Cambridge Audio Bluetone 100 Bluetooth speaker - Hands On HD

An audiophile-grade Bluetooth speaker is an increasingly rare animal these days. It seems portability trumps sound quality among the populous, and we get that – rocking tunes on the go is fun, and really good sound is … well, good enough when music plays a supporting role rather the lead. For those who want the convenience of wireless music streaming without compromising sound quality, there are a handful of outfits making stand-alone wireless speaker solutions that aim to deliver the kind of refined sound expected from a larger, component-based system; and UK-based Cambridge Audio is positioning itself as one of the best of them. The Bluetone 100 is Cambridge Audio’s latest effort at a powerful speaker with a small footprint. You can’t haul it to the beach, and it’s not really meant for a backyard BBQ, but you can place it in your living room or study and expect it fill your room with rich, powerful sound. With a $300 price tag and such a compact form factor, it would be fair of you to wish it was portable, but alas, this speaker needs a wall outlet to work its magic. On the positive side, the level of sound the Bluetone 100 is capable of rivals that of speakers twice its price, such as the B&W A7 or Definitive Technology’s W9. Find out below how the Bluetone 100 atones for its mobile limitations, making for a loveable addition to the Cambridge family. While the Bluetone 100 may be one of the last of its kind to forego battery power, the speaker’s powerful punch and expansive stereo image make it worthy of consideration for those who rarely venture far from an outlet. For those who seek a smooth, potent sound in a compact speaker, Cambridge Audio’s Bluetone 100 delivers.