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    Portable Speaker Advice

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by GeraldNunn, Nov 7, 2014.

  1. GeraldNunn

    GeraldNunn Notebook Consultant

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    I travel a lot for my job and I'm looking for a recommendation on a portable speaker that has the following features:

    a. Supports both Bluetooth (for phone) and USB input for laptop. I see lots of portable bluetooth speakers but not much with USB input other then the Creative ROAR

    b. Quality sound for both gaming and music

    c. Able to support higher volumes without distortion

    d. Obviously portable, must be able to fit into a suitcase

    e. Ideally charged through USB, don't want to carry around a second power adapter

    f. Optional but nice to have, microphone to act as a speaker phone.

    Looking to spend $200 or less on this.
     
    GeraldNunn, Nov 7, 2014
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  2. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    The JBL Flip 2 meets all those requirements minus A; it's a Bluetooth-only connection. I've been using one of these for several months and have to say it was $90 well spent. The sound quality is decent, it gets impressively loud, quite easy to carry especially considering it includes a hard carry case, charges with USB and has a microphone so you can use it to take calls. I think you're going to have a difficult time requiring USB input. Good luck though.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Nov 7, 2014
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  3. GeraldNunn

    GeraldNunn Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the reply, do you use the flip with both your laptop and phone, i..e does it support multiple devices pairing with it without requiring the device to be paired again when switching from one to the other?
     
    GeraldNunn, Nov 7, 2014
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  4. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    I use it only connected to my laptop, but it does support "buddy streaming", aka simultaneous connections w/ up to two devices.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Nov 7, 2014
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  5. Steve135

    Steve135 Notebook Enthusiast

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    For sound quality I use a separate sound-card/recorder, the TASCAM US-100. It attaches via USB, provides a much better audio quality then the on-board sound and can mix your PC's sound output with another source. I use it practice my guitar as I can mix backing tracks/videos with the output from my Line6 POD. The output can be then routed through headphones or quality speakers. While this might not be what you're looking to do, I believe for decent sound quality, you not only need the quality speakers, you need an external sound card. At least for notebooks as their circuitry is inherently noisy.
     
    Steve135, Jan 15, 2015
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