Looking for a "Quiet" Bluetooth Speaker!

July 16, 2019 8:53 AM

Is there a Bluetooth speaker that doesn't play any status jingles, like a "startup" or (more importantly) "shutdown / disconnection" sound?

Our toddler has recently graduated from her crib to a Big Girl Bed and likes music playing in the room while she falls asleep. We use Spotify on a tablet that we leave on her dresser, and because we play albums or shorter playlists the music naturally stops on its own after a while. Trouble is, when we're not in the room, she's now free to get the tablet down and try to mess with it.

Okay, so, Bluetooth speaker being controlled from outside the room, right? But most speakers I've met make some sort of noise when shutting down or disconnecting, and we don't want to risk waking her up again and having to start the process all over. Especially if that noise comes after a long period of silence.

Suggestions?

posted by Monster_Zero to Technology (7 answers total)

I think the larger speakers avoid that issue. I have a little one in my bedroom that "bloop bloops" when I turn it on and off.

I have an amp-sized speaker (it's an Ion brand) on my main level. It doesn't make sounds when I turn it on or off, but I keep it on and plugged in at all times. Electrical tape covers the lights (which might be a good option for a toddler) so it more or less blends into the background when it's not in use.
posted by Twicketface at 9:46 AM on July 16, 2019

We have a couple of UE Boom speakers, and while they do play a sort of drumming sound when they’re searching for a new Bluetooth connection, they don’t make any sound when you’re just finished playing music. I don’t know why you’d have to be unpairing the device just because the music is finished for the evening.

Our speakers are a several years old but they’re fantastic and have held up really well. I wouldn’t hesitate to get another one — except that the ones we have don’t need replacing!
posted by leahwrenn at 9:48 AM on July 16, 2019

I have one! A Soundmatters Foxl v2: https://soundmatters.com/product/foxl-v2-2/
No startup or shutdown noise, only two small beeps when connected via bluetooth. No sounds when disconnected.
posted by butwheresthesushi at 9:52 AM on July 16, 2019

My Oontz Angle Plus does not make any kind of noises when powering on/off.
posted by corey flood at 9:59 AM on July 16, 2019

My UE mini boom's system sounds could be totally silenced through the accompanying app's settings. My specific form factor has been discontinued (it's now the UE Roll, I believe) but I'm in the same boat as leahwrenn in that I would happily replace it except mine is still going strong after 5 years - highly recommended!
posted by btfreek at 10:33 AM on July 16, 2019

Actually, I take back my earlier comment about no disconnection sound on the Foxl - never noticed it because when the audio cable is plugged in (my use case), it doesn't make a sound. Makes a beep when there is no audio cable and bluetooth disconnects.
posted by butwheresthesushi at 12:08 AM on July 17, 2019

I can confirm that, for the UE Boom & related speakers, you can turn off all the connection sounds if you install the app.
posted by pharm at 1:21 AM on July 17, 2019