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Anyone got any opinions on these?

Smart facilities not essential, but Bluetooth / WiFi connection to play music and radio is.
Portability not necessary.

Was looking at this; https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/symfonisk-wifi-bookshelf-speaker-white-60435207/

Anyone got one?
 
I've got the old wired version of these:

https://www.hifix.co.uk/audioengine-a2-wireless-powered-speakers-pair

They're exceptional.
 
The IKEA ones are rebadged Sonos ones IIRC that got good reviews (I think)..
 
Might be worth a check on gumtree for older amps and speaker sets? Often find 'audiophiles' selling decent branded stuff having upgraded. Could then use a bluetooth adapter as one of the inputs. Have derived great pleasure from a used rotel amp and wharfedale speakers I bought years ago for not a lot. No expert but sounds great to me and goes loud.
 
We got an ultimate ears megablast after sending a sonos one back after terrible connectivity and glitching.

The sound is great and incredibly surprising that it comes from this device! Sounds like a speaker 2 or 3 times it's size. We've been dead impressed. It's easily as good as the sonos we sent back (on the rare occasion it actually worked).
 
Another vote for the UE gear.
I've used the Megaboom for about 2 years and loved it. Great sound quality, excellent battery life (20 hrs+ at low to mid volume) and easy connectivity.
Recently upgraded to the Megablast, which is even better sound quality with richer bass and sharper treble and has Alexa built in. The battery isn't as good and it doesn't double as a phone speaker, but given I got it for £120 from Amazon rather than the £240 RRP, they are minor quibbles.

Both recommended.
 
Andy F said:
Another vote for the UE gear.
I've used the Megaboom for about 2 years and loved it. Great sound quality, excellent battery life (20 hrs+ at low to mid volume) and easy connectivity.
Recently upgraded to the Megablast, which is even better sound quality with richer bass and sharper treble and has Alexa built in. The battery isn't as good and it doesn't double as a phone speaker, but given I got it for £120 from Amazon rather than the £240 RRP, they are minor quibbles.

Both recommended.

Thanks for the replies all. Further details, this is actually a present for a parent.
A standalone speaker is definitely what I had in mind, amps and speaker sets are definitely out.
The UE one looks great and I'd consider getting it myself in the future, but they won't need anything portable or super loud. A horizontal orientation would also be preferable, hence looking at the IKEA one. If that's really a rebadged Sonos it'd be a bargain, but have seen quite a few reviews for Sonos saying that they are a pain to connect with or set up. Have also looked at the Echo plus 2nd generation and Echo third generation which look really good.
 
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/aug/12/ikea-symfonisk-speaker-review-sonos-on-the-cheap
 
I’ve had a Sonos One in the kitchen for 18+ months. It’s great. Have had maybe one or two connection issues, but no more than any other modern Bluetooth etc speaker.
 
cofe said:
I’ve had a Sonos One in the kitchen for 18+ months. It’s great. Have had maybe one or two connection issues, but no more than any other modern Bluetooth etc speaker.

Second Sonos, I had a first generation one, which has worked fine for many years,and is still nice sound. Its wi-fi, which I think is more convenient than bluetooth as it doesn't stop playing when you go upstairs for a pee!
 
Quad-ESL-57-advertisement-loudspeaker.jpg


I have Quad electrostatic speakers which sound quite good. They are fussy about matching with appropriate carpet and wallpaper though.
 
My grandfather gave me some sound advice on his deathbed.

He said money spent on decent speakers is never wasted.
 
I got a pair of Edifier R1010BT last year when the other half wanted some bluetooth speakers. Has both bluetooth and standard wired input. Currently listening to some jungle mix on it on them and think they are good for the money, bluetooth works fine, bass can be controlled seperately. Mine are all black so pretty standard color wise. Usually sit on a couple of shelves, but recently moved for the new home office. And they go plenty loud
:strongbench:

*edited because I forgot to put the speaker name in*
 
Bought some Cambridge Audio speakers 6-7 years back - and they’re distinctly average via headphone lead etc..

except they have a built in DAC - so if I run them off my PC via the USB cable they sound amazing.... They’re doing a great job in my home office/training/wall room at the moment.
 
TobyD said:
Thanks for the replies all. Further details, this is actually a present for a parent.

We've bought Ultimate Ears speakers for both my mother and mother in law. Really easy to set up and very easy to play music on, they are both on our Apple Music Family Account.

Only downside with bluetooth is that when you get a notification, it cuts into the music.
 
duncan said:
Quad-ESL-57-advertisement-loudspeaker.jpg


I have Quad electrostatic speakers which sound quite good. They are fussy about matching with appropriate carpet and wallpaper though.

My Dad currently has a set of them in at his shop for repair!
 
Any suggestions for best options for close to £100 (but would consider a bit more if worthwhile) at the moment? Something robust and waterproof appeals, but not essential. Anker one has just died (dropped), and can't be resurrected. Well not by me anyway.

Thanks.
 


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