[sonicxtc]

Hi,
Okay, an audiophile-ish cheap and cheerful bluetooth speaker?!?! 
"Are you freakin' crazy?" 

Okay, my non-audiophile girlfriend wants a bluetooth speaker (think Bose Soundlink).
I don't know jack-squat about these kinds of speakers as no self-respecting audiophile would...you know what I mean.

Criteria
Cheap
Reliable
Good connectivity (She researched this and told me some brands have connectivity issues)
Water resistant would be good
Bluetooth is essential, but wireless is NOT essential. She will likely run from her phone or tablet.
Portable--try defining that; small enough that it can fit in her suitcase
If it sounds great, that's a big bonus for me as I'll be forced to hear it sometimes!

I welcome your suggestions.   
THANK YOU.

[usp1]

Try the UE Boom 2. Very nice sound and not very expensive and convenient. You may find a good deal on ebay or for holiday sales (Verizon had it for $99 for Black Friday).

[Jumpin]

Harman audio outlet.   JBL and infinity speakers.  A number of discounted good choices.

MJ

[Tomy2Tone]

I use one of these when doing work out and about. Works pretty good and sounds decent for being so small.

https://www.amazon.com/Crasher-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker-Battery/dp/B00A44RLS6?th=1

[syzygy]

Check out the OONTZ by Cambridge Soundworks. I have both the small and large models and enjoy both. They connect easily to my devices and recharge for portability anywhere.
https://theoontz.com/

[sonicxtc]

Some great suggestions! Keep 'em coming.
That Oontz looks like it would offer great sound given the driver arrangement and additional power.
The UE Boom would have been great, too, but not at $200...missed the sale (because she was late with the Xmas list )
The Crasher is appealing for the portability.

Thank you.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

How cheap is cheap? $50? $100?

[sonicxtc]

How cheap is cheap? $50? $100?

Under $100 would be ideal.
Thank you.

[OzarkTom]

How about this Cambridge for 28 bucks?
regular 100 bucks. I need one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-SoundWorks-OontZ-Angle-Generation/dp/B010OYASRG/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1481428359&sr=1-3&keywords=bluetooth+speakers

[Wind Chaser]

I have one of these...

http://www.thesource.ca/en-ca/audio-and-headphones/portable-audio/streaming-bluetooth-and-wireless-audio/headrush-rugged-bluetooth-speaker-with-nfc---large/p/108016808

It's cheap, it's reliable, I haven't had any issues with connectivity, it's water resistant and tough as nails. Sound quality - considering size and price - is why I bought it. Previous to this I had the FoxL, which IMO is a highly overrated and overpriced piece of crap.

[OzarkTom]

JBL refurb-ends tomorrow-12/11

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-splashproof-portable-bluetooth-speaker?p=1&utm_source=channel_goods_im&utm_medium=email&division=springfield-mo&user=f8d43679fe55da4da66c49a068cc013954dc6a9f5fea857cb75b64e68dec61da&date=20161210&uu=8ef67f3c-28a8-11e2-8ce8-00259069d5fe&CID=US&tx=0&s=body&c=button&d=Goods-PN-Hero&utm_campaign=a825075e-b6d5-46f1-b224-025bdb14dd3a_0_20161210_treatment0

[mcgsxr]

I have been using an iHome unit for Bluetooth enjoyment on the deck or in the yard at the bbq.   I Velcro an older iPod Touch right to it!

[sonicxtc]

Hi everyone.
I purchased a Cambridge Oontz for my girlfriend for Christmas. She wasn't thrilled. I listened and was seriously disappointed. My expectations were modest and reasonable, but this Oontz was thin, a bit tinny and strident. I had to agree with her that this must be returned (and it was). I'm aiming for round 2. PLEASE offer some suggestions, preferably based on real world exposure and listening.
HERE is the original post. Thank you.

Hi,
Okay, an audiophile-ish cheap and cheerful bluetooth speaker?!?! 
"Are you freakin' crazy?" 

Okay, my non-audiophile girlfriend wants a bluetooth speaker (think Bose Soundlink).
I don't know jack-squat about these kinds of speakers as no self-respecting audiophile would...you know what I mean.

Criteria
Cheap
Reliable
Good connectivity (She researched this and told me some brands have connectivity issues)
Water resistant would be good
Bluetooth is essential, but wireless is NOT essential. She will likely run from her phone or tablet.
Portable--try defining that; small enough that it can fit in her suitcase
If it sounds great, that's a big bonus for me as I'll be forced to hear it sometimes!

I welcome your suggestions.   
THANK YOU.

[Doublej]

It's not your father's Nakamichi but I have their BTSP80 and it sounds pretty good for what it is. I have heard the splash-proof BTSP30 and it is not bad either.

I think they jack up the midbass to make it sound fuller. But that's better than sounding tinny.

[jpm]

I purchased one of these for a my mother last year and it's been very satisfactory all round. For a portable device, the sound quality is very acceptable IMO, plus it's rechargeable, uses AptX and supports NFC pairing. The clear, sensible buttons on top make it very easy to use which isn't always a given in this category.

I realize it's a few bucks over your target budget, but since you're now in the unenviable position of making good on a failed xmas gift for your girlfriend, stretching the budget by a few beers to accomplish the goal should be a consideration!

Good luck!

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cambminxgov2wha/cambridge-audio-minx-go-v2-portable-bluetooth-speaker-white/1.html

[Doublej]

Just saw this HK Onyx Mini on SD for under $40. Looks like a great deal if you can get one.

https://slickdeals.net/f/9669728-harman-kardon-onyx-mini-bluetooth-speaker-37-49-best-buy-in-store-ymmv?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1

[jjdog2]

I have one of these. Not bad for the price.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3SJ36F8480&cm_re=bluedio_bs3-_-9SIA3SJ36F8480-_-Product

[OzarkTom]

I bought a Cambridge for my wife at $38, now $35.

https://www.amazon.com/OontZ-Angle-PLUS-Cambridge-SoundWorks/dp/B01LZV6TYQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1485140738&sr=1-2&keywords=cambridge+soundworks+oontz+angle+3

[GBB]

I've got a Riva Turbo X, which I think sounds very good.  Riva has them on sale (close out) for almost 1/2 the original price, which seems like a good deal to me. 
Check them out at: http://rivaaudio.com/ and https://www.cnet.com/videos/riva-turbo-x-this-bluetooth-speaker-goes-to-11/ and http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/riva-turbo-x-wireless-music-system/

---Gary