Grace Digital ECOXGEAR ECOXBT Rugged and Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (Orange)

 

If you enjoy your music wherever you go then Grace Digital's ECOXGEAR line of products is the choice for you. Looking for a wireless Bluetooth speaker system then the ECOXBT is your perfect portable solution. The ECOXBT wirelessly connects to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop providing a rugged and waterproof mobile Bluetooth speaker and speakerphone solution. The ECOXBT is not just water resistant but actually 100% waterproof. So don't worry if it gets knocked in the pool, falls off the boat, drops into the river, lake or ocean. It even floats! An Aux-in jack on the back of the unit provides the option to physically connect any iPhone, smartphone, mp3 player or any audio source with an audio out jack.

There is really no place that the ECOXBT speaker will not go. Take it to the beach, hiking and backpacking, or on your camping or boating trip. If you can get there, the ECOXBT will be there with you. The ECOXBT features Bluetooth EDR 2.1 that delivers audio wirelessly to the two built-in full-range stereo speakers and microphone, allowing you to listen to your favorite tunes or take a phone call, wherever you are.

Take the ECOXBT anywhere: the beach, hiking, backpacking, camping or boating. View larger

The ECOXBT will additionally play music from non-Bluetooth-enabled portable devices via the 1/8" (3.5mm) auxiliary in jack located on the rear of the ECOXBT. The Aux-in jack connects your audio source to the full-range stereo speakers. (Note: the ECOXBT's phone function is not active when your device is only connected via the Aux-in jack.)

The rugged industrial design protects the built-in speakers from the elements when you're outdoors. The polycarbonate outer shell and rubber over mold make the ECOXBT waterproof and shock resistant while the black stainless steel speaker grill cover protects the speaker cones from damage.

The ECOXBT comes with a carabineer to clip on to your backpack to keep your hands free. Clip the case to the top of your tent, to a tree while sitting by the camp fire, or basically wherever you can click it.

The ECOXBT runs on a built-in rechargeable Lithium 1800mAh battery, as well as on the included USB to AC power adapter. The rechargeable battery provides over 10 hours of listening at average volume, and fully recharges in only 2 hours. Top panel LED indicators share information about power status, Bluetooth pairing, and charging status.

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SONOS BRIDGE Instant Set-up Solution for SONOS Wireless Network (BR100)

A few months ago, I decided to upgrade my music system. I began looking at CD "jukeboxes" that could load my entire collection. Along the way, I discovered the world of wireless music systems, and began researching them. Sonos seemed to be well-received, so I finally made the decision to purchase a ZoneBridge and a ZonePlayer 120. This setup has fulfilled every expectation I had for a new music system, and more. It's an easy and pleasant way to listen to music you already own, and to discover new music.
Below is my review of all the main benefits I see to this amazing system.
1. System Setup
Sonos offers many hardware options, but they all have a few things in common. A Sonos ZoneBridge connects to your computer - it "indexes" music on your hard drive and connects to the Internet for music services (more on that later), then it beams all this to a ZonePlayer, which is hooked up to speakers somewhere else in your home. It creates a wireless network dedicated just to music and does not interfere with other wireless devices. You can add more ZonePlayers, and they all pick up the same wireless signal and allow you to listen to your collection in multiple locations throughout your home.
The ZonePlayer 120 has standard jacks for directly connecting speakers. You can also hook up an ethernet cable, if you want to stream music through a wire instead of using the wireless signal. Finally, the ZonePlayer 120 allows you to connect an analog device using standard RCA cables. For my setup, I just hooked up two speakers.
To get ready for this system, you must rip all your physical CDs into a music library. This is the most time-consuming part of the process. But there is nothing unusual here. You can use iTunes to rip CDs into your library, just as you normally would. To get the best sound quality from the Sonos system, you should rip everything using "Apple lossless" format (instead of MP3). This is really easy to do in iTunes. Lossless is not required (you can use MP3s if you want) , but it's better because you'll get CD-quality sound.
After you rip all your CDs into an iTunes library, you run the Sonos "Desktop Controller," which comes free with Sonos systems. This is one of the easiest and most intuitive software applications I've ever used. Just tell it to set up your music library. It finds your iTunes collection and "indexes" it in the Sonos system. Depending on the size of your collection, this may take a little while. With my collection of about 400 CDs, indexing takes about three minutes.
After that, there is an automated process where the software "locates" your ZoneBridge and ZonePlayer. On your computer screen, it literally shows a picture of the devices with arrows pointing at the buttons you need to press. In less than five minutes (seriously) the Sonos Desktop Controller can have the whole system done and ready to go.
Other than that, you just decide whether you want to use one of Sonos' remote controllers, or get the free Sonos app which runs on the iPhone or iPod Touch. I use the free app, and it it works great: I turn on the iPod Touch, click the "Sonos" icon, then scan my entire music collection and play anything, within a few seconds.
2. The Listening Experience
Of course, easy set up does not matter if the system doesn't sound good. Well, Sonos sounds great. The music that plays through the ZonePlayer is CD quality (remember to rip in Apple lossless format). It's as simple as that.
There is about a three-second wait time when you first click on the icon on your controller, as the Sonos systems starts up. But after that, you can run through your collection without delay. I like how my music collection is suddenly organized alphabetically by artist, album, or track names. If you're like me and have a large collection, this indexing of your music is itself a great improvement over looking through hundreds of CDs for the one you want! Of course, the accuracy of your index relies on the album and artist data you provide when ripping your CDs into your iTunes library.
Once the music starts to play, it just works. I've never had interruptions due to wireless connection problems. While the music plays, you see album artwork on your controller, plus the standard play/pause/forward/rewind functions we're all accustomed to. You can also create playlists.
3. Music Discovery
Of course, having your entire music collection easily accessible is great. But the Sonos system goes much further. I was pleasantly surprised after I started using my Sonos system to see some excellent music discovery options I had not known about before.
Through the Sonos system, you can access Pandora (the free Internet radio service) and play it through your stereo speakers.
You can also access radio stations from around the world and play them live over your stereo system. I've enjoyed cruising my local radio stations, or stations from around the world. You can find stations in obvious places like the US, Europe, Africa, and South America. But you can also find them in remote areas of the South Pacific, Asia, Antarctica (I'm not kidding), and places you may have never heard of before. It seems as though almost every corner of the globe is represented in this system. If you find a station you like, you can bookmark it as a favorite. It is important to point out that when you play a radio station through this system, it is not a canned pre-recorded program. You're hearing the actual broadcast, exactly as it would be heard by a "regular" radio.
You can also take out a subscription to an online music service. I chose Napster for $60/year. At any time, in about a minute or so, I can locate artists, albums, or tracks and play them on my stereo system. The sound quality of Napster is not quite the same level as the lossless files ripped from my CD collection, but it's very good. You can bookmark your favorite albums or artists to play them easily each time you start the Sonos system. Napster even has some interesting spoken-word "albums" like poetry readings and stories. You cannot create CDs from Napster music, but I use it all the time to hear enough to decide if I want to buy the actual CD, which I then rip into my library.
There are numerous other music services available through the Sonos system. All of them show up right on the main menu of your controller.
4. Product Support
The Sonos system often feels overwhelming when you're first looking into it. When I began reading about it, I was confused about all the different ZonePlayers, could not tell what I really needed, and did not know about the sound quality of the equipment. For me, it was great having the Sonos user forum, a group of customers helping each other. There are a lot of patient people there who are willing to help you understand what the Sonos system is all about. After purchasing the system, you may have a question or two about options and possibilities, and the user forum is great for all of this.
5. Conclusion
As you can see, I'm a big fan of what Sonos has done with their music system. It really has opened up all kinds of listening possibilities. I can play music easily and at high quality levels, and I even see my own collection better now - sometimes noticing CDs and songs I had forgotten about!
I recommend this system strongly to people who want to modernize their music library but keep the same music quality they are accustomed to with CDs.

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Creative D100 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (Black)

I've owned the Creative D100 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker for two months (paid $78.47). I'm very pleased. The sound quality is excellent for this type of speaker. The volume is loud enough to completely fill a room or a small outdoor area (e.g., patio). I've enjoyed it on the beach and found quality does not suffer much at high volumes.
Like with any small speaker, if you crank it to max volume, there is some distortion on bass-heavy songs. But the distortion is slight, and the bass sounds great if you have the volume appropriately set for the type of audio you are streaming.
On that note, there is no remote. The only way to control the volume is the `volume up' and `volume down' buttons on the front of the speaker or directly from streaming device ONLY IF it allows it. That is, my iPhone (3G - iOS 3.1.3) CANNOT change the speaker's volume while streaming, but my laptop can. In my use, I have not needed a remote. Usually I directly set the speaker's volume for the environment (e.g., bathroom, patio) and forget it. No remote also means you must control the streaming media from your device. There are no media control buttons on the speaker.
There is an auxiliary input on the back of the speaker, if you want to hook up a non-bluetooth device, or maybe just to save battery by not using Bluetooth.
Pairing with Bluetooth-capable devices (in my case, iPhone 3G and HP laptop) is simple and quick.
Battery life (four AA) is excellent. It is so long I cannot even put an estimate in terms of hours. It also came with an AC adapter, but I have never used it. The battery compartment is underneath the speaker.
The speaker is fairly small and very light. I actually carry it from room-to-room to enjoy while I am doing chores.
My only concern with the speaker is the build quality. The plastic casing is sturdy, but the front face of the speaker (surrounding the name plate and volume controls) is made of cloth. The cloth is spongy, but I am worried that it will inevitably tear with my heavy use of the speaker. There is no travel case included with the speaker.
Looking for a portable Bluetooth wireless speaker, I also considered the Logitech Z515 ($90, smaller and cloth-free). I've never used that Logitech speaker, but I ultimately chose the Creative D100 based on superior reviews for sound quality and bass quality. Look into both. There are good reviews for them and a comparison on CNET, if you want more information.
On the front of the speaker:
Volume up button
Volume down button
Bluetooth connect button
On the back of the speaker:
Power (on/off) switch
Aux input
5V AC adapter input
Underneath the speaker:
Battery compartment (four AA)

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HMDX Audio HX-P230BL JAM Classic Bluetooth Wireless Speaker (Blueberry)

First off, I would like to explain that this may be an ongoing review. I just bought this item last night, and being a person who understands electronics, I usually wait for my reviews. This time, I figured I would start the review, and then I can come back and edit. Therefore, you may see some updates or changes below.
Second, don't let my initial 4-star rating fool you. I was torn on how to rate this product for the value of what you pay, or vs. other speakers. I decided to put this up against much larger bluetooth speakers, and I think it speaks volumes that a $40 item is 4-stars compared to $150 bluetooth portable speakers.
I'm going to start with what most peopls call "cons", but I'm just going to note them as minor nuisances
-The cord is only about 6 inches long....BUT...its your standard android type charger. Since I'm a Samsung Galaxy boy, myself, I have a ton of these cables. It is currently charging with an old LG cable I found
-Some have mentioned a slight hum in the speaker. This is pretty common with most Bluetooth devices. This goes away when you start playing music. There have been some that said, "once you hear the hum, you always hear the hum". I purposely turned the music all the way down just to hear the hum. I listened to it at my desk for 5 minutes, and then played music again. I don't notice any hum, and I am TRYING to hear it. So, although there is, in fact, a hum, I'm not noticing it when in use.
-Its not a great bass machine, but again, is this really a con? Do people buy a prius to drag-race? Cannot really hold that against this machine, so again...that is why I said a "minor nuisance" (and that is a stretch)
-The power switch is on the bottom
-There is an extreeeeeemly loud series of beeps every time you turn it on. You know its coming, so you can try to shield it. Its still somewhat annoying, and not good for starting up in quiet places. There may be a way around this, I just haven not figured it out.
-The controls on the speaker itself are a little slow to respond, but honestly, who is going to use this? It is only a minor delay anyway. I just tested them to see what they were. I control everything from my phone.
I tried this thing out approximately 10 times in Bed Bath and Beyond. I kept messing with their display and was rather disappointed that I couldn not try my own music on their display. So, that kept me from trying it at first. Plus, I am always concerned that the display model is set up differently and it just won't sound as good at home in larger rooms...which takes me to my pros, and what I love about this (so far)
-The sound fills a room. Its not that massive BOSE sound, but its pretty close in how it fills a room. I listen to a lot of 90's acoustic rock and that stuff sounds incredible. Now, if you get to some of the newer club-rap type of music, there is not a lot of power, but it doesn't sound distorted either. Still sounds good, it just is not going to blow your hair back and rattle windows
-I had the phone about 15 feet away from the device and it played beautifully. What is funny is Pandora played clearer than my recorded music...here is why that is a pro. Because, I realized a lot of my recorded music is garbage from the internet and typically poor recordings, which leads me to believe that this device really picks out the clarity of songs. Much like a good set of headphones might actually make some of my bad recording actually sound bad because the headphones are so clear.
-The construction is very sturdy
- (pending a battery test)
- any standard charger that comes with most android phones can charge this.
-line in that will work with non-USB devices
-packaging is actually very nice. I will keep this for storage.
If you are skeptical about buying this, just buy it from a place that has easy returns. Thus far, I have no desire to return it. As far as performance goes, it is a solid 5-star product for the price. Again, I gave it four stars only because its slightly not as powerful as some bigger, more expensive speakers. I realize that may not be a fair assessment, but, again, I think it speaks more to the product that I give it 4 stars in comparing it to the larger portable Bluetooth speakers. I think the only way I would have a problem with this speaker in the future, is if for some reason performance decreases, or I find that the battery lasts a very short amount of time. I will update this, if needed, in the future. If you don't hear from me, that means its still doing well :)

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HMDX Audio HX-P230RD JAM Classic Bluetooth Wireless Speaker (Strawberry)

First off, I would like to explain that this may be an ongoing review. I just bought this item last night, and being a person who understands electronics, I usually wait for my reviews. This time, I figured I would start the review, and then I can come back and edit. Therefore, you may see some updates or changes below.
Second, don't let my initial 4-star rating fool you. I was torn on how to rate this product for the value of what you pay, or vs. other speakers. I decided to put this up against much larger bluetooth speakers, and I think it speaks volumes that a $40 item is 4-stars compared to $150 bluetooth portable speakers.
I'm going to start with what most peopls call "cons", but I'm just going to note them as minor nuisances
-The cord is only about 6 inches long....BUT...its your standard android type charger. Since I'm a Samsung Galaxy boy, myself, I have a ton of these cables. It is currently charging with an old LG cable I found
-Some have mentioned a slight hum in the speaker. This is pretty common with most Bluetooth devices. This goes away when you start playing music. There have been some that said, "once you hear the hum, you always hear the hum". I purposely turned the music all the way down just to hear the hum. I listened to it at my desk for 5 minutes, and then played music again. I don't notice any hum, and I am TRYING to hear it. So, although there is, in fact, a hum, I'm not noticing it when in use.
-Its not a great bass machine, but again, is this really a con? Do people buy a prius to drag-race? Cannot really hold that against this machine, so again...that is why I said a "minor nuisance" (and that is a stretch)
-The power switch is on the bottom
-There is an extreeeeeemly loud series of beeps every time you turn it on. You know its coming, so you can try to shield it. Its still somewhat annoying, and not good for starting up in quiet places. There may be a way around this, I just haven not figured it out.
-The controls on the speaker itself are a little slow to respond, but honestly, who is going to use this? It is only a minor delay anyway. I just tested them to see what they were. I control everything from my phone.
I tried this thing out approximately 10 times in Bed Bath and Beyond. I kept messing with their display and was rather disappointed that I couldn not try my own music on their display. So, that kept me from trying it at first. Plus, I am always concerned that the display model is set up differently and it just won't sound as good at home in larger rooms...which takes me to my pros, and what I love about this (so far)
-The sound fills a room. Its not that massive BOSE sound, but its pretty close in how it fills a room. I listen to a lot of 90's acoustic rock and that stuff sounds incredible. Now, if you get to some of the newer club-rap type of music, there is not a lot of power, but it doesn't sound distorted either. Still sounds good, it just is not going to blow your hair back and rattle windows
-I had the phone about 15 feet away from the device and it played beautifully. What is funny is Pandora played clearer than my recorded music...here is why that is a pro. Because, I realized a lot of my recorded music is garbage from the internet and typically poor recordings, which leads me to believe that this device really picks out the clarity of songs. Much like a good set of headphones might actually make some of my bad recording actually sound bad because the headphones are so clear.
-The construction is very sturdy
- (pending a battery test)
- any standard charger that comes with most android phones can charge this.
-line in that will work with non-USB devices
-packaging is actually very nice. I will keep this for storage.
If you are skeptical about buying this, just buy it from a place that has easy returns. Thus far, I have no desire to return it. As far as performance goes, it is a solid 5-star product for the price. Again, I gave it four stars only because its slightly not as powerful as some bigger, more expensive speakers. I realize that may not be a fair assessment, but, again, I think it speaks more to the product that I give it 4 stars in comparing it to the larger portable Bluetooth speakers. I think the only way I would have a problem with this speaker in the future, is if for some reason performance decreases, or I find that the battery lasts a very short amount of time. I will update this, if needed, in the future. If you don't hear from me, that means its still doing well :)

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Bose® SoundLink® Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II - Nylon

I'm tempted to do a video review of a side-by-side comparison between the SoundLink I and the Soundlink II, but, when all is said and done, it's the sound that matters and there's no way to convey that unless you yourself preview the sound difference live. That said, here's my assessment in comparing the two:
Yes, the sound is quite a bit fuller, yet better balanced with improvement on the mids and highs -- w/ crisper sound on the top end without beginning tinny, hissy or overly blaring. Another reviewer stated the treble was diminished on the SL II, but I'm hearing differently. From the big brassy sounds of 60s era Sinatra to the Edge's (from U2) guitar -- you actually get more of that nice shimmering mid-range and treble. The bass is solid and expansive without being exaggerated. There are times when it sounds and feels like I've got a dedicated floor standing subwoofer, and then I look over and I'm reminded that all that sound comes from something no bigger than a hardcover book. Some reviewers have said that they hear little or no difference between the Soundlinks I and II. So I'll add to points here:
--You will probably hear the difference in sound quality between Soundlink I and II if you play a wide variety different musical genres. I did.
--If you read the hundreds of Soundlink I reviews on Amazon, you will hear one consistent theme, the mid-range and highs on the Soundlink I sound muddy or muffled, especially compared with Big Jambox. While I hear the difference, the Soundlink I still provides me with a pleasant listening experience. If the Soundlink II did not exist, I'd be very happy with the Soundlink I. At the same time, the improvement in sound quality in the Sounndlink II will, I believe, address the concerns of those who did voice this concern.
I like the bi-fold cover, which now allows me to more easily carry the unit around the house while playing it. With the SL I, that the cover would be hanging awkwardly if you wanted to walk across the living room playing your music.
Battery indicator light now provides more information about battery status...going from green to yellow to red.
By the way, here's an important tip to anyone wanting to make an objective comparison between the Soundlink and any other portable speaker. Remember that the Soundlink has passive subwoofers that project backwards. Whether or not you are comparing it to something that does not have this feature, keep the Soundlink away from a wall, otherwise it would get that disproportionately boomy bass so that so many have complained about. I think this one little detail has inadvertently and , perhaps unfairly, negatively skewed a few Soundlink reviews. Personally, there are times when I like it close to wall because the music sounds more live that way...but it's a matter of taste.
All that being side, now that I've lived with the Soundlink for over a week, here are some further impressions:
LIKES
--Big, well balanced sound in small form factor. Like a book, it's easy to carry.
--Bluetooth pairs easily
--Versatility. You can also connect via wire
--New bifold cover allows for easier carrying while playing music
--Minimalist design. I like the fact that there is software baggage, remove controls, computerized voices to deal with.
--Gives me a break from having to wear my iPod earbuds all the time.
DISLIKES
--Battery life not as long as others in this category
--No volume reading. While it is easy to adjust the volume, you cannot tell where the volume setting is relative to the highest and lowest settings.
--AC Adapter seems to be bigger than it needs to be.
--Distasteful, overly expensive covers.
Overall, the sound is better than some 2.1 systems with dedicated floor subwoofer I've heard. Also, while I admit I have not heard the Big Jambox, it's hard to imagine this would not turn some folks in that camp...particularly with the smaller, more portable SL form factor. When I was in my 20s, back in the component system heyday, I had Sherwood amplifier/receiver, turntable and cassette deck with...two giant speakers with 12 inch woofers. Today, I am carrying that same big sound around the house with from room to room, some times even playing the same music I used play. What a trip. Thanks Bose.

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Logitech S715i Portable 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock

Right out of the box and plugged in the unit produced very good sound. At first I thought the kickstand was flimsy and was not supporting the unit well. Another review here helped resolve this by pointing out that it needs to be pushed in harder than one may think, and then it really does lock in.
Appearance/design
I find that Logitech iPod speaker systems generally lack some elegance, but S715i looks a lot better than the previous attempts. Those searching for a more elegant system may wish to look at Altec Lansing products, but in my opinion Logitech beats Altec in sound quality. The trayless doc is a good new feature for Logitech.
Price-to-performance
The unit could have been priced higher and would still attract attention of many - it is really inexpensive for what it does.
Sound quality
The box produces full and clean sound with impressive for the size bass. Logitech "has got it going on" in the base area. On certain tracks the bass may feel a little too pounding. Also, at times I found the mids slightly lacking. Some listeners have compared the sound of this unit to that of Bose. It is a fair comparison. After listening to this Logitech unit for a few days I went to a store to listen to Bose SoundDock Portable, and I could not say that Bose sounded better. Listening in a store, where there is a level of noise, is not the same as at home, so it wasn't a good test.
The two gripes
Another reviewer said this already - why, oh why did Logitech decide that long run time on battery was more important than the sound quality? When unplugged, the sound deteriorates. The base and the fullness go away. It is not just the volume - it feels like the sub-system responsible for the lowest notes shuts down. I can imagine it takes quite a bit of power to drive those notes out of the box, but at least there could be an option to keep the same sound at expense of run time. Make no mistake - it is still better than OK sound, and there is quite a bit of bass left, but it's not quite the same. I like to carry these things from room to room, and I think this is a notable flaw. My second gripe is about remote control lacking full functionality - it is not able to control iPod menus. Logitech already had this in Pure-Fi Anywhere 2, why give it up now?
Bottom line
Very good unit which earned its place on my home office desk. It is bound to surprise some guests with the sound quality for the size and keep me and hopefully other family members good company from time to time. Big compliments to Logitech, this system does represent progress in small-size inexpensive sound systems.

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Philips AJ7040D 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock

 Plays and charges iPods and iPhones, even in casesTwo alarm settings for weekday and weekend
Stereo input to connect external audio devicesBass Reflex Speaker System provides deep, powerful bassGentle wake feature provides gradual sound increaseLimited one-year warranty
Separate alarms and rich, powerful bass make it easy to enjoy your music and keep on schedule at the same time.
View larger.
The Philips Docking clock radio lets you connect your iPod or iPhone so you can wake up to your favorite music with full, clear sound. This system also automatically charges your device while it's docked--even with a case on--so you won't have to worry about running out of battery power.
The Bass Reflex Speaker System delivers a deep bass experience from a compact loudspeaker box system. It features a bass pipe that is acoustically aligned to the woofer to extend low frequency sound and reduce distortion. This system packs 10 watts RMS total output power.
An all-in-one remote control that comes with the system lets you easily browse through your music as well as control all the functions of the docking system itself.
Forget the hassle of fiddling with different alarm times. A dual alarm lets you set different wake-up times for weekdays and weekends, or choose two separate alarm settings for you and a companion.
A gentle wake feature gradually increases volume to wake you without jarring you out of sleep, whether you're waking to a radio station or to your favorite tunes on your docked device. At night, set the sleep timer for up to one hour to listen to music as you fall asleep--the system will go into standby mode at your chosen time.
You can easily tune in to FM radio to get your morning news, traffic reports, or other live broadcasts. With 20 presets, you can quickly access all your favorite stations.
An MP3 link connection lets you plug in MP3 players, CD players, or anything else with a line out. So if you have devices other than an iPod or iPhone, like a non-docking iPod shuffle, you can still enjoy your music over the system's speakers.
The Philips clock radio is compatible with iPod touch; iPod touch 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations; iPod nano 1st through 6th generations; iPod 5th generation; iPod classic; iPod mini; iPod with color display; and iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4 and 4s.
The Philips docking system is covered by a limited one-year warranty.
Philips is committed to understanding and meeting the needs and desires of its customers. This is why Philips creates cutting-edge products that are user friendly. With 60,000 registered patents, Philips is a global leader in innovation, receiving numerous international design awards every year.
Philips Docking clock radio for iPod and iPhone (AJ7040D/37), remote control, remote control battery, power adapter, and instructions.


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JBL Flip Wireless Bluetooth Speaker (Black)

I wanted a bluetooth speaker to synch with my Samsung Galaxy and from the reviews, narrowed it to the JBL Flip and the Soundfreaq Sound Kick. The speaker is meant to sit on the kitchen counter and fill up a great room of about 1000 sq ft so portability was not strictly a consideration, but I didn't want anything that would take up too much space.
To cut to the chase, although the Flip did sound very good, I decided to keep the Sound Kick. I was initially biased toward Flip due to brand recognition and I don't like the name Sound Kick, but that's just marketing.
Sound: As I said, both speakers sounded very good, but the Sound Kick had deeper bass response and more spacial separation possibly due to it's slightly larger size. Both got very loud with amazingly low distortion for speakers this size.
Size: The Flip is definitely geared toward portability and it comes with nice zippered case. The Sound Kick is maybe twice the Flip's size and is very rectangular, which might make it a bit harder to fit into an overnight bag.
Operation: Both speakers synched easily. The Flip has very minimal controls and is meant to be controlled via the media source. The Sound Kick has volume and navigation buttons, which makes it easier to adjust playback. Otherwise, with the Flip, I would have to "wake up" my phone and navigate to the music player to change songs or volume. One thing about the Sound Kick is that the power button has a click, but the other buttons are simply touch sensitive in that they don't depress or click. They are kind of twitchy and it takes some getting used to.
USB: In keeping with the minimalist design, the Flip does not have a USB connector. For my use, I like the USB on the Sound Kick so that I can charge the media source and it does eliminate one AC adapter on the counter.
Overall, both are impressive pieces of technology, especially for the price. Sound quality is subjective, but I would recommend the Flip if travel and portability were the main concern. While I preferred the Sound Kick for more of a desktop unit.
Oh, and yes, the Flip does play while plugged into the wall.

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JBL Micro Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

After trying around 10 different mini speakers for my cellphone this my favorite. I also have the flip. This guy is not far behind the flip in quality and volume.
The rundown:
Just tried a bunch of these ranging from $20-$60:
HMDX jam bluetooth - third place - sounds awesome, it's the loudest of all tested as well. great bass and does not distort much even at the loudest volume. nice, solid weight. However a constant buzzing/fuzzy noise made this a no go. would be my second favorite if it didn't have the buzz. well priced at 35.
Satechi bluetooth audio cube - not loud at all, tinny sound, very little bass, sounds muffled. expected more from the large size of the unit(about 3.5*3.5") compared to others, and the positive reviews. looks cool. overpriced at 50 for sure.
Kinivo wired - not very loud but otherwise great sound. nice bass, clear highs. distorts a little at max volume. cool looking. great value at 20
Sharkk bluetooth - second place - a best buy at 27 bucks. sounds great, great bass, and not much distortion on max volume. not quite as loud as the jbl or hmdx. bland looking. Comparable volume to most of the others though.
JBL micro bluetooth - my favorite - first place. stylish, great volume, clear highs and great bass. Very user friendly and uses a manual volume dial so each time you turn it on it is at the previous volume. most reset to 50% every time you turn them off and back on. Bluetooth connectivity through walls is not quite as strong as others, the only con. Also can be used as a bluetooth adaptor/dongle where the 3.5mm out can plug into any home theater system. Nice spot to hang it up on a nail, making the sound project farther and louder. Also has a small flat area on the side opposite the hook so it stands up by itself and it doesn't fall over even at max volume with bass heavy rap playing, meaning you can aim the speaker. This actually makes the speaker louder than the hmdx for real world usage. With extremely heavy bass music the mids and highs "fade out" a little bit at max volume since a single driver can only handle a certain amount of range. Otherwise it does not distort even at max volume. pricey at 60 but worth it. great battery life too, more than the advertised 5 hours.
August bluetooth - decent quality and bass, however distorts at fairly low volumes making it a no go. Similar to the sharkk in size, weight and sound.
Satechi BT wireless portable speaker - worst of all, distorts at the slightest bit of bass or volume. Instant no go and a rip off at 40 bucks. can also be used as a bluetooth dongle like the jbl though. Looks almost identical to the kinivo. has horrible buttons that perform multiple functions and are super sensitive leading accidental skipping of songs, turning off, etc. stay away from satechi.
Xmini - bluetooth drops easily. by far the lightest and smallest and has good sound for it's size but little bass and not too loud. If you want portability and lightweight this is the way to go. The alpatronix is small too but heavier. pricey at 40 for what you get.
Alpatronix bluetooth - sounds great, but distorts quickly with any bass heavy music. Also "walks" across the table with bass heavy songs unlike the others due to it's weight/bass ratio. Loud, like the jbl and hdmx. 40 bucks is too much unless you don't listen to anything but classical at low volumes.

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HomeSpot NFC-enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver for Sound System

Bluetooth Music Streaming:
Play music wirelessly from your phone on your A/V receiver, home stereo system or speaker with this Bluetooth audio receiver. High-quality audio streaming from your phone or other Bluetooth device in CD-quality sound through your speaker. Freedom to move freely in your house as you listen - conveniently control and stream music from up to 66 feet/20 meters away. Easy to install - simply plug it into your stereo, then connect to your device with just one press of a button. If your phone has NFC, just tap it to the HomeSpot audio receiver to make an instant connection. For Bluetooth phones or computers without NFC, the pairing process is the same as if connecting to other regular Bluetooth audio receivers and speakers.
NFC Compatibility:
NFC Bluetooth pairing function has been tested (or reported by users as working) with these phones: Google Nexus 4, Google Nexus 7, LG Optimus G, Samsung Galaxy S3*, Samsung Galaxy Nexus*, Samsung Galaxy Note II, Samsung Galaxy S4, S3 mini, Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE, HTC One, OneX/XL*, HTC One SV*, HTC EVO 4G LTE, HTC Windows Phone 8X, Nokia Lumia 920 Windows Phone 8, Nokia Lumia 820, Nokia Lumia 822, Nokia Lumia 810, Nokia Lumia 610 NFC, Nokia 700, Nokia 701, Sony Experia Ion, Sony Experia S, Sony Experia P, Sony Xperia TX (ST29i), Sony Experia V.
*Installation of Tap-and-Pair App (or any other NFC Bluetooth pairing handover app compliant to NFC Forum Specifications) is required for Android OS version 4.0.x, despite NFC hardware support by the phone. Tap-and-Pair app can be downloaded free of charge from Google Play Store. Phones that have been upgraded to 4.1/4.2 (Jelly Bean) do not require app installation for NFC Bluetooth pairing.

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