When it comes to luxury home audio, the usual suspects inevitably dominate the conversation; Bowers & Wilkins, Sonos, Marshall, Bose, Devialet and Bang & Olufsen. These brands have spent decades earning their place through uncompromising craftsmanship, exceptional acoustics and designs that are often as desirable as the music they reproduce. Here are some aspirational Bluetooth speakers some sensible, and some extravagant.
Devialet – Phantom Ultimate
The Phantom Ultimate is Devialet’s latest statement piece, and subtlety was clearly not part of the design brief. The sculptural oval form remains unmistakably Devialet, but the internals have been reworked with upgraded amplification and the company’s “Heart Bass Implosion” technology. Translation: it produces bass with the sort of confidence usually reserved for nightclub sound systems. It is gloriously excessive, unapologetically French and almost impossible to ignore.
Bowers & Wilkins – Zeppelin Pro Edition
The Zeppelin Pro Edition still looks as though a UFO has politely landed in your living room. Fortunately, it sounds every bit as impressive as it looks. Rich, room-filling audio and impeccable industrial design make it one of the most iconic wireless speakers on the market. Yes, it appreciates the occasional software update to stay at the top of its game but then again, so do most of us, and is available in two finishes.
Bang & Olufsen – Beosound Balance Natura
Choosing a favourite from Bang & Olufsen feels a little like choosing a favourite child nearly impossible. The newer Beosound Balance Natura is less a speaker and more a piece of gallery-worthy furniture. Elevated on a sculptural stone base, it blends Nordic minimalism with acoustic engineering in a way few brands can manage. The good news is that it sounds magnificent. The bad news is that your existing décor may suddenly feel inadequate.
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Sonos – Move 2
While the aesthetics remain comfortably familiar, the Move 2 more than compensates with performance. Equally at home indoors or out, it automatically analyses its surroundings and continuously fine-tunes its sound to suit the space. That is clever engineering rather than marketing fluff.
Marshall – Kilburn III
If your playlists are heavy on rock ’n’ roll and your furniture has probably seen a few festivals, the Kilburn III will feel right at home. Think of it as the Land Rover of Bluetooth speakers rugged, unapologetic and built for long nights. With improved battery life, richer stereo output and Marshall’s unmistakable guitar-amp aesthetic, it brings a touch of backstage attitude to any room.
