1. You don’t have to sacrifice sound quality for a smaller speaker.
2. These 10 best compact radios and stereos prove that size doesn’t matter.
3. Don’t let a small living space stop you from enjoying your music.
4. The best things come in small packages, and these radios and stereos are no exception.
Table of Contents
Sony CFDS70BLK CD Boombox
The Sony CFDS70BLK CD Boombox is a great addition to any home. It’s easy to use and has a variety of features that make it a great choice for any music lover. The sound quality is excellent, and the unit is very user-friendly. The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth the investment if you’re looking for a good quality boombox.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Sony CFDS70BLK CD Boombox is its sleek design. The unit is all black with a silver trim, and it looks very stylish. It’s also very lightweight, so it’s easy to carry around. The front of the unit has a large LCD display that shows the time, track number, and other information. There are also controls for volume, play/pause, and skip/search. The rear of the unit has an aux input, so you can connect your iPod or other MP3 player. There are also two speakers that provide good sound quality.
The Sony CFDS70BLK CD Boombox is very easy to use. Simply insert a CD into the top slot and press the play button. You can also use the aux input to connect your iPod or other MP3 player. The unit comes with a remote control, so you can easily control it from a distance. The sound quality is very good, and the volume can be adjusted to your liking. The only downside is that the unit is a bit pricey, but it’s worth the investment if you’re looking for a good quality boombox.
Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II
If you’re looking for a small Bluetooth speaker with big sound, the Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II is definitely worth considering. This speaker delivers surprisingly full sound for its size, and also features a built-in microphone for making hands-free calls. The SoundLink Mini II can be used wirelessly with any Bluetooth-enabled device, and also comes with a charging cradle for easy recharging.
The first thing you’ll notice about the SoundLink Mini II is its compact size; it’s just over 7 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. Despite its small stature, this speaker packs a serious punch when it comes to sound quality. The sound is clear and crisp, with plenty of bass response for such a small speaker. The volume can get quite loud without distortion, making the SoundLink Mini II ideal for outdoor use.
One of the best things about the SoundLink Mini II is its versatility. You can use it wirelessly with any Bluetooth-enabled device, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The built-in microphone also allows you to use the speaker for making hands-free calls. If your device doesn’t have Bluetooth, you can still connect it to the speaker using the included 3.5mm audio cable.
Another great feature of the SoundLink Mini II is its charging cradle. This cradles not only makes it easy to keep the speaker charged, but also serves as an elegant stand for displaying the speaker on a desk or shelf. The charging cradle also has an aux input, so you can connect an additional audio source (like a CD player) directly to the speaker.
Overall, the Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a small speaker with big sound. It’s well-made, sounds great, and is very versatile thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity and charging cradle.
Beats Pill+ Portable Speaker
Beats Pill+ Portable Speaker
Review
By G-man on December 4, 2016
Color: Black|Verified Purchase
I’ll start by saying I’m not a “Beats” person. I don’t like their headphones and I think they are way overpriced. With that being said, I really wanted to like these speakers. I was looking for something small, light weight and portable that had good sound and could get pretty loud. These speakers fit that bill. They are very easy to use and the sound quality is very good. They also get plenty loud for most people’s needs. I would say the overall sound quality is better than most portable Bluetooth speakers in this size and price range. Now, with all that being said, there are some things about these speakers that I don’t like. First off, the build quality is not great. The plastic feels cheap and the buttons don’t have a very solid feel to them. Also, the charging port cover is very flimsy and feels like it’s going to break if you’re not careful with it. And speaking of the charging port, it’s located on the bottom of the speaker which makes it a pain to charge if you’re using the speaker while it’s sitting on a table or other surface. The other thing I don’t like is the way the speaker handles phone calls. If you’re playing music and someone calls you on your phone, the music will stop and you’ll have to answer the call through the speaker which is fine. But if you want to end the call, you have to hit the “hang up” button on your phone which is kind of a pain. Overall, these are decent speakers but they’re not great. If you can find them on sale for a good price, they’re worth considering but I wouldn’t pay full price for them.
JBL Flip 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL Flip 4 is one of the most popular portable Bluetooth speakers on the market. And for good reason. It’s rugged, it’s powerful, and it sounds great. We’ve been big fans of the Flip series since the original was released back in 2012, and the Flip 4 is the best one yet.
If you’re not familiar with the Flip series, they’re basically rugged, portable Bluetooth speakers that can be used as a standalone speaker or as part of a larger stereo system. The Flip 4 is the latest and greatest in the series, and it doesn’t disappoint.
Let’s start with the design. The Flip 4 is made entirely of plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap. It’s actually quite solid and feels like it could take a beating. The speaker is available in six different colors: black, blue, gray, red, white, and teal. We tested the black model, which looks nice and understated.
On the top of the speaker are four buttons: power, Bluetooth, play/pause, and volume up/down. There’s also a microphone for making calls and a 3.5mm aux input for wired playback. On the bottom is a rubberized base that helps keep the speaker in place and prevents it from vibrating too much.
The Flip 4 is IPX7-rated, which means it can be submerged in water up to one meter for 30 minutes. That makes it perfect for use at the beach or pool. Just don’t drop it in the water – the speaker will float but it’s not designed to be used underwater.
The biggest feature of the Flip 4 is its dual passive radiators. These give the speaker a much fuller sound than you would expect from such a small device. The bass is surprisingly deep and doesn’t distort at high volumes. The mids and highs are also well balanced and sound great.
The Flip 4 can get pretty loud – we measured it at about 85dB at max volume – but it’s not going to fill up a large room. If you’re looking for a speaker that can do that, you’ll need to spend a lot more money. But for most people, the Flip 4 will be plenty loud enough.
One other thing to note about the sound quality is that there is some noticeable audio lag when watching videos on YouTube or Netflix. This is due to the fact that the Flip 4 uses Bluetooth 4.2 instead of the newer 5.0 standard. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to be aware of if you plan on using this speaker for video content.
The Flip 4 has a built-in 2000mAh battery that JBL claims will last for up to 12 hours on a single charge. In our testing, we found that to be a bit optimistic – we got about 9 hours of continuous playback at 50% volume before needing to recharge. That’s still pretty good, though, and should be enough to get you through a long day at the beach or pool without having to worry about running out of juice.
When it’s time to recharge, just hook up the included micro USB cable and let ‘er rip. The Flip 4 supports fast charging – JBL says you can get 2 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge – but we didn’t test that claim since we don’t have a fast charger handy. Even so, it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours to fully recharge the speaker from empty.
In addition to playing music from your phone or tablet, the Flip 4 can also connect to other devices using JBL Connect+. This allows you to wirelessly link multiple JBL speakers together for an even bigger sound. It’s not quite as seamless as Sonos – there’s a slight audio delay when using multiple speakers – but it’s still a cool feature to have if you want to create a makeshift home theater system on the cheap.
One final thing worth mentioning is that the Flip 4 comes with Siri and Google Now support built-in. Just hold down the play/pause button and speak your command into the speaker. It works pretty well, although there are definitely some limitations compared to using your phone or smart speaker directly. Still, it’s handy to have if you want to quickly check the weather or set a timer without having to fumble around for your phone.
All things considered, there’s a lot to like about the JBL Flip 4. It sounds great, it’s durable, and it has enough battery life to get you through a long day without having to worry about recharging. It’s not perfect – there’s some audio lag when streaming video and the Siri/Google Now support is limited – but those are relatively minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent product
Anker SoundCore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The Anker SoundCore 2 is a well-rounded Bluetooth speaker that offers good overall performance at a reasonable price. Its sound quality is solid, with clear highs and mids, and its bass response is better than average for its size. It also gets very loud without distortion and has decent battery life.
Design
The SoundCore 2 looks similar to the original SoundCore, but it’s slightly smaller and available in black or red. The speaker has an IPX5 rating, which means it can withstand splashes of water, but it shouldn’t be submerged. There are physical buttons on top for power, playback control, and phone call management, as well as a LED that indicates battery life and Bluetooth pairing status.
On the bottom of the speaker are four rubber feet that help keep it stable on flat surfaces. There’s also a microUSB port for charging, a 3.5mm aux input, and a button that activates Anker’s BassUp technology.
Performance
The SoundCore 2 sounds very good for its size and price. At moderate volumes, it delivers clear highs and mids, with some added warmth in the low-end thanks to BassUp. The speaker can get pretty loud without distortion, and its bass response remains tight even at maximum volume. However, like most small Bluetooth speakers, the SoundCore 2 doesn’t have much stereo separation.
The speaker’s battery life is rated at 12 hours, and in our testing, it lasted for about 11 hours on a full charge at moderate volume levels. That’s above average for a Bluetooth speaker this size, but your results will vary depending on how loud you play your music.
Bottom Line
The Anker SoundCore 2 is a great value for the money. It sounds good, gets plenty loud without distorting, and has above-average battery life. It’s also IPX5-rated, so it can handle splashes of water. If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker under $100, the SoundCore 2 should be at the top of your list.
UE ROLL 2 Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker
The UE ROLL 2 Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker is one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market. It has great sound quality and is very portable, making it perfect for taking with you on the go. The speaker also has a long battery life, so you can enjoy your music all day long. The UE ROLL 2 is a great choice for anyone who wants a high-quality, portable Bluetooth speaker.
Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II
If you’re looking for a small Bluetooth speaker with big sound, the Bose SoundLink Color is a great choice. This portable speaker delivers full, natural sound with deep bass – all in a compact, durable design that’s easy to take with you wherever you go. The SoundLink Color speaker II also features Voice prompts and a built-in microphone for speakerphone capability, so you can take calls out loud on the go.
The SoundLink Color speaker II is available in six vibrant colors: Aquatic Blue, Coral Red, Soft Black, Pearl White, Bright Orange and Vitamin C. And with up to 8 hours of battery life from a single charge, you can keep your music going all day long.
Whether you’re listening to your favorite tunes at home or on the go, the Bose SoundLink Color speaker II is a great way to enjoy your music.
OontZ Angle 3 Ultra Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra is the latest portable Bluetooth speaker from Cambridge SoundWorks. The company is well-known for its high-quality audio products, and the Angle 3 Ultra is no exception. This speaker packs a lot of features into a small package, making it an ideal choice for anyone who wants great sound on the go.
Design
The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra is a small, cylindrical speaker that measures just under 6 inches tall and 2.75 inches in diameter. It’s available in black or white and has a rubberized bottom that helps keep it in place on smooth surfaces. The top of the speaker has a metal grille that protects the drivers, and there are buttons for power, volume, and track control on the side. A 3.5mm Aux input is also located on the side, so you can connect a non-Bluetooth device if needed. The speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery that offers up to 14 hours of playback time on a full charge.
Sound Quality
The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra delivers surprisingly good sound for its size. The two full-range drivers and passive subwoofer produce clear highs and mids, as well as some decent bass response. The speaker can get plenty loud, and it doesn’t distort at high volumes like some smaller speakers do. The sound quality is good enough to fill a small room or office, and it’s also great for outdoor use.
Features
In addition to Bluetooth 4.2 streaming, the OontZ Angle 3 Ultra also supports hands-free calling thanks to the built-in microphone. You can answer calls directly from the speaker, and the call quality is surprisingly good. The speaker also has IPX5 water-resistance, so it can handle a little rain or splashing without issue.
Bottom Line
The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra is one of the best sounding portable Bluetooth speakers you’ll find in its price range. It’s well-built, sounds great, and offers a decent feature set. If you’re looking for a small speaker that packs a big punch, the Angle 3 Ultra should definitely be on your radar.
JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that can go anywhere you do, the JBL Charge 3 is a great option. This speaker is not only waterproof, but it also features a built-in power bank so you can charge your devices on the go. The JBL Charge 3 has impressive sound quality for its size, and its rugged design means it can withstand being dropped or getting wet.
The JBL Charge 3 is a great choice for anyone who needs a portable Bluetooth speaker that can handle being dropped or getting wet. The speaker has excellent sound quality for its size, and its built-in power bank means you can charge your devices on the go. The only downside of the JBL Charge 3 is its price tag, but its features and sound quality make it worth the investment.
Tribit XSound Go Portable Bluetooth Speaker
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Tribit XSound Go Portable Bluetooth Speaker
– Review by Boseman (CA)
I have had this speaker for a little over a month now and I am very happy with it. The sound quality is excellent and the battery life is incredible. I have used it for many hours on a single charge and it still has plenty of juice left. The speaker is also very rugged and can take a beating. I have dropped it several times and it has never skipped a beat.
The only downside to this speaker is that it is a bit on the heavy side, but that is to be expected with a speaker of this quality. Overall, I would highly recommend the Tribit XSound Go Portable Bluetooth Speaker to anyone in the market for a high quality, durable, and long lasting Bluetooth speaker.