What to Look for when Buying a Portable Speaker in 2022
Are you unsure what type of quality features you need to see in a portable speaker while purchasing them? Put your worries aside, here is the perfect guide that will tell you what aspects to consider in a portable speaker. The portable nature allows you to carry the speaker where you go, whether it is a long trip, barbecue party, by the pool, or beach.
It also includes axillary input for convenience. It comes in different sizes, colors, and shapes with the ability to be connected with multiple devices. You can get an excellent portable speaker after ensuring its sound quality by playing songs to see its bass and acoustic frequency limit.
What To Look For When Buying A Portable Speaker
A top-rated portable speaker is a handy accessory that allows you to connect multiple devices. There are various portable speakers with the difference in the price range, features, and size, etc. So here are some of the functions and features that a portable speaker must have and which you should consider while you are buying it.
Sound Quality And Loudness
Audio quality is a crucial feature that you must look for when buying a portable speaker and if you are thinking, is it worth buying expensive speakers, then check our guide on it. A speaker that offers portability will have better sound quality by providing lower frequency and total harmonic distortion. Some portable speakers offer total harmonic distortion below 1%, and it is has been specified on their product packaging. In contrast, some speakers don’t specify the total harmonic distortion, and you may need to listen by playing a song to check its audio quality.
A common ability of a speaker to produce a frequency ranges from 100Hz to 20,000Hz. However, a frequency range does not ensure good audio quality since it varies how an individual perceives a sound, and a person’s hearing ability may play a factor. The usual bass frequency ranges from 20Hz to 250Hz, while acoustic instruments produce a mid-range frequency of about 250Hz to 4000Hz. Loudness is another vital feature that must not be overlooked. You should make sure how loud a speaker can be by playing different songs.
It should be loud enough that you can enjoy songs at a party with friends. Common mistake people commit when they are purchasing a portable speaker is buying one that offers flat and dull audio quality. Do not forget to check the specifications of a speaker before buying it. You can easily get a portable speaker at a low cost with measurable bass and stereo sound quality. Nowadays, portable speakers also feature built-in subwoofers, so you may consider purchasing them.
Drivers And Connectivity
Another deciding factor for portable speakers is a driver, which is the speaker’s core. Many portable speakers possess a driver of about 40mm, which is a decent size. With the size of the driver, the size of the speaker is also determined. This means that if you are hoping to get a big-size driver, then your speaker’s size will also change. The portable speakers consist of a single and full-range driver where the driver is placed upward or downward to provide good sound quality. You can read more about drivers in speakers here.
So the size of the driver and number does have an impact on the speaker’s audio quality. For audio loudness, some speakers include twin drivers as portable speakers are not spacious but relatively compact, due to which they cannot have a woofer. So for reproducing bass sound, passive radiators have been installed by the manufacturers. However, for a speaker to produce crisp, loud, high, and detailed mid-range sound, an independent bass radiator is included.
A speaker with a wired connection helps to save the battery of your phone and speaker as well. Most portable speakers employ NFC, which allows the speaker to be paired with any device without any issues. Using a microphone will enable you to answer your phone directly by the speaker. So you do not need to disconnect the speakers to answer your phone. A microphone also allows you to connect with a voice assistant, with which you can maneuver the functions without touching your phone. Some speakers have built-in voice assistant as well.
Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth version is another aspect worth considering. It is similar to that of the Android version but is used for a different purpose. Old Bluetooth version v.1 is now rarely used. Portable speakers mostly feature Bluetooth version v.2, but recently portable speakers employ the latest Bluetooth versions 4.0 and 5.0.
You might think about why the Bluetooth version is essential when buying a portable speaker and whether the version numbers impact speakers’ efficiency. So the answer is yes, the version number does affect. The higher the Bluetooth version is, the more additional capabilities such as gathering data from sensors. The higher the Bluetooth version does not have any disadvantages.
For example, Bluetooth version 2.1 consists of Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) that enables the speaker to produce exact sound by carrying the data from the wire link to the sensors. These versions determine the quality of audio transference and distance between your deceive and the portable speaker. It is better to have a portable speaker with Bluetooth version 4.0 or 5, which supports better battery capacity, data transference rate, low energy profile, and range.
Battery Life And Charging Style
Charging your speaker every hour can be a hassle. Imagine if your speaker runs out of juice after playing three to four songs. That’s why battery life is a vital aspect to think about while getting yourself a portable speaker. You may expect a speaker to last for about 24 hours, but that depends on the type of batteries your speaker possesses. Small speakers include small batteries that might need recharging after an hour or two.
While you expect a speaker to last about a day if it has larger batteries, the length of operations determines a speaker’s battery life span or known as average battery life. For instance, a speaker may use up the battery fast, regardless of the size of batteries, due to the speaker’s loudness since it will require more current in the process resulting in low battery life. Ensure that you do not use the speakers to the point they get discharged, as it will damage the battery life in the longer run.
A portable speaker also features a UBS port for charging purposes as well as for connectivity. If you use speakers outdoor more often, then you cannot carry an adaptor and cable all the time. For this reason, the USB ports come handy as it allows to connect your speaker to a power bank and makes it even more convenient. Or connect to any device if the wall socket is not available to charge your portable speaker.
Waterproof And Durability
Because of its portable nature, you can carry it to different places, even in water surroundings such as the beach, etc. A speaker being waterproof is essential since water and electronics are not compatible. So if your speaker is water-resistant, then you can place it along the poolside or beach without any worries. Portable speakers come in various styles and sizes that are made with different materials. Always opt for such portable speakers strongly built and sturdy that can bear damages in accidental falls.
To Conclude
This was a detailed review of features to consider when buying a portable speaker. A portable speaker comes in different ranges of price and features. This is up to you to decide what type of features you are looking for in portable speakers. But remember, to buy an excellent speaker with portable nature, you do not need to spend a fortune. You can get a portable speaker with good features at a low cast.
