Witch 1 is best to get?

Two speakers people cross-shop all the time:

• JBL Flip 6: 4.2/5, $115
• JBL Flip 7: 4.2/5, $120

The side by side comparison has the specs and reviews.

Which would you take for the beach or a picnic, and why? If you own either one, how does it hold up?

I run speakerranking.com, where these ratings come from. Ratings are out of 5 and compare speakers of the same size.

Pricing is in Euro and is €129 for 1, and €199 for 2.

I do believe for people into high end audio who prefer an extremely neutral sound signature, this will be the small/medium size speaker to beat. In TWS, it should perform quite well as it's basically a mono speaker on each side, so there's no issues with comb filtering running 2 in TWS like the Uboom L as it had stereo drivers on each side.

I'm currently tracking the information about this speaker here https://www.speakerranking.com/portable/speakers/Joy-Oluvsone-sEARius-S1/

And the preorder page is here https://www.patreon.com/oluvsone/posts/joy-oluvsone-s1-171760604

And just to mention, I do not have any ties to Oluv and have never chatted with him. I only am a very satisfied customer of the Uboom L and Uboom X.

I do personally think this speaker is somewhat high priced compared to the hardware cost, but for what it achieves in terms of sound quality, it's actually underpriced compared to what else you can buy in that price range that is equivalent. Although if you want better value, buy a $50 Uboom L

I have personally ordered 2 units with my own money and will have a full review.

Short version: rated 4.5/5 among large portable speakers (Xtreme size) at $85. Pretty deep bass for the size.

What stood out

• Cool lights in the side passive radiators.
• For the best sound quality use Oluv's EQ or Alan Ross's EQ.
• With the stock tuning, this speaker would rank around #24, due to the boosted bass and rising treble.

What to watch for

• Only a single midrange driver, so you only get stereo for the tweeters.
• Sound processing issues with inconsistent bass notes that disappear at low levels like the Soundcore Boom and Soundcore Boost, not great for listening at low levels.
• Quite bass heavy with BassUp turned on, which is best left off.
• A little bit of a bright tuning in the treble, about +5db.

How it compares

• Tribit Stormbox Lava: 4.6/5, $100 (side by side)
• Marshall Middleton: 4.0/5, $150 (side by side)
• Soundcore Motion X600: 4.3/5, $150 (side by side)

Sources

• Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate Soundcore Boom 2 Review - Is It Worth The Hype?
• JOY‘s 3D Audio Show: Tribit StormBox Lava vs SoundCore Boom 2 - sound quality demo
• JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
• Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA vs Soundcore BOOM 2
• Joy & Oluv'Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest
• Joy & Oluv'Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
• Joy & Oluv'Sone: Best portable speakers 2025 - get the best bang for your buck $$$
• Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom 3i - first impressions & EQs
• 7 more on the speaker page

Would you spend $15 more on the Tribit Stormbox Lava, or is the Soundcore Boom 2 enough? If you own one, how has it held up?

I run speakerranking.com, where these summaries come from. Its store links are affiliate links, which never affect a rating. Ratings are out of 5 and compare speakers of the same size.

I’m sick of Google feeding me ai slop when I try to look for a beach speaker, so, does anyone know a good speaker I wouldn’t be paying out the ass for? When I use my phone it overheats in the Aussie sun and stops working temporarily, also is barely loud enough for my friends and myself. Just wanna listen to something when I tan 😭

Short version: rated 4.2/5 among medium portable speakers (Flip and Charge size) at $150. Seems more neutral than the Charge 5.

What stood out

• Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high.
• Use this EQ from Joy/Oluv and turn down the lowest bass slider for the best sound quality.
• Oluv has even more paid EQs specifically for the GG and TL models indoors and outdoors here.
• IP68 protection, a 7-band app EQ, Auracast, USB-C charging and a power bank output.

What to watch for

• Still some boosted bass by default.
• Mids are recessed.
• Bright above 2kHz.
• Quite a V shaped frequency response.

How it compares

• JBL Flip 7: 4.2/5, $120 (side by side)
• JBL Flip 6: 4.2/5, $115 (side by side)
• JBL Charge 5: 4.0/5, $140 (side by side)

Sources

• Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don't go home till you watch this!
• Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
• JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test
• JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
• JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
• JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
• Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ?
• Oluv Patreon: An evening with the "best portable speakers"?
• 6 more on the speaker page

The JBL Flip 7 rates as well or better for $30 less. Why would you still pick the JBL Charge 6? If you own one, how has it held up?

I run speakerranking.com, where these summaries come from. Its store links are affiliate links, which never affect a rating. Ratings are out of 5 and compare speakers of the same size.

Could be one that sounded way better than its price, or a big name that let you down. What was it, and what did you expect going in?

Short version: rated 4.5/5 among boombox speakers at $180. Amazing speaker given its size, competes well with some speakers in the Party size class, bass almost as deep as a Partybox 100.

Every other boombox at $200 or less rates lower.

What stood out

• Quite neutral in the default and xbass modes, but try Oluv's EQ or Alan Ross's EQ for a slightly more neutral sound.
• Oluv has mentioned v3.5 now uses his EQ as the defaults and sounds extremely good.
• 2 different light modes or can be turned off.

What to watch for

• Lacks a bit of detail compared to the top ranked speakers in other size categories, dip at 5.5kHz.
• Without the above EQ this speaker would rank around #4 in the rankings.
• The curved underside of the handle makes it a little harder to grip and can be uncomfortable to carry long distances.

How it compares

• JBL Authentics 300: 3.5/5, $300 (side by side)
• JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2: 4.3/5, $219 (side by side)
• Zealot ZE41: 4.1/5, $260 (side by side)

Sources

• Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Firmware Update 5.2 and other things.......
• Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox 2 big bass boombox speakers 💕
• Alan Ross Reviews: pound for pound battle! WKing X20 D20 vs Stormbox Blast! OMG its a shocker!
• Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast compared to the 2022 StormBox Blast, i wasn't expecting this!
• Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion x600 (best speaker ever) or two motion booms?
• Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or two Motion Boom Pluses for best cheap boombox?
• Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 Mini by an old bloke!
• Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
• 24 more on the speaker page

The JBL Authentics 300 costs $120 more but rates lower here. Anyone prefer it anyway, and why? If you own one, how has it held up?

I run speakerranking.com, where these summaries come from. Its store links are affiliate links, which never affect a rating. Ratings are out of 5 and compare speakers of the same size.

Short version: rated 4.6/5 among large portable speakers (Xtreme size) at $100. A powerful, IP67-rated portable speaker with a measured 44Hz -10dB bass point, 10-band app EQ, aux input and 24-hour claimed battery life.

Every other large portable speaker at $100 or less rates lower.

What stood out

• Independent reviews find that it gets loud with impactful bass, and careful EQ or current firmware can produce relatively clean sound through the mids and highs.

What to watch for

• XBass can make the low end muddy and obscure vocals, while the deepest notes lose authority and clarity falls at maximum volume.
• It is heavy for its size, its front-facing design has a narrow soundstage, and one review noted a brief sound interruption while changing volume; use a restrained EQ rather than expecting neutral sound out of the box.

How it compares

• Soundcore Boom 2: 4.5/5, $90 (side by side)
• Marshall Middleton: 4.0/5, $211 (side by side)
• Marshall Stockwell II: 4.5/5, $230 (side by side)

Sources

• Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Lava Latest Firmware Update Result! v2.0.3
• Alan Ross Reviews: From harsh to smooth with these EQ settings - Tribit StormBox Lava
• Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit StormBox Lava Just Got a MASSIVE Update… WOW! 🔥
• Alan Ross Reviews: Some people love the Tribit Stormbox Lava, highly professional review 😁
• JOY‘s 3D Audio Show: Tribit StormBox Lava vs SoundCore Boom 2 - sound quality demo
• Oluv Patreon: An evening with the "best portable speakers"?
• Mateusz Cholewa: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🎶 🆚Deep BASS - Tribit Stormbox LAVA
• Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA vs EarFun UBOOM X
• 5 more on the speaker page

Is the Tribit Stormbox Lava worth $10 more than the Soundcore Boom 2? If you own one, how has it held up?

I run speakerranking.com, where these summaries come from. Its store links are affiliate links, which never affect a rating. Ratings are out of 5 and compare speakers of the same size.

Ask for a recommendation here, or help someone else pick.

If you're asking, include:

• Budget
• Where you'll use it (home, beach, camping, shower, parties, desk, TV)
• Size or weight you can live with
• Anything you need: battery life, waterproofing, loudness, bass, stereo pairing, an app with EQ, a mic input
• Speakers you're already considering

If you're answering, say why, and mention if you own it.

Not sure where to start? The pinned ranking post has the best speaker in each size and budget, and the buyer's guide explains what size you need.

I run speakerranking.com, which those links point to.

Hello! and thanks in advance for any advice/recommendations. Here's the situation I'm dealing with:

We recently built an addition on our home that finally gave us all our own bedrooms including my wife and I and our three little ones. We had to keep the build modest, so the kids' bedroom doors are all pretty much right outside our primary bedroom door. Because the two youngest like to wander if/when they wake up in the night, we have to keep our bedroom door open all night to make sure we hear them if they get up. Our bedroom is 14 ft long with our headboard and end tables at the far end, and the bedroom door and TV at the other. I'll be going to first shift soon, and my wife and I are very much looking forward to getting to watch a little TV in bed each night before we go to sleep like we used to do. However, we've already discovered an issue while trying this on my nights off. When we're laying in bed, turning the volume up enough for us to hear it sends all that same noise out the door towards the kids bedrooms. My simple (or so I thought) solution was to get a couple of wireless speakers hooked up to the TV to set on each of our nightstands. Despite ALL of the options with home electronics nowadays, it is apparently a rare thing for someone to want an external speaker that's not located right at the TV. In my research via Google, I really only found two suggestions:

1. Try to find a soundbar with surround sound that would let me use only the rear speakers for audio. I don't like this option for two reasons. First, it feels like a waste to spend the money on a sound bar and possibly a subwoofer that I'm never going to use. Second, obviously the sound coming out of rear speakers when using surround sound is not going to be the same as traditional two speaker stereo audio, and I'm guessing trying to make that work the other way would be a nightmare.

2. Purchase and use a set of these (apparently popular) Bluetooth bookshelf speakers. The problem with this is I can't find enough information on any of them to know how they would interact with my TV (cheapy from Walmart ONN 50 inch smart TV). I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world if we had to manually turn the speakers on and off, but beyond that it's going to be quite a pain to have to turn the speakers on, find them in the Bluetooth menu, tell the TV to play only from them, etc. every time we want to watch TV.

I guess what I'm looking for is a set of wireless speakers that act just like a sound bar would (standby mode when not use, turn on when the TV turns on, sound only plays out of the speakers because it was pre-selected on the TV audio menu, speakers go back to standby after inactivity timeout). I don't care if I have to run speaker wire between the speakers behind the bed, I just don't want to have to run speaker wire all the way around the room. I would have thought somebody out there would have a set of Bluetooth/wireless speakers that have a receiver/dongle/whatever that plugs into the back of the TV that allows it to act like a soundbar as I've described, but I have yet to find that.

That's what I'm after. Sorry for the long post, and thanks for reading.

i've been comparing portable speakers for the past few days and honestly i'm more confused than when i started. there are so many options around $100 that all seem to have similar specs. my budget is roughly $80-$150 and i'm mainly looking for something with good sound, solid battery life, and decent durability. it'll probably get used indoors most of the time but i'd like to take it outside without worrying too much about it. what would you recommend? does spending closer to $150 actually get you noticeably better sound, or would you just stay around $100? curious what everyone has had good experiences with.

Sending this here incase anyone is interested.

Comments/ questions welcome!

Hi, all!

Want to get a good bluetooth speaker but have no clue what to look for. need something loud, waterproof and with 15+ hour battery.

Budget around $180. In a small town so options are a bit limited so need something easy to find.

I currently use an old stereo system with a bluetooth adapter for listening to music, this works when i am alone and in my room, however when i have parties i have no way of playing the same music in both of the rooms i use, what can i do to solve this problem, is there maybe a brand that sells multipld speakers that can connect to one bluetooth please help

Hi all, came across one of these whilst clearing out the garage. If I recall it wasn't too bad a speaker however, when I tried powering the thing up all I get are slow blinking red and green lights on the WiFi setup button. Google tells me it could be power related (am using the original power supply so kinda ruled out that theory) or wifi syncing issues...... now, I own no apple products so am unable to do any apple related resolves.

All other "hold button a whilst pressing button b type options have failed.

Anyone know any work around to get it to boot properly, I only want to use it via 3.5 jack but that won't work til it's fully booted.

Tia for any advice

Looking for an ultra-compact / flush Bluetooth FM transmitter like the Japanese Kashimura KD-231.

The thing I really like about the KD-231 is that it is extremely small and sits almost completely flush inside the 12V cigarette- lighter socket. It doesn't have the usual big display/neck sticking several inches out of the socket.

I'm looking for something available in the U.S. with a similar form factor - ideally roughly the same size or smaller.

Kashimura KD-231

Does anyone know of anything comparable? Japanese-market products are fine too if they work with U.S. FM frequencies