Ever since smartphones have started to appear in homes all over the world, innovators have been developing tools that interact with them. You can either choose to use the phone itself as a replacement for an entire ensemble of electronics, or you can add electronics to it for enhancement. Bluetooth devices have turned the phone into a portal for all sorts of different added functionality. Speakers, in particular, have become highly popular with certain crowds, making them one of the most-purchased accessories for mobile devices in the market. Before you buy one of these, though, there are a few things you should know.
1: It’s Not a Home Theater System
Perhaps this might be a no-brainer to you, but maybe you saw one of those advertisements that make a Bluetooth speaker seem like a movie theater in a box. Indeed, some top-of-the-line speakers – and even some of the basic ones – possess a significant amount of stopping power. They’re impressive for their size, but don’t buy one thinking you’re going to get an earth-shaking experience.
If you’re looking for dimension, however, you’d do well with something like the Pure Jongo S340B. Get something with a subwoofer if you want some boom. If you know what you like, go with it. Fortunately for us, the marketing behind Bluetooth speakers isn’t full of gimmicks.
Even though Bluetooth speakers are pretty much a normal pair of speakers with wireless connectivity, you still have to watch out for a few things…
2: Bluetooth Isn’t Just Bluetooth
You can’t just go out willy-nilly and buy yourself a Bluetooth speaker. Consider the version of Bluetooth the speaker you want and your phone are compatible with. If you buy a Bluetooth 4.0 speaker for a phone that only supports version 2.1, the speaker will work, but you will have spent money unnecessarily. If you happen to have a phone compatible with Bluetooth 4.0, consider your comfort level. If you don’t consider it an inconvenience to pair devices traditionally, you don’t need 4.0. Also, the energy-saving features of Bluetooth 4.0 fly out the window when you use your speaker, since it isn’t pushing data to your phone, but consistently streaming data from it and converting it into sound.
The only tangible advantage that Bluetooth 4.0 presents in a speaker is the ability to pair via near-field communication (NFC). In other words, you can pair the device to your phone by simply bumping the two together. This is unbelievably convenient for some, but unnecessary for others. If you find yourself in the latter crowd, you don’t need to dump an extra $30 just because a speaker is compatible with the latest version. Focus on other features.
3: There Are Different Types of Speakers
Bluetooth speakers aren’t magic. They function much like any other speaker. However, they’re not all equal. Some of them fit in your pocket, while others clip onto your car’s sun visor. Some work better as voice call speakers, while others are excellent party accessories.
Before buying a speaker, it’s absolutely imperative that you first think about what you would use it for. Are you often sharing music with your friends, or do you listen by yourself while travelling? Are you just going to use it for voice calls, or do you want to enhance your movie experience? As soon as you’ve figured this all out, weigh out the different features and pick out a Bluetooth speaker that best fits you.
If you’ve got any questions about Bluetooth speakers, leave them below in the comments!
Miguel has been a business growth and technology expert for more than a decade and has written software for even longer. From his little castle in Romania, he presents cold and analytical perspectives to things that affect the tech world.
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