Please Recommend Bluetooth Speakers for Novice with Speakers

icanconfirm on 29/08/2023 - 07:54

Hello,

And thank you

Looking for pair Bluetooth speakers (active/powered I believe is the lingo, I.e. not needing a separate amplifier)- would like guidance/assistance to find one most suitable

Purpose is to put into general lounge area (not with TV), so it can play in the background while just sitting and listening, or doing other tasks, e.g. reading, be in kitchen, entertaining

A possible use (not currently intended as primary use) is to connect to computer as computer speakers (watching youtube/movies/music)

My music interests are generally electronic music- melodic house/melodic techno. My wife's is probably vocal pop/mainstream/singing/podcasts

Budget is 1500 AUD. Happy to pay up to this amount, no need to save

These are some which I have seen with varying prices-

Do not care about brands etc. Likely will purchase on most approved recommendations

AirPulse A300

Edifier S2000MKIII

Edifier s3000 pro

Mitchell Acoustics uStream One

Kanto YU6

Electrical & Electronics Bluetooth Speaker

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 29/08/2023 - 08:17

    Are you android or iOS? Smart speakers are great for ambient listening as they're spatial/omnidirectional with automated room correction. I have Homepods which are fabulous. If you're not iOS people consider a pair of Sonos Era 300.

    • icanconfirm on 29/08/2023 - 09:10

      I have Android. My wife IOS. What's the difference between smart and Bluetooth capable speakers?

      • sumyungguy on 29/08/2023 - 09:24

        Most of the smart speakers stream music over Wi-Fi, the portables over Bluetooth. If you're a mixed household that rules out Homepods. Check the reviews for Era 300. I think your wife's phone will be able to run the room correction. I have a decent 5.2 home theatre which is great for music if you're sitting in the correct position. Smart speakers are far better suited to ambient listening. Problem is they're hard to audition because they work best in homes, not retail showrooms.

  • AngoraFish on 29/08/2023 - 08:30

    Why are you looking at 'Bluetooth'? That's normally a portable spec.

    I have Audio Pro C10 MK2 which has an excellent (for the budget) built in subwoofer that suits me really well for casual listening. For your listening a decent subwoofer is a must.

    Sonos is also widely recommended, and has a good ecosystem if you ever look at expanding.

    • icanconfirm on 29/08/2023 - 09:14

      I'm not sure if I'm describing my intended use correctly. I'm thinking Bluetooth capable speakers as I'm envisioning being home, chucking on something on YouTube, Spotify on the phone, and listening it onto the speakers (rather than the current set up of playing something on the ipad speakers). I'll have a look at those speakers- would they fulfil this vision?

      • AngoraFish on 29/08/2023 - 16:02

        Yeah, that's mostly how I use them. Both Sonos and AudioPro you can use through a dedicated app or directly from the usual streaming services such as Spotify. You can use Bluetooth to send to the speaker if need be, but normally if you're home you just go directly through the home wifi via Chromecast which is built into Android or AirPlay for Apple.

        One Audio Pro C10 MK2 is enough for my needs at the moment ($529), but I'm one decent sale away from pushing the button on a second for a proper stereo setup.

  • samyall on 29/08/2023 - 08:58

    I was in the market for some bookshelf speakers with HDMI CEC that I could use with a TV all the reviews pointed me the Klipsch The Fives. They are about $1500 so perfect for your budget.

    I didnt end up getting them in the end (out of my budget at the time) but they get very good reviews and have all the connectivity bells and whistles.

    Why get HDMI CEC? It means that if you do decide to use them with a TV they will seamlessly turn on and off with the TV and you can control the volume using the TV remote.

    In the end I got the AudioPro A26 (now the AudioPro A28) which may be more up your alley if you are a Spotify user as they can stream direct from Spotify. Again, I cant speak highly enough about how useful it is to have HDMI CEC built in.

    • icanconfirm on 29/08/2023 - 09:57

      Thank you

      Good to know about HDMI CEC

      The Klipsch will provide Bluetooth for my anticipated use?

      Similarly with the AudioPro A28?

      Do they connect from right to left via cable?

      And are there any other reasons (apart from HDMI CEC) your recommendations are better than what I've written in the OP?

      • samyall on 29/08/2023 - 10:30

        Both have bluetooth but you might find one of the other connections more convenient. Yes, both have a cable connecting left and right. Active bookshelf speakers usually have all the amp and smarts in one and then the other is passive, connected with speaker wire.

        I am a sucker for getting the most out of my tech so I like more features. Means that you can find another use for them if your original use case changes.

        That said, I also love Edifier so if you want bang for your buck and not worry about future-proofing changes in your usecase, they are probably the way to go.

        • icanconfirm on 29/08/2023 - 11:01
          +1

          Thanks

          So just to confirm the extra tech in the Klipsch is isolated to HDMI CEC?

          Just asking bc the two recommendations you've provided are strong in my mind. Trying to see if there's anything extra that makes it a clear win above the others in OP

          • samyall on 29/08/2023 - 11:48

            @icanconfirm: The AudioPros have a multiroom system similar to Sonos where you can play the same music through multiple rooms. They can also act as a Chromecast. I dont use those features but again im a sucker for extra tech!

            The Klipsch just have HDMI CEC. But the Klipsch also will sound better - does that count as extra tech?

  • kekw on 29/08/2023 - 10:23

    If you just want to have something loud and bassy and can do Karaoke/host party occasionally then the JBL partybox is not bad. But if you want something that will make your ears pregnant then this is not it.
    At $1500 you can get the partybox 1000.
    I personally own the partybox 310 around $600. I use it to run sports event at a stadium with 2 bball court and 150 spectator seats. I host about 60 people on a good day and it has been plenty enough.

    • icanconfirm on 29/08/2023 - 11:04

      Wasn't my vision

      We're not generally in that situation

      But cool suggestion

      But I can chat to my wife

      Any other more conventional suggestions?

  • PensionerXXL on 29/08/2023 - 10:58

    S3000 pro!

    • icanconfirm on 29/08/2023 - 11:02

      These seem to be 750

      As said happy to spend up to 1500

      Treating it as a long time coming gift for my wife

      Is there a reason for that recommendation?

      (Assuming higher price tag affords better product)

      • kekw on 29/08/2023 - 11:09
        +2

        when it comes to audio equipment, higher price do not equates to better quality… Go to a physical shop and listen to it yourself then decide.

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