WLAN Speaker Test 2020: Test Winner And Bestseller

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 15:18

Stiftung Warentest winner, without voice assistant: Yamaha MusicCast 50
Stiftung Warentest winner, with voice assistant: Google Home Max
GIGA tip WLAN speakers in a compact design: Sonos One
Price-performance tip: IKEA Symfonisk
Bestseller from the market leader: Amazon Echo Plus
Buying WiFi speakers: what you should know

The best WiFi speakers in 2020: test winners and bestsellers at a glance

The price is around 100 euros for a good compact WLAN box, larger models are around 400 euros, but some luxury models (e.g. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo) can also cost over 1,000 euros.

placement	product	Street price	offer
Test winner (without voice assistant)	Yamaha MusicCast 50	about 350 euros	To MediaMarkt
Test winner (with Google Assistant)	Google Home Max	approx. 260 euros	To Tink
GIGA tip: compact speaker	Sonos One	about 200 euros	To Saturn
Price-performance tip	IKEA Symfonisk bookshelf speaker	96.50 euros	To IKEA
Bestseller from the market leader	Amazon Echo Plus	about 70 euros	To Amazon

Stiftung Warentest winner, without voice assistant: Yamaha MusicCast 50

Yamaha MusicCast 50 - multiroom stereo speakers

Now from € 343.00 at Amazon Similar offer at Mediamarkt Price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:00 a.m.

The Stiftung Warentest tested 13 WiFi speakers (issue 02/2020). The MusicCast 50 ("WX-051") from Yamaha was able to secure a top position among the models without an integrated voice assistant (or without a microphone) (overall rating 2.0 - "good"). Interesting detail: For the "Defects in terms and conditions and terms of use", the testers devalued the overall rating of the box (more on this under "How was tested")

The housing of the 40 centimeter wide speaker is rounded (profile from above: oval), inside there are two pairs of drivers (bass-midrange and tweeter) for real stereo sound. The sound is emitted directly in the direction of the listener, the tonal characteristics are relatively neutral. The Stiftung Warentest awarded the top rating for the sound "very good" (1,2). Versatility is also praised: Other WLAN speakers sometimes don't even have a jack input, the MusicCast 50 even scores with extras such as Ethernet and Bluetooth. A note from us: Sonos, Google and Apple offer automatic room measurement for sound improvement with their streaming speakers - such a function is missing from the MusicCast 50 from Yamaha, so you have to experiment yourself with the equalizer and installation location.

Watch Yamaha MusicCast 50 at Amazon

Advantages:

Natural, neutral sound. Powerful enough to replace a small stereo
Exemplary versatile: 2.4 / 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplay 2, Ethernet, optical input, jack socket 3.5 mm
Multi-room and stereo operation (with 2 pieces) possible

Disadvantage:

Bass comparatively slim
No automatic room measurement
Terms and conditions and conditions of use according to Stiftung Warentest with defects

Stiftung Warentest winner, with voice assistant: Google Home Max

Google Home Max Streaming Speakers

Now from € 271.89 at Saturn Similar offer at Mediamarkt price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:02 a.m.

You call the Google Home Max from the couch to "Ok Google, I want to hear the news" - and the smart loudspeaker reads the latest news. No access to a cell phone, no pressure on a control element - if you have no major concerns with digital voice assistants (keyword data protection), you will find the right box for your own four walls here. The microphone can be deactivated if necessary.

Among the models with a voice assistant, Google Home Max scores best in the Stiftung Warentest (edition 02/2020) with the overall grade "satisfactory" (2.6). The powerful sound of the 33.5 cm wide box is rated as very good, the versatility is only average. Again, a complaint for terms and conditions, terms of use and privacy policy.

Note: GIGA also tested the Google Home Max and achieved a good result (4 out of 5 stars). Our buying tip: The smart home retailer Tink often offers the Google Home Max in a double pack (keyword: stereo operation) at a particularly low price.

Watch Google Home Max (stereo double pack) at Tink

Advantages:

Good sound with strong bass
Google Assistant is one of the best voice assistants currently available
Flexible: Automatic room measurement for sound improvement. Can be set up either horizontally or upright

Disadvantage:

High power consumption
No Apple Airplay 2
Terms and conditions and conditions of use according to Stiftung Warentest with defects

GIGA tip WLAN speakers in a compact design: Sonos One / Sonos One SL

Sonos One Smart Speaker

Now from € 198.90 at Mediamarkt Similar offer at Amazon price comparison Price can now be higher. Price from 2020-26-07 11:45 p.m.

One of the most popular WLAN speakers comes from California and is built to save space: The Sonos One sounds stunningly good for the size and, with its timeless and reserved design, it fits almost any home decor. Music at room volume and radio messages are output directly and clearly, the room measurement (Sonos Trueplay) also helps in acoustically difficult rooms (e.g. bathrooms). A little sound miracle that only starts to sweat at party volume and deep bass.

Sonos One (stereo double pack) at Tink

Stereo operation with two Sonos One is particularly recommended (sounds crazy good) - if you want to go one better, get the Sonos Sub for powerful bass. If you can do without the integrated microphones and the voice assistants Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, you can use the sister model Sonos One SL, which is also a little cheaper.

Advantages:

Clear and direct sound, particularly suitable for talk radio programs / news / podcasts and music in room volume (even better after measuring the room with Sonos Trueplay)
Outstanding product design, good workmanship, compact design
Supports Airplay 2 and can, for example, play in sync with a HomePod in an "Apple household" or play Netflix sound from an Apple TV

Disadvantage:

Not very flexible: no jack socket, no playback via Bluetooth
Not enough deep bass for larger rooms and home theater
Expansion within the Sonos system is child's play, but sometimes costly: the only combinable subwoofer costs over 600 euros

Further to the topic:

Sonos speakers: Every user should know these 11 tips
Small WLAN speakers in comparison: Bose, Apple, Sonos - what are the differences?
B&W Formation Flex in the test: The luxury alternative to the Sonos One

Price-performance tip: IKEA Symfonisk bookshelf speakers

GIGA has tested two IKEA Symfonisk loudspeaker models. The table lamp with integrated loudspeaker (179 euros) and the shelf WiFi speaker (99 euros) are currently available. Both are worth a look, because they contain WLAN loudspeaker technology from the California multiroom specialist Sonos.

Check out the Symfonisk shelf WiFi speaker at IKEA

Although the processing (a lot of plastic) is kept simpler than with the "right" Sonos speakers, IKEA Symfonisk can keep up with the Sonos One in terms of sound. Our buy recommendation is the bookshelf speaker in a double pack, costing around 200 euros. So you get a WiFi speaker setup with real stereo and Airplay 2, which can fill small and medium-sized rooms well with music. Subsequent expansion to include additional Sonos models to create a home cinema system (e.g. 1 Sonos Beam in front, 2 IKEA Symfonisk as rear speaker) is no problem.

Advantages:

Good sound: Comparable to Sonos One, because similar components are installed
Unbeatable price-performance ratio, cheapest Airplay 2 speakers on the market
The bookshelf speaker can be mounted on the wall with the appropriate bracket and then actually serves as a storage surface (up to 3 kg)

Disadvantage:

Sound, workmanship and design are good, but not at the level of the "right" Sonos speakers
Not very flexible: no Bluetooth, no analogue or digital connection

Bestseller from the market leader: Amazon Echo Plus

Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen.)

Now from € 68.23 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 01:53 a.m.

Amazon is the global market leader in smart speakers. The numerous speakers in the Echo series work with the voice assistant Alexa and impress with their good price-performance ratio (which is made even better by regular discount campaigns such as Prime Day or Black Friday). Anyone who has already made friends with the Amazon “ecosystem” (e.g. through Amazon Prime Abo) should find a suitable addition with an Echo speaker.

The cylindrical Amazon Echo Plus (2nd generation) with 360-degree sound is more expensive at 149 euros (RRP) than the standard Amazon Echo model at 99 euros (RRP). The most important difference: A Smart Home Hub is built into the Echo Plus, which makes the speaker a potential control center for smart lamps, sockets, wall switches and more. A thermometer is also integrated.

Test on GIGA:

Amazon Echo Plus (2nd generation, 2018) in the test: The control center, with bass for the first time

In the GIGA test, we awarded the Echo Plus 4 out of 5 stars. However, the Stiftung Warentest only rated the Amazon Echo Plus with an overall rating of “satisfactory” (3.1) (issue 04/2019 “Curious helpers”). Sound, voice control and functions were rated as good. The testers were very critical of points such as data transmission behavior, terms and conditions and terms of use - these ultimately led to a devaluation.

Watch Echo Plus on Amazon

Advantages:

Integrated Zigbee hub for compatible smart home devices
Good value for money

Disadvantage:

Sound okay, but not a high-flyer for serious music enjoyment
No Apple Airplay 2
Terms and conditions and conditions of use according to Stiftung Warentest with defects

The best WiFi speakers in 2020: How it was tested

The Stiftung Warentest test procedure can be viewed on the Foundation's website. The most important criterion was the sound, followed by the handling. The Foundation paid particular attention to general terms and conditions (GTC) and terms of use, which were checked by a lawyer for "inadmissible clauses that disadvantage consumers". In the case of clear defects, this led to a devaluation of the overall grade. In addition to the Yamaha MusicCast 50, the Teufel One M, the second test winner of issue 02/2020, is also rated “good” (2.0). This is actually technically somewhat weaker, but is not deducted from the overall grade due to impeccable terms and conditions and terms of use.

GIGA editor Stefan also incorporated his own experience and research in specialist journals into this summary. Current WLAN loudspeaker models are presented, which have received special praise from the press and customers and are therefore recommended for a purchase.

Buying WiFi speakers: what you should know

Prices and compatibility

If you want to gradually expand your WLAN loudspeaker system (e.g. multiroom or surround), you can always have a generous amount of money ready - you can quickly get to an area that is expensive in terms of the good old hi-fi devices. Tower from the 1980s is remembered. Because all WLAN speakers have one property in common: they are not compatible with each other or only to a limited extent. If you choose a manufacturer with the first box, you will most likely buy additional speakers from this manufacturer for the (optional) expansion.

This manufacturer video gives a good overview of the Sonos multiroom system:

The Sonos sound system (manufacturer video)

A rough gradation: MusicCast from Yamaha is relatively flexible (can even be expanded with Bluetooth boxes), Sonos is already much more closed, the least "open" is Apple's HomePod. One should also be aware that the manufacturers can subsequently change their system via a software update: New functions can be added (e.g. Airplay 2 at Bose SoundTouch) or services can be removed.

Where is the best place to buy WiFi speakers?

Every major electronics retailer now offers WLAN speakers:

WiFi speakers at Amazon
WLAN speakers at MediaMarkt
WLAN speakers at Saturn
WLAN speakers at Otto

Our tip: The retailer Tink, which specializes in smart homes, offers attractive WLAN speaker bundles that can save money.

WLAN speaker sound quality: replace music system, stereo sound and room measurement

A single WLAN loudspeaker is good enough sound to replace a small stereo system - if it has a certain size and plays in stereo itself (e.g. Sonos Play: 5, Yamaha MusicCast 50, B&W Wedge). Many smaller models (e.g. Sonos One, Apple HomePod) sound decent, but are individually operated only a competition for the kitchen radio.

It looks different if you couple two WLAN speakers to a stereo pair with left and right channels. This happens in the associated app (for the HomePod in the Apple home app, for Sonos in the Sonos app etc.) and has a massive impact on the sound quality: Two HomePods can easily cover a 30-square-meter living room so that you can enjoy the sound may send old stereo system into retirement. The WLAN loudspeaker luxury class even has audiophile qualities that amaze demanding music listeners.

We listened to the wickedly expensive WiFi speaker set "B&W Formation":

Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo & Formation Bass

Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo - 2 pieces

Now from € 3,989.00 at Cyberport price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 23:55

WLAN speakers with automatic room measurement (eg "Sonos Trueplay") offer a decisive advantage. Here the speaker optimizes its frequency response to the acoustic conditions at its location. In a reverberant bathroom or heavily subdued bedroom, this function can work a sonic miracle. Systems without room measurement, on the other hand, require more time, which the user has to spend with the optimal installation and the equalizer.

Wireless speakers: with WiFi or Bluetooth?

Why buy a WiFi speaker when there are portable boxes with Bluetooth? Well, the main advantages of WiFi speakers are as follows:

The bandwidth and range of WLAN are higher than that of Bluetooth. This means that the sound quality tends to be better and you are more flexible in the placement.
Bluetooth connections also put through other sounds, such as the ringtone for an incoming call. A WLAN speaker, on the other hand, only plays the stream of a certain app or is even able to fetch and play a stream from the Internet (regardless of what is currently happening on the cell phone).

If you don't want to do without Bluetooth, take a look at speaker models that master WLAN and Bluetooth. Some models even have a built-in battery and can therefore also be used outside the home. Here is a small selection of our favorites:

Bose Portable Home Speaker, around 280 euros
Sonos Move, around 400 euros
Libratone Zipp 2, around 200 euros

Usually, however, WLAN and Bluetooth operation cannot be mixed in a multiroom scenario. One of the few exceptions: The Yamaha MusicCast system is also able to integrate Bluetooth speakers.

Sources for WLAN speakers: Where do music, internet radio, radio plays and podcasts come from?

WLAN speakers are capable of streaming, so they can receive signals wirelessly by radio. Since they are integrated into the home wifi network, numerous devices (smartphone, laptop, Apple TV etc.) can be used as sources. So you can bring music from Spotify or a podcast comfortably from the sofa to the WiFi boxes. One should know a difference: If you use Airplay 2 to stream from the iPhone to the speaker (e.g. HomePod), the iPhone fetches the stream from the Internet and passes it on to the speaker.

Bose Home Speaker 500

Now from € 316.81 at Amazon Similar offer at Mediamarkt Price comparison price can now be higher. Price from 26.07.2020 23:41

Most WLAN speakers can also play content from the Internet themselves - then the cell phone or tablet is only the “remote control” that controls the process. This is how the Sonos app works, for example, but also everything that can be started on an Amazon Echo by voice command ("Alexa, start the last news from Deutschlandfunk."). Some WLAN speaker models also have the good old 3.5 mm jack input, so that CD players and turntables can be connected by cable.

Even more buying advice on GIGA:

Soundbar test: Stiftung-Warentest winner and recommendations
Bluetooth speakers in the test
Gaming TV test: the best 4K TVs for PS4, Xbox One and PC

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