“Bluetooth speaker” is a broad term because it comes in a variety of forms and usage scenarios.
What types of Bluetooth speakers are there, what environments are they suitable for, and how is their sound quality? Next, we will simply classify the Bluetooth speakers on the market now.
Mini/Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Mini/portable Bluetooth speakers are probably the most compact Bluetooth speakers currently available. They are generally designed to consist of a speaker and a bass radiator.
Because of its simple process, it has attracted a large number of manufacturers to produce it. Coupled with its low price, it is a very approachable Bluetooth speaker.
Most of these Bluetooth speakers have built-in rechargeable batteries, and the music playback time can reach about 4 hours.
With the portable design (usually a hanging rope or hook), it is very suitable for users to carry around, and they can easily enjoy music in outdoor environments.
Many mini/portable Bluetooth speakers also have simple dust and drip resistance.
Although limited by size, this type of Bluetooth speaker may not have a major breakthrough in sound quality, but its portability and price make up for its disadvantages, and it can be said to be a good supplement to the built-in speakers of mobile phones.
In addition, there are now products that support pairing two mini/portable Bluetooth speakers at the same time to form stereo sound (with better sound quality).
Summary
Product features: small, portable, built-in battery, some products have triple-proof performance.
Sound quality: Better than mobile phone speakers, but probably worse than a 50-100$ computer speaker.
Price range: Generally the price will not exceed 50$.
Desktop Bluetooth Speaker
Desktop Bluetooth speakers have a lot of product choices among Bluetooth speakers. It combines portability with sound quality, bringing products with good practicality and ease of use.
As the volume is larger than that of mini/portable Bluetooth speakers, the design of the unit is more flexible. This type of Bluetooth speaker generally uses a combination of dual speakers or dual speakers plus a single diaphragm, and there are also designs such as dual speakers + bass reflex port, etc.
Most of these Bluetooth speakers also have built-in batteries. Although they are products for home use, they are also easy to move and carry.
You can easily place it in an environment where you need to listen to music, such as a study, bedroom, kitchen, or anywhere you want to have music.
Some manufacturers have also designed this type of Bluetooth speaker to be used outdoors, with good dust and drip resistance and even drop resistance, making it very suitable for camping or traveling.
In addition, desktop Bluetooth speakers can also be used as wireless speakers for laptops and tablets to improve the shortcomings of the sound quality of the built-in speakers in laptops.
If the Bluetooth speakers are produced by some big manufacturers, such as Sony, DALI, etc., they will be more sophisticated in design, workmanship and materials, and the sound quality can reach a relatively high level, which can fully meet the listening needs of small spaces. Many products have also obtained the “Hi-Res Audio” certification.
Summary
Applicable environment: Due to its mobility, it is suitable for every room in the home or outdoor camping.
Sound quality performance: greatly improved compared to mini/portable Bluetooth speakers.
Product diversity: Many well-known brands have launched this type of Bluetooth speaker, so there is a wide selection of types and models for this type of speaker.
Smart Bluetooth Speaker
When asked whether smart speakers are considered Bluetooth speakers, our answer is yes. Currently, most smart speakers still use Bluetooth pairing to connect to local playback devices (mobile phones, tablets, etc.).
So, they are essentially still Bluetooth speakers, but with some new features.
In addition to being able to connect to local devices via Bluetooth to play music, smart speakers also support voice assistants, streaming-based music and radio services, and smart home control.
Today’s smart speakers are similar in design to the “mini/portable Bluetooth speakers” and “desktop/tabletop Bluetooth speakers” mentioned above, but with an additional microphone for interaction. Most products require an appropriate power adapter and do not have a built-in battery.
In summary
Improved playability: The addition of a voice assistant improves the playability and enjoyment of the speaker.
Increased utility: It has certain smart home control capabilities and is more convenient.
Sound quality: Sound quality is not the main selling point, basically comparable to mini/portable Bluetooth speakers and desktop Bluetooth speakers.
Soundbar Bluetooth Speaker
Although the thickness of TV sets is getting thinner, the sound of TV sets is also getting thinner, which is obviously not what we want to see. So Soundbar appeared, which is the product of improving the sound quality of flat-screen TVs.
In addition to traditional wired audio and video access such as optical fiber, coaxial, HDMI, AUX, etc., many new soundbars on the market now also have Bluetooth connection functions.
Soundbar can be used as a standalone device for listening to music, so we have temporarily classified the soundbar that supports Bluetooth connection into the category of “Bluetooth speaker”.
Whether in terms of unit design or overall architecture, Soundbar is inherently superior to the previous Bluetooth speakers, but its usage scenarios are also more fixed. In most cases, it is used in the living room with a TV.
In terms of product composition, there are now traditional single-bar products, 2.1 products with subwoofers, and of course 5.1 products. It can be said that the soundbar with Bluetooth function has greatly expanded its own uses and enriched the types of Bluetooth speakers.
Summary
Scope of application: In addition to listening to music, it is also suitable for movies and games, and is highly versatile.
Sound quality: The sound quality is better than that of TV speakers. Some products can also form a home theater system, but the sound quality is not as good as that of traditional home theaters.
Applicable environment: The use place is relatively fixed, mostly in the living room.
Custom Bluetooth Speaker
This type of Bluetooth speaker should be the most unique! The reason why we place an order may not be how good its sound quality is (of course, its sound quality may be really good.), but more because of its design, or its style, or its feelings.
I think this type of Bluetooth speakers should not be distinguished by category or function. They are independent and dazzling Bluetooth speaker products.
There are too many representative products of this type of Bluetooth speakers, some of which are exquisite, small and retro like Elvis.
There are also products like Sony’s LSPX-S2 that release sound through plexiglass tubes, filling the room with infinite style.
There are also models like Marshall’s Kilburn II, which is full of rock style and has a street art style.
There is even MORRORART, which has a huge display screen that can display lyrics in a floating manner, bringing a completely different visual effect.
Summary
Sound quality: Sound quality may not be the first requirement of this kind of product.
Price: Don’t just use price to measure the value of a product.
Value: I like it and appreciate it, this is the most important thing.
2.0 Hi-Fi Bluetooth Speaker
2.0 Hi-Fi Bluetooth speakers are derived from ordinary 2.0 Hi-Fi speakers. There is no obvious difference between the two types of products in appearance. 2.0 Hi-Fi Bluetooth speakers only add Bluetooth wireless audio access on the basis of the original 2.0 Hi-Fi speakers, while retaining the traditional wired connection method.
B&W Formation Duo
For speaker manufacturers, the cost of adding Bluetooth function to speakers is not high, and they still put more design on traditional processes such as cabinet and unit. Therefore, such products often take the route of high sound quality and high price.
Generally speaking, 2.0 is the most suitable choice for listening to music, and the same is true for Bluetooth speakers. Therefore, if you want to get the best wireless listening effect and a more Hi-Fi experience, 2.0 Hi-Fi Bluetooth speakers are a good choice.
If you are very concerned about Bluetooth sound quality, you need to pay attention to the Bluetooth streaming protocol supported by the desktop 2.0 Hi-Fi Bluetooth speaker.
In terms of sound quality of streaming protocols, aptX HD, LDAC, HWA>aptX, AAC>SBC
Summary
Product features: Wireless Bluetooth audio function is added to the traditional usage, and wired input is generally retained
Suitable for people: Suitable for users who like listening to music and Hi-Fi
Price range: The price range is large, so you should choose according to your budget, needs, etc.
OK! That’s all for today’s introduction to Bluetooth speaker types.
