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  1. #1
    DF Admin maltloaf's Avatar
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    Help Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    Morning all,

    We are looking for some high-ish end Bluetooth speaker recommendations.

    We are running a Zeppelin Air in our living room but only a cruddy Bluetooth capable radio in the kitchen which is where the missus works during the day.

    We spent an hour in John Lewis yesterday annoying the staff pairing our phones to various speakers.

    We really liked the following ...

    Sonos Play 5 won on pure audio but it was by far the most expensive at £430
    Bose Soundtouch 20 the missus liked, which I think was £270
    Cambridge Audio A100 £229
    B&O A2 £299 impressive sound but seemed expensive for the size.

    Does anyone have any opinions on these or others ? I don't mind spending £400 on the right speaker but obviously would rather find a gem in the £200-300 bracket if it exists.

    Cheers,

    Malty
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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    I know audiophiles tend to look down on the 'designer' brands but I've always found Bose to be good even if it is over priced. There's a Bose outlet near me which often has discounted units that have been returned under their no questions asked returns policy, they are always new condition, tested and have full warranty. If you decided on that one feel free to message me so you can give the shop a call and if it's worthwhile for you I can pick it up and post. From memory, on more expensive speakers it's £50 off but you may find a third party retailer selling for that price or less.

    Thanks to evilsatan

    maltloaf (30th January 2017)  


  3. #3
    DF VIP Member darkstar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    Samsung r7 is very nice heard it in currys at 399 looks good as well

    http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/audio-a...33443-pdt.html

    Thanks to darkstar

    maltloaf (30th January 2017)  


  4. #4
    DF Admin maltloaf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    Quote Originally Posted by evilsatan View Post
    I know audiophiles tend to look down on the 'designer' brands but I've always found Bose to be good even if it is over priced. There's a Bose outlet near me which often has discounted units that have been returned under their no questions asked returns policy, they are always new condition, tested and have full warranty. If you decided on that one feel free to message me so you can give the shop a call and if it's worthwhile for you I can pick it up and post. From memory, on more expensive speakers it's £50 off but you may find a third party retailer selling for that price or less.
    Ive always liked Bose too. I had one of the original sound dock devices and was absolutely amazed at the room filling sound from such a small unit. I'll have a think thanks as we are definitely leaning towards the soundtouch 20 so far.

    Quote Originally Posted by darkstar View Post
    Samsung r7 is very nice heard it in currys at 399 looks good as well

    http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/audio-a...33443-pdt.html
    Had a listen to all the Samsungs and they didn't sound quite as effortless as the others I've mentioned. They seem a bit overpriced to me but you do get a year of Deezer with them. That might have swung me if I didn't already get Spotify with my phone contract...
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    darkstar (30th January 2017)  


  5. #5
    DF VIP Member darkstar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    It's 379 in Lewis's at the moment

    Thanks to darkstar

    maltloaf (30th January 2017)  


  6. #6
    DF VIP Member muttleymacclad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    We've got a sonos 1 now which is nice but my mini zeppelin still blows it away for sound quality. Only issue is its a bit crippled with the old 30pin connector or using airport expresses to wirelessly connect.

    Wife wants more sonos 1's around the house.

    Sent from my E6553 using Tapatalk
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  7. #7
    DF Admin maltloaf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    We have a zeppelin air which works with airplay or lightning connector. Love it and it's sound. We almost bought a soundlink 20 in currys this afternoon but they only had the display one and wouldn't knock any cash off.

    I had a listen to the sonos 1,3 & 5 in store. Thought the 5 was superb, 3 was good and 1 was ok. If I go sonos it will be 3 or 5.
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    muttleymacclad (30th January 2017)  


  8. #8
    DF VIP Member hoponbaby's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    I wouldn't discount the Sonos 1's - just use a couple of them

    Thanks to hoponbaby

    muttleymacclad (31st January 2017)  


  9. #9
    DF Super Moderator
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    Bit OT but it is something I have wondered for a while, aren't there any competitors to the Sonos? Their software is pretty cool if you have them around the house as you can zone areas for volume or what is playing and they create a mesh network so don't all have to be in range of the bridge/router. Only problem is how expensive it is to fill your house with them!! Obviously sound quality is an important factor so Chinese knockoffs may fall a bit flat if they do exist.


  10. #10
    DF Moderator EvilBoB's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    I have a B&W T7 : http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Wire...uk&fo_oid=4614

    Sound is amazing for such a small speaker and the charge lasts ages. No frills but good sound. Bought it from John Lewis for £260 last year on offer. Well worth a look
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    maltloaf (31st January 2017)  


  11. #11
    DF VIP Member TJB's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    Have you looked at the Harman Kardon Esquire 2? I've got one in my kitchen and can honestly say it gets the most use out of all the junk I've bought over the years. Sound quality is superb, holds charge for a decent length and also has a microphone for taking phone calls. Review here

    Thanks to TJB

    maltloaf (31st January 2017)  


  12. #12
    DF Admin maltloaf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for mid to high end Bluetooth speaker options please ?

    Yesterday we went for another look in store at John Lewis and we were quietly impressed with the sound quality of the UE megaboom plus they had one in on a no quibble return with a nice £70 discount on so we bought that. Got it home and it was faulty, wouldn't charge or turn on and googling for reset instructions showed that loads of people had issues with them so we returned it this morning, walked straight to the Bose shop and bought the one we had been thinking of all the way through, the soundtouch 20 S3. Very happy with it so far.
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