Figure of 2022's Best Wireless Speakers
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Use a wireless speaker to liberate your music
2022’s Best Wireless Speakers are evolving and multiplying at a rate comparable to new Netflix titles. When it comes to driver-housing sonic boxes (cylinders, oblongs, spheres, wedges, jewels, and teardrops), if you just want something for blasting music in the kitchen, there are now some excellent options for a low price – but these days you can get so much more.
How to Select the 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers
Aside from setting and sticking to a budget, when selecting a wireless speaker, consider where you can use it and what you want from it. Will a small wireless speaker suffice for a second room, or do you prefer a large speaker that can fill a larger space? Do you want your wireless speaker to be portable? In that case, consider something with a built-in rechargeable battery. Wireless speakers typically include Bluetooth in their feature set for basic streaming, but many can connect to their home wifi network to use AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and any multi-room features they may have. It’s something to keep in mind if you subscribe to a streaming service.
1.2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Audio Pro Addon C10 MkII
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 16.6 x 32 x 18cm Power: 2x20W + 40W Digital class D Features: wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 Connections: RCA, sub out |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Enhanced streaming support. More clarity. Cleaner and tighter bass. |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | It lacks the original’s charm. |
When we test its older sibling, we compare it to models nearly twice its price and discover that it outperforms them. If £500 ($500) is your maximum budget, it’ll hard-press to find a speaker that comes close to the Audio Pro C10 MkII.We miss the original’s leather handle and fun, slightly rock’n’roll aesthetic and sonic presentation, but three options for multi-room streaming or the leveled-up grippy bass and improved hi-fidelity performance can’t beat.
2. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Apple HomePod Mini
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 8.4 x 9.8 x 9.8 Power: 20W Features: Bluetooth 5.0, Siri, Apple Music, AirPlay 2, music over wi-fi Connections: None |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Sophisticated, engaging sound Significant smarts Impressive music discovery |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | Third-party service support is limited, and there is no full control app. |
It’s also quite loud. From the moment we start listening to music, it’s clear that the HomePod Mini easily outperforms its size and price, even embarrassing its direct competition with the sophistication and maturity of its sound.
Siri is your voice assistant, and after a short period of learning, it will respond to the phrase “Hey Siri, play something I’ll like” by playing something that you may have never listened to before but is a good fit for what you frequently listen to. It’s a fantastic way to find new music, and Alexa is nowhere near as good at it.
3. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 21 x 22 x 21 Power: : 300W Features: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Roon Ready, Hi-res up to 24-bit/384kHz, remote control Connections: 3.5mm aux, USB, optical S/PDIF, Ethernet |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | A plethora of streaming options Open, detailed, and expressive ready for multiple rooms |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | At this price, nothing. |
You can now get an Olive, Terracotta, or Peacock grille in addition to the standard black, but the best changes Naim has made go much deeper. Remove the color grille and you’ll reward with an upgrade and optimized midrange and bass drive units powered by a total of 300W of amplification. The Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation, with its box-like dimensions and punchy bass alongside sparkling and rich tones across frequencies, won 2020 What Hi-Fi? Award for the best home wireless speaker over £500 ($500) last year – for the second year in a row.
4. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Sonus Faber Omnia
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 13 x 65 x 28 Power: 490W Features: Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, aptX HD Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast Connections: Phono, line-level, HDMI |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Extensive features Beautiful craftsmanship Clear, lively, wide-open sound |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | Up against some formidable opposition |
Sonus Faber recommends giving the Omnia 10cm of clearance behind it and to the sides, which we agree with. Given only a small amount of room to shine, the Omnia is one of the largest and most open-sounding examples of its kind we’ve heard. Close your eyes and you might think the sound is coming from a pair of stand mounters. Because of this depth and breadth, instruments can work comfortably with space around them, even in denser mixes, and the Omnia impressively avoids hardness or distortion at high volume levels.
Classical linguists know that ‘Omnia’ means ‘prepared in all things,’ and it is a fitting name for such a versatile product. The Omnia, true to its name, can also accommodate a TV via its HDMI ARC port, as well as an audio source via its dongle-like MiniDin switchable phono/line input adapter.
5.2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm):25.4 x 28 x 26 Power: : 4x40W + 80W Features: proprietary mesh-system wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth v4.1 aptX HD, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay2, Roon ready Connections: Ethernet, USB |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | The sound is detailed and balanced Multi-room integration Quality construction |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | Expensive for a limited B&W app |
Yes, it’s a high-end one-box solution (around £900 / $900), but the B&W Formation Wedge delivers the kind of detailed, balanced, cohesive sound that can’t be ignored, making it a category leader.
The Wedge leaves the competition in the dust with 24-bit/96 kHz hi-res audio playback and B&W’s proprietary mesh system for a virtually imperceptible microsecond between speakers when used with other Formation products. Its appearance can be divisive, and you’ll need to consider investing in a Roon subscription to enjoy it at its best, but even if you skip Roon entirely, it’s an excellent standalone performer.
6. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Audio Pro Addon C3
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 11.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 Power: 2x5W + 15W Digital class D Features: Wi-Fi, multi-room, Bluetooth V4.0, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay are all available. Connections: Ethernet, 3.5 mm stereo |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Excellent timing solid construction tight, textured bass |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | The app could be more user-friendly |
This is essentially the multi-room, wi-fi-enabled version of Audio Pro’s Addon T3. It has the same minimalist design as the Scandinavian company’s other products, complete with textured surfaces and an embossed leather carry handle, but the wireless technology adds a whole new dimension to your listening experience.
It’s just a shame that controlling it via the smartphone app hasn’t been more thoroughly thought out. Still, make no mistake, this is a fantastic speaker that would complement any home setup.
7. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Audio Pro Addon C10
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 11.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 Power: 2x5W + 15W Digital class D Features: wi-fi, multi-room, Bluetooth V4.0, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay Connections: 3.5 mm stereo |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Rich, powerful performance Excellent timing sense Multi-room functionality |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | At this price, nothing |
Audio Pro produces some of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, and the Addon C10 is yet another award-winning model. With wi-fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay, as well as aux and RCA inputs, connectivity is among the most comprehensive available for the price. It supports all of the major music streaming services, such as Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz. The Addon C10 sounds big and bold, but it can also capture subtler, more nuance tracks as well as big bassy numbers.
8. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 39.5 x 19.7 x 30.5 Power: 2x 125W per unit Features: Bluetooth aptX HD, wi-fi, multi-room, Spotify Connect, Apple Airplay 2 Connections: USB, Ethernet |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Excellent multi-room capabilities Swift timing Tight, authoritative bass |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | There is no fully functional app |
They’re not cheap, and the aesthetic won’t appeal to everyone, but if you want a wireless pair of standmounts with the best sound available right now, you’ve just found them. The Duos are lethal precise speakers with excellent clarity and a performance that will have you digging out tune after tune just to hear what they can do.
9. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Naim Mu-so 2
| SPECIFICATIONS | HxWxD (cm) dimensions: 12.2 x 62.8 x 26.4 Power: 450W Features: Bluetooth V4.0, multi-room, wi-fi, UPnP, Spotify, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal Connections: 3.5mm stereo, optical, Ethernet, HDMI ARC |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Stunning detail and dynamics Convincing bass A plethora of wireless and streaming options |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | That price tag |
The extensive feature set of the Naim Mu-so-2 includes a variety of wireless streaming technologies such as AirPlay 2 and Chromecast. Tidal and Spotify are also supported, as is 24-bit/88kHz high-resolution audio. It’s not just about streaming, either, with an HDMI ARC input allowing you to connect a TV while also boosting its sound.
10. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Sonos One
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 16.1 x 12 x 12 Power: 2x Digital class D Features: wi-fi, Alexa voice assistant, AirPlay 2, multi-room, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, SoundCloud, Deezer, Tidal Connections: Ethernet |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Stylish and unobtrusive design Solid, sophisticated sound Alexa integration |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | There is no high-resolution audio |
The second-generation Sonos One is essentially a Sonos Play:1 dress-up in new clothes, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It now has Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant for voice controls, and it’s a better product as a result. Indeed, with its immersive sound, it distinguishes itself from the glut of smart speakers that are smart first and speakers second.
Add in Apple’s AirPlay 2 technology and the fact that the One fits seamlessly into a multi-room setup, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
11. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: KEF LSX
| SPECIFICATIONS | Hi-res support: 24-bit/192kHz Streaming services: Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Bluetooth: 4.2 with aptX Inputs: Optical, 3.5mm, ethernet Finishes: 5 Dimensions: 24 x 15 x 18cm (each) Weight: 3.5kg (each) |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Brilliant insight Numerous connections Colorful |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | There are some issues with the app |
When it comes to sources, you have plenty of options: streaming is available via DLNA or Tidal (both from within the KEF Stream app), while Spotify Connect, Roon compatibility, and Apple AirPlay 2 are also included. And the sound? Given their pedigree, they’re as expressive, tonally even, and rhythmically astute as you’d expect.
12. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Sonos One SL
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 16.1 x 12 x 12 Power: 2x Digital class D Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, multi-room stereo pairings with Sonos One, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, and others Connections: Ethernet |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Brilliant insight Numerous connections Colorful |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | There are some issues with the app |
A Sonos One without voice control is still a fantastic wireless speaker, whether used in stereo, as part of a home theater setup, or on its own. For the uninitiated, this is a product that resembles Sonos’ latest five-star smart speaker, the Sonos One (above), but lacks smart features – ie. The tiny microphone dots around the top, as well as the built-in voice assistant
13. 2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: KEF LS50 Wireless II
| SPECIFICATIONS | Chromecast, Qobuz, Deezer, Roon ready Bluetooth: 4.2 with aptX Inputs: USB, TOSLINK optical, RCA, ethernet, HDMI eARC Finishes: 4 Dimensions: 30.5 x 20 x 31.1cm (each) Weight: 10kg (each) |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Big performance boost Clean, punchy sound All-around connectivity |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | At this price, nothing |
Tidal is one of many streaming services directly accessible from the new KEF Connect app, which also includes Amazon Music, Qobuz, Deezer, and Spotify, as well as internet radio and UPnP servers. Their Uni-Q driver array, stunning Carbon Black, Titanium Grey, Mineral White, and Crimson Red Special Edition finishes, and curved front panel all combine to make a complete head turner – and they should be.
The KEF LS50 Wireless IIs arrive with a world of expectation on their shoulders as a new product following in the footsteps of such a huge success – but they more than live up to those expectations. Make no mistake: this is a high-quality sequel.
14.2022’s Best Wireless Speakers: Audio Pro Addon T3
| SPECIFICATIONS | Dimensions: HxWxD (cm): 11.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 Power: 2x 5W + 15W Digital class D Features: Bluetooth V4.0 Connections: 3.5mm stereo, USB |
| REASONS TO PURCHASE | Expressive and dynamic Faultless construction |
| AVOIDANCE REASONS | Size is not for everyone |
Audio Pro has changed the design of the A10, moving away from the more industrial-looking Addon line. But you’ll be pleased to know that it has the same award-winning sound – it’s versatile, dynamic, and has an impeccable sense of timing. The cylindrical shape also disperses sound throughout the room. The A10 may not be as good as the best Audio Pro has to offer, but it is still a viable option, especially given its low price.
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