Over the last several years, Bluetooth technology has been gradually taking over our households, vehicles, and even our workplaces. The most notable and popular of the Bluetooth devices are Bluetooth speakers, which offer a number of capabilities beyond just basic music playing.
The beauty of Bluetooth speakers is that they allow an individual to keep his or her device on hand while listening to music, making them an excellent alternative to traditional speakers or desktop charging docks. They are also incredibly easy to operate, take up far less space than regular sound systems, and can be conveniently used outdoors. Further, with Bluetooth speakers, music can be streamed and enjoyed from multiple rooms at once. These factors have made these speakers appealing to more than just the millennial generation. This can explain why the global Bluetooth speaker market, which was valued at $2.51 billion in 2015, will reach $10.37 billion, growing at an impressive CAGR of 32.81%.
Bluetooth speakers are also known for providing superior sound quality. Today’s Bluetooth speakers are available at various price points, but even those that are less expensive offer good quality. Manufacturers are now seeking ways to make Bluetooth speakers even better by increasing their signal range and mproving their level of connectivity with other devices.
Key vendors in the global Bluetooth speaker market
Beats Electronics
Beats Electronics is a division of Apple that produces audio products. Headquartered in Culver City, California, U.S., the company was founded by music producer and rapper Dr. Dre and former Interscope Geffen A&M Records chairman Jimmy Iovine. The subsidiary’s product line is primarily focused on headphones and speakers.
Bose
Bose Corporation is an American privately held corporation, based in Framingham, Massachusetts, that specializes in audio equipment Bose is best known for its home audio systems and speakers, noise cancelling headphones, professional audio systems, and automobile sound systems.
Harman International
Harman International Industries, Incorporated is an American company that designs and engineers connected products for automakers, consumers and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems; audio and visual products, enterprise automation; and connected services. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, Harman markets its products under more than twenty brands.
Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a South Korean multinational electronics company headquartered in Suwon, South Korea. It is the world’s second largest information technology company by revenue, after Apple. Samsung has long been a major manufacturer of electronic components such as lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors, chips, flash memory and hard drive devices for clients such as Apple, Sony, HTC and Nokia. In recent years, the company has diversified into consumer electronics.
Sony
Sony Corporation, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Kōnan Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Its diversified business includes consumer and professional electronics, gaming, entertainment and financial services. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets.
Other prominent vendors
Altec Lansing
Altec Lansing is an American audio electronics company currently owned by the Infinity Group. It was founded in 1941 when the Altec Services Company purchased the nearly bankrupt Lansing Manufacturing Company and melded the two names, forming the Altec Lansing Corporation. Their primary products are loudspeakers and associated audio electronics for professional, home, automotive and multimedia applications.
Avnera
Avnera is a fabless semiconductor company developing integrated analogy system-on-chip technology for consumer audio and voice applications.
Braven
Founded in Provo, Utah, Braven began in 2011 with a small team and has evolved into a renowned premium Bluetooth® high fidelity audio brand with a growing global presence. Since joining the Incipio® family in 2013, Braven expanded its product offering from portable Bluetooth® speakers to an award-winning lineup of ultra-rugged waterproof audio, App-driven products and Smart battery solutions by utilizing Incipio’s standing as a mobile technology leader in the industry.
Denon Electronics
Denon is a Japanese electronics company that was involved in the early stages of development of digital audio technology, while specializing in the manufacture of high-fidelity professional and consumer audio equipment. In 2001 Denon was spun off as a separate company with 98% held by Ripplewood Holdings and 2% by Hitachi. In 2002 Denon merged with Marantz to form D&M Holdings. The Denon brand came from a merger of Denki Onkyo and others in 1939.
Jawbone
Jawbone® is a world-leader in consumer technology and wearable devices, building hardware products and software platforms powered by data science. Jawbone is the creator of the best-selling JAMBOX® family of wireless speakers, the award-winning Jawbone ERA® Bluetooth® headsets, and NoiseAssassin® technology.
JVC Kenwood
JVCKENWOOD Corp. is a multinational electronics company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. It was formed from the merger of Victor Company of Japan, Ltd and Kenwood Corporation on October 1, 2008. JVCKENWOOD Corporation focuses on car and home electronics, wireless systems for the worldwide consumer electronics market, professional broadcast, CCTV and digital and analogue two way radio equipment and systems.
LG Electronics
LG Electronics Inc. is a South Korean multinational electronics company headquartered in Yeouido-dong, Seoul, and a member of the LG Group, employing 82,000 people working in 119 local subsidiaries worldwide. LG comprises four business units: Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance & Air Solution, and Vehicle Components.
Logitech International
Logitech International S.A. is a Swiss global provider of personal computer and tablets accessories with EMEA headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland and American headquarters in Newark, California. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, trackballs, microphones, game controllers and webcams. Logitech also makes home and computer speakers, headphones, wireless audio devices, as well as audio devices for MP3 players and mobile phones.
Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation, formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., is a Japanese multinational electronics corporation headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. The company was founded in 1918 and has grown to become one of the largest Japanese electronics producers alongside Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba and Canon Inc.
Koninklijke Philips
Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Royal Philips, commonly known as Philips) is a Dutch technology company headquartered in Amsterdam with primary divisions focused in the areas of electronics, healthcare and lighting. It is one of the largest electronics companies in the world and employs around 105,000 people across more than 60 countries.
Pioneer
Pioneer Corporation, commonly referred to as Pioneer, is a Japanese multinational corporation that specializes in digital entertainment products, based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. Pioneer played a role in the development of interactive cable TV, the Laser Disc player, the first automotive Compact Disc player, the first detachable face car stereo, Supertuner technology, DVD and DVD recording, plasma display (branded as Kuro), and Organic LED display (OLED).
Plantronics
Plantronics is an electronics company producing audio communications equipment for business and consumers. Its products support unified communications, mobile use, gaming and music. Plantronics is a publicly traded company (NYSE: PLT) headquartered in Santa Cruz, California.
