GROUP TEST PORTABLE SPEAKERS

Behold our eclectic pick of the best sub-£200 portable speakers to soundtrack your summer, along with the best eco-backpacks to carry them in

[ Words Verity Burns and James Day ]

You pair it well Bluetooth 5.2, Google Fast Pair, Made for iPhone and Microsoft Swift Pair mean the Explore will attach itself to your chosen device in no time.

Tints I left you Black anthracite, grey mist and green finishes are available now, but expect to see new seasonal colours being added to the list as time goes on.

Treble’s coming B&O’s app lets you adjust the EQ and check how much of the Explore’s generous 27hr battery life you’ve got left to play with.

BEST FOR LARKS IN PARKS

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore

What’s the story?

The Explore pushes the rugged end of the portability spectrum more than most (including its Beosound A1 cousin on p65). For a start, it doesn’t have a leather carrying strap but a hardy woven one, and includes an aluminium carabiner for hooking it to a rucksack. It also ditches touch controls for buttons, for better accuracy on the go.

The anodised aluminium body is scratch-resistant and as stylish as you’d expect, with a grille that’s cut in 360° lines around its cylindrical body. Not only does that mean it looks lovely, but it also supports B&O’s True360 omnidirectional sound.

For an outdoor speaker, it’s suitably rated at IP67 for keeping out dust and water, and at 637g it’s reassuringly weighty in the hand without adding a load of unwanted heft to your bag.

Is it any good?

The Beosound Explore has a hugely likeable presentation, but needs a bit of help with placement to ensure you’re getting the best from it.

That’s because it’s been tuned with the outdoors in mind. Its bass – all 59dB of it, don’t you know – is controlled but a little heavy-handed, while its 360° projection thickens up the midrange at the expense of some fine detail.

However, take it outside and the sound of the Explore makes much more sense. Its presentation quickly becomes more balanced when competing with the elements, and that added weight in the mids helps it to sound more solid from top to bottom. Crisp treble ensures the top end doesn’t get lost in the process either, which helps to give it a healthy dose of energy and drive.

It’s not capable of quite as big a soundstage as the Bose Revolve II on p64, and it’s not as refined as the Beosound A1, but it projects well and can go all the way to the top of its volume allowance while largely keeping its cool – even if you’re not.

Price £169 / stuff.tv/Explore

Key specs ● 60W, 2x 1.8in drivers ● Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C ● Up to 27hrs ● IP67● 124x81x81mm, 637g