The new speaker sets the mood with lighting framed in a white or black cabinet. Photo: Edifier
Edifier’s new QD35 Tabletop Bluetooth Speaker boasts an unusual combination of features: high-resolution audio playback, pulsating lights and a digital clock.
Oh, and it also offers full-time gallium nitride-powered charging for other devices. So it appears to be a curious but useful — not to mention cool-looking — beast.
This mecha is really a 65W three-port charger for your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Photo: GravaStar
There’s no reason your USB-C charger has to be dull. Rather than being the usual white or black box, GravaStar’s Alpha65 looks like a miniature robot. But it really is a 65W charger with multiple USB ports.
And the company’s Supernova is both a Bluetooth speaker and a portable lantern even though it looks like a mini mecha.
The new Middleton carries some heft, but it's still portable. Photo: Marshall
Legendary in rock’n’roll history for its Marshall stacks of amplifiers, the English company recently added a rugged Bluetooth speaker to the top of its growing lineup — the Middleton.
Like Marshall’s other portable wireless speakers — which all have proper English names, by the way — it looks like a guitar amp.
And this top-of-the-line number not only “goes to 11,” but it’s weatherproof and features multidirectional sound, too.
Is the new HomePod really that different from the 2018 HomePod? Yes and no. Photo: Apple
Now that the full-size HomePod is finally back, just how different is it from Apple’s original smart speaker? At a glance, you might not think the $299 speaker Apple unveiled Wednesday is that different at all, because the exterior design looks so similar. But compare the new HomePod’s features to the old model, and you’ll find significant changes.
It seems potentially much-improved as a smart home device, but whether it’s a better speaker is questionable.
★★★★☆
This portable Bluetooth speaker from Victrola provides big sound is small package. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Victrola Music Edition 1 is ready to go into a backpack to liven up a study session or even a small get together. Or just use it in your home for better quality music or podcasts than an iPhone alone can provide. And it’s ready to be used indoors or out.
I tested the portable Bluetooth speaker in my house and at a gathering of friends. Here’s why I like it.
★★★★☆
The Victrola Music Edition 2 looks good and sounds good. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Victrola probably isn’t the first name that leaps to mind when you’re shopping for speakers – it’s a company that built its reputation on the phonograph. But great-grandpa would be amazed because the company is keeping up with the times and recently launched the Victrola Music Edition 2, a great-looking Bluetooth speaker suited for small parties or outdoor gatherings. Plus it has some nice extras, like a wireless charger.
I tested the speaker with my iPhone 13 Plus – here’s why I’m quite pleased with it.
★★★★☆
This handsome speaker offers high-quality sound at an attractive price. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
If you’re looking for quality audio at an affordable price, you can certainly do much worse than Edifier products. The Chinese company consistently comes across with great value, and that’s the case with the Edifier MS50A powered wireless smart speaker.
The company sent me one of the handsome, wood-paneled speakers to test out. Though it’s not the smartest smart speaker on the block, it looks and sounds great for the price. I’ll get into more detail below.
Victrola Music Edition 2 Bluetooth speaker is ready for parties, and includes an iPhone wireless charger. Photo: Victrola
Victrola, a company that built its reputation on the phonograph, is keeping up with the times by launching a pair of stylish, portable Bluetooth speakers on Tuesday.
The Victrola’s Music Edition speakers are designed to look good indoors but can also stand up to the elements when used in the yard or by the pool.
★★★★★
The Scoshe BoomCan MS pumps out outstanding sound for the size and price. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Scoshe BoomCan MS sticks to the back of a MagSafe iPhone and ups the sound quality considerably. The palm-size Bluetooth speaker magnetically attaches to recent Apple handsets where it also act as a kickstand or a handle. And it’s waterproof and dustproof.
I’ve been using the BoomCan MS for a few weeks… and I love it.
★★★★☆
Those bits on the end press in and out, as if moved by waves of bass. But they only seemed to move when actually pushed. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
The Soundcore Motion Boom Plus is a powerful, portable outdoor speaker you might want to nab before summer’s over. The boombox-style Bluetooth speaker brings the brawn — 80 watts of power — along with a bit more heft than some competitors.
When you factor in the excellent sound quality, some sporty features and the relatively low price of $179.99, it’s a worthy choice for outdoor use. Some folks might even use it indoors, but many never would because of its black plastic design. It might look at home in a college dorm, but probably not in most living rooms.