What makes a speaker good?! Or Bad?!

[Bittenfleax]

So... I am looking for a gift for someone. Well, a speaker to be exact, just for music basically, like a small speaker not really a portable one but nothing too big kind of like something to go on a window ledge to blast out tunes  . 

 

I have been looking around at all of these cool speakers however, I am not sure if they are good or not. I mean, I do not know anything about audio so what makes a good speaker for music? 

 

Also, if you have any suggestions of brands/types of speakers then that would be good - budget is £150-£175 ($230 US - $270 US) (note, can but does not have to be bluetooth but has to have a 3.5mm audio jack) ~ Cheers guys

[Arcanekitten]

well the wattage says how loud it can be 

[Bittenfleax]

well the wattage says how loud it can be 

Hmm okay thanks. Well it does not even have to be that loud anyway ~ bonus if it is though 

[Ostwind]

As Beats has proven marketing can make a speaker good.

[Leonard]

Tone reproduction and cost.

[ShadowCaptain]

 

SNIP

 

if you want something small and portable Bose soundlink mini! - its amazing

 

also good is the sony SRS X3

[Senzelian]

So... I am looking for a gift for someone. Well, a speaker to be exact, just for music basically, like a small speaker not really a portable one but nothing too big kind of like something to go on a window ledge to blast out tunes  . 

 

I have been looking around at all of these cool speakers however, I am not sure if they are good or not. I mean, I do not know anything about audio so what makes a good speaker for music? 

 

Also, if you have any suggestions of brands/types of speakers then that would be good - budget is £150-£175 ($230 US - $270 US) (note, can but does not have to be bluetooth but has to have a 1.5mm audio jack) ~ Cheers guys

 

I also don't know a lot about audio, but I don't really think you can look at the specsheet and be like: "This is a great speaker!". 

I would have a look at reviews or listen to them myselfs in local stores. 

[AMICLG]

While it is on the expensive side at £190 you do get near fully featured speakers with great sound quality if you go for the Audioengine A2+, or if you want to go wireless (needs power and Ethernet) the Sonos Play:1 is £170.

[Bittenfleax]

Bose soundlink mini! - its amazing

Ooooohhhhh, that looks fancy and suits all the needs. I will see if there is anything I can try in some stores like what @Senzelian said.

 

Thanks 

[Bittenfleax]

While it is on the expensive side at £190 you do get near fully featured speakers with great sound quality if you go for the Audioengine A2+, or if you want to go wireless (needs power and Ethernet) the Sonos Play:1 is £170.

I will look at them as well, thanks for the links 

[ZestyJalapeno]

Check out the Creative Gigaworks T40 Series II as well for £90. I have them and they bass up the whole house fine in parties.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Multimedia-Audiophile-Configuration-Technology/dp/B001IZZ2PO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430320787&sr=8-1&keywords=creative+gigaworks

[Straight]

Have you looked at the Logitech Z320's? I'm not sure if they are what you are looking for but I have a pair, amazing!

[ShadowCaptain]

Ooooohhhhh, that looks fancy and suits all the needs. I will see if there is anything I can try in some stores like what @Senzelian said.

 

Thanks 

 

Also I love my Harmon Kardon Soundsticks could be considered a piece of furniture in a room

[Bittenfleax]

Also I love my Harmon Kardon Soundsticks could be considered a piece of furniture in a room

They look really cool. But not the right style of speaker, aka too big 

 

The Bose Soundlink Mini looks good though, they might have one in a HMV shop to test right?! 

[ShadowCaptain]

They look really cool. But not the right style of speaker, aka too big 

 

The Bose Soundlink Mini looks good though, they might have one in a HMV shop to test right?! 

 

yeah normally or PC World / John Lewis etc - there are some others like that from other companies worth giving them a  listen

[Bittenfleax]

yeah normally or PC World / John Lewis etc - there are some others like that from other companies worth giving them a  listen

Ahh ok, thanks. I will take a look - Cheers 

[SSL]

I have links in the first link in my sig that talk all about this subject.

[KaminKevCrew]

The big jambox is the best reasonably priced bluetooth speaker I've heard so far. It gets plenty loud, and they have a nice, full range of sound.