of channels and have the appropriate number of audio jacks to connect the speaker system. If a motherboard only has 3 3.5mm jacks, only a 2.0 or 2.1 speaker system can be connected to it. If 5, 6 jacks - speaker system from 2.0 to 7.1.
Also, the motherboard can have a digital optical output, with which you can connect a good audio system that has a similar input, which is convenient and provides high quality sound. If your motherboard does not have enough audio jacks and digital audio output, but you still want to connect a 5.1 or 7.1 multi-channel system, you will have to purchase a separate sound card.
Portable audio systems can have 2 or 1 speakers.
6. Power supply
Office and home speakers designed for desktop computers are connected to a 220 V socket and consume little electricity. Multi-channel audio systems may consume more power, depending on the total power.
Portable speakers that are powered from the USB port of the laptop can be taken with you to nature, where there is no outlet. And the columns having own battery can be connected to a smartphone or MP3 player.
Ordinary small but more powerful speakers that are connected to a 220 V socket can also be used as portable ones. This can be useful, for example, for making audio presentations from your laptop in classrooms.
7. Speaker power
The speaker system must have sufficient power to provide high-quality sound at medium and high volumes. The power of the speaker system can be indicated in total for the entire system (for example, 20 W) or separately for each speaker (for example, 2x10 W).
Office speakers have a power of 2-6 watts per speaker. The power of 2W is only enough for operating system sounds. In order for the speakers to be used for music and movies, it is advisable to buy speakers of at least 4 watts. 6 W speakers can be used for presentations in a small office or listening to music in a noisy company.
Home speakers should have 10-30 watts per speaker. It all depends on preferences. If you do not like to turn on music loudly, then 10-15 watts per speaker will be optimal. If you like loud sound - 20-30 watts. big power only needed if you want to annoy your neighbors.
Gaming or home theater speakers are in principle subject to the same power requirements as home theater speakers. For a multi-channel audio system (5.1, 7.1), the total power is usually taken into account. The total power of modern 5.1 speaker systems has a fairly large range of 50-500 watts. Here again, it all depends on personal preferences and financial capabilities. For non-demanding users, a 5.1 system with a power of 75 watts is enough. If you like loud sound, then take a speaker system with a power of about 150 watts. Acoustics with a power of about 250 W will already cost much more and are suitable for a large private house. A 500W system can kill an elephant...
Portable speakers have a power of 0.5-4 watts per speaker. The power of 0.5-1 W per speaker is too little, since they will sound no louder than the built-in laptop speakers. If the power comes from USB, I recommend purchasing portable speakers with a power of 2-3 W, if from an outlet - 4-6 W per speaker.
8. Number of lanes
The number of bands corresponds to the number of speakers in the column. If there is one speaker - the system is single-way, if two - two-way, three - three-way.
The addition of additional speakers is done to split the frequency range between them. Each speaker reproduces its own frequency range, which makes the sound more detailed and high quality. First of all, high frequencies are separated, for the reproduction of which a small speaker is installed. In a three-way system, the mids and lows are also separated. It is desirable that the speakers have at least two speakers.
The bass reflex is a special tube in the speaker cabinet that is used to boost the bass. It can be located behind or in front.
If you like powerful bass, then it is desirable that the speakers have a phase inverter.
Most speakers have decorative panels with stretched fabric or grille to protect the speakers. But some speaker models do not have such panels.
It is desirable that there are panels, since the speakers are easy to wrinkle with a careless touch.
11. Controls
One of the speakers or a subwoofer may have a power button, volume controls, treble and bass controls. They can be on the front, side or rear panel.
It is more convenient when the controls are in front, but in principle there is no need to constantly use them, since the volume can be adjusted in the computer, on the keyboard, using the video player control panel or the speakers themselves, which is present in most models of the middle and higher price range. In addition, over time, these regulators wear out, so it is not advisable to use them intensively.
With wireless remote controls, you can usually adjust more settings, such as switching inputs from a computer to a TV and back. And some wired remotes can connect headphones.
12. Connectors
Speaker system 2.0 has 1 minijack 3.5 mm for connecting to a computer, system 2.1 - 2 such plugs, system 5.1. – 3.
To connect to a video player, a multi-channel system may have RCA (tulip) connectors.
The system can also have coaxial and optical connectors, with which you can connect both a computer and a video player that have similar connectors.
All speakers also have connectors and appropriate cables for connecting to an amplifier that is built into either one of the speakers (in 2.0 systems) or a subwoofer (in 2.1, 5.1 systems). Instead of tulips for all or some of the connections, speakers may have spring-loaded or screw-type connectors into which the wires are inserted directly.
This type of connection has several advantages:
- better contact compared to tulips that can break
- wire without a plug is easier to pull through various openings and holes
- the wire can be easily replaced with any other desired length
Modern multi-channel systems allow you to connect several devices to them at once. Think in advance how and to what devices you will connect the audio system and what connectors you will need for this. For example, a video player can be connected with a digital optical cable, computer with minijacks, and TV with tulips or in any other order. On manufacturers' websites you can often find instructions with recommended wiring diagrams. various devices. You can also consult with the seller or on the forum of the relevant subject.
In addition to these connectors, the speakers may have a headphone jack, which is very convenient and an audio input to which you can connect, for example, a smartphone or an MP3 player to play music without a computer.
13. Length of wires
The length of the wires, unfortunately, is usually not indicated in the characteristics of the speakers. If the speakers will be far from the system unit or you plan to spread them around the room, then try to look for this information on the manufacturer's website, ask the seller or those who have already purchased the same model. Also in this case, it is better if the speakers are connected with wires without connectors or with very popular connectors (minijack or tulip), which are easy to purchase separately of the desired length.
14. Frequency response
The parameters of the speakers may indicate such characteristics as the range of reproducible frequencies, the signal-to-noise ratio, and some others. The human ear is capable of picking up frequencies in the 20Hz-20kHz range. If the lower value is higher (40-50 Hz), then the bass is lost. If the upper value is lower (15-18 kHz), then high frequencies are lost. If, on the contrary, more than wide range, for example 15-25000, then this is just a publicity stunt, since you still won’t hear these frequencies. However, the parameters indicated by manufacturers do not always correspond to reality. Therefore, you can find out the actual characteristics and evaluate the sound quality only with the help of tests, the results of which can be found on the Internet according to the speaker model. The same applies to other parameters that I do not recommend focusing on.
15. Audio coding system
Some speakers support certified audio encoding systems such as Dolby, DTS, THX. if you have home theater, to which you want to connect new acoustics, then take an interest in this topic on the appropriate forums.
16. Additional functionality
Some speaker systems can work autonomously as media centers. They may have a USB connector, a card reader, to which you can connect flash drives, memory cards and play music from them directly without using a computer. Some models have a radio, an alarm clock, an information display, which makes them much more functional.
Some speakers and portable speakers may have Bluetooth, which can be used to play music from a smartphone wirelessly, which is sometimes convenient.
17. Speaker size
Pay close attention to the size of the speakers. Determine from photo real size practically impossible and often this discrepancy is huge. Specify the dimensions in the characteristics on the website of the seller or manufacturer. Take a ruler, imagine these dimensions and determine where and how the speakers will stand so that there are no surprises later.
For example, my speakers are only about 100x160x150mm, so they fit easily behind the monitor without taking up too much space.
On the other hand than larger size- the better the sound.
18. Body material
Cheap speakers usually have plastic case. Such speakers sound worse and can rattle already at medium volume.
Expensive speakers may have a wooden case.
A compromise option is speakers in an MDF case, which sound good, look solid, do not rattle, and at the same time have a low cost.
Some high-tech speaker systems may include small speakers (satellites) in a metal case. It looks stylish and compact, but it comes at a price.
MDF columns are optimal in terms of price / quality ratio. However, there are pretty decent speaker systems made of high-quality plastic, but they are more expensive.
19. Speaker color
The most versatile are black or black and silver speakers, as they blend well with other computer devices, modern home appliances and interiors.
As for MDF speakers, in addition to black and silver, they can have a color and texture that mimic different kinds wood (oak, beech, ash, etc.). At first glance, this may seem interesting. But the fact is that it is difficult to choose a color that will be combined with your table or furniture, since the colors in the picture are greatly distorted and often speakers of a completely different shade can come from an online store.
But the most important thing is that you like the speakers.
Portable speakers can have absolutely different colors and basically it doesn't have of great importance, as they will be used in a different, often fun, environment. Therefore, choose according to your taste.
20. Price
Here I will give prices below which high-quality speakers should not cost.
- Office, portable - $ 10
- Homemade 2.0 - $25
- Homemade 2.1 - $45
- Gaming 5.1 - $75
21. Setting up filters in the online store
- Go to the "Speakers" or "Acoustics" section on the seller's website.
- Select recommended manufacturers.
- Speaker type: stationary or portable.
- Number of channels: 2.0, 2.1 or 5.1.
- power range.
- Other options and features that are important to you.
- Browse items starting with the cheapest.
- Choose several models you like by design and compare them in terms of size, number and type of connectors, additional functionality.
- Buy the best functional model.
Thus, you will get the optimal price / quality columns that meet your requirements at the lowest possible cost.
Computer speakers Edifier R1800TIII
Computer speakers Edifier R1280T
Computer speakers SVEN SPS-702
