Looking for a small speaker to play my iPhone music. Don’t have or need a subscription to any music apps, just was to play the music that already “lives” on my iPhone in the Music (formerly iTunes) app. Found the Apple HomePod Mini, was delivered today. Couldn’t get it to work, finally called Apple support. Spent almost 2 hrs(!) on the phone; got it to work w/iPad but not w/the iPhone. Sending it back, don’t want to try another, too frustrating.
Not looking for anything complicated, just want to play my iPhone music thru a speaker. Doesn’t have to be outstanding, only for my own use, not for parties or entertainment purposes. Just a simple, easy to use speaker.
Did look for past suggestions but most were from 2019, a lot has changed since then.
Pretty much any Bluetooth speaker should work. I like Altec Lansing or Soundcore for cheaper ones especially if they may get caught in the elements but do have a couple of Sonos portables because a) I have other Sonos gear and b) I got a good deal on them. Get one with a battery and it becomes a portable speaker.
Weird about the HomePod. No troubles with either the mini, the original, or the rebooted original here in our household….
For a portable, though, I’d stay away from Sonos (expensive and very finicky, in my experience – I have a “Roam,” which is what you’d want – but I never use it anymore because it’s always problematic in one way or another).
But I purchased a JBL Go 4 a month ago, and I was so impressed I bought two more. No wifi – Bluetooth only – but incredibly good sound for the size and price. I’ve used them with my MBP, my iPad, and two iPhones without any troubles. And I’ve linked two together for a stereo set, and use them nightly to listen to Renaissance music. They’re not as good as my audiophile floor speakers powered by a tube amplifier, but they come far closer than I’d ever expected. And the app (which lets you rename them and tweak the EQ somewhat) is not terrible!
Thanks for the suggestion; looking at it now. Seems very promising. Don’t care about bluetooth vs wifi, either will work for my purposes.
Don’t know what the problem was w/the HomePod Mini. Apple didn’t even suggest it might be a malfunction & to return it for another one, seemed to just accept it wasn’t working w/my iPhone. Even when I said I was going to return it, there was no suggestion of an exchange. Decided it just wasn’t worth the effort.
Trying to get more info on the included cord. It appears it is USB-C on one end (which plugs into the JBL Go 4) & USB-A on the other end. I don’t have anything anymore that will accept a USB-A cord. Any idea if I can use my own USB-C to USB-C cord? I tried to ask JBL but the online chat isn’t set up for specific questions. I called JBL but no one seems to know anything about the cord or if I can use another cord to charge the Go 4.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is a great little bluetooth speaker. Sounds great and pairs easily with Apple products, and stays paired reliably. Rechargeable and last a long time on a charge. Waterproof too I think.
I’ve used a dozen or so different USB-C/USB-C cables (probably all were either Apple or Anker) with them with no problems. I think my original (useless) USB-C/USB-A cords are in the original boxes in the basement, untouched.
As a general rule, USB-C cables are generally interchangeable, bearing in mind that newer cables work better with newer devices since the cables keep improving, but devices’ expectations also rise with each new generation. And also that some cables prioritize data and others power.
I was surprised to see a device w/a USB-A cable, everything I have from the last couple yrs (or more) has been USB-C. Some of the electric outlets in my home have USB outlets & I converted them to USB-C more than 2 yrs ago.
I have several USB-C to USB-C cables, also Apple & Anker. Occasionally I’ve run across a device that will only function w/the cable that came w/it so I wanted to double-check that I could use another cable.
Good question @sf.ross , some interesting answers!
I play stored/onboard music, plus audiobooks, from iPod Touches, via cable (which in some iDevices also enables FM radio). For some years, used a refurbished half-brick sized one, maybe a JBL, which eventually developed a switch problem and wouldn’t charge so I got a discounted Anker Soundcore 2 , about same size, good battery life, also usable with a cable. Loud enough for the space I use it in.
Outdoors during tedious garden work I found that iPod itself, speaker facing up out of my back pocket, is loud enough.
I also used for a while for tiny ez speakers with plugs/cables. Some used a single AA/AAA, some just a cable and speaker. Kind of like the good old AM radio on a Transistor Radio experience. Effective for desk use but not much else.
I’m no audiophile or fan of earbuds so that’s my system. Hope that’s helpful.
I have one wifi speaker that I use outside, because BT won’t reach (I also use it inside when I want to play something downstairs)
The Soundcore and Tribute are all bluetooth, I normally use them in the same room as the iMac.
I prefer the wifi, but since I also like small battery operated ones, they seem to be hard to find (unless I want to pay a lot, which I don’t)
I do have issues with the BT speakers interfering with the BT mouse and keyboard and often have to disable one or both of the latter. This was not an issue when I first started doing this so it could be a problem with the machine itself.
I hate the apps “needed” to setup the speakers on an i-device with a vengeance. I have no idea why I can’t just see the BT device in my list and select it the way I do with a computer.
I’m in a condo so not concerned about signal reaching outdoors. Speaker will always be in close proximity to iPhone so either wifi or bluetooth should work. Merely want a small speaker that will play my music that “lives” in the Music app (formerly iTunes.) Don’t expect high quality sound, just something adequate for personal use indoors, reasonably priced, in lieu of using the built in iPhone speaker.
I am really enjoying my Sony SRS-XB100 BT Speaker, and bought a second one when I found that the audio quality was so good. They are small, well made, and inexpensive, and work beautifully with all my Apple devices. Sony SRS-XB100/B Compact Bluetooth Speaker | Black
I can second the XB100 recommendation. I just bought one ($50 or so) on impulse, as I wanted a better way to listen to all the Connie Converse mp3s I bought from Bandcamp. The last time I tried a Bluetooth speaker was years ago, and it was a study in frustration. I’m amazed by how good the sound from this Sony speaker is.
For what it’s worth, I’ve been streaming from iTunes/Music.app on the Mac to multiple speakers, first with the Airport Express, and then with the HomePod Mini. It used to work fine, about 4-5 versions ago. But with later versions of AirPlay, this got less reliable. Since MacOS 26 came out, I’ve been streaming from Music.app to 3 targets, the local computer, an Airport Express and a HomePod. The HomePod is the LEAST reliable target, but ALL OF THEM have had intermittent problems. It’s clear to me there are some significant Heisenbugs in AirPlay protocols. I’m usually controlling this from the iPhone Remote.app, but also from the desktop Mac Music.app.
The good news, though, is the other major problem I had with Music.app, where it would advance to the next track and hang (not play), seems to have gone away. But a new bug was introduced, where Music.app would ignore the playback “Shuffle By Album” setting and start streaming random tracks. This is REALLY ANNOYING for classical album playback (also for audiobooks, I would think.) I continue to be critical of Apple’s software QA.
Finally went w/the JBL Go 4, have only used it a couple times but it seems to do what I want. The website seemed to indicate I needed to download the app so I did but doesn’t appear to be necessary for anything other than adjusting the equalizer.
Thanks for all the recommendations, many appear to be very good as well. Just needed some input after the big fail w/Apple HomePod Mini.
Thank you!