Speakers Blog, News and Reviews UK

Sonos Arc vs Beam vs Playbar – Sonos finally updates the Playbar for serious home cinema with eArc offering Dolby Atmos and TrueHD

by James Smythe | May 7, 2020 | News, Smart Home, Speakers | 0

Sonos was doing smart speakers before they were a thing, and they do them well with some incredible options. However, when it comes to home cinema, they have been flagging behind. The soundbar market has boomed as people realise they can get the benefit of a multi-speaker system from just one device. Sonos first introduced their first attempt at a soundbar, the Playbar back in 2013, followed by the Playbase in 2017. While these were both superb speakers producing excellent sound, for home cinema they were both outdated at launch with their lack of HDMI and limited compatibility with...

Wharfedale Exson S Review – A premium & versatile portable speaker in a crowded marketplace.

by James Smythe | Nov 13, 2019 | Reviews, Speakers | 0

I was previously very impressed with the Wharfedale Exson M its affordable price and big sound won me over. The Exson S is its smaller brother but actually costs more, it is a more convenient size being more bag friendly and the design is a bit more appealing. Specification 8 Reviews Wharfedale Exson S £59.00 Buy on Amazon Model:Exson SWaterproof:IPX7 (up to 30 mins – 1 meter)DSPMaxx BassTWS:True Wireless Stereo ConnectionBluetooth:BT4.2Input:3.5mm Audio Cable InputPower:20W (10W x 2)Power Input:DC5V⎓1A~3APower Output:DC5V⎓1ABattery:2 x 2500mAHDimensions:218 x 86 x 86mmWeight:0.715kg Being smaller you do sacrifice a few things which includes the camping light, and...

Wharfedale Exson M Review – The perfect Bluetooth speaker for camping and festivals.

by James Smythe | Sep 30, 2019 | Reviews, Speakers | 0

It is safe to say the Bluetooth speaker market is saturated, but the Wharfedale Exson M does enough to stand out from the crowd and could be the perfect speaker for next year’s music festivals. Priced at just £69.00 on Amazon, this is what I would class as affordable being cheaper than both the Anker Soundcore Motion+ and Anker Soundcore Flare Plus which I still use on a regular basis. Specification and Comparisons 84 Reviews Wharfedale Exson M Bluetooth Speaker IPX7 Waterproof,25W Loud Sound,Rich Bass,LED Light,Power Bank,TWS,Durable Design £69.00 Buy on Amazon It is similar to both of the...

Sonos Move – Sonos is finally launching a speaker with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

by James Smythe | Aug 19, 2019 | News, Speakers | 0

Sometimes don't you just wish you could stream to your Sonos via Bluetooth? Well, it appears Sonos may have finally listened, new leaks suggest they will soon launch the Sonos Move. A new leak indicates that the Sonos Move will incorporate both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity as well as being powered by a battery and include a stationary charging dock. The speaker is a bit bigger than the Sonos One and should come with a charging dock, allowing you to give it a designated spot in your apartment or house. It also sports a USB-C port so you can...

Sharp GX-BT180 Stereo Bluetooth Speaker Review

by James Smythe | Jul 22, 2019 | Reviews, Speakers | 0

The Sharp GX-BT180 is the smallest of three Bluetooth speakers from Sharp and adopts a design very familiar to the superb Ultimate Ears speakers but with a better USB location. Pricing is keen at just £38 on Amazon for this model or £56.60 for the larger GX-BT280 and finally £99 for the GX-BT480 which ditches the vertical design and sits horizontally. Sharp GX-BT180(BL) Stereo Bluetooth Speaker - immersive sound - powerful bass - highly dynamic... £36.29 in stock 4 new from £36.29 Buy Now Amazon.co.uk Free shipping Last updated on 9th July 2020 1:12 pm You get stereo-spatial sound...

Anker Soundcore Motion+ Bluetooth Speaker Review – Hi-Res 30W Audio & USB-C

by James Smythe | Jul 2, 2019 | Reviews, Speakers | 0

If you want a portable Bluetooth speaker, then Anker almost certainly has a perfect choice for you. I have reviewed several speakers from them now. All of them have been fantastic and the Anker Soundcore Flare+ has been my favourite so far, just for the overall volume, bass and quality of sound it can produce. The Soundcore Motion+ could very well steal that crown. While it may look dull compared to the Flare with its led ringed base, this chunky portable speaker packs some punch. Soundcore Motion+ Bluetooth Speaker with Hi-Res 30W Audio, BassUp, Extended Bass and Treble,... £99.99...

Google Nest Hub Max vs JBL Link View vs Amazon Echo Show

by James Smythe | May 8, 2019 | News, Smart Home, Speakers | 0

Yesterday Google launched the new Nest Hub Max, with Nest Hub being the new branding for Home Hub. As the Max name implies, this is the Home Hub but bigger and better; the screen has been upgraded to 10-inches and a new smart camera that helps you keep an eye on your home and keep in touch with family and friends. However, the Nest Hub Max also does what the JBL Link View and Echo Show have done to smart displays, bolt a big speaker on its rear side making this much more flexible as a device. For me...

Anker Soundcore Icon & Icon Mini Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

by James Smythe | Mar 9, 2019 | Reviews, Speakers | 0

Anker has recently introduced some new portable Bluetooth speakers into their line up in the form of the Soundcore Icon and the Soundcore Icon Mini. Priced at £54.99 and £29.99 respectively these new speakers are designed to be ultra-portable and rugged, perfect for taking out on adventurous days, camping and holidays. Soundcore Icon mini by Anker, Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker with Explosive Sound, IP67 Water... £29.99 in stock 2 new from £29.99 Buy Now Amazon.co.uk Free shipping Soundcore Icon by Anker, Bluetooth Speaker, Waterproof Portable Speaker for Adventures in the... £54.99 in stock 1 new from £54.99 Buy Now Amazon.co.uk...

Tibo PLUS 2.1 Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers Review

by James Smythe | Feb 2, 2019 | Reviews, Speakers | 0

Bluetooth speakers tend to come in the form of a single unit either a small compact portable speaker or soundbar. If you are looking for something more suitable as a desktop speaker that can take audio from your PC or laptop as well as giving you the freedom to stream via Bluetooth then the Tibo PLUS 2.1 could be a good choice. As the name suggests these are Bluetooth speakers that are active, so there is an amp built inside them. They also included several other inputs including 3.5mm, optical and RCA this gives you the flexibility to connect...

JBL Link View Review – A Google Assistant Smart Display with excellent audio

by James Smythe | Nov 20, 2018 | Reviews, Smart Home, Speakers | 0

With the success of the Amazon Echo Show, it was inevitable that Google and others follow suit with their versions. With Google, this came via third parties initially in the form of the LG Smart Display and the JBL Link. This has now been complemented by Googles own Home Hub and the newly announced LG XBoom WK9. So, does the JBL Link View deserve your money over the other options? Costing £249.99 this is the most expensive option on the market by some margin, with the 10-inch Lenovo Smart Display currently selling for £199, and the recently launched Google...

Anker SoundCore Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

by James Smythe | Nov 9, 2018 | Reviews, Speakers | 0

The Anker Soundcore Flare Plus was one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers I have reviewed. However, it is reasonably large and costs over £100. If you are looking for something a little more affordable and portable, the SoundCore could be a good option. Costing just £29.99 this petite speaker is cheaper than many earphones, let alone speakers. Buy from Amazon The blurb from the Amazon listing states: Patented Sound Technology: Full-bodied stereo realized through dual full-range drivers and a unique patented spiral bass port. Carefully designed transducers keep total harmonic distortion below 1% for superior audio clarity that's...

Anker Soundcore Infini Mini Soundbar Review – A Soundbar for a PC or Console

by James Smythe | Oct 5, 2018 | Reviews, Speakers | 0

The Anker Soundcore Infini Mini is a small soundbar that costs just £75.99 on Amazon. Unlike recent soundbars I have reviewed this is more suited to a small TV or PC. At just 6cm tall and 53cm wide, this is quite small as far as soundbars go, and that’s why I think it is more suited for PC use. This slots under my monitor nicely and the soundbar format means cable clutter is reduced compared to 2.0 or 2.1 speakers. The official blurb from the Amazon listing states: Soundcore Infini Mini Space-Saving Cinema Sound. Amplify Your Audio Infini Mini's dual...

Category: Speakers