Matthew Moskovciak,
April 6, 2009
Having all your digital music on an MP3 player is the ultimate convenience, but if it's connected to a speaker, you'll need to get off the couch to make a playlist change. Bluetooth speakers solve this problem by accepting music streamed wirelessly from your A2DP-compatible MP3 player or phone, so you can keep your Bluetooth-enabled device in your hand and easily navigate your favorite tunes. It's like having a remote control to your whole music library.
That's the major upside to Bluetooth speakers, but there are certainly trade-offs. The range of Bluetooth is usually pretty limited, so you probably only be able to get about 15 to 25 feet away from the speaker before the connection is spotty. You'll also notice that the sound quality isn't nearly as good as a wired connection, so audiophiles will be disappointed. And most importantly, the most popular MP3 player in the world--the iPod--doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, so you'll need to use a competing MP3 player with Bluetooth--such as the Sony Walkman NWZ-A828, Ibiza Rhapsody, or Samsung YP-P2--to use these speakers. But if you've already got an iPod, you can still get in the Bluetooth speaker game by using a Bluetooth adapter, such as the Jabra A125s or the Sony TMR-BT8IP.
Remember, due to the bandwidth limitations of the Bluetooth technology, even the best Bluetooth speaker isn't going to sound as good as a wired connection. (That's likely to be the case at least until the next iteration of the Bluetooth standard appears in 2009.) But if you've got a favorite A2DP-compatible Bluetooth audio source, one of the options below will let you cut the cord when listening to your music at home.
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| Price | $117.89 to $151.99 | $93.24 to $166.99 | $128.04 to $149.95 | Check Prices | Check Prices | Check Prices |
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| Review date | June 06, 2007 | April 17, 2008 | February 08, 2008 | October 08, 2007 | December 08, 2008 | July 15, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | The impressive iLuv i199 provides a dizzying array of features--including iPod compatibility, CD player, AM/FM clock radio--you'll be hard-pressed to find on any other tabletop audio systems at this price. | While the iLuv i399 is still a solid-sounding iPod speaker dock, we wish it had held on to some of the features the made the previous model such an excellent value. | Few battery-powered Bluetooth speakers can match the NX-B02's combination of audio quality and ultracompact portability. | The Parrot Boombox wireless Bluetooth speaker system ably combines elegant design, minimalist aesthetics, and better-than-average sound quality at an affordable price. | The Acoustic Energy AE-29 is a decent--if slightly overpriced--Bluetooth speaker system. | While pricey, the Parrot DS1120 Bluetooth speaker system offers a great combination of good sound and stylish looks. |
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