Wireless speakers don’t have to be all business. You’re probably heard of Sonos speakers, but there are many other audio companies offering unique approaches to the wireless speaker market. Just as traditional speakers can be flexible in their design, from basic box speakers to the objet d’art that is the B&W Nautilus, wireless speakers can change too. These speakers, which use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Apple AirPlay, offer more than just music playback inside your house. They add an interesting design element that will make you take notice.
This little $60 Bluetooth wireless speaker looks a bit like a tadpole, but that tail lets it adapt to its environment. Want to attach the Boom Swimmer to your bike handlebars for a ride? Clip the tail around them and go. Miss having music in the shower? The Swimmer will do fine and you can coil the tail around the showerhead pipe. You can even put it in the pool for up to 30 minutes so you don’t have to swim your laps in silence. Remove the tail for a suction cup attachment and the Swimmer turns the surface into a radiator for improved bass. It is one truly adaptable Bluetooth speaker.
The $250 JBL Voyager is a speaker that plays many roles. At home, it functions as a Bluetooth speaker that includes a USB port for charging your portable devices, and a woofer for powerful bass. On the go, the center pops out to become a portable Bluetooth speaker with five hours of battery life as you leave the woofer behind. The unit even includes an integrated microphone so it functions as a speakerphone if someone calls while you’re listening to music.
Salvage Audio Speakers
Salvage Audio produces a line of Bluetooth speakers and a 2.1 soundbar system that embodies a classic, vintage appearance. Salvages builds its speaker cabinets from reclaimed hardwoods where each wood offers a unique hue and texture. From an old redwood fence to the pine boxes used to deliver rolls of printing paper, each wood has its own origin and story to go with it. The Salvage Elder, pictured above, is $490 with Bluetooth and finished in reclaimed redwood. If you are after that classic vintage look for your wireless speakers, they will fit the bill.
KEF X300A Wireless
The $800 KEF X300A uses KEF’s Uni-Q driver array with a 1-inch dome tweeter inside a 5.25-inch midrange/woofer driver. This KEF speaker utilizes Apple AirPlay technology for easy wireless playback from your iOS device, Apple computer, or iTunes. If you don’t have an Apple device, you can stream over Wi-Fi by using the universal DLNA protocol. These wireless formats are play at standard CD-quality audio, but the USB input on the rear supports 24-bit, 96kHz audio. Connect your laptop and you can enter the world of high-resolution audio.
Equally at home on the wall or on a table, the $500 Libratone Loop adapts to the room environment. Bluetooth, AirPlay, DLNA, and NFC support make it easy to stream music to it from any device. With a unique wall mounting system and removable stand, moving it around is simple. The wool cover is available in a wide variety of colors, letting you change the look to match your house or your personality.
B&O BeoLab 18
The $6,600 BeoLab 18 is equal parts artistic statement and high-end loudspeaker with 24-bit audio support. BeoLab 18 is one of the first speakers on the market to utilize the new WiSA standard for wireless audio. Not only is it compatible with other Bang & Olufsen products, but with all other WiSA transmitters and speakers on the market. It uses a different frequency range than other wireless products for reliable operation even in congested wireless areas.
The BeoLab 18 wireless speaker is carved from a single tube of aluminum that can reside on the floor or be wall mounted. An acoustic lens provides 180-degree sound dispersion from the tweeter. Available in multiple finishes to match your decor, the BeoLab 18 can be the cosmetic focal point of a room.
by Chris Heinonen
This article was originally published on February 4, 2015 and was updated on June 4, 2015.
Read about the new wireless speakers shown at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Robert Lieto says
None of these Speakers are rated for frequency response ?
Paul Binder says
Don’t know about the other models mentioned in this article, but have a pair of the KEF’s. They are pretty amazing! As mentioned, they support AirPlay wireless (or even better, via Ethernet wired connection). The only limitation is that the Master unit (the one with the USB and Ethernet ports) must be connected to the Slave unit via a USB cable.