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Music on the go
There was a time when going out on an excursion meant carrying a cumbersome three-piece speaker. But thanks to the rise of portable Bluetooth speakers, that’s not the case anymore.Anuj Bhandari
There was a time when going out on an excursion meant carrying a cumbersome three-piece speaker. But thanks to the rise of portable Bluetooth speakers, that’s not the case anymore. These nifty devices come in handy at all times and are really easy to use, which is why they have effectively changed the way we listen to music, either at home or at gatherings and excursions.
But with so many products, authentic and ‘high copies’, floating in the market, deciding what device fits your needs can send you on a wild goose chase. If that’s the case, here’s a list of three eye-catching portable Bluetooth speakers for people who are always on the road (and on a budget).
JBL Go
A well-built portable speaker from JBL, the JBL Go is one of the cheapest Bluetooth speakers around. Supported by Bluetooth v4.1, the device is capable of wirelessly streaming any audio file from your mobile phones, tablets or laptops.
The JBL Go comes in a dimension of 68.3 x 82.7 x 30.8 (mm) and weighs only 130 grams. So, it is portable and easy to carry around anywhere. JBL also gives its customers a wide range of colours—eight to be precise—to choose from.
The 600 mAh Li-Ion battery in the device is rechargeable but you can use it via an audio cable too. Therefore, if your gadget doesn’t have Bluetooth, you need not worry. JBL has claimed that this battery will last for more than five hours in total which is quite decent.
Design wise, the JBL Go has a perforated top from where the audio originates. On one of its sides are buttons for controlling the device. It however is a bummer that these buttons aren’t back-lit though. If you are a person who uses their speakers as speakerphones, there is an echo and noise cancellation function paired with the device as well.
No device is perfect and the JBL Go is not an exception. One of its most obvious limitations is that it doesn’t come with the ‘surround sound’ effect, as the speaker shoots audio from only one side.
The JBL Go is the cheapest option for someone looking for a good quality speaker on a budget. It is currently priced at Rs 3,900 which is a good deal since JBL sells the device for only $39.95 in the international market as well. EvoStore is the authorised seller of JBL in Nepal.
Braven 105
The Braven 105 is a pocket-sized waterproof speaker with a shockproof outer body. Like the JBL Clip 2, it is IPX7 certified so you don’t have to worry even if you drop it inside a pool.
The speaker comes in a small frame but produces clear, high-quality sound. The audio, however, doesn’t get as loud as other speakers in this price range. Moreover, the sound does get distorted while playing audio with deep bass. Other than these issues, you will find that the Braven 105 performs quite well.
The Braven 105 has a rugged design and provides a shockproof circular exterior. In terms of battery life, Braven claims that the105 runs for eight hours straight with its full charged 800 mAh battery. This will however vary according to your usage.
On the outside, the Braven 105 has a rubberised mate rial which proofs it from water damage. This material also makes sure that the speaker survives minor drops.
The Braven 105 comes with a noise cancellation feature for those who like to use the device as a speakerphone. There also are two different mounts on the device—thread mount and action mount. The former can be used to add a strap while the latter mount can be used to pin the speaker to something (example, Action cams).
The Braven 105 is currently available at Olizstore for Rs 5,300. This portable Bluetooth speaker could be a great choice for someone who is looking for a rugged speaker that is sure to last for a while.
JBL Clip 2
Most expensive in the bunch, the JBL Clip 2 comes in at Rs 8000. It is a powerful speaker that has a carabiner attached on one of its side. This portable speaker is currently sold at EvoStore in the Capital.
Symmetrical in appearance, the device is a bit heavy at 184 grams. Its elegant design is complemented by a fabric on top. At its bottom is rubberised plastic material which helps with comfortable handling.
The carabiner of the device comes in handy as in a lot of times you can cling to any structure you think fit. This feature can come in handy wherever you need to use the speaker while travelling.
The JBL Clip 2 comes with Bluetooth version 4.2 for a wireless connectivity, while a 730 mAh battery supports the wireless streaming quite well—giving you around five hours of battery life while playing it on maximum volume. JBL has claimed that it runs continuously for eight hours but it definitely varies in real life. Even if the device you want to pair the Clip 2 with doesn’t have the Bluetooth feature, the speaker supports cable connectivity, just like the JBL Go. Again, as with the JBL Go, this device too comes with noise and echo cancellation features.
In terms of performance, you can expect the JBL Clip 2 to shine in almost all departments. If volume is set right, it gives off amazing and immersive sound. But while playing songs with heavy bass or playing songs in high volume, the Clip 2 struggles as the sound starts to distort and it doesn’t handle heavy bass that well.
The JBL Clip 2 is IPX7 waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about constant splashes and water damage. I even poured a bottle of water on the device but it didn’t glitch at all.
JBL Go
• Noise and echo cancellation
• Bluetooth v4.1
• 600 mAh Li-ion battery
• Weight: 130 grams
• Audio cable compatible
Braven 105
• Bluetooth v2.1
• 800 mAh Li-ion battery
• Weight: 180 grams
• Audio cable compatible
• IPX7 Waterproof
• Action and thread mount
JBL Clip 2
• Noise and echo cancellation
• Bluetooth v4.2
• 730 mAh Li-ion battery
• Weight: 184 grams
• Audio cable compatible
• IPX7 Waterproof
• Carabiner
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