The real cost of smart speakers
I use smart speakers and I could start an entire blog on the seemingly simple things I’ve asked Google Assistant to do that it can’t figure out.
Riva Wand Series - Multi-Room Wireless Speakers
Riva makes some of the best sounding portable Bluetooth speakers around. But I had no idea that they expanded into the multi-room streaming music arena. Their new Wand series is almost exactly shaped to be a Sonos competitor at the on-sale Sonos pricing.
Check out the Riva Arena and the Riva Festival here.
Mackie CR5BT review
Price: $219. I've been eyeing these for a while and have seen review after review that is mostly positive. I'm sold, I think, and I'm just waiting for the Mackie rebates to come into effect again.
Vizio speakers with built-in Google Cast for audio
I love my Sonos speakers. I like that they aren't necessarily connected via Bluetooth to my phone which means less battery drain and none of the miscellaneous sounds from my phone when streaming music. But with the recent news that Sonos laid off employees and is changing the company's direction, the onset of other Wi-Fi-enabled audio devices, especially those using Google Cast for audio, sounds quite appealing. And given the price (way below Sonos' own offerings), you really can't lose.
Vizio's latest set of speakers with Google Cast built-in look like amazing pieces of home audio to have. I want. And if that happens, my Sonos may go byebye.