bluetooth speakers with a power cable?
June 17, 2018 10:14 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for a somewhat odd thing: active speakers which take input over bluetooth and power from a cable. 1/4" or 1/8" would be a nice backup; XLR would be useless. Good bass is important: when I'm listening to a cello, I want to feel the cello resonate in my chest. However, it doesn't need to be very loud. Enough for a 15x15ftx10ft room with some conversation or a faucet running.
This will probably live in the corner of my kitchen most of the time for background music while I cook. Maybe sometimes I will move it to the living room for background music while I eat.
I mostly listen to instrumental folk music, and I like it relatively quiet (say, 80 db?).
I unfortunately have absolutely no knowledge of audio equipment except the big professional stuff I lift and carry at work. My coworkers assure me that it would not sound good if I buy one of our floor monitors and just turn it down real low, but I think they're a bit more into music than I am.
This will probably live in the corner of my kitchen most of the time for background music while I cook. Maybe sometimes I will move it to the living room for background music while I eat.
I mostly listen to instrumental folk music, and I like it relatively quiet (say, 80 db?).
I unfortunately have absolutely no knowledge of audio equipment except the big professional stuff I lift and carry at work. My coworkers assure me that it would not sound good if I buy one of our floor monitors and just turn it down real low, but I think they're a bit more into music than I am.
Two different options from Bowers & Wilkins come to mind:
Zeppelin
T7
Although, the T7 is designed to be a portable speaker and operates on internal battery.
Other options include pairs of powered speakers, like Allaire from Aperion Audio. The downside is moving them from room to room will be less convenient.
posted by nickthetourist at 10:41 PM on June 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Zeppelin
T7
Although, the T7 is designed to be a portable speaker and operates on internal battery.
Other options include pairs of powered speakers, like Allaire from Aperion Audio. The downside is moving them from room to room will be less convenient.
posted by nickthetourist at 10:41 PM on June 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
I have an HK Onyx 4 that I like and seems like it would suit your needs.
posted by doctord at 10:42 PM on June 17, 2018
posted by doctord at 10:42 PM on June 17, 2018
Response by poster: Please note that I'm looking for a speaker that takes a power cable. If you're going to recommend a battery-powered speaker, please explain why I should be okay with a battery for a speaker that's always going to be near a power outlet. As far as I can tell, that's just adding a limited-lifespan component for no good reason. And I'm sure I'll pay for the privilege, both financially and via compromises elsewhere in the design.
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 10:51 PM on June 17, 2018
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 10:51 PM on June 17, 2018
You might like something like a Bose radio with Bluetooth. I know a couple people who have them; they are designed for pleasing sound.
posted by theora55 at 11:39 PM on June 17, 2018
posted by theora55 at 11:39 PM on June 17, 2018
Bang for the buck, it is hard to beat Anker bluetooth speakers. You can simply keep the charging cable into the wall socket. The version I have has an inline, micro USB charger to wall and standard USB inline ports. It cost less than $80 US and does Bass boost. Listening now to the Boccherini: Cello Concerto #2, Allegro with Rostropovich and it seems to be doing OK without Bass Boost and while listening to Yo-Yo Ma, Bach Cello Suite #1, you will want the Bass Boost. Now listening to some Copland and it is doing fine. Django Rhinehart is sounding very solid. This is using the bluetooth and plugged into the wall because it is in my kitchen.
posted by jadepearl at 1:04 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by jadepearl at 1:04 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I have been using a sony bluetooth speaker to play audiobooks all night, every night, for at least two years. The sound is great and I just leave it plugged in all the time. Maybe twice a year I'll take it somewhere and use the battery, but most of the time, it just sits there and does exactly what you want a speaker to do. There are cheaper and more expensive versions of that speaker so you can get the features/price you're happy with. But yea, it's been in use for 8 hours a day for years, and still works fine.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:20 AM on June 18, 2018
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:20 AM on June 18, 2018
I have a Bose SoundLink Color that I keep near the spot where I charge it, except when I take it with me to another room. It is not plugged in, meaning it runs on battery, but you could just keep it connected to the USB charger. To your point, I've owned mine for three years and the play time on the battery hasn't diminished that I've noticed, and I listen to it most days for podcasts. I think the battery seems long-lasting, but it was only $90 so if it dies tomorrow after three years, I'd be okay with that. I don't think this is a problem worth worrying about, to be honest. Anyway, it also has a 1/8 audio input jack. It's pretty bassy, to the point where I sought out a way to turn the bass down but you can't.
If you really want something that has to be plugged in, you can get a Google Home or a Google Home Mini. They have bluetooth. But it's more than just a speaker and does stuff via voice commands. I got my mom a Google Home Mini which she keeps on her kitchen counter and plays classical music while she cooks.
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:08 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you really want something that has to be plugged in, you can get a Google Home or a Google Home Mini. They have bluetooth. But it's more than just a speaker and does stuff via voice commands. I got my mom a Google Home Mini which she keeps on her kitchen counter and plays classical music while she cooks.
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:08 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I have a Bose Soundlink Color that I use both plugged in and battery. It plugs into a usb port, but using an adapter can easily plug into an electrical outlet.
+1 to AppleTurnover
posted by AugustWest at 4:23 AM on June 18, 2018
+1 to AppleTurnover
posted by AugustWest at 4:23 AM on June 18, 2018
The Amazon Echo is a great product and you can bluetooth your phone to it.
Additionally, you can use it to set kitchen timers with your voice. You can also use services like Pandora and Spotify directly from the Echo...no need for your phone. There is generally a ton of stuff you can do with the Echo that you can't with a regular bluetooth speaker...
The sound quality at low volumes is good. Not as good as a Sonos device, but certainly as good as any of the other bluetooth devices previously mentioned here.
Note that the Echo doesn't have a battery. It has to be plugged in 100% of the time.
posted by Tiny Lee at 5:42 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Additionally, you can use it to set kitchen timers with your voice. You can also use services like Pandora and Spotify directly from the Echo...no need for your phone. There is generally a ton of stuff you can do with the Echo that you can't with a regular bluetooth speaker...
The sound quality at low volumes is good. Not as good as a Sonos device, but certainly as good as any of the other bluetooth devices previously mentioned here.
Note that the Echo doesn't have a battery. It has to be plugged in 100% of the time.
posted by Tiny Lee at 5:42 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you want to feel that cello resonate in your chest, then you need a speaker that a) has the power and b) the size to push out those C2 65Hz bass notes. Teenzy-weenzy little 2-3" speakers aren't going to cut it. The Wirecutter has a few suggestions, which include the PeachTree DeepBlue3 (6.5" sub, $400) or the Bowers & Willikins Zeppelin (6.5" sub, $700) mentioned above.
Neither Google nor Anker speakers get particularly good reviews for sound quality: Anker speakers are perfectly good for the price, but nothing special whilst the Google Home speakers are not noted for sound quality at all - most reviews I've seen say that they fall down in this area & you should only get one if you really want the voice control features.
(Wirecutter: The Best Home Bluetooth Speaker)
posted by pharm at 5:42 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Neither Google nor Anker speakers get particularly good reviews for sound quality: Anker speakers are perfectly good for the price, but nothing special whilst the Google Home speakers are not noted for sound quality at all - most reviews I've seen say that they fall down in this area & you should only get one if you really want the voice control features.
(Wirecutter: The Best Home Bluetooth Speaker)
posted by pharm at 5:42 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I bought this Marshall Acton Bluetooth speaker at Costco around Christmas time and it plugs in to the wall and sounds great. It also has a 1/8" plug if you want to skip the wireless. I like it way better than any of my battery powered ones. It's also very pretty.
posted by advicepig at 6:56 AM on June 18, 2018
posted by advicepig at 6:56 AM on June 18, 2018
Also, it doesn't listen to your every conversation.
posted by advicepig at 6:56 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by advicepig at 6:56 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you have a pair of regular stereo speakers you like, you can use a mini amplifier combined with a bluetooth adapter and they can be set up together like any stereo speaker system.
I can't vouch for the fidelity you desire, but you can use any speakers, the setup is simple, and probably less expensive than other options (if you have speakers).
posted by TDIpod at 7:31 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I can't vouch for the fidelity you desire, but you can use any speakers, the setup is simple, and probably less expensive than other options (if you have speakers).
posted by TDIpod at 7:31 AM on June 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I recently chose a pair of Edifier 1700BTs that fit all your criteria. Powered, Bluetooth, right volume capacity for your space. They're affordable and look nice.
posted by Beardman at 7:43 AM on June 18, 2018
posted by Beardman at 7:43 AM on June 18, 2018
I'd recommend looking at modern active speakers that implement their crossovers in DSP and have at least some degree of adjustment available to compensate for corner placement (in order to avoid overly boomy bass). I own a pair of Dynaudio Xeo 2s that I think would fit your requirements (though they might be overkill for your needs).
Pros: They take Bluetooth/RCA/optical inputs, have a pretty nice physical remote (there are also physical touch controls on both speakers), have a switch to adjust the crossover depending on wall proximity (normal/wall/corner modes), and sound about as good as you can get for the price. I use them at a desk in my bedroom, but they are surprisingly good at filling a medium-sized room, even at the low end, at reasonably loud volumes. The cabinets have a downwards-firing rear port, which doesn't seem to have the same kinds of bad interactions with nearby walls that straight rear-firing ports tend to have. They also have very solid construction; the cabinet is made from a dense, high-quality plastic, while the front baffle is a thick, solid piece of aluminum. They also get pretty good reviews.
Cons: Pricey at $1300 for a stereo pair, and I don't know if it's possible to use a single speaker by itself, though it might help that there's no physical wire linking the left and right speakers; they communicate with each other wirelessly.
posted by strangecargo at 12:45 PM on June 18, 2018
Pros: They take Bluetooth/RCA/optical inputs, have a pretty nice physical remote (there are also physical touch controls on both speakers), have a switch to adjust the crossover depending on wall proximity (normal/wall/corner modes), and sound about as good as you can get for the price. I use them at a desk in my bedroom, but they are surprisingly good at filling a medium-sized room, even at the low end, at reasonably loud volumes. The cabinets have a downwards-firing rear port, which doesn't seem to have the same kinds of bad interactions with nearby walls that straight rear-firing ports tend to have. They also have very solid construction; the cabinet is made from a dense, high-quality plastic, while the front baffle is a thick, solid piece of aluminum. They also get pretty good reviews.
Cons: Pricey at $1300 for a stereo pair, and I don't know if it's possible to use a single speaker by itself, though it might help that there's no physical wire linking the left and right speakers; they communicate with each other wirelessly.
posted by strangecargo at 12:45 PM on June 18, 2018
To clarify on AugustWest's comment, the Bose SoundLink Color comes with a USB and power adapter. It's your choice whether you plug it into a wall outlet or a computer. (I plug it into the wall.)
posted by AppleTurnover at 1:28 PM on June 18, 2018
posted by AppleTurnover at 1:28 PM on June 18, 2018
I have an Oppo Sonica wireless speaker that is plugin only. It offers Bluetooth, Airplay, 3.5mm aux in, and USB input as well. It produces good sound. Runs about $300
posted by Amity at 3:07 PM on June 18, 2018
posted by Amity at 3:07 PM on June 18, 2018
The Sonos Play One is a heavy, plugged in speaker with all sorts of connectivity options.
posted by mmascolino at 6:21 AM on June 19, 2018
posted by mmascolino at 6:21 AM on June 19, 2018
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posted by kickingtheground at 10:25 PM on June 17, 2018