WLAN speakers: Stiftung Warentest thinks five models are “good”

WLAN loudspeakers can definitely replace old music systems and speakers. This is the result of the Stiftung Warentest after a comparison of 13 devices of this type.

In the test, eleven WLAN loudspeakers provided good sound, and the sound of two models was even rated as “very good”, reports the foundation in its magazine “test” (issue 4/2021). In the overall assessment, five models were rated “good”, the other eight were rated “satisfactory”.

Anyone who has never dealt with a WLAN loudspeaker should above all know that the devices do not require a traditional remote control. The control runs primarily via an app from the manufacturer that you install on your smartphone or tablet.

Real stereo sound costs twice

In addition, a WLAN loudspeaker basically only delivers mono sound. Some manufacturers offer so-called internal stereo by installing multiple speakers next to each other, which actually creates a stereo effect. In order to perceive it from a single box, you have to stand or sit very close to this box.

Much more interesting is the option of connecting two of the individually sold boxes of the same model via app to a stereo pair – a feature that almost all tested manufacturers offer. The same applies to the so-called multiroom function, with the help of which the music can be played in several rooms at the same time without any time delay.

The tested loudspeakers are intended to replace stereo systems and, with one exception, must always be plugged into the socket. According to Stiftung Warentest, anyone looking for a mobile solution for on the go has to look for the much smaller and weaker Bluetooth boxes with rechargeable batteries.

The test winner was the € 520 Sonos Five (grade 1.7), followed by the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex (grade 2.2) for 450 euros and the comparatively inexpensive Musiccast 20 from Yamaha at 173 euros (grade 2.4). The product test rating of “good” was also achieved by the Denon Home 250, which cost 380 euros, and the Harman Kardon Citation 500, which was the only box with a voice assistant, (2.5 each).