Five speakers, soundbars and systems that will boost summer parties and movie sessions

WHETHER hosting a pool party or spending time out of the sun this summer, these five sound systems can keep the party going.

Rock out to 5 speakers of summer

WHETHER hosting a pool party or spending time out of the sun this summer, these five sound systems can keep the party going.

Samsung M3 Wireless Multiroom Speaker

Samsung / 4/5 / $269 / samsung.com/au

Samsung M3 Wireless Multiroom Speaker.

It may be the smallest member of Samsung’s wireless speaker family but the M3 makes itself heard. The Sonos rival boasts a pleasing triangular shape that can sit in a corner or upright, and pairs to audio sources, such as smartphones and music services, over wi-fi or Bluetooth. A touch-sensitive volume control and source selection buttons sit on its shiny top, and the 1.9kg speaker features 17 watts of sound power with an 85mm woofer and 25mm tweeter. It will deliver enough volume to fuel a small party, with excellent mid-bass delivery, but not enough sound to make neighbours complain. It lacks direct USB input, and an auxiliary connection.

TEAC SB303 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

TEAC / 4.5/5 / $249 / teac.com.au

Easy to set up, versatile and produces good sound — this system ticks a lot of boxes for a budget price. Plug it into your TV with audio cables or an optical audio input and you can also connect it to other devices through NFC, Bluetooth or an auxiliary port. The 62mm high soundbar automatically pairs with the subwoofer as soon as they turn on if they are within 6m of one another. The remote control is on the small side but the ability to boost your TV sound and play music wirelessly from your smartphone balances the unit’s limitations.

Philips Fidelio E5

Philips / 4/5 / $999.95 / philips.com.au

Philips Fidelio E5

This take on surround sound gets around the need to have leads crisscrossing behind your couch using a clever two-in-one design. The two-pillar speakers that bookend your TV have a smaller wireless speaker on top, charging for when you need them. When it’s time for serious viewing, you pick up the small speakers, which last up to 10 hours on a charge, and pop them behind you, ideally at ear level. It’s a simple setup and there’s versatility in the system that also lets you stream music wirelessly from your smartphone. It has an attractive wood and metal finish and NFC one-touch pairing that is likely to appeal.

LG Music Flow H5

LG / 3.5/5 / $399 / lg.com.au

LG Music Flow Speakers.

LG is the latest firm to offer a wireless speaker family that lets you play music in every room. Being able to connect directly to the speakers with Bluetooth and NFC gives them a versatility some similar systems lack. The 40-watt H5 is a good starting point, offering a sound big enough to fill a room but small enough for a bookshelf, although there is a notable distortion when you turn the volume right up. The Music Flow app is simple to use and setting up the speaker is easy but took us a few goes to make the wireless connection work. You can start with one speaker but if you’re planning a network through the house you’ll want to add the R1 Bridge.

Bose Solo 15

Bose / 3.5/5 / $629 / bose.com.au

The trouble with most big-screen TVs is the picture looks great but the sound quality lags behind. This sound-improving solution is simple to set up. Plug it in, connect your TV or set-top box with an optical audio cable, and you’re good to go. It comes with a universal remote control and is designed to sit beneath your TV. There is a dial at the back to control bass but no other easy way to adjust settings, nor is there a display. A purchase decision would be easier if you could link other devices to it through an auxiliary connection or Bluetooth.