Yes, your phone, tablet and laptop do have speakers, but, well
you know what they sound like.
Crap.
That explains why separate Bluetooth-connected stereo
speakers are trending real hot these days, but man can they be
pricey.
I�m looking at you, Bose!
(
I�m Brian Cooley with the Top 5 Bluetooth Stereo speakers that
cost UNDER $100.
I�ve ranked �em by a matrix of CNET Rating
score, street price and user popularity scores.
Yeah, CalTech
helped me.
Lets go.
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#5 Soundfreaq Sound Kick SFQ-04.
One of the newer models
out there.
7 hours of playback time, and you can charge your
phone off its USB port.
But the sound is a bit thin and it won�t
function as a wireless speakerphone.
is a good value, with an
attractive design and good performance for its size.
#4 Logitech Z515.
This one�s interesting in that it includes a litte
USB Bluetooth dongle so you can stream from a computer that
may not have BT built in, as well as from your mobiles that do.
Very flexible.
10 hour battery life is up there with the best, and it
handles a wide range of music well.
Doesn�t work as a
speakerphone, though.
$78 street.
#3 Logitech Mini Boombox.
I�m not sure anything than a
toaster can be called a �boombox�, especially when it�s such a
cute little bean-shaped thing.
But its got cool, illuminated touch
controls on top, 10 hour battery life and quite good sound, except
with bass heavy tracks which is ironic for something called
Boombox.
But at a current street price of around $78 bucks
#2 The iHome iDM11.
Our reviewer calls this �attractively
designed�.
I call him �high�.
but if you can keep from mistaking
this for your Boxee box you�ll find it puts out pretty good sound
from such a small, lopsided package.
Does BT speakerphone as
well.
Irksomely, when you want to just use an AUX cable
connection to your portable, you have to use the speaker�s
proprietary cable, which you know you�ll lose.
Before we get to #1 here�s the most compelling reason of all to
NOT spend more than $100 on BT speakers.
Because Bluetooth
streaming doesn�t really deserve it.
It sounds good, but not
great, because the MP3 you�re playing is converted and re-
compressed as part of the Bluetooth streaming process, so think
convenience here, not home theater.
#1 Creative D100 Impressive bass - which you almost never
hear us say about this category -- and it uses AA batteries, so
you�re never stuck without a charge.
Those things make up for
its lack of speakerphone ability.
Plus it comes in 4 colors, uses a
standard AUX jack for wired connection and unlike some on our
list, doesn�t look weird.
It got the best CNET score and has the
lowest street price of 60 bucks right now.
Buy two.
