Mains Powered Bluetooth (PC) Speaker

wildest_jjk · 13 Jul 2017 at 10:01

Hi all,

I've run out of space on my desk and have decided that a bluetooth speaker might be an alternative to connect my Windows 10 PC. I don't want to spend too much, not much more than £100.

Does anyone know of any mains powered bluetooth speakers that are reasonably good? All of the ones that I come across are portable and battery powered!

Thanks

Marsman · 13 Jul 2017 at 10:34

I wonder how many Bluetooth speakers use the mains or USB power, rather than battery when they are plugged in to charge?

If none, then it's going to be hard if not impossible to find a small Bluetooth speaker that runs solely off mains, because that defeats the purpose of the design. Bigger non portable speakers will use mains, but then size comes into question.

What space have you got to play with?

UnworthyBean · 13 Jul 2017 at 10:38

Just get one of the portable ones and leave it plugged in?

Probably have a difficult time finding a small one that's designed to be mains powered. Small ones are portable and therefore would need a battery to be portable.

wildest_jjk · 13 Jul 2017 at 10:56

Marsman said:
I wonder how many Bluetooth speakers use the mains or USB power, rather than battery when they are plugged in to charge?

If none, then it's going to be hard if not impossible to find a small Bluetooth speaker that runs solely off mains, because that defeats the purpose of the design. Bigger non portable speakers will use mains, but then size comes into question.

What space have you got to play with?

UnworthyBean said:
Just get one of the portable ones and leave it plugged in?

Probably have a difficult time finding a small one that's designed to be mains powered. Small ones are portable and therefore would need a battery to be portable.

Thanks all. I probably wasn't that clear but it doesn't have to be small and doesn't have to go on my desk. Just nearby will be sufficient. Are there larger mains powered bluetooth options?

Cheers

Things change I've changed · 13 Jul 2017 at 11:15

wildest_jjk said:
Thanks all. I probably wasn't that clear but it doesn't have to be small and doesn't have to go on my desk. Just nearby will be sufficient. Are there larger mains powered bluetooth options?

Cheers

Cambridge Audio Go?

It has a builtin in battery but can be mains powered, the design of this device seems more suited to sit at home on a desk or shelf, plenty of good reviews online, can be had for £99.99.

Marsman · 13 Jul 2017 at 11:23

wildest_jjk said:
Thanks all. I probably wasn't that clear but it doesn't have to be small and doesn't have to go on my desk. Just nearby will be sufficient. Are there larger mains powered bluetooth options?

Cheers

Cambridge Audio Go or Minx, that lowrider mentions, is a good speaker if you need small. If size is not so much of a constraint though, then you'll get better quality with larger speakers than you will with one that's designed to be portable; unless of course the portable Bluetooth speaker is considerably more expensive.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/edifier-r1280db-studio-bookshelf-speaker-sp-04d-er.html

If you can stretch the extra £20, they'd be a good choice. Bluetooth, optical connection and 2x RCA analogue inputs.

wildest_jjk · 13 Jul 2017 at 11:46

Thanks all, what is the difference between the Cambridge Audio Go and the Minx?

I will also take a look at the Edifier R1280db's but not sure where I can put them really! I currently have Edifier R1600T (I think) and they are on my desk currently. Due to changes in space I thought wireless and powered away from desk would be a better solution!

Marsman · 13 Jul 2017 at 12:49

If you have the R1600T, then no point in buying the 1280DB as well. You could just add a Bluetooth receiver to those if you wanted, rather than buy another set of speakers with Bluetooth built in.

As for the Go an Minx. I think the Go is the current one. Minx is not available any more. I wasn't sure what was current, so that's why I mentioned the Minx. There is G2 as well, which is £20 cheaper. After have a quick look at a review of the G2, the reviewer bemoans the lack of USB charging. It does have however, mains AC power, which could be what you're looking for.

wildest_jjk · 13 Jul 2017 at 13:40

Another solution could be a low profile sound bar? How would these compare to the Cambridge Audios?

If I had a sound bar I could connect up my TV and PC potentially?

Thanks!

Marsman · 13 Jul 2017 at 15:40

Hard to say how a £100 soundbar will compare to a £100 Bluetooth speaker. If you've got a Richer Sounds store in your area, go in and ask for a demo of the CA Go and a soundbar that's within your budget.