PORTABLE SPEAKERS

THE SOUND THAT ENJOYS LIFE STRENGTHENS SALES

From sophisticated to simple and with different price ranges, portable speakers serve a wide range of consumers and are a good deal for retailers.

by Leda Cavalcanti

The evolution of speakers has stimulated sales growth, says John Zak, commercial director at Aiwa. “The connectivity and mobility of these devices made the market take a different direction. Increasingly, companies are launching products with design, vibrant lights, and power to make them more attractive to consumers. This, in turn, also values battery life, water resistance and sound quality. In the case of party boxes, the LED and RGB lights are differentials.”

One more reason for its success is its versatility. “The speakers are designed to be used in different environments, from large parties to more intimate moments, with friends and family. The ability to adapt to different scenarios, along with features such as long battery life, sound power, and lighting, makes these products attractive to a wide range of consumers, driving increased sales”, says Felipe Lebrão, audio products specialist at LG Brasil.

The attributes and functionalities of these products influence demand, says Lucas Reis, commercial manager of the Letron brand, distributed by the Grupo Leonora. “Identifying the differences between one product and another and communicating them clearly to the consumer drives the desire to purchase to fulfill some lifestyle moment. The speaker serves the most varied reasons for use, from Sunday lunch with the family to events with audiovisual attractions. They serve recreational and formal use.”

In the evolution of this market, the smartphone, which is characterized by portability, played an important role. “It has become the main audio media player device in people’s daily lives, to which speakers are connected, and they have this same portability feature. These are products that have stood out in the market, which is very competitive, but with many opportunities for customized and differentiated devices”, says Cristiano da Silva, commercial director at Tectoy.

Change in consumption

• Consumer habits are constantly changing, says Luciano Sasso, vice president of sales and marketing for the South American consumer audio business unit at Harman, owner of the JBL brand. “Our mission is to be a protagonist in this area, delivering quality products that, through audio, provide the best moments for the consumer. JBL has been in existence for over 75 years and has been present at important milestones in the world history of audio since the first cinema speaker, such as Woodstock.”
• Consumers’ search for solutions that make their daily lives easier is a constant. “And this is no different with audio equipment. We observed that the Brazilian public, specifically, has the profile of seeking new technologies and products. And the versatility of the speakers is certainly one of the main points that lead them to look for new products in the category. Our brand is committed to innovation”, says Luana Gheller, TV and audio product manager at Samsung Brasil.

Jacques Benain the general manager of devices at Amazon Brasil, highlights that the company’s objective is to place customer experience at the center of everything it develops. “We want to offer meaningful and relevant interactions, connected to current reality. We continue to evolve the experience with Alexa and our devices for people’s well-being. The devices we highlight add smart functionalities with Alexa integrated.”

The audio market has experienced a major revolution in the last decade. “We went from physical media to current streaming and went from power supply to high-capacity batteries. All of this, combined with Bluetooth and new technologies, allowed a party, event or meeting to take place anywhere. Without a doubt, portability was the great turning point in the audio sector”, says Gustavo Meyer, commercial coordinator at Bomber.

The audio market has experienced a major revolution in the last decade. “We went from physical media to current streaming and went from power supply to high-capacity batteries. All of this, combined with Bluetooth and new technologies, allowed a party, event or meeting to take place anywhere. Without a doubt, portability was the great turning point in the audio sector”, says Gustavo Meyer, commercial coordinator at Bomber.

The audio line is growing because the way for consumers to listen music and their behavior towards this type of product has changed in recent years. “And the responsible thing is portability. We moved away from the static mini system, immobile in the living room or bedroom, to have access to a variety of boxes that can be transported in a comfortable and functional way with the playlist that most pleases the user, due to the accessibility offered by streaming channels”, says Maciel Vasconcelos, commercial director at Amvox.

Market adapts to the public

More connected, the consumer has been changing the market, says Giovanni M. Cardoso, co-founder of Grupo MK, owner of the Mondial brand. “Today, most people keep an audio player on their cell phone, which can be easily connected to the speakers via Bluetooth. This practicality and the possibility of transportation are factors that increase sales. We see the speaker market as having high growth potential, as the launches of differentiated products make them increasingly attractive to consumers.”

In the audio line, the biggest market is portable speakers due to the practicality of taking them everywhere. “They represent more than 40% of the audio market. We feel that consumers are increasingly looking for devices that provide good connectivity and have multifunction. You want a quality product that offers ease, whether to take it to other places or to move it from one room to another”, explains Amanda Urzum, commercial director of Philco’s brown line.

The Brazilian market is very booming, and versatility is certainly one of the main reasons. Small and medium-sized boxes are in high demand due to their portability, they fit in bags and backpacks and have good autonomy. Today, sales of speakers are growing in e-commerce, but physical stores still attract a large part of consumers, because there, they can test the power and quality of the products”, says Andrea Antunes, department store manager at Frahm.

“We see that sales growth is due to sound quality and portability. Furthermore, some boxes have sets of colors that follow the rhythm of the music, making the environment livelier. We have engineers who work daily to deliver high-performance boxes. Their proximity to production guarantees the delivery of a quality product at an affordable price”, says Luiz Kencis, CEO at Polyvox. The following are the industry’s products for retail.

AIWA

Currently, there are five models in the portfolio. The AIWA Boombox Plus (BBS-01) has a three-way sound system: a subwoofer, two midranges and two tweeters, which guarantees better sound quality and clarity. It has two lateral passive radiators, 200 W RMS of power and the brand’s Japanese DNA. The IP66 certificate allows you to listen to your favorite playlist by the pool or on the beach, as the Boombox is resistant to powerful jets of water and has total protection against dust or sand. Its lithium battery lasts up to 30 hours (at 50% volume). The TWS function makes it possible to synchronize two devices to double the power. It weighs 6.28 kg.

Another portable box is the AIWA Partybox (PB-01). It has a Superbass sound system, which has 200 W RMS of power, providing clear vocals and powerful bass. With a modern design, it has a fixed handle and wheels on the back for transport. It has two 8” woofers, a tweeter and six dynamic light modes, with a multicolor effect. It has USB and AUX inputs, as well as two others, one for a microphone and one for musical instruments. The battery lasts up to 15 hours.

AIWA Boombox Plus – AWS-BBS-01B – Suggested price on 11/07/2023: BRL 2,799.90.

AIWA Partybox – AWS-PB-01 – Suggested price on 11/07/2023: BRL 2,099.00.

AMAZON BRASIL

It offers 13 smart speakers in the country with integrated Alexa. Among this year’s launches is the Echo Show 5, which combines Alexa’s functionalities with the convenience of a screen for the user to follow their audio or video content. It has a new speaker system, with deeper bass compared to the previous generation and clear sound. It is possible to watch films and series on Prime Video, follow video news on the web or sing along with the lyrics of most songs available on Amazon Music.

Another launch is the Echo Dot 5th generation, with a clock that includes a LED display, or without a clock. It has a redesigned audio architecture for a better experience than previous versions. It is possible to ask Alexa to play songs in the same spherical and compact format. The new generation has an accelerometer that allows the user to just touch the top of the device to dismiss timers or end a call. The clock version is equipped with the AZ2 Neural Edge processor for faster responses. Products can be powered by an Echo Show 5 (3rd generation) battery base.

Echo Show 5 – Suggested price on 10/31/2023: BRL 649.00.

Echo Dot 5th generation – Suggested price on 10/31/2023: BRL 429.00. The option with clock has a suggested price of BRL 529.00, and the battery base, BRL 229.00.

AMVOX

Its latest release is the ACA 600 BagVox amplifier box, which has double straps to carry it on the back like a backpack. The straps are removable. It has intuitive functions and weighs 5 kg. It was designed to be ergonomic and adjustable. It has a rechargeable battery, with an autonomy of four hours, a power of 600 W and two 6.5″ speakers, with LED lights, Bluetooth and microphone priority mode. It is also suitable for professional activities. Presented in black and black/red, it also has a power bank function to recharge your cell phone and other devices.

The company, whose flagships in the category are amplified speakers, also highlights the ACA New X 251, with good power, accentuated bass and the TWS function, which allows two speakers to be connected wirelessly. Currently, Amvox, which completed two decades of activity this year, has 20 speaker models in its portfolio.

ACA 600 BagVox – Suggested price on 10/28/2023: BRL 699.00.

ACA 251 New X – Suggested price on 10/28/2023: BRL 379.00.

BOMBER

Highlights are the Bomber Party 1250, a compact tower with 140 W of real power, up to 10 hours of autonomy, Bluetooth connectivity and microphone and instrument inputs, features that make it a very versatile product. Its biggest difference is the digital sound processor, which takes sound quality to a higher level, with three equalization setups for different types of environments.

The brand also launches the BomberBox Pro, a super box, whose project was completely designed and developed by Bomber, by engineers and professionals from the Brazilian industry. With 90 W of real power, it is water resistant, has induction smartphone charging and a battery with up to 22 hours of autonomy.

Bomber Party – Suggested price on 11/07/2023: BRL 1,799.00.

BomberBox Pro – Suggested price on 11/07/2023: BRL 1,899.00

FRAHM

The Darksound One portable speaker Frahm offers practicality, connectivity, and autonomy. It has an internal battery with autonomy of up to 14 hours at medium volume and the TWS (Frahm Wireless Connect) function, which is the wireless connection of two of these boxes using Bluetooth technology, with twice the power. The audio system has a processor (DSP) that electronically controls, in real time, all signals that are sent to the reproduction paths. With high processing speed, it eliminates noise levels and distortions.

Another product is the Frahm Darksound Bass One 6 RMS Bluetooth portable speaker. It has a handle for transporting and runs on battery power with variable autonomy between 3 and 11 hours, depending on the intensity of the volume. It has two 2″ tweeters and two 4″ speakers to support 60 W of RMS power. The company has 25 speaker models in its portfolio.

Darksound One – Suggested price on 11/07/2023: BRL 399.00.

Darksound Bass One – Suggested price on 11/07/2023: BRL 799.00.

JBL

One highlight is the JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi connection provides an immersive sound experience, without interruptions. It has an ecological design and was developed with sustainable materials: 90% recycled plastic in the mechanical structure and 100% recycled fabric in the covering. With Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, the box has up to 20 hours of uninterrupted playback. It has an IP67 dust and waterproof rating and has a built-in portable power bank so the sound never stops

Another is the JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi, which offers deeper bass sounds. It is the first with Dolby Atmos speaker technology. It has a battery with up to 24 hours of playback and a waterproof design. It is dust resistant and can be connected to all voice assistants on the market, including Google and Alexa. The products feature the JBL One application, which allows you to configure, customize and browse the speakers’ integrated services. It also allows automatic customization of the EQ and control of all compatible JBL Wi-Fi speakers.

JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi – Suggested price on 11/1/2023: BRL 3,599.00.

JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi – Suggested price on 11/1/2023: BRL 1,899.00.

LETRON

Its LED Beat rechargeable speaker (Code 74515) has a robust design and dual 8” speakers, with a total power of 1,000 W, distributed between the main speaker and subwoofers. With LED lighting, it has two P10 inputs compatible with a microphone or musical instrument. It is compatible with different connection modes: AUX cable, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB. It has a rechargeable battery with 4 hours of autonomy and a remote control with REC function.

Another product is the Dance portable speaker rechargeable (Code 74518), which can be taken everywhere, including the beach. It has a remote control, double speakers with a power of 2,000 W, modern design, wheels, and a handle. It has a microphone input (not included) and is compatible with AUX cable, USB, Bluetooth, micro-SD and FM radio. It has a rechargeable battery and 12 LED lighting modes.

LED Beat rechargeable speaker (Code 74515) – Suggested price on 11/08/2023: BRL 1,599.00.

Dance portable rechargeable speaker (Code 74518) – Suggested price on 11/08/2023: BRL 1,999.90.

LG

One of its flagship boxes is the LG XBOOM XL7. Equipped with an 8″ woofer and two 2.5″ tweeters, it has a power of 250 W, a battery life of up to 20 hours, IPX4 protection and Bluetooth connectivity. It is suitable for outdoor parties and areas close to water, such as swimming pools. Its wheels and telescopic handle make it easy to transport. It has multicolored lights, customizable LED panel, microphone and guitar input, voice effects for karaoke and DJ function

Another option is the LG XBOOM Go XG9 POWER, with two carbon fiber woofers, 4.5” each. Delivers powerful, well-defined bass, regardless of volume level or room size. It has a compression tweeter, which delivers medium and highs with total balance. Its battery can last up to 24 hours. Compact in size, it is versatile and resistant to water and sand, as it has IP67 protection. LG also has other smaller and more compact models.

LG XBOOM XL7 – Suggested price on 11/1/2023: BRL 3,039.05,

LG XBOOM Go XG9 POWER – Suggested price on 11/1/2023: BRL 1,709.05.

MONDIAL

It has six box options in its portfolio. The Connect Lights CM-400 Mondial amplified box has 400 W RMS of power, 12” speaker and the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) function, to connect two CM-400 speakers without using wires. It has Bluetooth transmission, a bivolt rechargeable battery and inputs for microphone, USB flash drive, MP3, MP4 and musical instruments. The Flash Light function emits colorful lights. It has wheels, retractable handle, stereo FM radio, digital display and is compatible with microphone, cell phone, notebook, television and musical devices. Its warranty is one year.

Another option is the Connect Power Plus Mondial CM-550 amplified box. With 550 W RMS power and a 12” speaker, it also has the TWS function, to connect two speakers, transmission via Bluetooth and a rechargeable and bivolt battery. It has inputs for microphone, USB flash drive, MP3, MP4 and musical instruments. The Flash Light function emits colored lights that flash. It has wheels, handle, stereo FM radio, digital display and is compatible with microphone, cell phone, notebook, television, and musical instruments. It is presented in black.

Connect Lights CM-400 Mondial amplified box – Suggested price on 11/07/2023: BRL 799.90.

Connect Power Plus Mondial CM-550 amplified box – Suggested price on 11/07/2023: BRL 899.90.

PHILCO

Currently, he works within the Extreme Line, with six launches. The Philco PCX4500 amplified speaker, with a modern design, has 300 W of power, two 4” woofers and a tweeter that brings more powerful bass to the device. It has a battery with four hours of autonomy, Bluetooth 5.3, and several inputs (including P2, P10 and USB) and flashlights, which have been updated with more colors and offer greater immersion to the consumer.

Another highlight is the Speaker PBS220BT, launched this year. It has 220 W of power, Bluetooth 5.3, a battery life of up to four hours, auxiliary inputs for a USD flash drive, microphone, radio and also has flash lights, with different lighting modes. This speaker box, with more bass power, is easy to take anywhere and has protection against water splashes.

Philco PCX4500 amplified speaker

Speaker PBS220BT

POLYVOX

With an innovative design, the XT-990T amplified speaker, tower model, has a Full LED panel, which provides a show of lights and colors. Powerful, with its 2,000 W, sound pressure of 102.2 dB SPL, two 10” subwoofers plus a 3” midrange and 3” tweeter, it is bivolt and works plugged to the socket. It has TWS technology to connect two brand speakers and can be controlled remotely via your smartphone with the Polyvox Audio Control app, downloaded for free from the Apple Store or PlayStore. It has a reinforced wooden cabinet and a carrying handle.

Another suggestion is the XT-660T amplified speaker, also with a Full LED panel. It has a three-way system, 800 W of power, sound pressure of 93.7, 2 with 6.5” woofer, plus tweeter and 3” midrange. It is bivolt, and the battery has an autonomy of four hours. It can be controlled remotely via the brand’s app. It has a wooden cabinet, which offers more efficiency, especially in bass sounds, and a side handle. The company has six speakers in its portfolio and will launch another one later this year.

XT-990T amplified speaker – Suggested price on 11/13/2023: BRL 1,777.00.

XT-660T amplified speaker – Suggested price on 11/13/2023: BRL 1,110.00.

SAMSUNG

Its flagship product focused on portable audio solutions is the Sound Tower Samsung MX-ST45B. Launched in the first half of 2023, it has a power of 160 W RMS in the speakers, which provide well-defined sound, with bidirectional audio outputs, due to the innovative design. It has an integrated battery, lasting up to 12 hours, and is water resistant, a feature proven by the IPX5 rating. It comes with LED lights, which can be controlled using the Sound Tower app on your smartphone. The model can synchronize up to 10 Samsung speakers without the need for wires.

Another advantage of the product is the multi-connection via Bluetooth, which allows the box to be controlled by two smartphones simultaneously, which makes it easier to exchange playlists between friends without needing to disconnect the cell phone. The DJ Effect, also available in the Sound Tower app, allows settings for each musical style.

Sound Tower Samsung MX-ST45B – Suggested price on 11/1/2023: BRL 1,899.05.

TECTOY

In its current portfolio, Tectoy has two speakers. The Sound Toons has eight versions with fun and collectible characters, such as owls, moose, parrots, and dogs of different colors. It has 3 W RMS power, Bluetooth 5.0 and TWS (True Wireless Stereo) technology, which makes it possible to use two speakers simultaneously.

Another box of the company is the XLoud, a powerful and compact product. It has 5 W RMS power, Bluetooth 5.0 and TWS technology. The battery lasts eight hours. It has AUX input and micro–SD card. The product weighs 268 g.

Sound Toons – Suggested price on 11/12/2023: BRL 129.00.

XLoud – Suggested price on 11/12/2023: BRL 109.00.

Source: Eletrolar News ed.158