Finest Outside audio system

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen is a sensational-sounding speaker and, for a Bluetooth speaker, it helps smarts within the type of Alexa voice help.

It achieves Alexa management by a smartphone, so the Alexa app must be downloaded on the cell machine because the A1 2nd Gen doesn’t natively assist it. Throughout our time with the speaker, we discovered summoning Alexa work quite properly in an area park, proving to be responsive at dealing with queries. Alexa wasn’t as fast to chime in when our smartphone was performing one other process, so we’d recommend you retain makes an attempt at multi-tasking low if you’d like a quick response.

In comparison with the Beoplay A1, battery life has additionally had a improve, with the Beosound A1 in a position to final for 18 hours, the place the unique mannequin may solely attain 4 hours. The B&O companion app gives some respectable performance with EQ presets and quantity management, although there are fewer options than what you’d get with a Wi-Fi enabled speaker.

As a B&O product, the Beosound A1 appears the half with a trendy leather-based base and aluminium high floor that helps the speaker obtain an IP67 water resistance, which is similar because the Wonderboom 3. It’s lighter than its predecessor at 558g, which helps to make it simpler to hold round, and its leather-based strap has been tweaked to permit for extra hanging choices. The tweaks to the design make it a bit extra handy to hold with you.

The audio efficiency is one which we discovered to be very spectacular, the sound high quality was impressively clear, with bass higher emphasised that the Sonos Roam. Vocal readability is great with voices granted loads of house to exist, the tonal stability all through the frequency vary is nice, and it’s a really dynamic and thrilling. This is among the finest out of doors audio system we’ve come throughout, the one that might give us pause is that it comes at excessive value.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Evaluation: B&O Beosound A1 2nd Gen

The Sonos Roam is what we envisaged the Sonos Transfer could be. Each function as a Sonos-like speaker within the dwelling, however out of the 2, the Roam is definitely the extra moveable wi-fi speaker.

The Roam is the speaker out of the 2 we’d really feel you’d be taking over longer journeys. It’s small, light-weight and takes on a form that’s harking back to a Toblerone bar. With an IP67 score, it may be submerged in water of 1m depth for half-hour, so if it occurs to fall in a small physique water (or maybe a paddling pool), it ought to be capable to survive unscathed.

We’ve discovered few wi-fi audio system mix Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity as effortlessly because the Roam. Within the dwelling it may perform like a wise speaker, connecting to the Wi-Fi and supporting the likes of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assist. The Sonos S2 app options vast assist for music streaming companies, so you’ll be able to log in and take heed to your favorite songs from inside the app. None of those options can be found when streaming over Bluetooth, however an replace introduced Sonos’ Auto Trueplay characteristic that optimises its audio supply to permit it on each Wi-Fi and Bluetooth playback

A battery lifetime of 11 hours shouldn’t be as progressive as we’ve seen across the £150 value level, lower than the JBL Cost 5, Marshall Emberton II and Final Ears Wonderboom 3. There’s a battery saver possibility within the app to assist protect the battery if it’s discovered to be draining too quick.

In our opinion, the Roam stays a terrific pay attention two years after its launch. It produces a pure, detailed and clear efficiency, although we discovered it a bit mild on bass, however that’s not stunning given its small dimension. If you’d like extra thump the place low frequencies are involved, Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound A1 2nd Gen gives it.  

For present Sonos house owners it makes loads of sense because it extends the Sonos sound into the outside. For everybody else it’s one the most cost effective methods into the world of Sonos.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Evaluation: Sonos Roam

The Final Ears Wonderboom 3 continues on from the place the Wonderboom 2 left off, and whereas on the floor the adjustments made don’t seem a large step up, in our opinion it produces a significantly better sound for a similar value.

It produces a more practical and rounded bass efficiency, in addition to placing a tone that’s clearer, detailed and higher balanced than its energetic predecessor. Whereas treble notes don’t register as crisply, there’s loads of element on the high finish of the frequency vary and there’s extra room inside the midrange for vocals to be projected above devices and beats. When it comes to loudness, the Wonderboom 2 hits the next quantity but it surely isn’t as nuanced because the threequel.

Different new options embrace Google Quick Pair for Android gadgets and a slight improve to 14 hours of battery life (higher than the costlier Sonos Roam). Some will really feel that the continuation with micro-USB charging shouldn’t be a forward-looking choice as many gadgets have moved to the faster USB-C charging methodology. The remainder of the options keep it up from earlier than with Outside Increase making the speaker sound extra expansive and bringing readability to the midrange and treble frequencies, whereas Double Up provides the performance of utilizing two Wonderboom 3 audio system in a stereo pair. You can’t use the Wonderboom from totally different generations as a stereo pair, nonetheless.

The design has been barely tweaked, the two-tone colors tackle a extra contrasting look. In any other case there’s the scratch-proof cloth materials (guarding towards feral home pets), and with a IP67 score the speaker can repel mud and water, as properly dunked beneath water for half-hour (although it’s more likely to bob on floor).

The adjustments aren’t as huge as many might need anticipated, however in our opinion it is a better-sounding speaker for a similar unbeatably low value.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Evaluation: Final Ears Wonderboom 3

We very a lot favored the unique Stormbox Micro however felt it might be improved in just a few areas. The Micro 2 appears to have taken on that suggestions and it’s an enchancment in just about each approach.

The design has been tweaked with buttons colored white to distinction towards the black cloth masking and the speaker’s dimensions are larger, holding extra battery life (12 hours) and in a position for use as an influence financial institution to cost cell gadgets. The helpful tear-resistant strap stays, providing loads of versatility in how the speaker can be utilized or transported whether or not it’s hooked up to the handlebar of a motorcycle or related to a rucksack.

Like lots of the audio system on this checklist, the Stormbox Micro 2 hits an IP67 score, insulating it towards mud and water in addition to being immersed inside a physique of water 1m deep for thirty minutes.

As we talked about, battery life is as much as 12 hours, which places it among the many likes of the Sonos Roam (11) and Final Ears Wonderboom 3 (14) besides the Tribit is less expensive than both. Additionally new is assist for an app the place the speaker’s sound might be adjusted.

When it comes to its audio efficiency, the Micro 2 can hit larger volumes than the unique, produces an even bigger sound and tasks audio additional approach from the speaker’s physique. Add in to the combination higher ranges of readability and element, and music on this speaker sounds improved over the unique, with bass higher described, treble frequencies sharper and clearer and the midrange is extra detailed and clearer.

Whereas bass is best than earlier than, audio system such because the Tronsmart T7 can produce extra, however that speaker is available in a distinct type issue and isn’t as compact (or as versatile in its design) because the Tribit.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Evaluation: Tribit Stormbox Micro 2

The Sonos Transfer is positioned as a bigger speaker to be used open air in comparison with the Roam, however a sensible choice should you’re in want of an even bigger sound for events and gatherings in a backyard.

It weighs 3kg, which isn’t precisely moveable within the truest sense however in our opinion, the built-in deal with really makes it appear lighter than it’s when carrying it about. Construct high quality is what we’d describe as sturdy, and whereas we wouldn’t suggest dropping the speaker from any peak, we unintentionally did and the outcome was a tiny mark that we will’t really find any extra. Rated at IP56 rated, that means it’s properly protected towards mud and dust, and will be capable to face up to all forms of circumstances the British climate can throw.

It’s out there in two finishes in Shadow Black and Lunar White, the previous serves the aim of defending the Transfer towards overheating.

Used indoors and the Transfer works very similar to every other Sonos speaker when related to Wi Fi. There’s hands-free entry Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, each of that are fast to reply to requests. Different Wi-Fi associated options embrace AirPlay 2 that brings multi-room and connectivity to iOS merchandise into the equation in addition to assist for Siri.

Sonos’ Auto Trueplay characteristic routinely optimises audio output based mostly on the audio system’ placement for the very best sound high quality, whereas battery life has been prolonged to as much as 11 hours (it was initially 10) by an replace. If broken, Sonos helps alternative of the battery.

We discovered the Transfer to be one of many better-sounding out of doors audio system, very similar to its smaller Roam sibling. It’s a neutral-sounding speaker with good quantities of element, readability and sharpness to its presentation. It handles the low finish with confidence, although if you’d like extra bass and a wider soundstage then the Sony SRS-XG300 is an efficient (and cheaper) various. Nevertheless, that speaker doesn’t have the top-end readability with high-frequency notes that the Transfer has.

No matter what you take heed to, the Transfer places in a transparent, exact and detailed efficiency that works properly throughout a spread of genres, and it’s able to going fairly loud, although bass does look like nerfed at larger volumes.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full evaluation: Sonos Transfer

The XG300 is a part of Sony’s X-series of wi-fi social gathering audio system, and in case you are seeking to social gathering with a bunch of mates both inside or on the park (or seaside), the XG300 is excessive on the checklist of audio system we’d say it’s best to contemplate.

It’s like mini-Boombox in its profile, taking over a svelte form that provides it an hourglass look. The retractable deal with is helpful for carry contemplating this speaker weighs round 3kg, and with its IP67 score it’s good towards resisting liquids and particles resembling sand and mud.

It has extra bodily connections than every other speaker on this checklist, with a USB-C for charging one other machine, and a stereo mini-jack (cable additionally included) for plugging in an exterior supply (resembling a transportable music participant). There’s additionally the Gentle characteristic – or Ambient Illumination as Sony calls it – that emits a halo of sunshine at both finish of the speaker that pulses in sync with the beat, though we discovered at its default setting it wasn’t significantly noticeable.

Different social gathering options embrace assist for Fiestable app, which gives management over DJ results, mild results and Movement Management, the place playback and quantity might be managed by transferring a smartphone, though it is a characteristic that may be hit or miss. Battery life is 25 hours, the longest of any on this checklist; Google Quick Pair is offered for immediate connection to an Android machine and there’s LDAC Bluetooth for people who wish to play tracks at the next bitrate.

When it comes to its sound, the SRS-XG300 delivers a heat, wealthy efficiency with an emphasis on bass. These after a extra impartial and balanced efficiency ought to contemplate the Sonos Transfer in its place, however should you like your bass assertively described, and music given loads of drive and vitality then the XG300 is a particular social gathering starter (although B&O’s Beolit 20 can summon even stronger ranges of bass if that’s your fancy).

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full evaluation: Sony SRS-XG300