Small but sturdy: What to look for in an outdoor Bluetooth speaker

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When the weather is warm, the music goes outdoors as people are drawn to barbecues, picnics and parks. If you want to take the music with you — without being encumbered by cables or headphones — then small, rechargeable Bluetooth speakers are perfect.

Bluetooth speakers pair with smartphones, laptops and other devices, and can play music whether it’s stored locally or streamed. But how good do they sound and how much money should you spend on them?

An important criterion is battery life. “There are big differences from just under 10 hours to 25 hours,” says speaker reviwer Sven Hansen. Another factor to consider is where do you want to use the speakers.

“If you want to use your Bluetooth box on the beach or in the swimming pool, you should make sure that it is water-protected according to the IP standard,” says tech product tester Rainer Schuldt.

Additionally, if you want to listen to music in a workshop you should seek a device with an IP rating that offers good dust protection.

An IP rating consists of two digits and provides an indication of how dust-proof and waterproof a device is. The first digit shows protection against foreign bodies such as dust and the second shows protection against water. The higher the two digits, the better.

And how about the sound? “You will be pleasantly surprised at what comes out of the small boxes,” says Hansen. He advises if possible to test the speaker before buying it.

Schuldt says that while the sound from Bluetooth speakers is usually ok, it doesn’t come close to the quality and richness you’d get from the loudspeakers of a traditional hi-fi system.

Both Schuldt and Hansen say a decent Bluetooth speaker can be bought for around US$50 (RM208). “Better sound and longer playing time, however, cost more,” Schuldt says.

Bass is closely related to volume so “those who value a full, bassy sound will have to dig deeper into their pockets,” according to Hansen.

The small devices aren’t just useful for outdoor use. Some models can charge mobile phones, be integrated into a stereo system or work in the home office as conference speakers using built-in mics.

Coupling with a smartphone or PC now works quite reliably with all devices. The devices are also similar in terms of operation. Usually there are buttons for play, pause, and volume as well as a skip function to jump to the next song. Some speakers can also be controlled by an app. – dpa



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