Looking for small active STEREO speakers I can throw in a carry on bag and travel with

[romnation]

With my job I travel very often and spend a large amount of my time sitting in front of a laptop in airbnbs and hotel rooms.

I'm looking for the best STEREO audiophile speakers out there that I can throw in a carry on bag and travel with. These will get used sitting in front of a laptop 99% of the time. Probably need something active. Can save the original box if needed if it will help with transport. I am not looking for something that is a bluetooth single speaker, I need stereo sound. I need something that will also work well in crappy rooms. Roon ready would be another bonus if possible. Any suggestions?

 

[JEarle]

Genelec 8010?

7.67" x 4.76" x 4.5". 3.3lb ea.

 

[Zensō]

IK Multimedia - iLoud Micro Monitor

iLoud Micro Monitor is the smallest studio reference monitor in the world

www.ikmultimedia.com

 

[Klonatans]

Eve Audio SC203

 

[antcollinet]

With my job I travel very often and spend a large amount of my time sitting in front of a laptop in airbnbs and hotel rooms.

I'm looking for the best STEREO audiophile speakers out there that I can throw in a carry on bag and travel with. These will get used sitting in front of a laptop 99% of the time. Probably need something active. Can save the original box if needed if it will help with transport. I am not looking for something that is a bluetooth single speaker, I need stereo sound. I need something that will also work well in crappy rooms. Roon ready would be another bonus if possible. Any suggestions?

Not sure you're going to get audiophile standard at a size/weight that is suitable for carry on. (not at a weight I'd be prepared to carry on anyway)

I'd be looking to trade a little sound quality for mobility, and go for a pair of bluetooth speakers that can be switched to left/right channel. eg:

JBL FLIP 5 (Black)

Shop for JBL Flip 5 Black Bluetooth Speaker with Richer Sounds for expert advice and lowest prices guaranteed

www.richersounds.com

 

[raistlin65]

These will get used sitting in front of a laptop 99% of the time.

Why not a good pair of open headphones?

 

[Doodski]

The older Logitech USB speakers are not really high quality sound but if you want a packable size and easy to connect they are sooperb. They connect via USB. You'll need to find a used pair of V20 or a other model I don't know the model name for. I have the V20 and they sound good enough for casual listening.

Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

 

[RobL]

IK Multimedia - iLoud Micro Monitor

iLoud Micro Monitor is the smallest studio reference monitor in the world

www.ikmultimedia.com

Just bought a pair of these for my son’s girlfriend! Hard to best for the $.

 

[anotherhobby]

Why not a good pair of open headphones?

That's a great suggestion. Not only are they much lighter, the hifi potential of open back headphones with a high quality portable DAC/amp is WAY higher than any pair of speakers you could ever travel with.

 

[raistlin65]

That's a great suggestion. Not only are they much lighter, the hifi potential of open back headphones with a high quality portable DAC/amp is WAY higher than any pair of speakers you could ever travel with.

Yep. I have packed my Sennheiser HD660S in a hard case in my luggage. Then I just use a dongle with my laptop.

 

[GD Fan]

Genelec 8010?

7.67" x 4.76" x 4.5". 3.3lb ea.

Genelec also sells a soft side carrying case for $99.

 

[JSmith]

Any suggestions?

Edifier MR4 Review (Budget Monitor)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Edifier MR4 powered "studio" monitor (speaker). It was sent to me by the company and costs US $130. This is a very small speaker. It looks larger in the marketing material. You can easily carry it with one hand. I was impressed by the use of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Conclusions
You are paying so little for a speaker that attempts to follow the path of much more expensive monitors with proper waveguide and balanced inputs. It takes over them with inclusion of volume control, RCA inputs, etc. Bass response is flat and impressive for such a small/light speaker. I wish it did not have the dip in lower treble though. Not sure why that is there if they did measure the speaker.

If you need an ultra cheap, active speaker and can use a bit of EQ, the Edifier MR4 makes a decent option. Just keep your expectations low as far as playback level.

JSmith

 

[wwenze]

Why not a good pair of open headphones?

I used the iLoud for 6 months overseas and it beats listening to headphones 3 hours a day.

 

[Trell]

Edifier MR4 Review (Budget Monitor)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Edifier MR4 powered "studio" monitor (speaker). It was sent to me by the company and costs US $130. This is a very small speaker. It looks larger in the marketing material. You can easily carry it with one hand. I was impressed by the use of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

The woofer is not protected, tweeter as well it seems from picture, so not well suited for frequent traveling.

 

[raistlin65]

I used the iLoud for 6 months overseas and it beats listening to headphones 3 hours a day.

Good for you.

But can we not start the headphones versus speakers which is better debate? I brought that up in case the OP had not tried open headphones, and was mainly used to consumer market headphones.

 

[LTig]

I have a pair of Genelec 8020a which goes into a Pelican case on travel. But this weighs close to 10 kg so the 8010s are better suited for travel.

 

[digitalfrost]

Two of these:

Motion+

Motion+ is a famous speaker produced by soundcore US. One can enjoy seamless streaming of loud, thumping sound with this waterproof Bluetooth speaker.

us.soundcore.com

Don't laugh. They are really good. They have an integrated battery and you can store custom EQ setting on them. And you can pair two for stereo. I think for travelling these are a really good idea. Also you can throw them in a bag without worry.

 

[daftcombo]

Get a Koss Porta Pro, throw Amir's EQ settings and you're done.

 

[LTig]

Two of these:

Motion+

Motion+ is a famous speaker produced by soundcore US. One can enjoy seamless streaming of loud, thumping sound with this waterproof Bluetooth speaker.

us.soundcore.com

Don't laugh. They are really good. They have an integrated battery and you can store custom EQ setting on them. And you can pair two for stereo. I think for travelling these are a really good idea. Also you can throw them in a bag without worry.

I do believe you (I have a JBL Charge 3) but in stereo mode the horizontal dispersion must be horrible with two tweeters that far apart. Do you own two of them? Can you compare them in stereo mode in horizontal and vertical placement?

 

[AdamG]

Let’s try and stay on topic please. Op is asking about small portable speakers. Let’s save the Headphone conversation for a different thread please and thank you for your understanding.