bluetooth speakers

We saw iHome's new portable Bluetooth speakers last month at CES, and both models, the iDM8 and iDM11, looked pretty nice.

They're shipping now and available for $59.99 and $69.99, respectively.

The spherical iDM8, which comes in black as well (for some reason iHome's only showing the red version on its Web site), seems to be the more travel- and bag-friendly. But, as you can see from the specs, the iDM11 has a built-in microphone and speakerphone capabilities, a plus.

We'll let you know how both models sound when we get our hands on … Read more

The Jawbone Jambox portable Bluetooth speaker is a must-pack item for travelers, but its small size means you're not using it to host dance parties or even as a permanent computer speaker at home.

That may soon change, however, as an FCC excavation from Web sleuths at Wireless Goodness exposed Jawbone's plans for a larger, boom-box-style Jambox.

The code name right now is "Big Jambox," but the filing doesn't unearth much dirt aside from that and its Bluetooth connectivity. Depending on its size, however, the larger speaker will likely compete with larger iPod/iPhone speakers … Read more

Last week I wrote of my love for speaker docks.

You know the only thing better? A wireless speaker, one that lets you stream music right from your smartphone or tablet--no docking required. (Here's a list of CNET's top portable Bluetooth speakers.)

While supplies last, Ben's Outlet has the refurbished Altec Lansing InMotion Air IMW725 wireless speaker for $99.99 shipped. It lists for $199.99, and the best price I've seen elsewhere is $136.

Its name notwithstanding, the InMotion Air does not incorporate Apple's AirPlay technology. Rather, it supports wireless audio streaming via Bluetooth, … Read more

Led by products like the Jawbone Jambox and Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker, compact Bluetooth speakers are hot little items these days, and Geneva Lab has placed itself in the middle of the fray with its Sound System Model XS, which retails for $250 and comes in black, red, or white.

In case you've never heard of Geneva Lab, as its name implies, it's based in Switzerland, and has been making high-end iPod and iPhone audio systems since 2006. Most of its speakers--such as the Model L we reviewed back in 2007--are actually quite beefy, so it surprised me to see the company go extra-small with an XS model. However, I'm glad it did because, despite the somewhat inflated price tag, it's a very solid product. … Read more

I'm a big fan of Bluetooth speakers. Plunk one down just about anywhere and you can wirelessly stream tunes from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. I have one of those Jawbone Jamboxes, and it's proven a great little accessory.

But pricey; it lists for around $200. Here's a much more affordable alternative: for a limited time, and while supplies last, Best Buy has the Logitech Wireless Speaker for $59.99 shipped (plus sales tax where applicable).

Although Best Buy's product page indicates this is "for Apple iPad," the Wireless Speaker can pair with any … Read more

In the past, we've tested out tiny spherical accordion-style portable speakers and have always been a bit underwhelmed.

Enter the DBest London PS4001BT Solo Bluetooth Rechargeable Mini-Speaker ($59.99), which the U.K.-based company bills as the "world's smallest Bluetooth hi-fi system." It weighs a mere 2.3 ounces and measures smaller than a lot of Christmas ornaments (1.7x2.3 inches).

Of course, it's not hard to make a small speaker, but the trick is to make it sound decent, and the DBest Solo manages to do that. OK, we're not talking … Read more

The Soundmatters FoxL v2 Platinum speaker already uses an apt-X signal to dramatically improve the fidelity of wireless sound from your smartphone or Bluetooth-enabled computer, but the company just announced its newest sidekick: a compact subwoofer with industrial flavor that injects your music with 25 watts of extra-tight bass.

Judging by the press photos (Soundmatters will show me in-person at CES), the FoxLo by SoundMatters isn't much bigger than the FoxL speaker itself, and builds in similar ports for USB charging, a knob to adjust the bass, and a 3.5mm audio out jack for hooking it up to non-FoxLo sources.… Read more

Something about the HiddenRadio has hit a nerve on Kickstarter. The project blew past its $125,000 goal and has already topped $400,000 in pledges.

HiddenRadio is a small canister-shaped Bluetooth speaker with no knobs or buttons. You just rotate the casing upward to reveal more of the speaker and increase the volume.

When fully open, the HiddenRadio can crank out 80 decibels of sound. That should be enough to get the neighbors to bang a broom handle on the ceiling.… Read more

The days of blasting music out of a portable boom box are behind us, and while some companies still offer retro stereo wannabes for iPods, the best way to free your music but still keep it in a tight package is with a portable Bluetooth speaker.

Here we've rounded up several wireless Bluetooth speakers for your consideration. They work with all smartphones and tablets meeting the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) spec. These days, that includes nearly all tablets and smartphones, including the iPhone, iPad, and most Android devices.

To be clear, Bluetooth isn't known for its top-notch … Read more