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| NewsNewsBlog.blogspot.com has rounded up the best Bluetooth and Wireless speakers of 2015 |
IT HAS been another successful year for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming speakers thanks to upgrades and new products from the likes of Sonos, BOSE and Ultimate Ears. But which wireless wonder is best for you?
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled speakers are more popular than ever.
Fortunately, there has never been a better time to buy one, thanks to new products from the likes of Sonos, BOSE, Ultimate Ears, Google and more.
Whether you want a slick app-powered multi-room sound system, or a rugged-but-portable waterproof speaker, Express.co.uk has rounded up the best options from the last year.
But which of these 2015 speakers should you pickup? Find out below –
Most Flexible Wireless Speaker – BOSE SoundTouch 10
BOSE this year unveiled a new addition to its SoundTouch range of wireless speakers, the SoundTouch 10.
And while this simple and squat speaker isn’t going to win any awards for design, it does pack an impressive slew of connectivity options that should cover just about every use case for a home sound system.
SoundTouch 10 owners can play music from their smartphone, tablet or smartwatch via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections, or can stream direct from online on-demand services like Spotify (via Spotify Connect) or Deezer.
BOSE has also included the ability to stream from the music collection stored on your home computer, provided it’s managed in either iTunes or Windows Media Player.
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| BOSE SoundTouch 10 packs a slew of different options to stream your music |
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| Owners can customise the pre-set buttons, bypassing the need for a smartphone or tablet |
The SoundTouch 10 can also stream direct from compatible NAS drives, including Synology’s DiskStation and Western Digital’s My Cloud, so you can pick and choose from your personal music library even when your computer is turned off.
And you can plug an AUX cable into the back of the speaker and play from an older iPod or Zune player, too.
In fact, the only major music streaming protocol that isn’t supported by the impressive BOSE speaker is Apple’s own AirPlay, which is compatible with other models in the range – but was dropped with the SoundTouch 10.
The speaker comes with six custom preset buttons which can be linked to any of the above music services, including a playlist on Deezer, a particular artist on Spotify or an album from your iTunes library at home.
BOSE also bundles a physical remote with the speaker, so you don’t have to reach for your smartphone or tablet whenever you need to pause the track or turn the volume up.
- BOSE SoundTouch 10 is available now from £169.95
Best Budget Wireless Speaker – Google Chromecast Audio
OK, so the Chromecast Audio isn’t technically a speaker, but it is a ingenious way to future-proof your home.
Instead its a small, lightweight gadget that transforms an existing sound system into a smart Wi-Fi enabled set-up that can be controlled from your Android smartphone or tablet.
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| The Chromecast Audio has a circular design and small grooves, like a vinyl record |
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| Google's new gadget is a great way to update a house full of older, unconnected speakers |
For just £30, Chromecast Audio owners can bring Sonos-like functionality, including multi-room and high-resolution wireless playback around the house, to older speakers.
If you already have a solid speaker at home, but you want to be able to beam your latest Spotify playlist without moving from the sofa, Google has provided an elegant and inexpensive solution.
- Google Chromecast Audio is available now from £30
Best Overall Wireless Speaker – Sonos Play 5
Sonos is a slick and stylish way to fill your house with sound.
These smart speakers can be linked together for a surround sound effect, or used individually – to play each family member’s favourite track separately around the house.
Songs speakers are controlled from the intuitive smartphone, tablet and desktop apps, which are available on Apple, Android and Windows devices.
The multi-room streaming system is solid. And the latest addition to the range, the all-new Play:5 is the best sounding speaker the US firm has ever shipped.
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| Sonos this year introduced a new flagship speaker, the Play:5 |
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| The powerful speaker sits alongside the existing Sonos range and app ecosystem |
Packed with six state-of the-art digital amplifiers, each individually coupled with the six speakers inside the 6.36kg Plat:5 – this stellar speaker sounds superb and is a must-have for any Sonos speaker set-up.
Three mid-woofers create a deep and clear sound from this impressive speaker, which can be paired with a Sonos PlayBar and Sub for a true surround sound experience.
Coupled with the brilliant smartphone apps and endlessly flexible, thanks to the compatibility with the ever-expanding range of Sonos speakers, this is the best option for anyone looking at investing in a wireless sound system.
- Sonos Play:5 is available now from £429
Best Bluetooth Speaker for Outdoors – UE Boom 2
Do not be fooled by the UE Boom 2’s portable size, it can fill a room with music without breaking a sweat.
Ultimate Ears have packed the slim cylindrical frame of the Boom 2 with an impressive speaker that blasts out music 360-degrees around the speaker. Up to eight different smartphones can be paired with the UE Boom 2 at any time, with two collaborators working on a playlist for the rugged speaker.
UE says the Boom 2 is 25 per cent more powerful than its predecessor and, having tested out the speaker, we can confirm that that's definitely not marketing mumbo-jumbo. The UE Boom 2 is loud. Very loud.
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| UE have built a couple of gesture controls into its portable speaker, including a tap-to-pause |
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| The UE Boom 2 can fill a room with music without breaking a sweat |
That sound is powered by two 45mm active drivers and two 45mm by 80mm passive radiators that can blast at a maximum sound level of some 90dBA.
And thanks to its two-year hardware warranty, 30 metre Bluetooth range, five-metre drop resistance and waterproof casing – it’s an easy choice if you are looking for a portable speaker.
However, the UE Boom 2's build quality and waterproof design come at a price. At £169.99, the speaker is hardly an impulse buy. But when compared to the seven-hour battery and dry-land-only Beats Pill 2, which retails for £149.99, it seems worth every penny.
- Ultimate Ears Boom 2 is available now for £169.99
Ultimate Bluetooth/Wireless Speaker – Naim Mu-so
If you want to splash out on a stellar wireless sound system, then look no further than the Naim Mu-so.
Powerful and effortlessly stylish, this is the English firm’s first wireless system. And it sounds phenomenal.
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| The Naim Mu-so is controlled by a single stylish physical dial |
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| A number of connectivity options are available via Apple Airplay, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect |
Based on the system the company developed for Bentley automobiles, the Naim Mu-so commands an eye-watering 450 watts of power through six custom-built speakers, which boast an individual 75 watt digital amplifier.
All that power is controlled via a single, Apple-esque wheel on the top of the aluminium speaker.
Naim have packed the wireless speaker with streaming options, too. The Mu-so supports Apple Airplay, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, TIDAL High Definition streaming, UPnP, USB, AUX, iOS and Android Apps.
- Naim Mu-so is available now from £895
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