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The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers

Justin Thomas — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 18:32:55 +0000

There are hundreds of bluetooth speakers now on the market. We’ve focused on selecting speakers that stand out for their durability and sound quality. Here are our picks:

The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2
The Best Bluetooth Speaker for Sound Quality: FUGOO
The Best Indoor Bluetooth Speaker: Bose SoundLink Color

The Details

The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2

Pros: Waterproof, rugged, great battery life, impressive sound, lightweight

Cons: playback controls occasionally unresponsive

A favorite pick of top tech magazines, the UE Boom 2 is a remake of the popular, original UE Boom. Although just over 1 lb., the compact, cylindrical speaker projects a loud, clear sound with deep bass in all directions. Unlike many delicate tech gadgets, these speakers were meant to be taken outside – the outer shell is resilient, rugged and made to withstand dings and dents. It’s not just water-resistant – it’s waterproof – and can be submerged in over three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The rechargeable battery lasts an impressive 15 hours, perfect for a weekend camping trip with a group of friends. The UE Boom 2 also offers a variety of other features, including the ability to sync with a second UE speaker for even more sound, intuitive app features, and a variety of color options to suit any style.

The UE Boom 2 is available at Amazon for around $200.

The Best Bluetooth Speaker for Sound Quality: FUGOO

Pros: Powerful sound, excellent battery life, durable design, customizable “jackets”

Cons: Does not give visual cues on volume or battery life, changing jackets requires some dis-assembly

According to TechRadar, the FUGOO Bluetooth speaker is one of the industry’s best-kept secrets. Although some high-end Bluetooth speakers from well-known brands, such as Bowers & Wilkins, Bang & Olufsen, Sony, Marshall Kilburn, and Bose, may boast of higher quality sound, many of these are not realistically portable, or likely to be used as portable speakers, due to their size, weight, and price tag. However, the FUGOO is a true portable speaker at a little under 1.5 pounds, and includes a durable core and different exterior “jackets” depending on the purpose and environment. Specifically, the core is itself a rugged machine capable of handling dings, dents, and spills. The “style” jacket offers additional protection and a streamlined silhouette. The “sport” and “tough” jackets offer additional protection. The speaker sound is exceptional; music lovers will be astounded by the depth and clarity of the sound produced via its six drivers, including two tweeters, two mid/sub drivers, and two passive radiators. The FUGOO also offers an unbelievable 40 hours of continuous battery life.

The FUGOO does have some small drawbacks. Its streamlined, minimal visual design only indicates whether the machine is turned on or off. All other cues are voice-activated, which means a simple glance to check the volume level or battery life is not possible. Additionally, the jackets are not easily interchangeable. Although the “style” jacket slides and locks in, the other jackets require a little more assembly; many reviews noted changing jackets was frustrating and somewhat confusing.

The FUGOO Bluetooth speaker is available on Amazon for $178 to $230, depending on jacket type.

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Best USB Microphones For Podcasts

Justin Thomas — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:04:16 +0000

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A good microphone is a must for those who make and broadcast podcasts. While traditional electronic microphones from Shure, Sennheiser and Neumann transmit with crystal-clear quality, they come with ¼” or XLR microphone plugs. XLR plugs generally do not correspond to computer input jacks, creating headaches for startup podcasters. They only work with musical-instrument interface, and these are often not of the highest quality and can affect the sound. At the very least, they’re an additional annoyance when you just want to hook up a mic and go.

However, there are newer mics made with USB plugs that are intended to plug straight into a computer system with no interface and little difficulty. They are perfect for podcast hosts because they simplify the operation and cause fewer links in the power chain between microphone and computer.

USB mics do have their limitations. Many of the less-expensive models have lower sound quality than a traditional XLR mic of comparable cost. In addition, the USB-only setup makes it difficult, if not impossible, to record the podcast on multi-tracking equipment using signal processors to manipulate the sound before transferring the file to the computer. If this is not an issue, however, a good USB mic is an invaluable addition to a podcast setup. This is a rundown of the best USB microphones for podcasts.

Best USB Microphone Overall: Blue Microphones Yeti Pro

This entry from Blue Microphones is an amazingly versatile tone monster. To begin with, it utilizes no less than three condenser capsules for the accurate capture of sound, and offers four different pattern settings for different tonal applications: Bidirectional, Cardioid, Omnidirectional and Stereo. This allows for recording in a variety of sound conditions. This mic will deliver the best possible sound through judicious use of its controls.

This microphone utilizes a powerful A-D converter chip for a clear, crisp tone. In addition, the Yeti Pro offers a separate XLR output jack for recording and live use, making it quite flexible. The XLR jack is accompanied by a separate traditional analog circuit path for excellent tone when used with recording machines or PA systems.

Other features of this superior entry include a built-in headphone microphone to allow for clear monitoring of the signal, a headset volume control, mute button and microphone gain volume control. In general, this entry offers enough control to replace both a traditional mic AND a USB computer mic. It is the clear choice for best USB mic of 2016.

Best Sound Quality: MXL USB.009 Condenser Mic

Audiophiles will love the MXL USB.009 Condenser Mic, which commands a clear tone with good forward projection. It is a cardioid microphone, which makes it ideal for those recording podcasts because it is best for picking up a single sound source such as one voice.

However, what really makes this a solid choice is that it is the first USB mic to record at 24 bits and 96 kHz without the use of pricey sound-enhancing equipment. This is the equivalent of DVD-level sound quality, which is unusually clear for a digital microphone. It has a versatile frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and a dynamic range of 114 db.

The controls on this mic include volume/gain and a mix control that can control where the sound goes in a stereo mix. For those who make podcasts including calls from listeners, sound effects, or other additions, this control can make for a creative stereo mix.

Like the Yeti Pro, it also includes zero-latency monitoring, which is useful for those who like to use a headset to monitor their sound. The MXL is a solid choice for those who are concerned about USB mic sound quality.

Best Side-Address USB Microphone: Audio-Technica AT2020

Many podcast hosts trust the Audio-Technica AT2020USB PLUS Condenser Mic. It is a side-address mic, which means that the condenser is aimed at the sides rather than the top of the mic; this makes it easier to place for those who make podcasts and helps to get a more complete sound.

It features a standard USB output, a high-quality A-D converter for crisp sound, zero-latency monitor system with headphone jack and volume control and it is compatible with both Mac and Windows. This mic is made of metal parts for durability, and its low-mass diaphragm that gives the sound excellent frequency response.

This mic, like the MXL, has a cardioid pattern that creates a strong, powerful sound with excellent clarity. The onboard mix control allows the user to blend the direct mic signal with pre-recorded audio signals to get an idea of how the material sounds with other sources included.

Like the other choices in this article, this microphone includes a zero-latency monitor control system. The A-D converter with 16-bit, 44-kHz sampling rate ensures that there is little to no loss in sound quality as the signal is transferred to computer. Another top product from Audio-Technica, you can’t go wrong with the AT2020USB.

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The Best Wireless Sports Earphones

Justin Thomas — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 20:23:14 +0000

In a Nutshell

Sports earbuds should be comfortable enough to wear for an extended period of time, durable enough to withstand drops, sweat, and dirt, fit securely on the ear – all while producing outstanding sound. Here are our top picks:

The Best In-Ear Sports Earphones: Jaybird X2
The Best Behind-the-Neck Earphones: BackBeat Fit
The Best Over-Ear Sports Earphones Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats2 Wireless

The Best In-Ear Sports Earphones: Jaybird X2

Pros: High-quality audio, secure fit, sweat-proof

Cons: Left and right buds not labeled

Launched in the second half of 2015, the X2 is the successor to Jaybird’s popular but flawed BlueBuds X earbuds. Although similar in appearance, the X2 offers improved sweat-proofing and sound quality, more comfortable in-ear design, and better battery life. Besides the excellent sound quality, the X2 has good comfort and fit options. Included in the box are three sizes of ear tips in both silicone and foam, as well as three sizes of ear fins. Although the unit is guaranteed sweat-proof, Jaybird offers customers a lifetime warranty against sweat-related damage.

X2 earbuds also feature an eight-hour battery life, and are compatible with any Bluetooth device.

The Jaybird X2 is available from Amazon for about $140.

Best Behind-the-Neck Sports Earphones: Plantronics BackBeat Fit

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, includes reflective armband/storage case, wireless

Cons: Cord around neck may bother some people

A favorite of CNET, Men’s Fitness, and Runner’s World, Plantronics’ BackBeat Fit behind-the-neck earbuds were designed with athletes’ needs in mind. The unit is light, flexible, and allows for the user to wear eyewear unobstructed. Additionally, the ear tips rotate to ensure a snug, comfortable fit. A proprietary audio codec allows for excellent sound, including rich, deep bass. However, the unit doesn’t completely block out external sounds in order to ensure safety and awareness of surroundings. The BackBeat Fit is also durable and waterproof, so feel free to wear these out for a jog in the rain or during an intense sweat-session at the gym. Since the unit was designed to work with Bluetooth smartphones, it also features a microphone that reduces feedback, filters out background sound, and enhances voice quality. Reviewers especially liked the eight-hour battery life and the inclusion of a generously-sized reflective smartphone armband that doubles as a case when not in use.

The BackBeat Fit is available from Amazon for about $104.

The Best Over-Ear Sports Earphones: Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats2 Wireless

Pros: Excellent sound quality, water- and sweat-resistant, multiple earpieces

Cons: Six hour battery life

Although Beats headphones have been maligned by the audio community in the past for favoring style over function, the Powerbeats2 wireless earbuds received top scores from technology and fitness magazines alike, and are currently the second best-selling earbuds on Amazon. Even the Wall Street Journal praised the Powerbeats2 earbuds for their superior sound quality. In addition to excellent sound, these earbuds feature lightweight, soft-touch plastic ear hooks that can be molded to conform to the wearer’s ear and four pairs of multi-sized and shaped ear tips for a perfect, snug fit. These earbuds are also water-resistant (IPX4) and sweat-resistant, and built to withstand even the toughest workout. Powerbeats2 earbuds are wireless and compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device and, with the addition of a remote built into the cord, can be used as a hands-free headset. However, you’ll only get about six hours of playback before these earbuds will need to be charged.

Powerbeats2 is available at Amazon for about $140.

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