Looking for recommendations for a compact speaker I can use in small rooms while I’m away from home.
I’ve come across: iLoud Micro Monitors; Presonus Eris 3.5; Mackie CR3-X.
Hi John,
I can’t answer your question as a play combo amps.
But there are times when playing a amp isn’t feasible. For me, when that time happens. I play a acoustic guitar… imho, there’s no where ya can’t play an acoustic guitar.
Probably not the answer you were looking for, but the best I can come up with for something that ya can play anywhere. Including a small room.
I reckon someone will come by with a better answer for you. 
Good luck in your quest.
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I recently bought the JBL Eon One compact. Been using it with my acoustic guitar and looper on a daily basis. Used it for a small outdoor gig and was very happy with it.
What I like: Battery Powered, 4 channels and mixer app on phone.
How compact, and is this for guitar use or PC use?
Compact guitar-focussed device include the Yamaha THR series, the Boss Katana Air, and the Positive Grid Spark series. All work as a basic USB recording device and PC speaker. All work as a standalone guitar amp. All work as a Bluetooth speaker.
All of them are decent standalone guitar amps, but, having owned both, I would recommend the Yamaha over the Positive Grid any day of the week. I’ve not used the Katana Air.
None of these are great at being PC speakers. They all have stereo, but not good stereo as they are all-in-one units. If you need good stereo you need separate L and R speakers. In that case, I would suggest the iLoud or the Behringer MS16s for a portable PC solution (bear in mind you will also need an audio interface).
Cheers,
Keith
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Do you need others to hear you?
If no, have you considered using headphones? They sound better than even the DSP enhanced little speakers I have heard. They also don’t need a battery.
I typically take my laptop pretty much everywhere, so plugging into that and using headphones is my typical compact solution.
I also have a headphone amp that works well enough. Sounds better using headphones than plugged into a small speaker.
Yes, dealing with the cord can be an annoyance, but I take an extension cable to get it around back and out of the way.
I am happy with my Presonus Eris 3.5 speakers. I prefer using them to headphones (which I also have) or compromising with an acoustic (which I also have).
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Interesting. I’ve been using the Spark mini for jam sessions and as a bluetooth speaker for a long time and I’ve been very impressed - it’s super light/small and can hold it’s own in a room full of acoustic guitarists. Only drawback I find is if you need to tweak the sounds a lot during the sessions, then you’ll need to get the phone app out (although there are 4 presets you can customise - so for example you can set up a basic clean, crunch, dirty and modulation sound and quickly switch between those on the amp itself).
Never used the Yamaha though, so I can’t make the comparison you can.
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I can’t say much about either but I had my first experience (listening to) a THR of some flavor recently. Went to a ukulele event my wife was playing in where they were playing in a brewery that was in an old theater. Most of the time they just jammed from their seats projecting the music onto the screen. But they did have some stage time for solos and collaborations and whatnot.
During one of the performances, one of the guys played through a THR. That battery-powered THR outperformed (by a large margin) the PA system everybody else was using. I was duly impressed. I don’t know which model he had, but that little amp filled the space nicely and the sound quality was top notch.
I have a tiny little NUX Mighty Lite BT that I think serves the purpose OP is looking for. Works as a bluetooth speaker. Has an AUX in port for jamming to a backing track or original recording. Works as an amp. Has a headphone jack. Has an app with some settings but also some physical controls. Main thing I use the app for is to access the drum tracks it has.
I bought it specifically for private travel use when I want to use my electric guitar. It doesn’t get very loud - in fact, I’d say my acoustic guitar is louder. It’s just loud enough to blend in during a campfire jam situation, but it’s not loud enough to be able to stand out for any solos in said environment.
It doesn’t have its own battery, but it uses a USB port for power, so you can plug it into a power bank.
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That looks a bit more capable, at a corresponding price tag, then I need.
I use the Presonus Eris 4.5 with my computer to listen to music, youtube videos, movies, video games and play electric guitar (with an audio interface and amp simulator plugin). The sound is definitely great for the price. I tried much more expensive one and it did not make a huge difference for home computer user. There’s also a bluetooth version to listen to music with your phone.
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Very compact, main use, possibly only use, will be for guitar practice, with some vocal, using my Scarlet 212i. Maybe a little recording. Before going down the physical amp route I did want to check out online amps. I’ve been looking at Blue Cat.
I use my Audiotechnica as little as possible. Yes you can carefully route the leads but I’d rather not have to.
I also have a headphone amp but same issue
I have one of these and as mentioned already not a fan of using headphones except for a few minutes. For a practice session I find them very limiting.
I had looked at those too some time ago. Tried Presonus Eris 3.5 (lots of great reviews) and they sound fine, especially for the price.
More expensive, but also tons of great reviews and everyone says the sound and bass for the size is stunning: those iLoud Micros you mention.
Don’t know about the Mackie ones.
If for traveling, would you prefer some with a battery possibly? I mean I would be interested in that, but it’s probably even harder to find some, and then even nice ones.
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Although I’m back and forth the gear will be staying in the room so I don’t feel I want a battery powered option.
Hi John,
I have the Mackie CR2- X Cube speakers. They are adequate… I have them in my office at work so don’t typically need a whole lot of volume… they were purchased primarily for the ease to switch from pc speakers (wired) to Bluetooth (for music player with my smartphone).
Definitely not a speaker that would satisfy an audiophile! They do what I want with a fairly small footprint on my desk.
Would I buy them again? Probably, although I would look around to see if I could find something with a better sound at the same price point. (The ones I have were a “Stupid Deal of the Day” on Musician’s Friend - about $50 + Free Shipping)
Good luck!
Tod
Alto (a brand sold on Thomann etc) makes some good PA speakers for the money.
I use them for various occasions; like a TS410 I use for:
- amplify my digital high gain riff (amp and cab sim → Pa speaker)
- to extend my De Capo 75 acoustic amp for solo gigs
- liven up a party with a sptify list and bluetooth connection
- speeches
- vocal floor monitor
PA speakers of a decent size deliver quite the punch and their flat response and active powering they are very versatile while very portable
They evne have compact, battery powered types as well
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What sort of portability are you looking for?
FYI I have carried my THR10ii from Singapore to the UK and back, and to Malaysia and back.
It’s the battery powered version and, here lies the rub, I had to carry it on hand luggage as the battery is too big for hold luggage. But it is decently portable.
If I was travelling in the UK and didn’t have to cross International borders, I wouldn’t think twice about throwing it in the car to take with me if I wanted something that wasn’t a headphone amp. It sounds great and doesn’t take up much space. And I have taken it camping and to hotels on occasion.
There are smaller units if quiet, non headphone practice is your aim though, and you may want to consider NuX , Positive Grid Mini (avoid the Spark 40) and similar units.
If it’s primarily for guitar practice, I would prioritise mini amps that work standalone without a PC over PC speakers or PA speakers, personally speaking.
But it depends on your intended use-case.
Cheers,
Keith
Another vote for Spark Mini: 10 hour battery, headphone jack, sync with music while playing, unlimited number of sounds available!
I’m probably even less clear about what OP is actually looking for than at the start of the thread.