Lines
A band is a specific part of the frequency range reproduced by an acoustic system. In single-way acoustics, only universal speakers are used that are responsible for the entire operating range. The presence of several bands means the use of specialized speakers, “tailored” to certain frequencies: for example, in two-way speakers, separate high-frequency “tweeters” are most often provided, and in three-way speakers the frequencies are divided into low, medium and high.
For different frequencies, the optimal speaker design will also be different; thus, the multi-band design allows for better sound quality. On the other hand, single-way speakers are lighter, more compact and less expensive. This is exactly what most portable speakers are, since Hi-Fi sound is not alien to them.
Signal-to-noise ratio
The ratio of the level of the useful signal (the actual sound being reproduced) to the level of extraneous noise provided by the speaker amplifier in normal mode.
Any amplifier inevitably creates its own noise; You cannot get rid of them, but you can reduce their level. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the cleaner the sound will be, the less noticeable extraneous interference will be. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the signal-to-noise ratio is far from the only parameter that affects sound quality, and its high value does not guarantee pleasant sound from the speakers.
Passive emitter
The presence of a
passive radiator in the design of the speaker system.
Such an emitter is a speaker cone that does not have its own coil and magnet — in other words, it does not produce sound itself, but only vibrates from the sound of other speakers. Like the phase inverter (see above), this part is intended to improve sound pressure and sound depth, especially at low frequencies; at the same time, the advantage of a passive radiator is the absence of a tube, due to which the design is simpler and more compact than with a phase inverter.
Output power
The total power of all channels of the speaker system. The higher the power, the larger the size of the room in which the audio system can be used, however, more
powerful portable speakers usually have larger dimensions and weight.
Battery capacity
Theoretically, a
higher capacity allows to achieve greater battery life, but in fact, the operating time also depends on the power consumption of acoustics — and it can be very different, depending on the characteristics and design features. So this parameter is secondary, and when choosing it is worth paying attention not so much to the battery capacity, but to the directly claimed operating time (see below).
Waterproof
The presence in the design of the acoustics of
a protected housing that prevents dust and moisture from entering the sensitive electronic filling. The specific degree of such protection in different models may be different — some speakers are able to endure even complete immersion under water (
waterproof), others are designed only for exposure to moderate rain. Therefore, the specifics of the protected case should be clarified separately according to the manufacturer's official data. However, anyway, such speakers will be more resistant to bad weather and better suited for outdoor use than those that do not have dust and water protection; therefore, if you are choosing acoustics for outdoor trips, it makes sense to pay attention to models with this function.
Some models with this feature are officially IP certified. The IP index includes two digits — for example, IP54. The first digit indicates the degree of protection against dust, the second — from moisture; the higher the number, the higher the corresponding degree of protection, detailed data can be found in special sources.
Material
The main material used in the construction of the hull.
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Plastic. Inexpensive and at the same time very convenient material for portable acoustics. Plastic easily accepts a variety of colours and complex shapes; the latter not only gives space to designers, creating
speakers of unusual design, but also allows you to apply various tricks to improve sound quality. In addition, this material is not afraid of moisture. It is believed that the strength of plastic is not very high, but this disadvantage is easily compensated by the large thickness of the material or the use of special impact-resistant grades. Therefore, plastic is found in all categories of speakers, from low-cost to high-end and from "home" to extreme, designed for an active lifestyle and frequent outdoor use.
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Metal. The metal gives the speakers a solid and expensive appearance, and on the practical side, this material is remarkable primarily for its high strength. At the same time, it is much more expensive than plastic — also due to the fact that manufacturers have to use shock-absorbing inserts and other tricks to avoid an unpleasant "metallic" coloration of the sound; and the mentioned strength is most often not critical. Therefore, metal cases are much less common than plastic cases, mainly in rather expensive portable acoustics.
— Silicone. Relatively soft and elastic mate
...rial, not afraid of moisture. Suitable for creating dust, moisture and shock-proof speakers; in addition, it is convenient for models with suction cups (see above) — the part of the body that has the appropriate shape can play the role of a suction cup directly. At the same time, silicone has no other noticeable advantages over plastic, so its use is limited to specific models of portable acoustics.
— Rubber. For a number of reasons, rubber is considered well suited for models with dust and water protection, almost all speakers made of this material are protected. In addition, due to the softness of the rubber provides good shockproof properties.
— Wood. Wood is considered the optimal material for speaker cabinets in terms of acoustics. However, the specificity of portable speakers is such that this moment is not decisive in this case, and the main advantage of wooden cases over others (primarily plastic ones) is their aesthetic appearance, with characteristic colours and patterns. In addition, many consider wood a more pleasant to the touch and “natural” material. But this option does not have any special practical advantages, despite the fact that it is quite expensive. As a result, portable speakers with wooden cases are rare — they are mostly designer models created based on the original design.
