The best Bluetooth speakers in 2011

Another year, and another range of loudspeakers released by a host of manufacturers. But there is one difference this year: namely the extensive line of bluetooth speakers. While true audiophiles will probably gasp in horror at the mere mention of wireless speakers (after all, cables offer better performance, even if you can’t detect them), for most consumers, these wireless speakers, particularly bluetooth speakers. , they are more than good enough to replace the old, cumbersome, wired lot. Add to that the ubiquity of the iPhone and iPod Touch, and you can see the appeal of bluetooth speakers: they’re easy to use, affordable, compact, and offer decent overall performance without any of the nasty bits (read: wires, big wattage). . brigs, etc.).

So what are the best Bluetooth speakers for 2011?

If I had to choose a set of speakers that stands out for its versatility, I would probably choose the Creative D100 and its big brother, the D200. These two speakers do everything right for me: they deliver good performance, aren’t too expensive (I say this after spending thousands of dollars on multiple sets of speakers), and they look good. But for the sake of this article, I will list the four best Bluetooth speakers in 2011:

1. Creative D100 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

As I mentioned earlier, this set of speakers does a lot of things right: it looks good (it comes in five different colors, although I prefer the default black), it offers more than adequate performance, it’s small and easy to transport, it runs on AA batteries, and won’t burn a hole in your wallet.

But it is not a perfect speaker. Not by much (for that, he’d probably look to Klipsch or Bose). The bottom end lacks a bit of punch, and if you turn up the volume, there’s distortion. However, I’m assuming you won’t be using the Creative D100 to power your next house party. For all other purposes this is an excellent and reliable speaker.

Pros: Compact, Affordable, Aesthetically pleasing design, Solid overall performance.

Cons: Bass sounds a bit weak; high volume distortion

2. Monster Clarity HD Precision Micro Bluetooth Speaker

With this speaker, it was love at first sight. How not to fall in love with this little package packed with features and power? It’s no bigger than an iPhone in length, and yet it can set the house on fire with its sound. I’ve seen speakers weighing 10 pounds that don’t perform as well.

Despite the compact design, the Monster ClarityHD is a very complete speaker that works perfectly with any Bluetooth device. Your iPhone or iPod Touch will instantly recognize it and stream all music through it. Audio quality is amazing for such a small speaker: clear, strong mids and highs, little distortion, even at high volumes. If you primarily listen to music through your smartphone (Android/iPhone/Blackberry) or iPod Touch, this speaker is the perfect choice.

Pros: Extremely compact design, loud and clear playback, decent range.

Cons: Like all small speakers, it lacks strong bass tones. The output volume is somewhat low.

3. Altec Lansing inMotion Soundblade Bluetooth Speaker

Finally, a speaker that dispels the myth that Bluetooth speakers are only good for casual users. It costs a pretty penny, but turn it on and you get crystal clear sound with incredible bass (thanks to SRS TruBass technology) that will blow your mind. It looks sleek, is only an inch thick, and even includes a built-in microphone to act as a speaker.

As a modern Bluetooth device, the Altec Lansing inMotion is very easy to set up. You can go from opening the package to streaming music through your iPhone in as little as 60 seconds. The acting is, frankly, mind-boggling. It offers sound that can rival a $400 Bose system, and for all practical purposes, it’s more than adequate for heavy use, both at home and on the go.

The only drawback I can think of (which has made me rank it here at number 3) is the price. At $199.99, it costs as much as a new Netbook computer. But if you care about quality, you’ll love the Altec Lansing Soundblade.

Pros: Excellent audio quality, aesthetically pleasing, only an inch thick, strong bass, and clear high tones. Probably the best Bluetooth speaker out there.

Cons: Expensive

4. Disco SuperTooth Bluetooth Speaker

It looks like a brick, is nearly a foot long, and doesn’t have the pedigree of an Altec Lansing behind it. But turn it on, and the SuperTooth Disco can give even a $300 Klipsch speaker a run for its money. Audio is surprisingly clear with strong volume output. Pairing it with a Bluetooth device is a matter of seconds and it has a great Bluetooth range to boot.

On the downside, the large size makes it a bit difficult to transport. While the Monster ClarityHD can fit in a handbag, the SuperTooth Disco lacks teeth in the portability department. But if you want to use it mainly indoors, you’ll be very happy with the performance.

Pros: Great performance, good Bluetooth range

Cons: Large and unwieldy design

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