Mid-range Bluetooth Speaker

[LineSkiCat14]

In the market for a mid-range bluetooth speaker. I have a more entry-level one (Motorola Deck), and while it's good for quick use, the sound quality isn't anything to write-home about. No bass, not much range. Looking for:

• Fairly portable
• Mid-range sound level
• Decent bass
  
• Reputable brand

I've narrowed down to some of the higher end UE and JBL models. They both seem to be the two biggest players. But also looked at Harmon Kardon Onyx 4 and a Fugoo speaker (great ratings, never heard of the brand though).

Any help or wise *** remarks would be appreciated.

 

[UK 82]

In the market for a mid-range bluetooth speaker. I have a more entry-level one (Motorola Deck), and while it's good for quick use, the sound quality isn't anything to write-home about. No bass, not much range. Looking for:

• Fairly portable
• Mid-range sound level
• Decent bass
  
• Reputable brand

I've narrowed down to some of the higher end UE and JBL models. They both seem to be the two biggest players. But also looked at Harmon Kardon Onyx 4 and a Fugoo speaker (great ratings, never heard of the brand though).

Any help or wise *** remarks would be appreciated.

My niece has an Aiwa Exos-9 that is quite impressive. A little bulky but still portable. 300 bucks and very powerful.

 

[Kaizer Sosay]

Go see this guy...he will hook you up with what you need.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

My niece has an Aiwa Exos-9 that is quite impressive. A little bulky but still portable. 300 bucks and very powerful.

Looks pretty sweet. That would be more of a high-range and stationary speaker for me, which I'm not opposed to. For now, I need something I can throw in a backpack. It's a tough sweetspot, but it needs to be portable with great sound.

Ones like the JBL Charge 3 or the UE Megaboom.

 

[trav55_rivals214556]

In the market for a mid-range bluetooth speaker. I have a more entry-level one (Motorola Deck), and while it's good for quick use, the sound quality isn't anything to write-home about. No bass, not much range. Looking for:

• Fairly portable
• Mid-range sound level
• Decent bass
  
• Reputable brand

I've narrowed down to some of the higher end UE and JBL models. They both seem to be the two biggest players. But also looked at Harmon Kardon Onyx 4 and a Fugoo speaker (great ratings, never heard of the brand though).

Any help or wise *** remarks would be appreciated.

I have a Bose color soundlink and a Bose revolve. I like the revolve better but both are prettt damn good. Neither will blow you out of the water but neither lose sound quality much when you turn it up. The Bose revolve is good because no matter where you’re sitting the sound stays the same. Now, they still get rather loud so it’s fine. I can turn it up in my house and hear it everywhere. If I’m outside and having people over, I can turn it up and if it’s a night and I don’t want to disturb my neighbors, I have to turn it down, so yes, it is loud enough for other people around to hear it, which is loud enough for me. And personally, I like to listen to my music louder than most and it appeases me.

 

[Tinker Dan]

Looks pretty sweet. That would be more of a high-range and stationary speaker for me, which I'm not opposed to. For now, I need something I can throw in a backpack. It's a tough sweetspot, but it needs to be portable with great sound.

Ones like the JBL Charge 3 or the UE Megaboom.

I have a UE Megaboom, UE Roll 2 and a UE Mini Boom. I have been happy with all, they each have different uses. But I probably would not buy the Mini Boom again. The Roll 2 takes its place.

Highly recommend the Megaboom.

 

[bigbluefattycat]

Gerald Fitch

 

[DSmith21]

Ones like the JBL Charge 3 or the UE Megaboom.

Several reviews (below) give the JBL the nod over the UE Megaboom primarily for sound quality and price. However, the megaboom does have its advantages (better software which is regularly updated, faster charging time and unidirectional sound which is helpful outdoors). If portability is a key issue for you, you might consider the JBL Flip 4 which is smaller/lighter (1.1 lbs. vs. 1.8 lbs for Charge 3) but still gives quality sound.

http://comparisonmister.com/jbl-charge-3-vs-ue-megaboom-bluetooth-speakers/

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Several reviews (below) give the JBL the nod over the UE Megaboom primarily for sound quality and price. However, the megaboom does have its advantages (better software which is regularly updated, faster charging time and unidirectional sound which is helpful outdoors). If portability is a key issue for you, you might consider the JBL Flip 4 which is smaller/lighter (1.1 lbs. vs. 1.8 lbs for Charge 3) but still gives quality sound.

http://comparisonmister.com/jbl-charge-3-vs-ue-megaboom-bluetooth-speakers/

Oh man, I was really in the weeds last night on the JBL vs. UE debate.. It reminded me of the old school Xbox vs Playstation fan wars..

Like you said, it does seem JBL has the better quality.. but I swear, every video I watched, the JBL seemd muffled and not as crisp. But those are videos and not IRL.

Seems like the Flip 4 is more akin to the UE line, more like a "tower" with muli-omnidirectional, instead of boombox.

My worry with the Flip 4 is that it seems it's a little too close to the "entry" level. I'm not sure if it's that much better than the Motorola Sol Deck. Guess I'll have to go to Bestbuy and piss off some workers.

 

[justa]

I have 2 of the HK Onyx 4's. Great sound quality and easily portable.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I have 2 of the HK Onyx 4's. Great sound quality and easily portable.

Those ***** are extremely nice. They debuted at $450.. but in less than a year they're already down to $140.. Thats the only thing that made me skeptical. That and minor features, like waterproof, no 360 sound and legs that can't be removed..

But I have to imagine the Onyx4 has better sound quality than the UE or JBL line..

 

[justa]

Yeah I think I got the pair for $300 last Fall. I'm no audiophile so don't know what 360 sound is but I've had zero issue with sound quality or being able to hear them. Never considered the legs a hindrance I actually like the ease of standing up. I use one upstairs in the bedroom and the other is in the living area downstairs. I take that one outside to the deck or firepit when needed, lot of times I can crack a window and can hear them fine outside.

I think the price thing is almost like MSRP then the plan was to cut to look like you are getting a deal. Hooked me.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Yeah I think I got the pair for $300 last Fall. I'm no audiophile so don't know what 360 sound is but I've had zero issue with sound quality or being able to hear them. Never considered the legs a hindrance I actually like the ease of standing up. I use one upstairs in the bedroom and the other is in the living area downstairs. I take that one outside to the deck or firepit when needed, lot of times I can crack a window and can hear them fine outside.

I think the price thing is almost like MSRP then the plan was to cut to look like you are getting a deal. Hooked me.

The last part I bet is right. Seems like they knew they would drop the price. But I'm OK with that if the product is good,

The 360 degree sound is nice because there's never a dead spot. With the HK Onyx, you could feasibly be stuck behind it, or off to one side, and not get great sound. Now positioning the speaker correctly (or having two) fixes this.. but it is nice in an outdoor area to have a 360 speaker going out at all directions.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

RexChapman can hook u up

 

[bigbluefattycat]

RexChapman can hook u up

Rex was more long range meth tooth terrible speaker but Fitch's mid-range game was solid. Go with Gerald.

 

[Kooky Kats]

Plexnas

 

[DSmith21]

Oh man, I was really in the weeds last night on the JBL vs. UE debate.. It reminded me of the old school Xbox vs Playstation fan wars..

Like you said, it does seem JBL has the better quality.. but I swear, every video I watched, the JBL seemd muffled and not as crisp. But those are videos and not IRL.

Seems like the Flip 4 is more akin to the UE line, more like a "tower" with muli-omnidirectional, instead of boombox.

My worry with the Flip 4 is that it seems it's a little too close to the "entry" level. I'm not sure if it's that much better than the Motorola Sol Deck. Guess I'll have to go to Bestbuy and piss off some workers.

I went to Best Buy over the weekend and listened to the Charge 3, UE Megaboom and the Flip 4. All sounded really good. I thought the Megaboom may have sounded the best or at least had a little fuller sound especially in the bass range at lower volume. However, it seemed a little big to throw in a back pack. Both of the JBLs were good. The Charge 3 was better/louder but I was pleasantly surprised by the Flip 4 putting out such good sound at about half the size. All of these speakers were set up to play a demo by just hitting one button. No need to get a sales associate. I did notice that the Megaboom is on sale this week for $152 ($98 off original price) and is now the same price as the Charge 3.

While all of those portable bluetooth speakers sounded good, the Sonos One (new version with Alexa for $200) or the Sonos Play-1 ($150) blow them away in sound quality at any volume. They are about the same size but they require plug in and weigh 5 lbs. vs about 2 lbs for the Megaboom and Charge 3. That is the only downside.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I went to Best Buy over the weekend and listened to the Charge 3, UE Megaboom and the Flip 4. All sounded really good. I thought the Megaboom may have sounded the best or at least had a little fuller sound especially in the bass range at lower volume. However, it seemed a little big to throw in a back pack. Both of the JBLs were good. The Charge 3 was better/louder but I was pleasantly surprised by the Flip 4 putting out such good sound at about half the size. All of these speakers were set up to play a demo by just hitting one button. No need to get a sales associate. I did notice that the Megaboom is on sale this week for $152 ($98 off original price) and is now the same price as the Charge 3.

While all of those portable bluetooth speakers sounded good, the Sonos One (new version with Alexa for $200) or the Sonos Play-1 ($150) blow them away in sound quality at any volume. They are about the same size but they require plug in and weigh 5 lbs. vs about 2 lbs for the Megaboom and Charge 3. That is the only downside.

Ha, did the same thing. The JBL setup had the volume buttons switched.. So it was super fun to be "that guy" blasting country music across the store.. trying to turn it down but all I'm doing is cranking the volume..

I liked the 360 degree aspect of the UE line, but the sound seemed to high, not enough lows. I've always read online that the general consensus is JBL is better and UE is really just marketing.

The guy there tried to sell me on Altec Lansing, and I have to admit, It was a better speaker than JBL, and designed for outdoors. But it was pricey and also ugly as ****. Further, I love the idea of pairing more speakers in "party mode", and not sure Altec Lansing is a strong player in this game to keep this going..

The Flip 4 was nice. Opted for the JBL Charge 3 as it has a proper stand, better bass, and can charge my devices. I was able to score the Charge on Amazon for $122 which was a great deal.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Apparently the JBLs will most likely need firmware updates, and I can do some sound equalizing to lower the bass a bit. If I don't love it, I'm sending it back. But I'm sure it'll be great. Might grab the Flip4 in due time.