The portable amplified speaker is the new companion of artists. It allows you to ensure a personalized sound wherever you go, without having worries related to connectivity or power supply. To do this, you need to choose the right model, one that really meets your needs and fits your budget. This guide will help you find the best portable powered speaker.
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Our selection
"As one of Sony's best powered speakers, the GTK-XB5 delivers deep, immersive sound that will blow your mind and set the tone for your holiday…"
"Enjoy all the benefits of the Party PARTY-8LED. This portable speaker is easy to move, compact and delivers sound that will delight your ears. Best…"
"The Sonos Move White is true to the American brand's reputation. This amplified speaker produces deep, accurate sound that will allow you to work, but…"
"By delivering a power of 700 W, the Ibiza PORT12VHF-BT is among the most powerful portable amplified speakers for domestic use on the market. The…"
As one of Sony's best powered speakers, the GTK-XB5 delivers deep, immersive sound that will blow your mind and set the tone for your holiday parties. It's perfectly portable, so you'll have no problem moving it around.
See priceThe Sony GTK-XB5 has everything it takes to be one of the best portable powered speakers on the market. Equipped with 13 cm speakers, it delivers a very high quality sound. The extra bass function allows you to boost the bass for an even more immersive atmosphere at your parties. The LEDs placed around the box will take care of the lighting atmosphere.
You'll have no trouble moving this speaker from one place to another. It is light and the connections are easy to make, the back panel being easily accessible.
Enjoy all the benefits of the Party PARTY-8LED. This portable speaker is easy to move, compact and delivers sound that will delight your ears. Best of all, it comes at a very affordable price.
See priceWith its telescopic handle and wheels, the Party PARTY-8LED is made to be moved from one place to another. The amplified speaker is also very light. The device offers full connectivity including a USB port and a micro SD card slot. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth with other devices.
The sound quality is satisfactory with a power announced of 300 W. The Party PARTY-8LED is particularly affordable. The speaker however offers you some appreciable bonuses like the remote control or the very pleasant play of light.
The Sonos Move White is true to the American brand's reputation. This amplified speaker produces deep, accurate sound that will allow you to work, but also enjoy listening to your favorite songs.
See the priceAccompanied by 2 Class D digital amplifiers, the Sonos Move White has what it takes to enhance your evenings and parties with a high-quality sound system. The sound produced is clean and punchy thanks to an innovative amplification technology. Installation takes just a few minutes. This space-saving powered speaker is easy to set up.
The calibration of the Sonos Move is done automatically, the device can be connected via Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth. Its IP56 certification allows it to be used on the move. You can take it to the poolside or even to the beach. You won't have to worry about the quality of the Sonos Move White. This is a high-end amplified multi-room speaker that can support over fifty online music services. It is also compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa voice controls.
By delivering a power of 700 W, the Ibiza PORT12VHF-BT is among the most powerful portable amplified speakers for domestic use on the market. The model also brings a panoply of functionalities which largely facilitate its use.
See priceThe Ibiza PORT12VHF-BT is not a simple portable amplified speaker. It is a complete sound kit. The speaker is accompanied by a microphone, a wireless headset and a remote control. All you have to do is set up your instruments or your console to produce your sound in front of a small audience.
In terms of connectivity, the Ibiza PORT12VHF-BT offers two 6.5 mm jack inputs, a 3.5 mm jack input, a line input, a USB port and an RCA output. Wireless, it has Bluetooth connectivity. You won't be disappointed with the sound. This model boasts 700W of power making it one of the most powerful home speakers on the market.
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The best portable powered speaker in 2021
The best entry-level portable powered speaker
The best high-end portable powered speaker
The most powerful portable powered speaker for home use
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| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
8/10 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Sony GTK-XB5
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Party PARTY-8LED
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Sonos Move White
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Ibiza PORT12VHF-BT
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As one of Sony's best powered speakers, the GTK-XB5 delivers deep, immersive sound that will blow your mind and set the tone for your holiday parties. It's perfectly portable, so you'll have no problem moving it around.
|
Enjoy all the benefits of the Party PARTY-8LED. This portable speaker is easy to move, compact and delivers sound that will delight your ears. Best of all, it comes at a very affordable price.
|
The Sonos Move White is true to the American brand's reputation. This amplified speaker produces deep, accurate sound that will allow you to work, but also enjoy listening to your favorite songs.
|
By delivering a power of 700 W, the Ibiza PORT12VHF-BT is among the most powerful portable amplified speakers for domestic use on the market. The model also brings a panoply of functionalities which largely facilitate its use.
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Power
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200 W
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300 W
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-
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700 W
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Connectivity
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Bluetooth, NFC
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Bluetooth
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Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and Bluetooth
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Bluetooth
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Audio In/out
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RCA, RCA Party Chain
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USB, micro SD slot, Line-in
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Input: 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz, 1.2
ASoutput: 18 V continuous, 2.5 A |
SD, USB, RCA, Jack
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Rechargeable battery
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No, power from mains outlet
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2 x Lithium Ion 18650 / 3.7 V x 2
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Yes, 36 Wh, 10 hours per charge
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12 V / 4.5 Ah
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Weight
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7 kg
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5 kg
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3 kg
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13 kg
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The choice of power will depend on the size of the audience. To play in a large room, you will need more than 600 W. However, 300 W would be enough to cover a small room or a small open space. Some models can display a power of up to 750 W. Be careful, this power is independent of the RMS power which is much less important. It is however the most important power factor. In general, the portable amplified speakers available on the market display an RMS power varying between 100 W and 300 W.
The choice of a portable amplified speaker depends intrinsically on its use. It would be superfluous to buy a professional model that costs a lot of money when you only use it to practice at home. However, this same model will be indispensable if you are a professional artist who plays in front of a large audience. This will have a major impact on your budget.
The portable amplified speaker is first and foremost an audio equipment. It must therefore provide a sound that meets your requirements and your artistic tastes. The sound rendering is therefore an essential criterion of choice. Equalizers, audio mode... are part of the onboard features that help you customize the sound of a portable powered speaker. So go for the models that offer the most options and customization tools.
In
addition to the usual audio connectivity (RCA, XLR, Jack...) take into account the modern connectivity on your portable powered speaker. This includes USB ports and memory card slots
. Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) is a major asset and can make it easy to use the equipment with your musical instruments, computers and smartphones. It also ensures the portable nature of the equipment.
Depending on the location and the sound you need to produce, you should set up your portable powered speaker very regularly. An easy-to-handle and accessible control panel will make your job much easier. Some models now come with touchscreens in addition to the usual control panel. Consider also the possibilities of using it in combination with a mobile application or software. This will greatly expand the possibilities in terms of setting up and controlling the portable powered speaker.
The portable powered speaker is designed to be easy to use. So don't worry about having to deal with complicated operations even if you're new to using this type of audio equipment. But to avoid any mistake, always read the instructions before using your portable powered speaker.
Also remember to charge the battery according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once the battery is fully charged, you can start using it. Then pair the speaker with your smartphone or other source.
When the light indicates a low battery level, recharge your speaker according to the charging schedule and using the proper equipment.
Some manufacturers offer waterproof portable powered speakers. This means they are splash and moisture resistant. In any case, it's a good idea to always protect your speaker from any liquid that could cause short circuits.
Like all speakers, amplified speakers have a wireless connection. This can be done via Bluetooth or Wifi. The type of connectivity allows us to differentiate them.
Bluetooth is the most common technology used on portable powered speakers. It is convenient and available on most other connected devices such as smartphones, touch tablets and even laptops. Pairing is very easy.
Note, however, that Bluetooth offers a relatively low data rate, which increases the risk of latency. Its range is also much more limited. You should therefore keep the source device close by for the connection to be properly established. Note, however, that portable Bluetooth powered speakers are the most affordable.
The portable Bluetooth powered speaker is perfect for home use
. Of course, you can also use it elsewhere, as long as the distance between the speaker and the source remains limited.
This is the
newest type of portable powered speaker. They can be connected via a Wifi network to directly access data stored online such as on various streaming services. They therefore offer a much wider range of use and reach. The risks of latency are also reduced thanks to the increasingly powerful Wifi technology.
A portable Wifi speaker usually includes Bluetooth connectivity. Price is the only notable drawback to this type of powered speaker. Connected models generally cost more.
The portable wifi powered speaker is undoubtedly better. It offers more features including that of a Bluetooth speaker. It can be used by all people, simple listeners or professionals, who want to equip themselves with a modern and powerful speaker.
The portable amplified speaker is characterized by the presence of a built-in amplifier. It is also called an active speaker. It is therefore no longer necessary to install another amplifier for the speaker to reproduce the sound signal emitted by the source.
There is no power loss since the speakers and amplifier are placed side by side, only a few centimetres apart. The portable amplified speaker is therefore versatile and adapts easily to the constraints imposed by the room or space to be sounded.
The portable passive speaker has no amplifier. Therefore, an amplifier must be installed between the source and the speaker. You are free to choose the right amplifier. However, this involves more expense.
This type of loudspeaker is especially suitable for permanent installation. The installation of the entire system can be time-consuming if it is moved regularly. It is also important to keep the length of the cable between the amplifier and the loudspeaker as short as possible in order to limit power loss.
If you are installing your audio system in a fixed location, the passive speaker is a good option. You could choose the amp that best suits your requirements. But if you want to take full advantage of the portable nature of your speaker, an active model is more interesting. You'll enjoy quick and easy installation and keep power loss to a minimum.
Connect a microphone to your portable amplified speaker with a suitable cable
To make a successful connection, all you need to do is use the right cable. A microphone is usually connected to a portable powered speaker using an XLR or jack cable. When connecting, turn the volume to the lowest setting.
Connect multiple portable powered speakers
Powered speakers are designed to be connected to other satellites. The presence of an amplifier makes it much easier to manage several speakers at the same time. All you need is several RCA or XLR cables, depending on the connectivity of the models, to make a successful connection.
Turn off the portable powered speaker before changing connections
Before
changing connections on your portable amplified speaker, always remember to turn it off. This will avoid the risk of damage due to a sudden change in frequency.
Use the right cables
Always
use
a cable adapted to the connection of your portable amplified speaker. In case of incompatibility, you can use dedicated adapters to successfully connect the speaker with other audio devices.
Avoid power strips whenever possible
If
possible, use a single AC outlet to power your portable powered speaker. If you plug it into a power strip, there will be a greater chance of electrical interference.
The best portable powered speaker depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find the best products out there.
Yes, in the vast majority of cases, portable powered speakers can be placed outdoors. Note, however, that the power must be adapted to the size of the space to be soundproofed in order to obtain a good acoustic performance. There are models specially designed for outdoor use.
In general, the use of a mixer goes hand in hand with the use of an amplified speaker. The connection of the mixer will be made at the FX Send output. You should then mount the entire FX pot. A Jack-RCA connection is also possible.
If you work on sound (mixing or mastering), you can use an amplified speaker. In this case, you should choose an active speaker especially dedicated to monitoring. It emits a neutral and uncolored sound that will be very useful during mixing.
Professionals usually use amplified speakers in pairs. This is not a rule, however. It depends on your space and budget, and your sound requirements. So it's possible to use a single portable powered speaker if it can meet your needs.
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