Build A Wall Of Sound With These Bluetooth Speakers
It all seems silly now, those big old stereo receivers, turntables, cassette players, studio monitors, and the rest, all just to get some scratchy tunes going. That’s because now, with a smartphone and an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker or two, you can fill your garage with high-quality sound. And we don’t mean the kind from a pneumatic impact wrench! Now ubiquitous thanks to their rollout in cars years ago, Bluetooth technology in this case pairs your smartphone, tablet, computer, or other device to a stand-alone stereo speaker, which then gut-punches out your favorite auditory works. You know, Skynyrd and stuff like that. The speakers are self-powered courtesy of integrated lithium batteries, and can deliver a day’s worth—or even 24 hours—of beats between recharging. Truthfully, while technically stereo devices, the speakers are too close together for good sound imaging. But for more and better sound, pair two speakers together.
Loud And Proud
For the money, the third-generation OontZ Angle 3 Ultra 5.0 Bluetooth Speaker has tons going for it. For one thing, you can wirelessly pair two of the speakers together, up to 100 feet apart from your smartphone, tablet, or other programming source to literally fill the room with “dual stereo” sound. Now to the details: The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra kicks out 14 watts of sound, features an aux-in port so you can cable it to secondary speakers, and can handle your smartphone calls wirelessly. The manufacturer says the unit pumps up the bass while enhancing mid- and high-frequency response.
Bass Response On A Budget
The Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is an affordable way to get Bluetooth stereo music up and running in your garage. The speaker delivers 12 watts of audio power, including “pounding” and “enhanced bass” from its dual neodymium drivers. The maker also claims zero distortion at any volume. Further, the outdoor-proof system has IPX7 protection from rain, dust, snow, and spills; in other words, it’s waterproof! Amazingly, one charge is said to deliver 24 hours of playtime. With this latest version, the Soundcore 2, you can pair two Anker speakers together to crank up the listening experience.
User-Friendly Speaker
Bose was among the first to offer small, stand-alone, high-fidelity home speakers. Now take this Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II into the garage—or to the track, riding area, or camping; you name it. Versatile features include Bluetooth 4.2 Wireless connectivity,a 3.5mm auxiliary port, a soft-touch silicone exterior, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery good for up to 8 hours of play time. Helpful for tech-adverse users, voice prompts talk you through Bluetooth pairing, a built-in microphone lets you access digital assistants such as Google Now or Siri, and wireless Bluetooth pairing permits taking cellphone calls.
Classic Bluetooth Speaker
We bought one of these JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speakers retail and use it regularly. We like the strong, clear sound reproduction, the intuitive operation, the shock-proof rubberized casing, and the robust 22.2Wh battery (which JBL says plays up to 20 hours). The speaker does more than channel music into your garage though. It can spice up YouTube videos you’ve grabbed on a tablet, laptop, or phone, connect with up to three devices so friends can take turns as DJ, process cellphone calls, and even pair with additional JBL speakers to amplify your garage sound.