ARP Posted September 23, 2018 Share Posted September 23, 2018 I needs a new one. Application: when I am at work and do not have passengers on my bus, I listen to my XM radio via a powered speaker. Trying to run the XM through the bus sound system does not work very well, have to rely on a XM radio docking device to send fm signal sent to fm receiver and then broadcast thru bus sound system. Sometimes I'll have a unit that has a jack and I can run a direct line to bus sound system, very rare on that application. I am using my third and final JBL flip 4 device, the battery is shot, won't hold a charge and have to always have the charger cord plugged in and even then something fails and I gotta shut the radio off and let the battery charge a bit before resuming. So I am looking for a better powered speaker than the JBL, I like the JBL sound output and tone, but the battery is the suck. I have tried cheaper units that sound tinny and low bass output. Sent them packing. Any suggestions of brands to look at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collim1 Posted September 23, 2018 Share Posted September 23, 2018 I’ve been using this one, Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II - Aquatic Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HETFPK4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_N0aQBbA44FPBR, for several years now with no issues. The sound quality is very very good for such a small speaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARP Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 2 hours ago, Collim1 said: I’ve been using this one, Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II - Aquatic Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HETFPK4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_N0aQBbA44FPBR, for several years now with no issues. The sound quality is very very good for such a small speaker. Hmmm....read a bunch of sour reviews that sounds like the battery life is worse than the JBL. Currently looking for my Walmart receipt, think I have had this unit less than a year. Here is what I am up against, the equipment I drive, it greatly varies in age by today's electronic standards. Our coaches are equipped with several power outlets near the drivers seat area. Almost all are cigarette plug type outlets, some are usb. This is just to power up my electronics (gps unit and xm radio), so I probably have 3 outlets and maybe 4 and I have a splitter that will give me enough outlets to run my stuff. My XM is NOT bluetoof, I need it to be a mini corded connection. I looked at the Bose, don't see that it has a jack for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wishoot Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 I've got a couple UE Boom's around the house. I've had them for a few years and I can get several hours of music out of them before they need to be recharged. Very good sound quality for their size and outstanding low-end in a small package. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collim1 Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) 10 minutes ago, ARP said: Hmmm....read a bunch of sour reviews that sounds like the battery life is worse than the JBL. Currently looking for my Walmart receipt, think I have had this unit less than a year. Here is what I am up against, the equipment I drive, it greatly varies in age by today's electronic standards. Our coaches are equipped with several power outlets near the drivers seat area. Almost all are cigarette plug type outlets, some are usb. This is just to power up my electronics (gps unit and xm radio), so I probably have 3 outlets and maybe 4 and I have a splitter that will give me enough outlets to run my stuff. My XM is NOT bluetoof, I need it to be a mini corded connection. I looked at the Bose, don't see that it has a jack for that. I’ve never used the JBL, so I can’t compare. I use the Bose around the house and on the boat, mainly to play Pandora through my phone. If battery life is a concern In theory you could use the aux cable port and have longer battery life compared to Bluetooth The battery life has always been adequate for me whether it’s an afternoon BBQ in the backyard or a day on the boat. Edited September 24, 2018 by Collim1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARP Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 6 minutes ago, Collim1 said: I’ve never used the JBL, so I can’t compare. I use the Bose around the house and on the boat, mainly to play Pandora through my phone. If battery life is a concern In theory you could use the aux cable port and have longer battery life compared to Bluetooth The battery life has always been adequate for me whether it’s an afternoon BBQ in the backyard or a day on the boat. So it has a mini jack port for a cable to run from speaker to mini jack port of the XM? My ear buds that I also run with the xm are Bose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collim1 Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 1 hour ago, ARP said: So it has a mini jack port for a cable to run from speaker to mini jack port of the XM? My ear buds that I also run with the xm are Bose. Yes. The one I have can link with blue tooth or aux cable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARP Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 May have to check my local Walmart to see if they have one, they have a small aray of Bose products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minderasr Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 I don't know what your budget is, but I have the Anker SoundCore Boost and love it. Decent battery life, with decent sound. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4V4X5M/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARP Posted September 25, 2018 Author Share Posted September 25, 2018 I have had some time this afternoon to rack my brain, stop by a Walmart, and surf amazon. What I have come up with so far is Cambridge Soundworks, Klipsch, Sony, are the ones I am looking at, all under $100 budget. Tons of reviews on the Cambridge unit. Many complaining about the blue toof clumsy sync up, not a concern of mine at all considering the application I plan to use. From reviews I read, the Cambridge and the Anker are on the same level of quality. Cambridge is about $40, Klipsch is $75, Sony $80. My dock station for my xm radio is crapping out too, gotta order one of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARP Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 So...found a bunch of youtube reviews of all the above mentioned units, I ordered the Cambridge unit. Watching the reviews trying to compare difference is a complete waste of time, I'm trying to compare sound thru a different set of speakers other than actual unit I'm reviewing. Unfortunately, there is no brick and mortar to go check these out. I'm sure the Cambridge unit will work out just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moeman Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 If you don’t need small or water proof but want great sound, real bass etc... Marshall https://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Kilburn-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B00ZY1J1JG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1537988510&sr=8-4&keywords=marshall+bluetooth+speakers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARP Posted September 28, 2018 Author Share Posted September 28, 2018 On 9/26/2018 at 3:11 PM, Moeman said: If you don’t need small or water proof but want great sound, real bass etc... Marshall https://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Kilburn-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B00ZY1J1JG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1537988510&sr=8-4&keywords=marshall+bluetooth+speakers too big and expensive for application. One of my passengers had one with them and I looked it over. I have to be able to have the speaker some where near my driver compartment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARP Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 Okay, i now have the Cambridge Soundworks....good to go, sound is a little less than the JBL, but $60 less, Ill keep it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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