If there is one thing we love here at Slick Motive, it’s a banging system to pump our favourite beats through. With a few of us here from a strong collective background in music production and sound engineering, it’s fair to say we know quality when we hear it. However, the way we listen to music is changing and so in this article, we explore some cool speakers making a lot of noise on the crib tech scene.

Modern speakers let you take your music on the go, whether it’s around the house or outdoors, the tech just keeps getting smarter. With features like Bluetooth LE audio that allows you to share music wirelessly from a single device to other Bluetooth speakers and headphones on the horizon, silent house parties are no longer something like science fiction.

So we did some digging and found some top speakers. Some of these speakers are wireless and can also be paired with voice assistance for ease of access using Google Assistant or Alexa. This allows them to double as ‘IoT’ devices that can also control other smart devices in your home.

1. Sonos Move

Now our love for the Sonos range comes as no surprise but the Sonos Move is the go-to party station that can be used as your main wireless speaker too and we love it. It comes with two dedicated quality drivers that pump out decent sound and an app that lets you control the speaker with a smartphone. Furthermore, the speaker is solid, looks great and features dope audio-tuning to make changes to its output based on its surroundings.

A slight downside of being so robust is that the speaker is slightly heavy for a Bluetooth speaker. All the features discussed above also mean that it has a slightly higher-end price tag that may be uncomfortable for individuals on a tight budget. But if you’re passionate enough about your music and really crave that wireless functionality, then the Sonos Move is among the best choices for speakers you could make in 2020. Simply put, you get what you pay for.

Pros

• Sounds amazing
• Looks great
• Incredible versatility
• Seamless Connectivity

Cons

• Heavy for a wireless speaker
• A little expensive
• Not portable

2. UE Boom 3

If you’re a beachgoer and need something exceptionally loud and portable to keep the party going, then the UE Boom3 may just do the trick! It’s wrapped up in IP67 waterproof fabric with a  slick design that’s easy on the eyes. It is also very light in weight and ergonomically shaped, making it very transportable.

It’s got good wireless audio connectivity with no issues when it comes to dropped connections or stuttering due to a whopping 50 feet range. You can increase the distance to a maximum of 100 feet provided there are no walls in between. The UE has a battery life of 15 hours, which is more than enough for a party in the park. It is worth noting that at the really high volume levels, the audio quality is compromised. However, only enough for the audiophiles amongst us to notice.

Pros

• Affordable
• Feature-rich with long range Bluetooth connectivity
• Long battery life
• Sleek design
• Portable

Cons

• Quality compromised when loud
  

3. Yamaha YAS-209

This is a smart soundbar with HDMI connectivity, Amazon Alexa, and a wireless subwoofer. It offers superior sound quality thanks to the implementation of DTS Virtual: X for that rich surround sound effect. What really stands out about this soundbar is the unparalleled sound quality. Most manufacturers often sacrifice quality in exchange for loudness which is why Dr. Dre came and changed the game.

The Yamaha YAS 209 lives up to its reputation and does not sacrifice quality – it is a Yamaha after all. Everything that the producer and artist want you to hear is audible and this totally changes the experience.

To make voice control easier for the average user, the YAS-209 features two microphones for use with Amazon Alexa. The main soundbar itself is about 37 inches by 2.5 inches, and will look beefy in any room setting. So make sure you have enough space. The subwoofer is a different beast that takes a considerable amount of space at 16 inches square and 7.5 inches wide. However, with great size, comes great power. The frequency range pumped by this speaker system is felt as well as heard and so the neighbors may not be too impressed when you turn it up.

Pros

• It’s feature-rich
• Amazing sound quality
• Versatile connectivity options
• Built-in Alexa

Cons

• Takes up a lot of space
• There is no on-screen display and the LEDs could have been bigger
• Expensive because… Yamaha
• Not portable
  

 4. Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2

The Elac B6.2 features a trendy retro design with nice attention to detail. It boasts a 6.5 inch aramid with a 1 inch silk dome tweeter. It stands at 7.69 inches by 14.76 inches by 10.55 inches and offers superior sound quality. It is definitely an update on the original Elac Debut B6 which we also liked. However, you’ll notice a good amount of reverberation and the midrange sounds more impressive.

The high frequencies are more carefully optimized in the B6.2 than its predecessor. So the bottom line: if you’re looking for a classic home cinema set up or just some good quality speakers on a budget, then the B6.2 won’t disappoint.

Pros

• Superior build quality
• Nice audio quality with good midrange
• Can be placed close to walls

Cons

• Big and bulky design
• Not portable