The past few years, I’ve been doing most of my music listening off my phone. I use soulseek and just download right to my music folder, but with that comes obsessively hunting for obscure bands and filling up memory fast.

I don’t use headphones and just let my phone speakers play it pointed at my head out of my breast pocket. I started seeing that some companies make phone sized mp3 players with built in speakers for less than 50. Excuse the Amazon link, but it’s just intended to show what im actually looking at.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mp3+player+with+speaker+built+in&crid=20S689G6SAIXJ&sprefix=mp3+player+with+speaker%2Caps%2C108&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_23

So yeah, anyone use these? Do you like the one you have? Is it louder than your phone?

  • Barx [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
    8·
    3 months ago

    IIMO, those kinds of devices are for audio nerds with expensive headphones who (incorrectly) think they are getting better sound quality from a dedicated device versus a $10 dongle. For what you want, I would recommend getting a portable Bluetooth speaker instead. They will cost less and sound better. The better sound will include a wider frequency range, which will mean you can listen at lower volumes and therefore protect your hearing. If you get one that is USB C rechargeable you can (usually) even leave it plugged in while using it like a non-portable speaker.

    Tronsmart makes nice little bluetooth speakers on the cheap. They have several nice options. If I just wanted something portable, I would get the tronsmart trip that can be had on AliExpress for $13 if you hunt around. The groove 2 ($20 on Aliexpress, significant upgrade in sound) or t2 mini ($30, only a little nicer than the groove 2) are also nice.

    There are also options from soundcore and mono-price that people seem to like but I haven’t used them.