Looking for a unique Bluetooth speaker that will make your home stand out?
Retro Bluetooth speakers are a great way to add style and nostalgia to your home décor. Many are designed to look like antique radios, but with a modern sound. Not only that, but they can offer a blend of features that you won't find in many traditional Bluetooth speakers.
So if you're looking for a unique speaker that will turn heads or blend in with your mid-century modern home, be sure to check out our list of the best retro Bluetooth speakers! Keep reading to see our favorites!
How We Choose The Best Retro Bluetooth Speaker
It’s hard to find a good speaker that not only sounds great but also looks cool.
With so many different retro Bluetooth speakers on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. They all seem to promise the world but deliver very little.
We’ve done the hard work for you and have found the best retro Bluetooth speakers available. Based on important features like design, size, and price, we’ve selected our favorite retro-looking speakers that will look great in any space and deliver exactly what you're looking for.
Why We Love It
Looking for a great bookshelf or office radio with a vintage feel? Look no further than the Sangean WR-12BT! This Bluetooth-enabled radio has an old style, but with all the modern features and sound quality that Sangean is known for.
The switchable option for mono or stereo on the WR-12BT is great with a rich and warm vintage tone. It also features a built-in mini-sub to help with modern bass-heavy music. We also love how the knobs blend into the design. And because Sangean applied their decades of radio experience to this model, it even a strong AM/FM radio well.
So whether you’re listening to your favorite oldies or streaming the latest hits, the WR-12 is a great addition to any room.
What You Should Know
The WR-12BT is a great speaker, but it's important to know what tradeoffs you're making when you choose a Bluetooth speaker. The introduction of a subwoofer can help with something that is bass-heavy, but it, unfortunately, impacts the mid-range a bit. So, voice audio in the 1k - 4k frequency may not seem as clear in some smaller rooms.
If you are looking specifically for a radio, you may already know that poor reception quality can make a radio unusable. Fortunately, the WR-12BT has great reception. Adding a separate antenna and that even better. You can also switch from stereo to mono to boost that hard-to-get station as well.
Why We Love It
Looking for a stylish speaker that packs a powerful punch? Your search is over with the Klipsch Heritage Wireless The One II.
Klipsch is a great and well-known manufacturer. This little gem is ideal for any space and would look great on an office shelf thanks to its sleek, retro look. And it does not just look great - it sounds great, with decent bass and highs.
We love the simplicity. With just two retro knobs it's equipped with all the functionality you need. Stream your favorite songs wirelessly or connect to your turn-table via the AUX input. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the sound of this speaker.
Plus, it has one of the loudest dynamics among the retro Bluetooth speakers we looked at, so it's great for any room size.
Go ahead and crank up the tunes - the Klipsch Heritage Wireless The One II has got you covered, and at a fair price as well.
What You Should Know
The Klipsch is a great option for anyone looking for powerful and stylish retro Bluetooth speakers. However, there are a few things to be aware of before making your purchase. Firstly, these speakers are not intended to be portable, so it may not be ideal if that is important to you.
If you are picky about your sound, you may also hear some compression at max volume depending on the audio source. And finally, the subwoofer can lead to a boomy profile which is great for adding punch, but that can muddy the mid frequencies depending on the room size and also lead to weak-sounding vocals. If you have a medium to a large room that may not be a concern.
We think these are all minor issues that can easily be compensated for. Overall, the Klipsch is a great choice for anyone needing a vintage design without losing the modern details.
Why We Love It
If you're looking for a portable, stylish option at the right price, you'll want to check out the PRUNUS J-160. This budget-friendly speaker is also a radio that includes AM/FM, and even a shortwave radio, making it a great choice for those who want to be able to tune in to a variety of stations.
It also includes an AUX-in port, so you can easily connect it to your other audio devices. And with its USB drive or TF card support, you can easily play your favorite MP3s. Plus, the J-160 has an impressive battery life, providing up to 10-12 hours of use on a single charge.
We're also very impressed at the number of positive reviews on the quality of the PRUNUS, especially with its small size. Equally impressive is the addition of a bass port on the back, which may help contribute to the quality.
So whether you're looking to travel in style, need something that looks great on your shelf, or simply need a dependable AM/FM/SW radio, the J-160 is a fantastic option at an even better price.
What You Should Know
Understanding that this is a super tiny budget speaker made for portability, it's hard to find much fault with it. After all, speakers that fit into the palm of your hand and produce only 3 watts of output will never have the same sound fidelity as a large hi-fi system. However, we're very impressed with what it can do.
One concern that we picked up from reviews relates to the battery. The manual specifically mentions not to overcharge the battery. This has led to rumors that the battery may not have overcharge protection which could lead to a short lifespan. However, one independent review suggested that it's not true, after thoroughly testing the unit. Whatever the case, it's good to take note of this before buying. At such as small price, we still think it's the best bang for your buck!
Why We Love It
Looking for something stylish and retro that you can take with you anywhere? Look no further than the Muzen Retro Bluetooth Speaker. It would not only look great in any retro-inspired room, but it also includes Bluetooth, an AM/FM Radio, and AUX-In so you can listen to your favorite tunes wirelessly or the old-fashioned way.
We also love the well-crafted solid metal build and even the stylish box that it comes in. Other speakers don't come close. This would make an excellent gift idea for that friend who loves retro-inspired designs or collectibles.
Plus, the battery life is excellent, giving you up to 10-20 hours of listening time before needing to be recharged. And the quality is quite good, with a balanced sound and volume that will please just about anyone. These are great speakers. Don't miss out – purchase one today!
What You Should Know
The Muzen is great-sounding for its size, however, we've seen reviews stating that the mid-range frequencies are not the best and that could affect some vocals.
We also think the price should be a little lower considering the size, but the design is what you're buying with this speaker. If you want the best bang for your buck this is not it.
Also, because it is so small, the knobs may seem tiny to some, but that's to be expected.
Despite these drawbacks, we think the Muzen is still great for its size and we love the design!
We would recommend this to anyone looking for a small size and a stylish option, or as a fantastic retro-inspired gift idea.
Best All-In-One Retro Design Bluetooth Speaker
Victrola 50's Retro Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center
Why We Love It
Looking for a speaker that makes a style statement, but with plenty of features? We have you covered with the Victrola 50's Retro Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center.
This one-of-a-kind unit is equipped with multiple functions, a 3-speed record player, CD player, AM/FM radio, and even software to convert records to MP3s.
Plus, it can reach fairly loud volume levels, so you can enjoy your music. And with its unique 50's crafted design, sleek knobs, and car-inspired grill, it's sure to be a conversation starter in any home or office.
What You Should Know
At first glance, the Victrola looks like a throwback to the days of 1950s diners and jukeboxes, that's why we like it. Pair it with the right vintage furniture and it's sure to be a conversation starter with your friends. But while it does have a definite retro vibe, there are a few things to consider when buying.
First off we think it's a pretty neat concept, but like with any all-in-one device you shouldn't expect professional quality. For example, the turn-table will get the job done, but it is still fairly basic. Also, while the build quality is fairly solid, it is still plastic overall. But that may not matter. We still think it looks very stylish and fun at a decent price!
One very obvious design point that we noticed is the modern digital display. We thought that was an odd choice considering the selling point of this is about being retro and not showing off technology, but if you consider that this is not meant to imitate a vintage device but instead add vintage style to modern technology, then it makes sense.
If you're not a vintage purist, don't already have a record player, and are looking for a fun conversation starter, the Victrola would be a great purchase.
Retro Speaker FAQs
You want to buy a Bluetooth speaker at a good price, but don't know which one to choose.
There are so many different retro Bluetooth speakers on the market with various features, that it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.
Our goal is to help you make an informed buy. We know what's important when looking for retro Bluetooth speakers, so we've put together some additional frequently asked questions to help you decide.
How do I convert vintage speakers to Bluetooth?
This can be done relatively easily and cheaply with the purchase of a Bluetooth receiver to stream audio wirelessly, like the Esinkin Wireless Audio Reciever. Devices like these plug into your receiver, so you will still need an amplifier of some kind to drive your vintage speakers.
Which brand of Bluetooth speaker is best?
There are a lot of different speaker brands, but it really depends on what you're looking for in a speaker. It's better to shop for the features that you need in a speaker first, compare reviews, and then narrow down your search based on brands that have the best customer service if that matters to you. Just know that the name doesn't always equate to the best. Plus, bigger-name brands usually come at a premium price.
Which speaker has the best sound quality?
There are a lot of different speaker brands, but it really depends on what features you need in a speaker. Do you need a cost-friendly option? Do you need a retro design? Are you looking for Bluetooth connectivity or Wi-Fi?
The best speakers will be what match your needs. For example, if you want something that's going to be portable and easy to carry around, then there are a lot of small speakers that would work well and have great battery life, but audio often suffers.
Likewise, if you need a retro design it may be hard to find one that has great sound because the design element is usually the main focus.
How many watts is a good Bluetooth speaker?
Wattage is not always a great indicator of volume. There are many great small speakers under 5 watts that will fill your space and satisfy most people's needs, but they will typically not have a great low-end range.
If you want a balanced high-fidelity sound that is loud, crisp, and boomy, it may be hard to get that in a Bluetooth speaker. However, many of the best Bluetooth speakers start at around 20 watts and have volume levels loud to handle most home needs including house parties.
Which speaker is best for bass?
In general, bigger speakers tend to have better bass responses. However, there are a lot of factors that contribute to how "good" a speaker sounds, so it's hard to generalize which one is best. It also depends on the situation, how you are driving it, the room, and many other factors.
Speakers with lower Hz ratings as well as floor-standing speakers or subwoofers will typically give you the most powerful bass frequencies.
What kind of speaker is best for music?
There really is no simple answer to this question as the ideal speaker depends on several factors, including the specific type of music you enjoy, the acoustics of your listening environment, and your personal preferences. That said, there are a few generalities we can make about good music speakers.
The best and only way to know how good a speaker is for you is to try it out yourself. If you cannot do that, lean on other people's ears, and compare as many reviews as you can.
What is the best speaker brand in the world?
The best speaker brand in the world is subjective and depends on your needs. Some people may prefer one brand due to its superior sound, while others may prefer another because it's trendy.
Ultimately, the best speaker brand for you is the one that meets your specific needs and satisfies your personal preferences. So it's important to do your research before making a purchase and to consider all of your options before settling on a particular brand.
Are Bluetooth speakers louder with aux?
This is a great question! It really depends on how good the speaker is and the type of music you're playing.
Bluetooth has to send large amounts of data through the air. To do that efficiently it has to compress the data which can impact audio quality in some cases. But this does not necessarily mean it is more or less louder, however, if you start with already poor audio it can sometimes seem that way.
Direct wiring to AUX is always going to offer you the best possible sound quality.
Why does radio sound better than Bluetooth?
Radio has a longer range and better sound than Bluetooth.
FM signals can also travel farther and penetrate walls better than Bluetooth signals. This is because Bluetooth signals are shorter and weaker than radio signals.
Also, Bluetooth typically uses compression algorithms that reduce the audio quality of the transmission. Radio does not use compression algorithms, so the sound is usually better. However, many modern FM stations today are trading quality for convenience, and are now streaming compressed audio files which may result in a poor-sounding radio broadcast.
Do you lose sound quality with Bluetooth?
There is a loss in quality with Bluetooth, but it's not significant enough to deter most people from using it. However, if you are playing an already poor-quality audio file over Bluetooth, you may notice a much larger drop in quality than if you play a high-quality one.
What Is The Best Retro Speaker For You?
As we move further into the 21st century, more and more people are looking to add a bit of nostalgia to their lives. This is why retro Bluetooth speakers have become so popular in recent years. Not only do they offer a unique style, but they can often do so without you having to sacrifice modern features and sound.
So if you're looking for a great way to add some nostalgia to your home décor, be sure to check out our list of the best retro Bluetooth speakers!
Thanks for reading!
Adam
