The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.Your smartphone is a miraculous thing. Your smartphones speakers are very much not. Thats where a good Bluetooth speaker comes in. Weve already told you about our favorite options on the budget end of the market, but while those are good for casual background noise, their sound will always be a bit too anemic when held under scrutiny. So today, weve put together a shortlist of higher-end options worth considering. Theyll take a bigger toll on your wallet, but theyll be just as simple to setup, and theyll play much nicer for anyone with a more demanding ear.SEE ALSO:A guide to the best portable Bluetooth speakers under $100SEE ALSO:These are the best drones we've seen yetDON'T MISS:I've tested close to 100 headphones in the past year, and these are my favoriteUE Boom 2The UE Boom 2 is basically a larger, louder UE Roll ($70), which itself is one of the better options among ultra-portable Bluetooth speakers. This one isnt as compact, but its still easy to move around. Like the Roll, it comes in a variety of playful colors, it can wirelessly link up with other UE speakers, and, most importantly, its waterproof. It also gets around 15 hours of playtime out of one charge, which is solid.That IPX7 rating is really the reason youd get this, though. The Boom 2s bass-boosted sound plays well for its size, with good volume and a general sense of fullness, but its still a portable Bluetooth speaker. As a result, it performs best in the mids, and can still struggle to define more complex tracks at higher volumes. The options below hold up better to critical listening, and something like the JBL Flip 3 ($83)our favorite affordable and portable Bluetooth speakeroffers comparable quality for half the price. Nevertheless, if you like the idea of the Roll, but want more volume, the Boom 2 should make for a good time at the beach or by the pool.UE Boom 2, $179.98, available at Amazon.Nyne RockIf you want a simple way of powering a full-on party, have a look at the Nyne Rock. Its huge, heavy (at 10 pounds), and not all that attractive, but that massive frame helps it pump out very big, very loud sound with deep, muscular lows. (Again, relative to other portable speakers.) Bass is the name of the game, thoughoutside of hip-hop and electronic music, youre liable to hear some muddiness. Still, if that aligns with your tastes, the Rock will be a powerhouse. Its also worth noting that the Nyne Bass ($114) gets you a similar idea in a smaller, more affordable package, with all the caveats that entails.Nyne Rock, $249.95, available at Amazon.Riva Turbo XNow we get to the higher performers. The Riva Turbo X isnt cheap, but, among Bluetooth speakers that are genuinely portable, it sounds fantastic. Its a natural profile, with good clarity and detail across the board, yet theres still more than enough bass for most peoples needs. It hardly distorts at higher volumes, too. Beyond that, its built wellthough its best kept indoorsand its battery gets a wonderful 25 or so hours per charge. It can even attach directly to a turntable. Bigger speakers will still sound better, but if you want the easiness of Bluetooth, in something you can still move around, and youre willing to pay for top-end performance, the Turbo X is worth the cost. Riva Turbo X, $299, available at Amazon.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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