Would like a good sounding portable speaker.

[HappydaysArehere]

Would be grateful for any help. I would like a speaker that I can take around the house, kitchen etc which Is Bluetooth enabled so I can play music from my iPad. I have a really nice sounding Robertson radio which is set up in one room which works well but would like a really nice sounding speaker to move around. I have seen small Bluetooth speakers advertised such as UE and Bose but would like to have a nice rounded sound rather than anything tinny. Has anyone had experience of any of these? Or does anyone have anything to suggest?

[Sweetpea302]

I have a small Bluetooth Bose one and it’s amazing. Seriously impressive sound, especially given how small it is!

[Dafspunk]

Bose!

[rizlett]

Bose. A-maze-ing.

[bumpertobumper]

Minirig.
excellent quality, well priced, can connect them together if you want more than one for bigger sound.
Look it up...

[HappydaysArehere]

Sweetpea, could you tell me which model you have? Also, how does it charge up and can you regulate the sound - higher, lower? Was it very expensive? Sorry to give you so much to answer but am very grateful.
Also thank you Dafspunk and rizlett Perhaps you might also be able to tell me which models you have.
Bumpertobumper,will also look up your suggestion. Thank you so much for replying.

[Alison175]

Bose every time, had 2 Sony’s both had to be refunded by curry’s

[rizlett]

Mine is the Soundlink II - it has a base so that if you do run out of battery life you can still use it. You can also use it with different devices [my dp and mine] as it will recognise them both and tell you which one its connecting to.

Sound quality is ace.

I got a good deal too [cheaper than amazon] - will see if i can find it - i've had it about 8 months now.

[Bluntness100]

We also have the Bose mini sound link. It’s really good, you can use it on its base or simply move it around without it. It charges in the Base. Sound is great.

[ottolinemorel]

Hijacking slightly - how does amazon echo compare with a bose mini? Tempted by the price point and voice activation of the echo but am an absolute stickler for sound quality...

[CarlHickbread]

Another one for the Bose Mini Soundlink, we’ve had ours for about 4 years now and it’s still great! Think I paid about £180 for it but I’ve seen them for cheaper lately.

[burntoutmum]

My 14 year has just bought a Sony srs-xb20. (Extra bass speaker)

[Bluntness100]

I’ve only the echo dot, so clearly no comparison, but for the price points I can’t imagine the full size echo will compare. If you think about it, the speaker element on the full size echo, costs fifty quid max, when you subtract the price of the dot, compared to four times that for the mini sound link.

[HappydaysArehere]

Thank you all for replying. I have looked up the Bose sound link/colour 2. It costs £129.95 at the moment at John Lewis. I am going up there as soon as poss. I wonder if there is any Black Friday deal! I am really grateful for your input (and for the other suggestions). I was in a quandary so,you have been an enormous help.

[HeyMacWey]

I've recently bought an Anker speaker to move the home and for the price it had a good sound.
Much cheaper than bose. They have a few different styles - one looks like a bose speaker.
They sell through amazon.

[Sweetpea302]

Hi OP - sorry for the delay in my reply. I have the Bose Soundlink 2 - the one you’ve found in JL. You can control the sound on the unit, or through your phone. It charges though a cable that I think is the same as that used for Kindles and non iPhone phones. Hope that helps!

[biffyboom]

Another for Bose soundlink. They are really good quality.

[InaholewithanOwl]

B&W T7 is great - have had one for 3 years now and it is on constantly. No distortion at any volume and just as good quietly playing by the bed as it is blasting out at a beach party. Very solid construction and a more unusual brand.

[nutgrabber]

Well worth looking at this link to decide what your priorities are in terms of portability, sound quality, ruggedness and battery life. www.techradar.com/news/audio/portable-audio/10-best-portable-speakers-1069079

It might also be worthwhile checking out some airplay speakers given you are using an iPad.

[buckeejit]

Another apology but didn’t want to start a new thread-I’m after a speaker for kitchen/diner to link in with echo dot-don’t think I need portability or much else fancy though may very occasionally move it to another room for better sound.

Is the Bose 2 soundlink the best for me or is anything close significantly cheaper?

I’m terrible at decision making & not clued up on the tech side! Many thanks

[HappydaysArehere]

I have tried the John Lewis site and found no sign of the Bose sound link mini which I liked the look of. However, they do stock the Bose sound link colour 11 which is coloured and I think covered in something which looks rubbery! My concern is whether the sound is as good as the mini 1l. I came across the BW T7 but was concerned about the price which was £300 - ummmm! I can’t get up to JL until Friday but hope they will have some demonstrations available. Thank you all for your help. You have been great.

[rizlett]

Currys usually have them and others in stock and available for a demo - even if you don't buy from there but get it cheaper elsewhere.

[HappydaysArehere]

Just seen on the Amazon website that Bose no longer manufacture the sound link mini. Hence the difficulty finding one. Curry’s web site shows this in their heading but it cannot be found when you get into it. They too are offering substitutes.

[rizlett]

Maybe the soundlink II is outdated now - people want waterproof ones?

I'd imagine their new one is just as good sound and quality wise.

[I also remembered it was my headphones I got from elsewhere - my speaker came from amazon.]

[UnwiseOldElf]

We have a JBL Flip4 and it’s brilliant. Great sound and waterproof.

[HappydaysArehere]

Well folks! Managed to get to JL this morning. Heard the Bose Soundlink Colour 11. It sounded great. Couldn’t believe the power of the sound from that little box. Have charged it up and linked it instantly with my iPad. My only disappointment was that I had to put it away as my dh has bought it as a Christmas present and I know he wants to wrap it up. So I must wait but meanwhile I will be adding to my music collection! I felt I should just check that there were no problems with it. Looking forward to getting Christmas dinner ready to a swinging music accompaniment. Thank you everyone for recommending it and thank you for your other suggestions. You are all so very kind.