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March 23, 2015 by vibexx

How to Pick a Quality Bluetooth Speaker

How to Pick a Quality Bluetooth Speaker

Portable Bluetooth speakers are some of the best things on the market for audiophiles with a few of them putting out an insane amount of sound without having to spend thousands for a high-end sound system.

We know that if you don’t have one, you want one. We can tell you how to pick the best one.

Will the Speaker Break the Bank?

Breaking the bank.Let’s face it name brand speakers may be tempting, but they sometimes run in the $200 range. If you’re on a budget then $100 may be way out of your ballpark. Luckily there are some portable Bluetooth speakers that aren’t at all costly, running at around $60 or even cheaper. What good is a costly speaker if you can’t afford your Spotify subscription or music from Google Play or iTunes?

Some people may be turned off by speakers that are less than $100 but this doesn’t need to be the case. Some powerful speakers can be purchased for less than $100, like the VIB-101 with a modest price tag of just $59.99.

Will the Battery Last the Whole Party?

When people think “battery life” they tend to think “how long can it stay on?” But there’s a bit more you might want to know about the battery in the speaker you’re picking out before you walk out the door with it.

Many manufacturers will feed you a line about their product having,“20 hours of battery life.”  They don’t mean, 20 hours of music, they mean 20 hours of being on, not doing anything.  That’s not what you want a speaker for.

Group of friends at a pool party.

Yes, look at standby time, but the most important feature for you is going to be the usage time. Both the JBL Pulse and Viben’s VIB-101 boast around six hours of usage time, making them perfect for most people in most situations. They’ll last the whole barbecue, pool party, or whatever you have going on.

Where Will It Go, How Portable is It?

You couldn’t call it a “portable Bluetooth speaker” if it wasn’t portable, could you? You want it to be able to go with you anywhere you end up without much of a fuss, and some speakers are more portable than others.

Some of them, like the Bose Soundlink III, weigh a few pounds and cost an arm and a leg, making them fine indoor speakers without much mobility. On the other hand, speakers like the Viben VIB-101 weigh only a few ounces and have small dimensions, making them the perfect speakers to bring around wherever you want to go.

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But what happens when you get there? While most speakers will fare well at a park during the summer or out on a camping trip, not every speaker is built for the pool, and many waterproof speakers are bulky.

Even worse, sometimes the sound quality of the speakers suffers because parts of them have to be watertight, not leaving much room for air to be pushed through. So, there can be a trade off between better sound quality and waterproofing. Since most people aren’t taking a swim with their speakers or going to always have them near water, it’s usually best to go with the sound quality.

If you’re having a party in the mountains or listening to some tunes while you’re getting some work done outside a shockproof speaker can be important. There are many speakers on the market that are designed for a tougher life and can withstand not only drops from eight or ten feet high but some also have nearly a half-ton of crush resistance.  

Although most speakers will take a tumble off of a table well it’s important to take a look at whether your speaker might run the risk of tumbling down a mountain anytime soon.

How Will It Play, Wireless?

Mobile with Bluetooth connection

The technology for Bluetooth is rapidly improving, making wireless connectivity all the more powerful. Earlier Bluetooth speaker models were only able to work within several feet of the device that music was played off of.

Recently, Bluetooth capabilities have increased this to, on average, around 30 feet. In some rare cases your device can be as far as 50 feet away from the speaker and still work extremely well.

But you won’t always need to be moving around with your device or you may want it charging next to the speaker while it plays.

During these times, it’s nice to have a speaker that features the ability to have a hard-wired 1/8” input jack to directly plug it in. This will ensure that your music continues to play without worrying about skipping or unfortunate disconnections caused by the device’s distance.

What Can It Do?

When you’re listening to music from your phone while cleaning the house and your phone rings, what do you do? Do you have to stop what you’re doing and pick up the phone? If you do, you’ve bought the wrong speaker.

Many Bluetooth speakers nowadays have a speakerphone feature, allowing you to forget about the lackluster quality of your handset and have a crystal-clear conversation whether or not you’re near the phone. Some speakers even go the extra mile and allow for Siri and “Ok Google” functionality, giving you hands-free capability at any time and anywhere within earshot of the speaker itself.

What Does a Portable Speaker Sound Like?

Finally, the most important question: how’s the sound? When you’re shopping around for speakers, you’ll see a lot of technical terms that end up meaning “sound quality”.

When you see the words “frequency response”or “frequency range,” you’ll be looking at the range of notes that the speaker can play, from lowest to highest. While some may boast some seemingly huge ranges (such as 20Hz to 20,000Hz) there are a few things that are left unsaid.

First off, the human hearing range is limited and, since that somewhat deteriorates over time, it’s likely that many of those tones are going unnoticed. Second, sometimes the manufacturers will have a “tolerance” level of plus-or-minus a certain amount of decibels. This means that as the notes get higher the volume of the speaker will change to compensate. You may find that you have a great low-end speaker that ends up sputtering out when the high notes come in.

It’s best to take your speaker for a spin, putting on the music you love in order to get a taste of what it will kick out. Some speakers tend to favor bass, which is great for hip-hop or electronic but terrible for acoustic or metal, while some end up sounding tinny because the bass is too low—making for a very lackluster experience no matter what you’re listening to.

Sometimes a manufacturer will boast a huge frequency range but an extremely low “signal-to-noise” ratio and a sufficiently low signal-to-noise ratio can make all the range in the world useless. Think tape deck sound quality versus digital sound quality.

If you see this spec when looking at a speaker it essentially means how much noise will I hear compared to the music? The higher the number, the higher the audio is above the noise making it better quality sound. For example, the Viben VIB-101 has a high signal-to-noise ratio of 80dB, meaning the sounds you want to listen to are 80dB higher than the noise, leaving behind what you don’t want to listen to.

Another great thing about some of the newest portable Bluetooth speakers is the fact that more of them are being made to support 360 degree sound. Whether or not to buy a 360 speaker may seem like an easy decision, but there’s more to consider.

Having a speaker that puts sound out all around it is great for a party or in the middle of a room that you may be moving around in. A directional speaker tends to be better as desk speakers or in when you’ll be stationary. This is because a 360 degree speaker will put sound everywhere, bouncing it off of walls (and through walls to other rooms) and back to you, causing a bit of reduced sound quality.

A directional speaker will have some large dead zones where you can’t hear the music but will be assembled to optimize sound in a specific direction, instead of making structural compromises for sound that goes everywhere.

Basically, if you’re bringing this speaker with you or it’s in an open room, pick up an omni-directional speaker but if it’s just for your desk or a smaller room pick up a single-direction speaker.

There’s a lot to picking up your perfect portable Bluetooth speaker but it doesn’t have to be complicated. All in all, here are some of the best questions to ask yourself:

  • Where am I going to use my speaker?
  • How often will I need to charge my speaker?
  • How does my speaker sound at full volume?
  • How much do I have to spend on my speaker?

Once you take a good look at your answers you’ll find the best speaker for you.

Filed Under: Products

January 12, 2015 by vibexx

2015’s Best Portable Speakers

2015’s Best Portable Speakers

The recent progress in technology has brought many changes and the audio entertainment industry is not getting left behind. Among the latest advancements in audio accessories are Portable Bluetooth Speakers, which are cordless and hassle free.


Fast Forward to Your Favorite Portable Speaker…
Viben’s VIB-101 Wireless Ultraportable Speaker | Sony Portable Speaker | Jawbone Jambox | Pyle PWPBT60GN | iHome Bluetooth Speaker | Bose Soundlink | JBL Charge Wireless Speaker | Boombotix Outdoor Portable Speaker | TDK Life on Record A33 (Weatherproof) | Logitech Boom


These speakers are easy to carry around and the quality of sound produced is surprisingly excellent. To make it even better, they are compatible with and can be used with multiple devices and applications.  

Stream your music to these portables speakers from devices like: iPhones (4, 4S, 5, 5C, 6, 6 plus), Android Phones, Samsung, Tablet PC’s, iPads, iPods w/ Bluetooth, Laptop Computers w/ Bluetooth, and many more.  Basically, if your device has Bluetooth, expect to easily pair that device with your speaker of choice and enjoy listening to all of your favorite tunes.

There are many Portable Bluetooth Speakers available in the market, to make it easier for you to decide on the best, we have provided a list of 2015’s 10 Best Bluetooth Speakers that you can buy from places like Amazon, eBay, or the manufacturer’s website.

1. VIB-101 BLUETOOTH PORTABLE SPEAKER

 VIB-101 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The VIB-101 Portable Bluetooth speaker by Viben is among the best speaker that you can buy in 2015. These speakers offer high quality sound and their suggested retail price is a budget friendly $59.99.

These high end speakers have a 40MM driver that produces excellent sound. They also have a microphone that produces terrific bass due to the quality LF diaphragm installed. Added features of the speakers include a rechargeable battery which allows up to 6 hours of standby, and there is a button to enable control of phone and tracks. The SIRI function on the speakers allows for hands-free conversation. They use the frequency range of 2.4GHz-2.48GHz. The Bluetooth transmission distance is up to 10 meters.

If you are planning to invest in a quality Bluetooth speaker, then VIB 101 is definitely among those that you should consider.  Shop VIBEN Here.

2. SONY RDHGTK37IP PORTABLE PARTY SYSTEM

Sony Bluetooth Speaker

This portable speaker is ideal for gatherings and parties where loud music is necessary. It can be paired with devices enabled with Bluetooth.

There is also a built-in LED connector that allows you to choose from 14 different options. These Bluetooth speakers allow you to charge your iPad or iPhone while listening to music. It is available at just around $289.

3. JAWBONE BIG JAMBOX

Jawbone Bluetooth Speaker

These Bluetooth wireless speakers from Jawbone deliver high quality sound. They are built with 5 frequency drivers which ensure clear and balanced sound.

They also have an added woofer which enhances your listening experience as well as improving the quality of sound. These speakers are available from $224 – $250.

4. PYLE PWPBT60GN

Pyle Bluetooth Speaker

This speaker is easy to carry around. It connects with all Bluetooth enabled devices. It has shock and splash resistant features which make it suitable to use near the beach, pool, and hiking among other outdoor activities.

5. IHOME ID50BZC

Ihome Bluetooth Speaker

The iHome Id50Bzc has more utilities. It functions as a charger, radio player, and alarm clock. It can work as a speaker phone or you can just connect it to Bluetooth enabled devices.

If you like playing radio you can also sync it with an iPhone clock and play AM/FM radio. It can charge iPods, iPads and phones. The Id50Bzc can cost between $117-$130.

6. BOSE SOUNDLINK MINI

Bose Bluetooth Speaker

Bose is among the best producers of speakers on the market. Their Soundlink Mini is among the best Bluetooth speakers that you can buy.

The price ranges from $200 to $250. This speaker has superior sound quality due to its 5 frequency drivers. The installed drivers enable the speaker to produce high quality, clear, and heavy sound. You will enjoy great quality sound in low, mid, and even at high volumes.

7. JBL CHARGE PORTABLE WIRELESS BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

JBL Bluetooth Speaker

It allows you to stream music from Bluetooth enabled devices as well as producing high quality audio. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that can provide up to 12 hours of stand by. It also allows you to enjoy full range sound, durable design, USB charging port, and LED indicator. Its price ranges from $134-$140.

8. BOOMBOTIX BOOMBOT REX

Boombot Bluetooth Speaker

This speaker comes with a smart look, noise cancelling mic, voice control options and a built-in clip which will enable you keep it safely in your pocket. It can sync with laptops, tablets, iPods and smartphones. It is also well designed to meet outdoor needs.

9. TDK LIFE ON RECORD A33 WEATHERPROOF WIRELESS BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

TDK Bluetooth SpeakerLogitech Bluetooth Speaker

This speaker is awesome and has several attractive features. The audio performance delivered is powerful and the device is weatherproof, so it offers distortion free sound. To ensure it achieves great portability, it has a rechargeable battery and flexible connectivity option.

10. LOGITECH ULTIMATE EARS BOOM

 

These speakers have a high rating due to their ability to offer phenomenal features even though they fall under a category of small speakers.

They have a cylindrical shape that allows sound distribution to all directions. They are easy to carry and they can offer Bluetooth transmission over an area of 50 feet. They allow connection to two devices simultaneously so more people can connect to a single device.

The cost ranges from $251 to $280. They can be paired with other Bluetooth speakers to produce a stereo effect.

Shop all Bluetooth portable speakers on Amazon

 

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: speakers

September 1, 2014 by vibexx

NEW Portable Bluetooth Speaker Now on Amazon

NEW Portable Bluetooth Speaker Now on Amazon

Our much anticipated VIB-101 Portable Bluetooth Speaker can now be found on Amazon.

Viben_Speaker_hand_v3

 

This model speaker is small, lightweight, and portable but boy does it pack a massive, LOUD, and bass rich sound.  You will be amazed that sound so loud can come out of something so small.

Viben Portable Bluetooth Speaker on Side

This device is an up and comer in the portable speaker space.  You have the speakers that cost several hundred dollars and then you have the sub $100 market.  Unfortunately, the sub $100 portable speaker market is littered with inferior devices and brands.  This speaker sets the bar for quality.

You will find that your search for the perfect sub $100 portable speaker system is satisfied once you experience the ease of use and high quality sound that comes out of the VIB-101 Bluetooth Portable Speaker.

Viben Speaker with Cords

Bluetooth Portable Speaker Features:

  • High-end Bluetooth speaker with microphone.
  • Soft housing, with metal speaker mesh.
  • 40MM driver delivers massive and rich sound.
  • Large speaker cavity inside for excellent sound effect.
  • LF diaphragm inside delivers outstanding bass.
  • Built-in rechargeable battery supports up to 6 hours’ playback time
  • Built-in microphone for hands-free phone calls.
  • Six buttons for controlling tracks on phone wirelessly.
  • SIRI function can be activated for hands-free conversation.
  • Easy connect to phones or other Bluetooth devices.
  • Can be used as a wired speaker.

Portable Bluetooth Speaker Specifications:

  • Dimensions:  64 (diameter) x 94 (height) MM
  • Weight:  215g (speaker only)
  • Speaker Driver:  mono, 40MM, 30hm
  • Speaker Output:  5W
  • LF Diaphragm Dimension:  50MM (diameter)
  • Frequency Response:  180Hz – 20KHz
  • Signal-to-Noise Ration:  >/- 80db
  • Distortion:  
  • Battery Life:  5-6 hours
  • Battery Charging Voltage:  5V (300mA)
  • Working Voltage:  3.3–5V
  • Battery Charging Time:  About 2 hours
  • Battery Capacity:  600 mAh
  • Interface:  Bluetooth, 3.5MM audio line-in jack, Micro USB charging port
  • Operating Frequency Range:  2.4GHz-2.48GHz
  • Bluetooth Transmission Distance:  10 meters
  • Bluetooth Compliant:  V3.0

Viben speaker back of box

Viben speaker front of box

Available in These Trusted Market Places:

Pick up your very own Viben Bluetooth Portable Speaker on Amazon.

Or… if you prefer to shop on eBay, get the Portable Bluetooth Speaker with FREE Shipping on eBay.

Also Now Available Right Here on the Viben Website.  Shop Now!

 

View the VIB-101 Bluetooth Portable Speaker User Manual

 

Filed Under: Products Tagged With: speakers

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