Speakers have come a long way since their early days when served as accessories to the bulky desktop or the cutting-edge cassette players in your home.
Today, Speakers and Media Players are an integral part of our lives. Whether we’re watching a movie on the Laptop or TV, listening to music while going about our chores, or taking a work call, the right Speaker can make all the difference. Here’s how to choose the perfect Speaker and Media Player.
Choose the Right Speaker for the Right Jam
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If you like to carry your music with you – from the living room to the bedroom to the swimming pool and on your trek, you could do with Portable Speakers.
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However, if you’re keen on a cinematic listening experience, Multi-channel Speaker systems are for you.
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Whereas Smart Speakers are a great option for those of you looking for a home Speaker solution.
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How good your Speaker sound is, depends on the size of your room and how it is designed.
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Soft surfaces like curtains or carpeting help with sound absorption and diffusion. If done right these can augment the Speaker sound.
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Similarly, how the pieces of furniture are placed in the room also play an important role in how the sound bounces off and how the Speaker sounds.
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It is recommended to place bass modules centrally under the TV. Main Speakers should be placed equidistant on either side, and smaller Speakers should be placed six feet apart, around the room.
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Portable Speakers aren’t tied to a particular spot in your house. All they need is a full charge and you can pretty much carry them around wherever you want.
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The audio experience is subjective. What’s music to one person may be noise to another.
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It is best to test the Speakers you’re looking to buy so you know exactly how they sound.
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Walk into your nearest Croma store to experience the best Speaker options available before you make your choice.
Portable and Wireless Speakers
Carry Your Sound Wherever You Go
Portable Speakers are great when you’re looking for a device that doesn’t take a lot to set up, can be carried around wherever you go, and also delivers great sound.
Because they are lightweight and compact, Portable and Wireless Speakers can be easily used outdoors.
Several Portable Speakers are also water resistant, dust resistance, and rust resistance, making them ideal for, say, a pool party or an evening by the beach.
What Should You Consider While Buying a Portable Speaker?
Connectivity and Compatibility
Ensure that the connectivity options that the Speakers provide are adequate and that they’re compatible with your Smartphone/Laptop/Tablet.
Design and Aesthetic
When it comes to Portable Speakers, size matters. Portable Speakers come in all shapes and sizes and the best Portable Speaker is the one that you can carry around without breaking into a sweat.
Audio Output
Obviously, the audio output of a Portable Speaker matters. You wouldn’t want your Speakers to ruin your vibe because they’re not powerful enough for your jam. The higher the Watts on your Speaker, the louder and richer it will sound.
Playtime and Charging Time
You don’t want your Portable Speaker to die on you, mid-party. Battery life is critical to your experience so make sure to check the playback and charging time, so you are never out of fun.
Smart Speakers
Smart Speakers have grown increasingly popular amongst Indian consumers, providing a central hub in the home to control various smart home appliances with ease. Connect your Smart Speakers wirelessly to devices around the house, be it a phone, a TV, or even a fridge. With voice assistant integration, now you can control all these appliances simply by talking to the Smart Speaker.
What Are the Key Benefits of a Smart Speaker?
Hands-free control; Voice assistant support
What are the Features To Look for While Buying Smart Speakers?
Microphone quality
Multiple microphones and 360-degree audio drastically improve the ease of use for Smart Speakers, where most of the interaction occurs via voice.
Compatibility
Ensure that your Smart Speaker is compatible with your Smartphone’s OS to ensure a smooth user experience.
Connectivity
Wireless connectivity is available in the form of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. Ports and slots like HDMI, USB, and Aux input, as per your requirements.
Voice Assistant
Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri, and other voice assistants are often integrated into the Smart Speaker which allows the user to control the Speaker by simply talking to it.
Screen
Some Speakers have an integrated display that allow you to browse content, view videos, and interact with the Smart Speaker as a Tablet device.
Multi-Channel Speakers
Multi-Channel Speakers provide an immersive audio experience. The subwoofer adds an extra bass kick, while multiple Speakers distribute the noise evenly to add a surround sound effect. Multi-channel Speakers are ideal for larger rooms.
Key Benefits of Multi-Channel Speakers
What are the Features to look for while buying Multi-Channel Speakers?
Number of Channels
The channels indicate the number of Speakers, with a 4.1 channel equating to 4 Speakers and 1 sub-woofer (.1 in the channel). The recent 3.1.2 configuration shows, 3 channels in a soundbar, 1 woofer, and 2 surround Speakers. More channels provide a better surround sound experience.
Audio Output
Generally denoted in Watts, the audio output indicates the power of the Speaker. Speakers with higher audio output will produce a louder and richer sound.
Compatibility
Ensure compatibility with the operating system of your Smartphone, Android or iOS. This ensures a smooth usage experience.
Connectivity
Ensure you have all the connectivity possibilities: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC or ports and slots like HDMI, USB, Aux, Card slot and optical input.
Voice Assistant
Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri, and other voice assistants are often integrated into the Speaker, which allows the user to control the Speaker by simply talking to it.
Remote Control
Makes it easier to control the Speakers.
Party Speakers
Designed for high-intensity or outdoor use, Party Speakers deliver a powerful and immersive sound experience. Party Speakers are available in wired and wireless configurations so you can turn any space into a party space.
What are the Key Benefits Of Party Speakers?
Easy to set up and use
Powerful audio performance
Dust and water resistance
Wireless options
Funky designs with an in-built lighting system
Which Features to Look for While Buying Party Speakers?
Connectivity and Compatibility
Ensure the connectivity options provided are adequate, for both wired and wireless Speakers. Also, check the compatibility with your Smartphone operating system.
Portability and Design
The design is important for the portability of the Speaker, so check the size and dimensions to ensure the Speaker is easy to transport. Castor wheels or handles could be useful features.
Audio Output
The output rating (in Watts) defines the power of the Speaker, with higher output Speakers generating louder and richer sound.
Musical Instrument Inputs
Party Speakers often offer inputs for microphones, keyboards, and guitars, enabling their use as traditional amplifier units.
DJ Pad
The latest party Speakers feature a DJ Pad on top of the device, which allows users to mix tracks and add beats to live music.
Media Players
Even though Apple has discontinued the iPod, and MP3 players are all but extinct, Media Players such as Saregama Carvaan continue to remain popular in Indian markets.
Key Benefits of Media Players
Features to Look for While Buying Media Players
Connectivity and Compatibility
Ensure the connectivity options provided are adequate. While most Media Players today come with pre-loaded songs/videos, you can also play your own choice of tunes via USB, MMC, Bluetooth and other connectivity options.
Design and Aesthetic
With a wide variety of creative designs available, be sure to choose a Media Player that matches your personal taste.
Memory
The storage offered by the device is important to consider, as this will determine the number of songs and data it can store.
Display
Some Media Players offer displays, which makes them easier to use and adds functionality.
Play Time and Charging Time
While picking a Portable Speaker, be sure to look at the playback time and the charging time offered. This defines how long you can use the device without having to charge it.