bluetooth speakers

Update: CNET's full, rated review of the Jawbone Jambox is now available.

One of the most overlooked features in any laptop, iPad, smartphone, or iPod Touch, is Bluetooth music streaming. Sure, everybody loves the idea of music without wires, but in reality, stereo headsets are either bulky or messy, and Bluetooth speakers are generally wimpy and ugly.

Enter Jambox--a rechargeable speaker that breaks our preconceptions for what a Bluetooth can do (and how good it can look doing it). Priced on the high end at $199, this little speaker bar uses two 1.25-inch drivers on the front … Read more

The days of blasting music out of a portable boombox are behind us, and while some companies still offer retro jambox wannabes for iPods, the best way to free your music from the aural confines of an MP3 player is through a portable Bluetooth speaker.

We've rounded up several Bluetooth speakers for your consideration. All of these wireless speakers benefit from limited loss in audio quality while still maintaining a small footprint and extended range. Functionality varies according to model, and they differ in regard to rechargeable versus alkaline batteries, size versus sound, and the capability to be used … Read more

Creative is hitching its wagon to Bluetooth in its bid to differentiate itself in this crowded speaker accessory category and is in the process of releasing several Bluetooth-enabled iPod speaker options, including the D200 ($130).

There really isn't a whole lot to this speaker. It's rather compact, measuring 3.9 inches high by 15.9 inches wide by 3.7 inches deep, and has a nice heft to it, weighing in at 3.6 pounds. Unlike the wraparound speaker grille of its step-up sibling, the $300 ZiiSound D5, this model only has cloth on the front of the … Read more

As the iPhone-iPod audio docking systems move into a more mature phase, Creative is hitching its wagon to Bluetooth in a bid to differentiate itself in this crowded category. Bluetooth compatibility allows the wide range of A2DP devices--which includes iPhones, iPads, recent iPod Touch models, most recent smartphones, and many PCs--to stream audio wirelessly to the speaker. On the PC speaker side, Creative has the $130 Inspire S2 Bluetooth system, and now the company has bulked up its audio line with several Bluetooth-enabled iPod speaker options, including the ZiiSound D5, a higher-end model that retails for $300.

The nice thing … Read more

Images of Creative Labs' new Bluetooth speaker, the ZiiSound D5, have been floating around the Web for the past few months, but the product is now officially available.

Creative is calling the D5 "the flagship" model in its line of wireless speaker systems, which includes the Inspire S2 Wireless system, as well as the D200 and D100. The D5 speaker works with any device that supports stereo Bluetooth and, according to Creative,  it's made with premium components and features a full-frame "monocoque exoskeleton for maximum rigidity." Also, according to company, its ZiiSound D5 has … Read more

Over the years, we've seen a handful of Bluetooth speakers make their way into our office for testing, but the category has never taken off despite the appealing nature of wireless audio streaming.

Part of the problem is that Bluetooth speakers tend to cost more than your typical powered PC speakers do. Running about $150, Creative's Inspire S2 Bluetooth speaker system isn't cheap, but it is fairly affordable. It's also very small, especially for a 2.1 speaker package that includes a separate subwoofer.

The idea here is that you'd place the speakers in a … Read more

Convergence is in full-force for mobile devices, so it's no surprise that more and more users are forgoing standalone MP3 players in favor of using their cell phones for audio playback. Accessories manufacturers have been quick to catch on, too, churning out plenty of wired stereo headsets, Bluetooth headphones, and portable speakers for the mobile devices. If you're looking for a way to more fully enjoy the musical talents of your cell phone, check out the options we've rounded up below.

While all those pale suckers are indoors playing around with their videogames, you could be enjoying the summer heat, lounging in a pool and aquadancing to your favorite jams with Elima, a Bluetooth speaker designed to make your summer days even brighter.

This little orb packs in a pair of 2-watt speakers on both sides, providing you with stereo sound while it floats around in your pool. You can connect any Bluetooth device with A2DP/AVRCP and stream music from up to 30 feet away. If a call comes in while you're lounging, the Elima will automatically pause your … Read more

Q: What is the best all-around Bluetooth speaker adapter if I want to connect my laptop to some good speakers that are not equipped with Bluetooth?--Tom, via e-mail

A: What you would want is a Bluetooth receiver, which can be a challenge to find; actually, we don't review them at all at this time, so I can't give you a personal opinion on any specific product of this kind. Generally, I get questions from people who are looking for a Bluetooth transmitter, which will allow you to connect a non-Bluetooth audio device with headphones or speakers that … Read more