portable speaker

[zahc]

I'm looking for a portable speaker. Needs 3.5mm and Bluetooth input, but especially 3.5mm. The main purpose is a mini soundbar for my computer monitor, so I can use my monitor as a portable TV with my roku stick.  Headphone output would be a big bonus too since the roku stick doesn't have a headphone jack on the remote.

Buying these things online is hard because most reviewers have no perception of sound quality so they rate it A++++ GREAT SOUND WOULD BUY AGAIN even if it sounds like garbage. And then there's overpriced Bose etc. which isn't worth the premiums. Does anyone here have a portable speaker they like?

[Ben]

Watching this thread carefully.  I recently bought what I thought would be an awesome speaker for my living room both in looks (wood) and sound, with all your criteria. They must have paid those Amazon reviewers some good coin for those five star reviews, because I'm looking for a replacement.

I found an awesome speaker a few months ago that I'm using in my shop. It might be too "outdorsy" for your needs:

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Bluetooth-Speakers-Waterproof-Playtime/dp/B07QK824QM?ref_=ast_bbp_dp

[dogmush]

Feeling crafty?
https://youtu.be/a43LXqRwQC8

One of the guys here has one built on this basic concept, using one of those drivers, and it sounds really, really good. Punchy, full range sound. His is powered by a built in rc car battery pack instead of the removable cells, but he showed me this video as his inspiration.

It sounds good enough I'm building one this spring. I do better concrete work then this video shows, and have some form release

[MechAg94]

I have been using a JBL Charge4 over the last year or more with my phone at home.  It is working well and all the youtube shooting videos haven't blown it.  The smaller blue tooth speakers seem to have limited volume. 

Last time I shopped for computer speakers (a while back), you can get some pretty inexpensive speaker sets for computers that sound pretty good.  Depends on how picky you are about sound. 

[RoadKingLarry]

You could probably retrofit the Pelosi with those features but the output would still tend to make you want to gouge your ears out with a rusty fork.

[p12]

I have two of these and am very pleased.


Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Better Bass, 24-Hour Playtime, 66ft Bluetooth Range, IPX7 Water Resistance & Built-in Mic, Dual-Driver Wireless Speaker for Beach, Travel, Party- Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074NS9P2J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DWYpEb1X4KTJN

[Jamisjockey]

We have one of these and it's worked great for a while
https://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing-LifeJacket-Waterproof-Bluetooth/dp/B07G8JCH9S/ref=asc_df_B07G8JCH9S/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312039479427&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10741851025443495353&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007592&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-636421972466&psc=1

[Andiron]

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-SoundCore-Playtime-Bluetooth-Portable/dp/B016XTADG2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1T9CGHQCH8F6B&keywords=anker+portable+speaker+bluetooth&qid=1581222240&sprefix=anker+portable+sp%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFKV1QxSzJMUktHQjAmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxNjM0MzYzUFo0TkNHWUNMSEJXJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3ODc4MzgxQUg1VDhVRkhHWjRQJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I've had one of these and am pleased with it.  I'm no audiophile but the sounds is good and the battery lasts for days at a time.  No secondary headphone jack though.