Looking for a gift idea. Unsure what would be better suited. The main usage is for listening to Spotify. They already have a gen 1 google home mini but the sound quality on that is terrible. Would be happy to replace that or add something else just for the music. Looking at spending no more than $200. Any ideas?
Smart Speaker or Bluetooth Speaker
Bruceflix on 01/05/2023 - 10:54
Comments
For a gift??
Sure, why not? It's going to get the best audio quality.
UE Boom 3 is the better wireless option and looks more "gifty" but it's not going to sound as good. Smart speaker isn't all that useful for a single purpose such as spotify unless they don't have a smartphone.
I was looking at the Boom 3 but was unsure if the lack of smart features would hinder usage. Kids nowadays…
I'd go with Google Nest Audio or Amazon Echo or, if they have Apple devices, then a HomePod mini. If you don't need portability, smart speakers are more convenient than bluetooth speakers in my experience, and all these speakers I mentioned have decent sound.
I'm impressed with the amazon echo dot with clock - it's a neat device. Person who has it uses voice commands to start and stop Spotify play list that they listen to a lot of the day. Sound is fine for background music. But if you are fussy about audio quality no doubt it wouldn't cut it. Their bluetooth speaker never gets used as it's harder to get going (turn on/pair/charge).
Echo dot is not really designed for quality audio.
I'm not convinced anything below $200 is designed for quality audio. Not that I have heard everything out there! But heard multiple bluetooth speakers that cost above $200, and they don't compare to a proper stereo setup at all. At this price range, there will always be compromises.
@iamherenow: Yeah I wouldn't expect a $200 bluetooth speaker to be that good, but most people aren't audiophiles and don't care too much about audio quality. As long as the speaker is loud with a full sound, most people would be satisfied I think.
I have a Google Nest Audio, an original Google Home and an Amazon Echo Plus. All of them cost me $60-$130, and I don't think there are any bluetooth speakers in that price range that would offer comparable sound. The original Google Home has pretty bad sound compared to the others, but it's at least got decent bass and looks funky. The Nest Audio has much clearer sound. The Amazon Echo Plus has a fuller sound than the Nest Audio, but not as clear. The current Amazon Echo is reportedly better than the Echo Plus.
The Amazon Echo Plus is the quickest to respond to spoken requests. The Google speakers are smarter though. If I had to keep one, it would be the original Google Home because I love the design.
I think I need to go down to JB and have a test of the audio quality of these.
IKEA Symfonisk (sonos compatible clone, no bluetooth) or IKEA
EBENYEneby (bluetooth). Try them out in the store.
Bose sound link mini. If the main purpose is to listening music then you'll be blown away by the quality of these Bose soundlink mini. Leave the google home mini for the assistant.
If you're sticking with wired and it's only spotify via bluetooth, I'd look at some Edifier bluetooth speakers. Much better sound quality than most portable/smart speakers. There's a range of them depending on what you want to spend.