AirPlay speaker wanted. Is Bose the best option?

I want to get an airplay speaker for the kitchen that will allow me to stream from my iPhone and iMac using AirPlay. I'm tempted with the Bose SoundLink® Air but at $350 it's a bit pricey. Is this the best out there or should I be looking at a different (cheaper) option.
Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

R

 

We got the B&W Zeppelin. We love it. Unfortunately it's more than $350.

 

Would you consider a Bluetooth option?

http://www.audyssey.com/products/wireless-speakers

 

I've tried Bluetooth speakers before and they're not as easy to use as the airplay options.

 

I was going to recommend the B&W Zeppelin Mini (maybe find one used) or the newer A5 or A7, but if $350 is out of the price range, that won't help you much. I have the Zeppelin in the kitchen and a Zeppelin Mini in the master bath and they are great. But part of your question was if the Bose was the best out there, and these are better.

 

Would something like this work for you?

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wire...1376837405&sr=8-8&keywords=bluetooth+speakers

All you need is any type of powered speaker ( to avoid needed to hook it up to an amp with regular speakers)

I considered it for my kitchen but in the end I decided to use my laptop with active speakers.

Eddie

 

Another option if you have a powered speaker that you already like is to get an Airport Express ($99 or less) and effectively add AirPlay to it. In fact, my Zeppelin Mini does not have Airplay, but I paired it with an Airport Express to add that capability.

 

This Cambridge Soundworks speaker has gotten good reviews

http://www.theoontz.com/

It's Bluetooth only but the Company has put out good products in the past.

 

Bose is never the best option.

 

At around $600, this Samsung AirPlay speaker might not be cheap, but it's got tubes, dang it! Sports a subwoofer too!

http://reviews.cnet.com/audio-shelf-systems/samsung-da-e750/4505-6721_7-35118550.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083BCCXG/

 

PC Magazine (granted, not an audiophile publication) did a shootout among the best AirPlay speakers a few days ago:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406177,00.asp

 

Several people in my office who know tech and audio intimately absolutely rave about Sonos Bluetooth speakers. The Play3 is $299 from sonos.com with 45 day returns.

 

I was considering AirPlay speakers early this year but they're more a want than a need, so I've held off. Two I looked at were Pioneers. They're worth reading up on, especially since they had a significant price cut earlier this year.

 

I am really looking for an AirPlay device

Thanks but they are all out of my price limit unfortunately

Thanks, this looks interesting

I hadn't thought of this option. If I was to do this what powered speaker would you recommend below $200?

Thanks everybody for your replies!

 

FYI: just got a notification that those Pioneers I mentioned above just had an across the board $50 price drop (including the top model, which I forgot to screen cap). Being that it's Amazon, who knows how long the price will hold. The first "helpful" review that shows in my app goes into great detail comparing these three units and at least me Bose.



If I hadn't just spent my fun money on a DAC a few weeks ago I'd probably bite on one of these.

 

How about a pair of refurbished Audioengine 2 powered speakers ($159)

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/refurbished/A2W-Refurbished

and a refurbished Airport Express ($69)

http://store.apple.com/us/product/F...express-base-station-with-80211n-and-airtunes

For $228, it'll sound very good!

 

I thought I posted earlier today but I guess I never clicked on "Post Reply"

I have the M-Audio AV40 which cost around $150, which I like and work fine for my purposes at work. The other ones I looked at were the Audioengine 2 posted above by Billy. My budget pushed me towards the AV40s. I did get a chance to hear the Audioengine 2s later on and they do sound nice. I think either would be a good fit. I'd probably lean towards the Audioengine2s at $150 though.