wireless speakers
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Sony's new ULT Bluetooth speakers are bringing back the '90s bass boost button
Sony just announced a trio of new speakers in a new line of audio products called the ULT Power Series. These speakers include an ULT button that provides a bass boost.
Lawrence Bonk04.11.2024
Deezer's 360 degree audio comes to Sony Reality Audio speakers
Deezer has announced that it is supporting Sony's 360-enabled SRS-RA5000 and RA3000 wireless speakers with its new casting feature.
Steve Dent07.20.2021
Two years in, Sony wants to bring 360 Reality Audio to the masses
Sony's plan to bring its immersive 360 Reality Audio to more people includes the combo of new speakers, more content, software plug-ins and licensing.
Billy Steele01.14.2021
Google countersues Sonos for smart speaker patent infringement
In the latest move of a heated smart speaker legal battle, Google has countersued Sonos, claiming the smart speaker company infringed its patents, Bloomberg has reported.
Steve Dent06.12.2020
Samsung's 360-degree 'ring' speaker coming this month for $500
You'll soon be able to get your hands (and ears) on that omnidirectional, Portal-esque wireless Samsung speaker we saw during CES. It's officially dubbed the Radiant 360 R7, and it'll be available later this month for $500. The R7 uses Samsung's new "ring radiator" technology to deliver sound in every direction -- meaning you won't have to worry about where, exactly, you're placing it. At that price, it's not exactly the ideal wireless speaker for everyone, especially when you could invest in a couple Sonos speakers for the same amount. But, at the very least, it gives Samsung a well-designed entry for its own ecosystem of audio gear. The R7 works with the company's new Multiroom App, which lets you share music across several devices. And, of course, it can connect wirelessly to some of Samsung's TVs and soundbars. There's still no word yet on when Samsung's other ring speaker, the more lamp-like WAM6500, will be available.
Devindra Hardawar04.02.2015
Sonos Play:3 and Play:5 wireless speakers review for Mac and iOS
A little while ago I reviewed the Sonos Play:1 speaker. I was thrilled with how the speaker packed a real punch in sound, performance and design. Over the last few weeks I've had the addition of the the Sonos Play:3 (US$299) and Play:5 (US$399) to add to the Play:1, creating a truly wireless sound system for three rooms in my flat. Design The Play:3 and Play:5 take ques from the Play:1's design and appearance, but get respectively larger in size and sound performance. Like the Play:1, both the Play:3 and Play:5 come in black or white. The speakers have a minimalist appearance that allows either to settle into any room of the house, without looking out of place or intrusive. The Play:3 has 3 speakers powered by 3 Class-D digital amplifiers. There's a single tweeter, two mid-range drivers and a novel bass radiator that uses energized air volume from within the Play:3 to generate low, bass frequencies. It really works, too. The Play:3 can also be placed horizontally or vertically, with rubber feet to suit either orientation. Better still, the Play:3 automatically adjusts its own EQ depending on its orientation, to make sure you're getting the best sound out of it. The Play:5, on the other hand, ups the speaker count. There are 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range drivers and a dedicated sub-woofer handles the bass, each powered by a dedicated Class-D amplifier. The Play:5 also offers an analogue, 3.5mm input, something that the Play:1 and Play:3 are noticeably lacking. Like the Play:1, the Play:3 and Play:5 can be paired with an additional, respective model to create a truly stereo sound-stage. Performance There's no doubt that, as much as I love the Play:1, placing the Play:3 alongside it revealed its weaker points. Compared with the Play:1, the Play:3's extra speakers and amplifiers add extra warmth, breadth and depth to whatever you put through it. Of course, the Play:3 is double the size of the Play:1. Also, the Play:3 costs $100 more than the Play:1, so it makes sense that the Play:3 sounds $100 better. I think it appropriately does. I had a similar experience placing the Play:5 alongside the Play:3. Compared with the Play:3, the Play:5 has more subtlety and breadth in the higher-end as well as a natural warmth from that sub-woofer. With Sonos' Loudness feature turned off (simply put, a feature that lifts the lower end to compensate for low volume), it was even clearer that the Play:5 has more to deliver, thanks to that additional tweeter and sub-woofer. The Play:5 also has a much wider stereo sound-stage thanks to it's larger form factor. Once more, it stands to reason that for $100 more than the Play:3, the Play:5 comes out on top. Teaming up all three speakers was a joy. Having perfectly synced music in three different rooms in the house was a pleasure. Likewise, to play different tracks in different rooms at the same time was also a real boon. The Sonos Bridge handled it all flawlessly, with no dropouts or stutters. I discussed the Sonos iOS and Mac apps in my Play:1 review. After a few more weeks of using it, I still feel there are some frustrating niggles. A newly discovered frustration was that certain features are missing from the Sonos app that are standard in native music players. For example, with Spotify in the Sonos app, I missed features like recommendations, playlist and profile search results and Spotify Radio. To me, that illustrates how the Sonos app will always be slightly lacking in features that native music players will continually be adding. It's going to be impossible for Sonos to keep up with the addition of new features in every music player. However, the Sonos app does cover the basics and, for most, the essentials. Furthermore, the more I used the Sonos app, the more apt I became at getting what I wanted out of it. Conclusion Sonos offers rock solid wireless delivery of music in your home. For wireless music delivery, you need not look further than Sonos. Adding to the Sonos system is exceptionally easy, and for getting your music around your house, much better than independent systems in each room. The only question is which Play speakers do you go for? I absolutely loved the Play:1 when I tested it, but it's clear that things improve with the Play:3 and and even more so with the Play:5. Naturally, at a price. Walking away from the Play speakers, I really felt each speaker delivered fantastic value for money in their respective class. Basically, you won't be disappointed, no matter which Play speaker you go for. However, if you can choose, I'd suggest that for everyday use, where you're looking for a soundtrack to what you're doing, the Play:1 and Play:3 will absolutely hit the spot. But for those moments, or rooms, where you want the best Sonos has to offer and the most from your music, the Play:5 is the speaker to go for.
Matt Tinsley08.29.2014
Philips showcases its 2013 Fidelio audio lineup at CES, we go eyes-on
Philips isn't showing off anything too groundbreaking at CES in the audio department, but it looks to be a solid offering all-around nonetheless. Whether you're eyeing the likes of a new soundbar for your home theater system or portable wireless speakers, the company should have you covered with latest Fidelio offerings -- and, of course, that's not all. We've got a quick breakdown of all the goods being shown off after the break, along with eyes-on galleries so you can get up-close looks for yourself. As always, you'll find the full press releases below it all for more info. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Joe Pollicino01.07.2013
JBL SoundFly Air ships, delivers AirPlay to your wall socket for $199
JBL's SoundFly lineup is one of the rarer breeds of wireless speaker we've come across: it's much like an earlier AirPort Express made solely for audio, designed to be as unintrusive as possible while it kicks out the jams. Those who find that stealthy sound appealing will be glad to hear that the more advanced of the two SoundFly speakers, the SoundFly Air, is now shipping. The 20W box will play audio streamed from any AirPlay-capable device on the same WiFi network while it sits demurely on a wall outlet. JBL is counting on a few tricks to set itself apart from the rest of the similarly Apple-oriented pack, such as linking up to four of the speakers for whole-home audio and offering an iOS app to tailor the output to the room. About the only reservation is a $199 shipping price for something that isn't as portable or universal as a Jawbone Jambox, but that may be the price to pay for a speaker that can offer longer range and syncing while it very nearly blends into the furniture.
Jon Fingas11.02.2012
TDK preps its first weatherproof speaker, we go hands-on
Back at IFA we spent most of our time handling new tablets and Win 8 devices, but, given that the show has grown into something of a mini-CES, there was news in almost every product category, portable audio included. TDK announced a trio of speakers that week, and though we didn't get hands-on in Berlin, we got a second chance tonight at a New York City press event. In particular, the company is showing off its first ruggedized product, the Wireless Weatherproof Speaker. As you can see in those photos down there, it has all the stylings of a run-of-the-mill portable speaker, except it also happens to be IP64-certified against the elements. When TDK talks about its durability, it talks about liters of dousage, so a splash on your next beach vacation shouldn't be an issue. As for audio, it has two speakers up front, a subwoofer and two passive radiators 'round back. TDK declined to clarify the wattage, but we'll say this: the little guy is powerful enough that we could hear it over the din at Pepcom, a local press event. And, TDK had a larger, more powerful speaker playing nearby, and we still had no problem hearing the song coming from the weatherproof model. Granted, then, this was hardly the best scenario to evaluate audio quality, but we did sense that the treble was a bit trapped compared to the bass, which came through loud and clear. Lastly, there's a rechargeable battery inside, which TDK rates for up to six hours of runtime. It'll go on sale in late October for $250, but in the meantime help yourself to some first-hand shots below. %Gallery-166196% Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
Dana Wollman09.20.2012
JBL freshens its portable speakers with Micro II, Bluetooth-toting Flip and Micro Wireless
JBL has been on a wireless speaker kick lately -- it might as well throw some truly portable models into the equation. Accordingly, two of the three speakers it's shipping today, the Flip and Micro Wireless, sport Bluetooth audio and a 5-hour battery to cut the cord. The Flip (seen above) is the multi-talented athlete of the bunch: its design can work either upright or on its side to stuff into small spaces, and a built-in mic provides speakerphone duties. The Micro Wireless' puck shape isn't as clever, but it fits a standard 3.5mm input jack and space to clip to a carabiner or lanyard. Both these and the Micro Wireless' strictly wired counterpart, the Micro II, have a bass port to improve the low-end frequencies that are so often missing in this class of speaker. Prices may be the real incentives here: the Flip is the most expensive of the trio at $99, while the Micro Wireless and Micro II are even lighter on the wallet at respective $59 and $39 price points.
Jon Fingas09.04.2012
Sony debuts NFC and Bluetooth-enabled SRS-BTM8 wireless speaker
Smartphones, tablets and headphones aren't the only NFC-enabled devices that Sony announced at IFA today. While it didn't make it on stage during the keynote, the company's also officially announced a new wireless speaker that boasts NFC connectivity in addition to the usual Bluetooth -- an addition that lets you play music simply by tapping the speaker with your smartphone. As you can see, the speaker (known only as the SRS-BTM8) is also available in your choice of black or white, and it's clearly designed with portability in mind, boasting an integrated handle along with space for 4AA batteries that promise 20 hours of playback time. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing or availability just yet, but we'll keep you posted if we hear anything.%Gallery-163656%
Donald Melanson08.29.2012
JBL's newest Jembe desktop speakers are Bluetooth-enabled, now on sale for $99
The Jembe wired speakers have been out on the market since late last year, but now JBL's finally introducing a wireless variant of these sleek desktop noisemakers. Aside from being Bluetooth-friendly at last, the pair's retaining its "stylish weave design" and adding a Harman TrueStream sound technology that wasn't found on the lesser-priced, cabled Jembe set -- this, naturally, while still utilizing a 3.5mm headphone jack as the main input source. JBL's pricing the new Jembe speakers at $99 in the US and £70 (about $110) for UK folks, with the company set to be taking orders as we speak. For that, however, you'll have to virtually land on either of the links below -- otherwise you can always go with those eccentric (and rather intimidating) Edifier Spinnakers.
Edgar Alvarez08.23.2012
Antec SP1 portable Bluetooth speaker stops by the FCC
The last Antec product that blipped on our radar was many moons ago, but it looks as though the company is having a second stab at audio hardware in its latest filing with the FCC. The documents reveal a new Bluetooth speaker going by the handle SP1 and assuming more of a Braven form factor, as opposed to the pocket-sized trend. Antec's Rockus 3D|2.1 speakers were aimed at the higher end of the market, but we would be tempted to bet that the SP1's focus is a little broader. We've struggled to dig up any more detail on the speaker, like launch plans or pricing, but did stumble upon a particularly glamorous advert, which you'll find after the break.
Jamie Rigg08.08.2012
Aperion Audio Intimus 4T Summit touts uncompressed surround sound without the cords
See that little box next to those huge speakers? That's Aperion Audio's ticket to what's reportedly a no-compromise approach to wireless home theater. The Intimus 4T Summit Wireless is billed as the only system of its kind to transmit uncompressed 24-bit, 96KHz audio to its 5.1- or 7.1-channel speaker array without having to string wires across the living room. There's no interference and no more than 5ms of lag, even when that wunderkind box is processing Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio. Aperion is still touting an easy setup that can create a sweet spot in awkward spaces. If you like the idea, the only real catches are the $2,999 and $3,499 prices for the respective 5.1- and 7.1-channel systems -- although the outlay may be worthwhile to cut the clutter without sacrificing the finer details of Blu-ray movie soundtracks.
Jon Fingas08.01.2012
Sony's new wireless speakers let you enjoy music 'SA-NS' cables
What's round and sits in the corner of your room spoon-feeding you Kanye West? If Sony has any say in the matter, it'll be the latest members of the SA-NSx family of wireless speakers. The three new models -- the 310, 410 and 510 -- come on the coattails of the firm's latest media players, and all come with built-in WiFi, AirPlay and that 360 degree design. As well as the wireless options above, there are apps for Android and PC, so non iOS users can keep the jams coming too. If you really want your music on the go, the 510 model also has a built-in battery for the extra portability. How much does all this fun and style cost? That'd be £150 (about $230) for the 310, £200 ($310) for the 410, rising to £300 ($470) for the 510. All of them available now.
James Trew07.19.2012
JBL's extra-tiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC
JBL is known for its portable speakers, but an FCC filing has revealed that it's willing to make speakers that are almost inconspicuous. The Soundfly BT would represent your everyday Bluetooth speaker save for the very uncommon ability to optionally plug directly into a wall outlet, skipping the power cord. Shades of the previous-generation AirPort Express, anyone? There's not much mystery in other areas, but the 20W stereo output is unusually powerful for something small enough to hang off of a hotel room's power port. Between the manual and live photos, about the only riddles left are the Soundfly BT's official release date and price.
Jon Fingas07.06.2012
Pioneer SMA wireless speakers put AirPlay, HTC Connect in one happy family (update: hands-on photos)
Apple and HTC might be at each other's throats in court, but they're living in peace and harmony in Pioneer's world. The fresh new SMA wireless speaker line supports both Apple's AirPlay format and HTC Connect-certified DLNA to take audio over WiFi no matter whether it's coming from an iPhone or a One S. Proof that we can all get along is good in itself, but Pioneer is also throwing in Wireless Direct, a trick that turns the speaker into its own WiFi access point if it can't latch on to a nearby router. Pioneer's stratification of the range is dictated by whether you value freedom or raw power. The XW-SMA1 is the baseline with two 3-inch speakers and a 3 / 4-inch tweeter, with a bass reflex port doing its best to mimic a subwoofer; the XW-SMA3 is the exact same with a lithium-ion battery good for six hours of cord-free play, and the XW-SMA4 goes battery-free but rolls in a proper 4-inch subwoofer and an extra tweeter. The lot arrives in August and costs either $299 for an SMA1 or $399 for either of its premium siblings. %Gallery-159245% Zach Honig contributed to this report.
Jon Fingas06.26.2012
Bose SoundLink Air speaker with WiFi spoiled by the FCC, bank accounts brace for impact
Bose's ventures into wireless audio for mobile devices have so far either been proprietary or portable -- and often expensive. We're not sure if Bose will ever dodge that last claim, but an FCC filing has just revealed that a more standardized approach to wireless speakers is on the way. Not much more is known about the speaker other than its SoundLink Air name; that said, an unmistakable mention of WiFi on the early label suggests a speaker that could potentially play well with others. We're hoping that it's an allusion to AirPlay, DLNA or another format many of our devices already use. Whatever technology it runs, the new SoundLink will be comparatively close to a launch after passing through the FCC, even if our bank balances aren't ready for the hit.
Jon Fingas06.14.2012
Rocketboost launches PC and iOS Control App for its wireless devices
Rocketboost, that "breakthrough wireless audio technology" from Best Buy, just got a feature boost in the form of a new Control App. Owners of the company's Rocketfish and Insignia speakers and soundbars should be jumping for joy -- assuming they still have energy after completing all the steps necessary to start beaming wireless tunes. First up on the shopping list is the "Rocketboost Wireless Receiver / Transmitter," which you can pick up from your neighborhood Best Buy for a measly 65 bucks. Once you've got your hands on that hideous black box, you'll have to plug it in via USB to your Windows machine (yup, no Macs) and install another Rocketboost must-have, dubbed "Control Computer Software." Finally, one of the last steps towards your Airplay-like quest is to hit up the iOS App Store (no Android for now) and snatch the Control App, which should be running in sync with the one on your PC. Still here? You can catch the app in action after the break, and check out the source link for the play-by-play to get started.
Edgar Alvarez01.24.2012
iLuv outs Mo'Beats Bluetooth speakers, looks to live up to its name
All name jokes aside, iLuv is at it again. The company keeps the speaker / dock ball rolling with Mo'Beats, a Bluetooth audio stand for your compatible, on-the-go tech. Sporting a cradle design, the iSP245 allows your slate or smartphone to rest while connected to its speakers, located on each end of the kit. If you're lacking the wireless capability or if you're looking to keep things wired, the Mo'Beats also features a 3.5mm jack. While you'll have to wait until May to throw down your $89.99 on one, you can scope out the full PR just beyond the break.
Billy Steele01.06.2012