Greatest 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 way of a smartphone, so the Alexa app must be downloaded on the cellular system because the A1 2nd Gen doesn’t natively assist it. Throughout our time with the speaker, we discovered summoning Alexa work moderately properly in a neighborhood park, proving to be responsive at dealing with queries. Alexa wasn’t as fast to chime in when our smartphone was performing one other activity, so we’d counsel 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 capable of final for 18 hours, the place the unique mannequin might solely attain 4 hours. The B&O companion app gives some first rate 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 seems the half with a trendy leather-based base and aluminium prime floor that helps the speaker obtain an IP67 water resistance, which is identical 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 area to exist, the tonal stability all through the frequency vary is nice, and it’s a really dynamic and thrilling. This is among the greatest out of doors audio system we’ve come throughout, the one that might give us pause is that it comes at excessive worth.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Assessment: 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 up longer journeys. It’s small, light-weight and takes on a form that’s harking back to a Toblerone bar. With an IP67 ranking, 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 have the ability 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 could operate like a sensible speaker, connecting to the Wi-Fi and supporting the likes of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assist. The Sonos S2 app options extensive assist for music streaming companies, so you’ll be able to log in and take heed to your favorite songs from throughout 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 worth 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 hear two years after its launch. It produces a pure, detailed and clear efficiency, although we discovered it a bit gentle on bass, however that’s not shocking given its small dimension. In order for you extra thump the place low frequencies are involved, Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound A1 2nd Gen gives it.  

For present Sonos homeowners 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 Assessment: Sonos Roam

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

It produces a simpler and rounded bass efficiency, in addition to hanging 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 prime finish of the frequency vary and there’s extra room throughout the midrange for vocals to be projected above devices and beats. When it comes to loudness, the Wonderboom 2 hits a better quantity nevertheless it isn’t as nuanced because the threequel.

Different new options embody Google Quick Pair for Android units 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 resolution as many units have moved to the faster USB-C charging technique. The remainder of the options keep on from earlier than with Outside Enhance 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, nevertheless.

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

The modifications aren’t as large as many might need anticipated, however in our opinion this can be a better-sounding speaker for a similar unbeatably low worth.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Assessment: Final Ears Wonderboom 3

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

The design has been tweaked with buttons colored white to distinction towards the black material 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 cellular units. 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 most of the audio system on this record, the Stormbox Micro 2 hits an IP67 ranking, 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 increased volumes than the unique, produces an even bigger sound and tasks audio additional method 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 Assessment: Tribit Stormbox Micro 2

The Sonos Transfer is positioned as a bigger speaker to be used outside in comparison with the Roam, however a good selection 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 truly 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 by chance did and the consequence was a tiny mark that we will’t truly find any extra. Rated at IP56 rated, that means it’s properly protected towards mud and dust, and will have the ability to face up to all forms of situations 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 like 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 answer requests. Different Wi-Fi associated options embody AirPlay 2 that brings multi-room and connectivity to iOS merchandise into the equation in addition to assist for Siri.

Sonos’ Auto Trueplay characteristic mechanically optimises audio output primarily based 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 way of an replace. If broken, Sonos helps substitute of the battery.

We discovered the Transfer to be one of many better-sounding out of doors audio system, very like 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) different. 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 increased volumes.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full overview: Sonos Transfer

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

It’s like mini-Boombox in its profile, taking up a svelte form that offers it an hourglass look. The retractable deal with is beneficial for carry contemplating this speaker weighs round 3kg, and with its IP67 ranking it’s good towards resisting liquids and particles comparable to sand and dirt.

It has extra bodily connections than every other speaker on this record, with a USB-C for charging one other system, and a stereo mini-jack (cable additionally included) for plugging in an exterior supply (comparable to a conveyable music participant). There’s additionally the Mild 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 notably noticeable.

Different celebration options embody assist for Fiestable app, which gives management over DJ results, gentle results and Movement Management, the place playback and quantity might be managed by shifting a smartphone, though this can be a characteristic that may be hit or miss. Battery life is 25 hours, the longest of any on this record; Google Quick Pair is offered for fast connection to an Android system and there’s LDAC Bluetooth for those who need to play tracks at a better 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 instead, however should you like your bass assertively described, and music given loads of drive and power then the XG300 is a particular celebration starter (although B&O’s Beolit 20 can summon even stronger ranges of bass if that’s your fancy).

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full overview: Sony SRS-XG300