Roots Rock Bluetooth portable audio system from House of Marley

GeekDad Review: House of Marley Roots Rock Bluetooth Portable Audio System

I’ve had the opportunity to test many speaker docks and wireless speaker systems in my day. One trend I’ve noticed over the past few years as portable Bluetooth wireless speakers have become increasingly popular, is the boring conformity that so many of these devices exhibit. In an effort to make them as portable as possible, manufacturers have a tendency to adopt a compact rectangular form factor, usually small enough to hold in one hand, two drivers are the norm, with a plastic case (typically in black) and black mesh speaker covers. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this approach and some of them sound quite decent. But I like things a little different. I want good sound, along with a design that’s interesting too. Something that stands out a little. My own speaker dock purchases reflect this preference: a JBL Radial and a Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin (still my all-time favorite for sound and looks). I just wrapped up a few weeks with a Roots Rock Bluetooth portable audio system and I have a candidate for my new favorite in the portable category.

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Moshi Audio Mythro Earbuds: Finally Earbuds For Small Ears

It is difficult for me to find earbuds that work in my ears. Most fall out because my ears are so tiny. For example, the standard iPod buds don’t even fit in my ears at all. I have used my kids earbuds in the past because they came with an extra small bud tip. But I can’t use my kids earbuds on a continual basis. The Moshi earbuds are the first earbuds I have found that actually stay in my ears.

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SMS Audio by 50 Cent: Earbuds and Earphones

Music can transport us to a different place and time and has the power to evoke the most tangible of memories from some of the biggest moments in our lives. It can take us away from where we really are to the places we long to be instead. Emanating from a speaker, the feeling can be wonderful, but heard on a quality set of headphones or earbuds, the experience can be truly magical. The SMS Audio line of earbuds and earphones by Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent) aims to create such a feeling, but does it succeed?

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The Wow Wireless Bluetooth Speaker: Style and Sound

Here’s a crowdfunding project for all you audiophiles. It’s the Wow Wireless bluetooth speaker and it not only sounds great, but looks great, too. Despite the huge number of speakers out there, most of them look a lot alike. They’re generally little cubes or little rectangles made of shiny metal and plastic. It’s not that they’re ugly, but they’re just not very pretty. This little speaker delivers not only great sound, but a genuinely stylish design that will add to your room.

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HMDX Jam Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

Connect wirelessly via Bluetooth from up to 30 feet away with any Bluetooth enabled smartphone or tablet and most laptops. Connection is simple, with a passcode right on the bottom of the device next to the on/off switch and volume and fast forward buttons on the side of the speaker. There’s a micro USB port for charging (USB to micro USB cable included) and an audio in jack.

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House of Marley: Headphones and Earbuds With Exceptional Sound

The House of Marley makes earbuds, headphones and audio systems all inspired by Bob Marley. How do they do that? By focusing on delivering high quality products through an environmentally friendly and cause-minded company. Using reggae as the benchmark for their audio testing, they strive for a rich bass sound that won’t distort or loose integrity at higher volumes. Their aim is to balance that rich bass so the highs aren’t drowned out and every voice and instrument is clear and discernible.

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Brookstone’s Big Blue Audio: Wireless Bluetooth Speakers With Punch

The problem with a lot of our snazzy devices it that, although they hold a ton of music and will play it, they don’t sound all that good. You turn up the volume on your phone or your laptop and the sound gets tinny or distorted or just plain awful enough that you have to be hooked to your device with a pair of earbuds or it’s just not worth it. Brookstone’s new Big Blue Audio products provide an affordable solution to this problem with Big Blue Studio and it’s portable little sister Big Blue Live.

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