You may already have an awesome audio setup for your home theater. (If not – well, Hooked Up Installs’ friendly team of installation professionals can help!) If, however, you want to go beyond the four walls of your room and extend the listening experience to the outdoors, you might want to check out these sweet new portable speakers, each designed for outdoor home theater and on-the-go use:
(And don’t forget to check out our list of speaker docks that aren’t (just) for iPhones, iPods, and iPads!)
Philips SHOQBOX (SB 7200 Series)
The new Philips SB7220 SHOQBOX Wireless Portable Speaker is a rugged little thing. Just take a look at its design: an army-green-colored aluminum body supported by some heavy-duty rubber casing. Philips SHOQBOX is powered by two neodymium speakers, includes a built-in lithium battery for all-day listening (up to 8 hours), and works over Bluetooth to wirelessly stream audio from your Android and Apple devices.
Philips adds that the SHOQBOX is built to withstand splashes and drops, which makes the portable Bluetooth speaker a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts. (It’s also terrific if you just want to hang out by the backyard pool on a lazy weekend and listen to your favorite music.) Also included are: a built-in microphone that allows the SHOQBOX to work as a speaker phone; a swipe sensor that facilitates easy gesture control; and a voice prompt (available in multiple languages) that tells you if the speaker is connected properly to your device, and alerts you about how much battery juice you have left. (Price: TBA)
Outdoor Tech Turtle Shell Wireless Boombox
Previewed this year at the CES, Outdoor Technology’s Turtle Shell Wireless Boombox is another awesome choice of portable speakers for audio-loving outdoor adventurers. Like the Philip SHOQBOX, the Turtle Shell features wireless Bluetooth technology, and is designed for use in extreme conditions; it’s water-proof, shock-proof, and dust-resistant. (The sleek design makes it look pretty cool as an outdoor rock speaker, too.)
Another great thing about the Turtle Shell Wireless Boombox is that you can strap it on to your body (or your bike) when you’re in the mood for a soundtrack while on the go. It features 10 hours of playback, 240 hours of standby, and a mini-USB port if you want to plug in your device. (Price: $125)
X-mini KAI Capsule Speaker
X-mini is known for a range of portable audio products designed for “sound beyond size”, and its latest wireless offering, the KAI Capsule Speaker, is no different. As wonderfully portable as the rest of the speakers in the Singaporean manufacturer’s catalog (the dimensions are 50.0 mm X 62.0 mm), the X-mini KAI Capsule Speaker delivers superb audio performance over Bluetooth. It also features a built-in microphone, a 2.5W loudspeaker output, a playback time of up to 8 hours, and a Bluetooth dongle for connecting your wired audio products, devices, and speakers. (Price: $99)
Bang & Olufsen Beolit 12
If you want to go the high-end route, there’s the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 12, an impressive boxy little speaker system designed for AirPlay and direct USB playback from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. It actually looks like an ice box or picnic basket, but don’t mistake this portable audio offering for anything so light and casual. It features a Class D power amplifier (with unbelievable sound quality), a 2.1 speaker system (with 2×2” tweeter), USB and mini-jack ports, and a solid aluminum grill with a leather carrying strap that reflects the Beolit 12’s awesome portability and premium design and performance.
Have multiple Apple devices in your household? Worry not. The Bang and Olufsen Beolit 12 works for everyone with an iPhone – everyone, then, can be the party DJ – and all you have to do is wait for the song to finish, choose the speaker from any iPhone, and have your go at bringing the house down. (Price: $799)
