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Wireless speakers are
loudspeakers A loudspeaker (commonly referred to as a speaker or speaker driver) is an electroacoustic transducer that converts an electrical audio signal into a corresponding sound. A ''speaker system'', also often simply referred to as a "speaker" or "l ...
that receive audio signals using radio frequency (RF) waves rather than over audio cables. The two most popular RF frequencies that support audio transmission to wireless loudspeakers include a variation of WiFi
IEEE 802.11 IEEE 802.11 is part of the IEEE 802 set of local area network (LAN) technical standards, and specifies the set of media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) protocols for implementing wireless local area network (WLAN) computer com ...
, while others depend on
Bluetooth Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs). In the most widely used mode, transmission power is limit ...
to transmit audio data to the receiving speaker. Apart from the employed RF standard, such speakers can basically be distinguished by their dedicated field of use. Portable wireless speakers for outdoor use are typically designed for ruggedness, portability and battery life, whereas stationary wireless speakers with a focus on good sound quality are meant to be used in
home audio Home audio systems are audio electronics intended for home entertainment use, such as shelf stereos, music centres and surround sound receivers. Home audio generally does not include standard equipment such as built-in television speakers, but ra ...
systems or
surround sound Surround sound is a technique for enriching the fidelity and depth of sound reproduction by using multiple audio channels from speakers that surround the listener ( surround channels). Its first application was in movie theaters. Prior to s ...
systems for TV or video. Further, types for special applications like waterproof speakers for use in the shower or speakers for a voice assistant may intermix between the properties of the two former.


Overview

Wireless speakers are composed of two units: a main speaker unit combining the
loudspeaker A loudspeaker (commonly referred to as a speaker or speaker driver) is an electroacoustic transducer that converts an electrical audio signal into a corresponding sound. A ''speaker system'', also often simply referred to as a "speaker" or " ...
itself with an RF receiver, and an RF transmitter unit. The transmitter connects to the audio output of any audio devices such as hi-fi equipment, televisions, computers, MP3 players, etc. An RCA plug is normally used to achieve this. The receiver is positioned where the listener wants the sound to be, providing the freedom to move the wireless speakers around without the need of using cables. The receiver/speaker unit generally contains an amplifier to boost the audio signal to the loudspeaker; it is powered either by batteries or by an AC electric outlet. The signal frequency range used by wireless speakers is generally the same as that used by cordless telephones – 900 MHz. The RF signal can traverse walls and floors/ceilings. Most manufacturers claim the signal transmits over a range of 150 to 300 feet (50 to 100 m). Many wireless speakers feature variable transmission channels that can be set using a tuning knob to overcome potential
RF interference Electromagnetic interference (EMI), also called radio-frequency interference (RFI) when in the radio frequency spectrum, is a disturbance generated by an external source that affects an electrical circuit by electromagnetic induction, electrosta ...
with other nearby wireless devices, such as cordless phones or baby monitors. Some wireless speakers use the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The WiSA standard uses the 5 GHz frequency band.


Sound quality

The most basic models only offer an output power of 3W, which does not allow for an optimal sound quality. Mid-range models go up to 5W and
high-end In economics, a luxury good (or upmarket good) is a good for which demand increases more than what is proportional as income rises, so that expenditures on the good become a greater proportion of overall spending. Luxury goods are in contrast to ...
models can go up to 10W and beyond. The number of speakers can also vary: while entry-level models are limited to a single speaker, more elaborate models can offer two, and thus have stereo sound reproduction. Some wireless speakers add a
passive radiator In a radio antenna, a passive radiator or parasitic element is a conductive element, typically a metal rod, which is not electrically connected to anything else. Multielement antennas such as the Yagi–Uda antenna typically consist of a " ...
to improve
low frequency Low frequency (LF) is the ITU designation for radio frequencies (RF) in the range of 30–300 kHz. Since its wavelengths range from 10–1  km, respectively, it is also known as the kilometre band or kilometre wave. LF radio waves exh ...
reproduction and achieve deeper
sound In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is the ''reception'' of such waves and their ''perception'' by the ...
.


Bluetooth

Recent models generally use
Bluetooth Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs). In the most widely used mode, transmission power is limit ...
4.0 or even Bluetooth 5, and wireless speakers generally have a range of 10 meters. Bluetooth devices use a radio communication frequency such that the devices do not have to be in a visual line of sight with each other. Some speakers may benefit from the NFC system to facilitate pairing with the source device.


Battery

Wireless speakers use rechargeable
batteries Battery most often refers to: * Electric battery, a device that provides electrical power * Battery (crime), a crime involving unlawful physical contact Battery may also refer to: Energy source *Automotive battery, a device to provide power t ...
to power them. The operating time of the speaker before it has to be recharged is usually 6 hours. Models with more powerful batteries can last up to 10 hours or more. Almost all wireless speakers operate on rechargeable batteries that are not replaceable, so that the lifespan of these speakers is that of their batteries. Some speaker models with a large battery capacity can also act as a
power bank A battery charger, recharger, or simply charger is a device that stores energy in a battery by running an electric current through it. The charging protocol (how much voltage or current for how long, and what to do when charging is complete) dep ...
to charge another device to full capacity, such as a mobile phone. They are generally recharged with either a C8 appliance plug or a more universal
USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply ( interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad ...
connector, mainly through either mini or micro-USB or
USB-C USB-C (properly known as USB Type-C) is a 24-pin USB connector system with a rotationally symmetrical connector. The designation C refers only to the connector's physical configuration or form factor and should not be confused with the conn ...
connectors. Other speakers utilize proprietary connectors such as Apple's
Lightning connector Lightning is a proprietary computer bus and power connector created and designed by Apple Inc. and introduced on , to replace its predecessor, the 30-pin dock connector. The Lightning connector is used to connect Apple mobile devices like iPh ...
. The complete charging cycle a speaker generally varies from 3 to 6 hours.


Hybrid wireless speakers

Starting 2015, some wireless speakers integrate VOIP telephony functions. Other models have an integrated
FM radio FM broadcasting is a method of radio broadcasting using frequency modulation (FM). Invented in 1933 by American engineer Edwin Armstrong, wide-band FM is used worldwide to provide high fidelity sound over broadcast radio. FM broadcasting is capa ...
. The higher end models add an
LCD screen A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat-panel display or other electronically modulated optical device that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals combined with polarizers. Liquid crystals do not emit light directly but in ...
to make it easier to select and store radio stations. Most wireless speakers have a built-in
microphone A microphone, colloquially called a mic or mike (), is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and public ...
, which allows to receive and make calls using a
mobile phone A mobile phone, cellular phone, cell phone, cellphone, handphone, hand phone or pocket phone, sometimes shortened to simply mobile, cell, or just phone, is a portable telephone that can make and receive calls over a radio frequency link whil ...
in hands-free mode. When a call comes in, the
music Music is generally defined as the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm or otherwise expressive content. Exact definitions of music vary considerably around the world, though it is an aspect ...
automatically shuts off and resumes as soon as the call ends. With the development of
voice assistants An intelligent virtual assistant (IVA) or intelligent personal assistant (IPA) is a software agent that can perform tasks or services for an individual based on commands or questions. The term "chatbot" is sometimes used to refer to virtual ...
, manufacturers have integrated the ability to pair them with their devices. This way, commands can be passed to the speaker via the integrated microphone, which will then be executed by the voice assistant.


Shower speaker

A shower speaker is a Bluetooth speaker designed for use in humid environments such as
shower A shower is a place in which a person bathes under a spray of typically warm or hot water. Indoors, there is a drain in the floor. Most showers have temperature, spray pressure and adjustable showerhead nozzle. The simplest showers have a ...
s or more generally in the
bathroom A bathroom or washroom is a room, typically in a home or other residential building, that contains either a bathtub or a shower (or both). The inclusion of a wash basin is common. In some parts of the world e.g. India, a toilet is typically i ...
. There are also shower speakers using
Wi-Fi Wi-Fi () is a family of wireless network Communication protocol, protocols, based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for Wireless LAN, local area networking of devices and Internet access, allowing nearby digital d ...
, although this is more rare. The speaker must first be paired with a Bluetooth device. In general, it is a smartphone or tablet. It is this device that will serve as the source for the music that will be played through the speaker. A shower speaker must first of all be able to withstand water splashes. This resistance is expressed by an IP ( Ingress Protection) index that must be mentioned on the product. The most frequent indexes encountered are the IPX4 index, which indicates that the device is protected against splashes. Other models offer superior protection, such as IPX7. In this case, the enclosure is completely submersible in water to a depth of 1 meter for half an hour. It is then considered
waterproof Waterproofing is the process of making an object or structure waterproof or water-resistant so that it remains relatively unaffected by water or resisting the ingress of water under specified conditions. Such items may be used in wet environme ...
. Some models, rarer those, extend their protection up to index 8. The shower speaker must be able to be installed in all environments. This is why manufacturers have planned to equip their devices with different ways of fixing them. The
suction cup A suction cup, also known as a sucker, is a device or object that uses the negative fluid pressure of air or water to adhere to nonporous surfaces, creating a partial vacuum. Suction cups are peripheral traits of some animals such as octopuse ...
is the most basic system and is found on entry-level speakers. Its main disadvantage is poor adhesion to the shower wall, which can cause the unit to fall off. The mounting bracket is the safest system to fix the speaker, but requires drilling a hole in the wall. The carabiner clip allows the speaker to hang from the shower curtain bar. It is only suitable for the smallest and lightest models.


See also

*
Smart speaker A smart speaker is a type of loudspeaker and voice command device with an integrated virtual assistant that offers interactive actions and hands-free activation with the help of one "hot word" (or several "hot words"). Some smart speakers can al ...
*
Loudspeaker enclosure A loudspeaker enclosure or loudspeaker cabinet is an enclosure (often rectangular box-shaped) in which speaker drivers (e.g., loudspeakers and tweeters) and associated electronic hardware, such as crossover circuits and, in some cases, power ...
*
Full-range speaker A full-range loudspeaker drive unit is defined as a driver which reproduces as much of the audible frequency range as possible, within the limitations imposed by the physical constraints of a specific design. The frequency range of these drive ...
* Shower radio


References

{{Reflist Loudspeakers Wireless Wireless speakers