Summer is upon us and you want to enjoy music outside of your living room. Wireless speakers are the easiest way to make that happen. Whether you want a pair that works well with your iPod or stereo, can be left outside in all weather conditions, or indoors because you don’t like wires, here are the best choices for indoor and outdoor wireless speakers. Based off AudioReview, Amazon, and the Apple Store’s most purchased products and best reviewed speakers, the following are the top 5 (6 actually) wireless speakers available today.
AudioReview’s Top Wireless Speakers:
- Best overall sound – Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin Air
- Best sound with Bluetooth wireless – Audyssey South of Market
- Best all weather outdoor sound (and good looking, too!) – Audiovox AW825
- Best budget and iPod compatible – The Audio Unlimited SPK-VELO-003
- More portable – JAMBOX by Jawbone
- Great sound from short range system - JBL Control 2.4G On Air
Tips for Getting the Best Sound:
- Make sure the speaker frequency is different than your wireless phone and baby monitors
- A line of sight between the transmitter and speaker helps but isn’t 100% necessary
- For better bass performance place speakers near a wall or corner
- Have spare batteries on hand. Static from speakers could mean low batteries.
- If you have the option to plug the speakers into an outlet – do it – better power means better sound
Typically I’d say at this point, “This is by no means a definitive list”. Unfortunately, the reality is there are very few ’decent’ sounding wireless speaker options on the market at this time.  In fact most of them sound pretty awful.  But not these.  This is pretty much the best of the best.  If you completely disagree or have one to suggest, we welcome your comments. Another thing to note is that suggested list price does not always match street price.  Typically one can find these speakers for nearly a quarter to half off their MSRP.
| Audio Unlimited SPK-VELO-003 ~ $140 | |||
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| Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air ~ $599 | |||
| The new Zeppelin Air retains an iPod dock but it will only work with newer iPod and iPhones. The new dock taps directly into the iPod’s digital audio output thus allows Bowers & Wilkins to use a high end Analog Devices’ AD1936 digital to analog (DAC). The new Zeppelin Air will up convert all audio to 24bit 96kHz. Which if done well, and it sounds like it has been in the Zeppelin Air, can really increase the micro dynamic and mid range clarity of the music you are listening to.Multiple Zeppelin’s can be used to stream music to multiple rooms in a home or office, but the interface and features aren’t very user friendly. The unit is very easy to set up, though some users have had a bit of issue with the Wireless feature. Remember, the Zeppelin Air allows only 802.11g clients to connect to it. Make sure your router has that. |
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| JBL Control 2.4G Bookshelf Speakers – $349 | |||
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The JBL Control wireless speakers maybe in line for best sounding or at least top 5 in the wireless speaker game.  Very detailed sound and a spunky and active bass defy the common perception of wireless sound. These are more like conventional speakers in that they work best with in 15ft of the transmitter.  So these aren’t really hull them out side and listen to music on the deck speakers, unless the transmitter is near by.  Also if you find that your WiFi is slowing down and you have the ability, move the speakers away from your wireless router.
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| Jawbone JamBox ~ $200 | |||
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| Audyssey South of Market ~ $399 | |||
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Free yourself.  The new Audyssey takes your phone out of your pocket and puts it were it should be.  A good looking dock that display’s your most prized procession. The Audyssey sounds very good, rivals the B&W Zeppelin and the Bose Sounddock.  But it is so much more functional.  With 2 directional microphones, remote, 3.5 cables for connecting your MacBook. The sound from the Audyssey is stellar. With four separate amplifiers, probably class D digital amplifier, the sound is smooth and bass is robust. And it works with Bluetooth devices also.  Andriod and other phones near by can stream music to it.
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