Anker A3143 Premium Stereo Bluetooth Speaker Review

It has never been easier to listen to your favorite tunes, and we have the Bluetooth speaker to thank for that. With today’s Bluetooth capabilities, we can control our speakers from the opposite end of the house, play music outdoors without worrying about plugging anything in and take hands-free phone calls. There’s little wonder why the Bluetooth speaker has become an essential item in the modern world. If you’re in the market for a speaker and the Anker A3143 isn’t already on your list, it should be.

This review will cover the features the Anker A3143 Bluetooth speaker has to offer and walk you through both the good and the bad. By the end, you will be able to decide if the A3143 is the right speaker to meet your needs. The review will also give you a rundown of three comparable speakers on the market so you can get a sense of what sets the A3143 apart and get a lead on your search if you end up deciding that Anker’s top-notch entry in the speaker market is not for you.

Read on to see how these speakers stack up against one another in terms of features, price, sound quality, build quality, and portability.

[amazon box= “B0107WH8Q4,B01MSYQWNY,B0748NCPRR,B079V81NSG” template=”table”]

The Anker A3143

The A3143 is a premium stereo speaker featuring a unique rounded design and advanced Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. Anker has built this speaker to maximize device compatibility and pairing speed, two common issues people have with other speakers on the market. Considering its affordable price, it is an impressive competitor, not only holding its own against other speakers but blowing most of them out of the water as well.

Product Specs

[amazon fields=”B0107WH8Q4″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image=”4″]

Image via Amazon

The Anker A3143 operates on Bluetooth version 4.0. Its dimensions are 8.3″ x 2.4″ x 2.4″, and it weighs 21.9 oz. It has an impressive range of 33 ft, and it surpasses most speakers on the market with a battery life between 7 and 8 hours on a single charge. Its charging time is between 4 and 5 hours. The A3143’s output and input are 10W x 2 and 5V/1.5A respectively.

The A3143 will strike you as unique the second you take it out the box. The speaker is rounded like a football that has been flattened where the points would be. It has a dual speaker setup, with each speaker producing up to 10W of sound. It has two passive subwoofers at the back, allowing the speaker to produce excellent bass. And with rubber feet at its bottom, the A3143 sits firmly on its surface during even the heaviest vibrations.

How it Compares

We picked similar products available on the market to see how they compare to the Anker.

[amazon link=”B0107WH8Q4″ title=”Anker 20W Premium Stereo Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Dual 10W… ” /]

[amazon box=”B0107WH8Q4″] 

• Huge Stereo Sound: Enjoy crisp, clear audio with impressive volume powered by dual ten-watt drivers.
• Booming Bass: Features MaxxBass technology and two passive subwoofers for enhanced bass performance. Hear the soaring…
• Bluetooth 4.0: Instantly connect your phone or tablet from up to 33 feet away. Speaker automatically reconnects to the…

Sound Quality (Above Average)

Portability (Small form, waterproof)

Design Quality (Sleek design optimized to be portable)

Warranty: 18-month warranty included

Pros

• Its two passive subwoofers can generate great bass.
• Sleek, minimalist design
• Fantastic battery life of 7-8 hours on a single charge
• Even sound quality across all pitches, low to high
• It comes with an 18-month warranty
• Excellent Anker customer service
• Bluetooth pairing is quick and easy with an auto-reconnect feature.
• It is lightweight.

Cons

• It doesn’t feature Near Field Connection support.
• It isn’t waterproof.
• It doesn’t come with a carrying pouch.
• Its glossy finish easily collects fingerprints and oil smudges.
• It could be smaller though it can still easily fit in a backpack.

[amazon link=”B01MSYQWNY” title=”JBL Flip 4 ” /]

[amazon box=”B01MSYQWNY”]

The JBL Flip 4 is the latest in one of the most popular lines of speakers. With Bluetooth version 4.2, it can wirelessly connect up to 2 smartphones or tablets. Its dimensions are 2.8″ x 6.9″ x 2.7″, and its weight is 1.14 lbs. Its built-in 3000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge. And with its unusual Connect feature, it has the capability to connect with up to 100 other speakers for synchronized sound.

The JBL Flip 4 features versatile durability. It is waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which means that it can withstand being submerged as deep as 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Aside from it being waterproof, though, nothing much has changed between the Flip 3 and the Flip 4.

Sound Quality (Above Average)

Portability (Small form, waterproof)

Design Quality (Sleek design optimized to be portable)

Warranty: 2-year warranty included

Pros

• It is IPX7-rated, meaning it can withstand complete submergence of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
• It has a unique Connect feature, which allows you to connect this speaker with up to 100 others to play music in sync.
• With the volume set to around 50%, it has an excellent battery life of up to 12 hours.
• The Bluetooth connectivity range is impressive at about 50 ft.
• It comes with a string so you can hang the speaker up or tie it to a bag.

Cons

• At max volume, the battery life more than halves, dropping down to 4 hours at best.
• The Flip 4 is not backward compatible, meaning you cannot use the Connect feature with previous models.
• It does not float, so while it is waterproof, it may not withstand being dropped into a pool.
• While the bass is decently deep and high pitches are clear, background instruments can be difficult to hear.

[amazon link=”B0748NCPRR” title=”Bose SoundLink Micro ” /]

[amazon box=”B0748NCPRR”]

The major selling point of the Bose SoundLink Micro is its size. Its dimensions are 1.37″ x 3.87″ x 3.87″. Its weight is 0.64 lb. With its waterproof capabilities, rated at IPX7, it is a great speaker for athletes, especially hikers. It has a semi-elastic silicone strap that can loop around anything with a diameter less than 2.5″. You can strap it to your bike or backpack, just to name two examples. While the strap is very secure, on the off chance you somehow drop it, the silicone rubber material on the outside will offer topnotch protection.

Its Bluetooth range is decent at about 30 ft. And with a custom-mounted transducer and passive radiators, it produces a loud, clear sound you wouldn’t expect considering its size. In addition, it has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts up to 6 hours on a single charge. And it features a speakerphone mode which allows you to take calls while your phone is in another room.

Sound Quality (Above Average)

Portability (Small form, waterproof)

Design Quality (Sleek design optimized to be portable)

Warranty: Can be requested from customer service

Pros

• For its size, the Bose SoundLink Micro can get very loud, enough to be audible while biking (though don’t expect to be throwing any huge parties with it).
• Its bass is deeper than most would assume from its size.

Cons

• It does not float, so dropping it into a pool would most likely break it.
• It lacks an aux port.
• Audio can lag behind video at a 1-second delay
• While Bose advertises a 6-hour battery life, it is closer to 5.
• While the bass is great, it can overpower mid to high pitches.

[amazon link=”B079V81NSG” title=”Sony SRS-XB41 ” /]

[amazon box=”B079V81NSG”]

The Sony SRS-XB41 Bluetooth Speaker is by far the most expensive of the four speakers reviewed here. With its dimensions at 5.25 x 12.69 x 7.39 inches, the SRS-XB41 is also the largest. It is also quite hefty, with a weight of 3.18 lbs. What it lacks in portability, however, this speaker makes up in battery life. On a single charge, it can last up to 24 hours.

The XB41 uses Bluetooth version 4.2. It also has AAC and LDAC compatibility. Its range is excellent, allowing for good latency at 50 ft. And it can connect to multiple devices at once. Another example of its versatility is the wide variety of inputs and outputs its features. Opening up a small flap on the side reveals a DC input, a micro-USB slot, a 3.5mm input, and a USB output.

The XB41 has a unique feature called “LIVE SOUND,” which emulates the way music sounds at a festival. As an added bonus, these speakers light up in different colors, which you can choose via the accompanying Sony apps, Fesitable and Music Center. It also supports NFC, making connecting your phone as easy as holding it over the speaker.

With an IP67 rating, the XB41 is both dustproof and waterproof. Adding that to its large, sturdy form, it is very durable. This makes it a great choice for outdoor activities and parties, and its impressive volume makes this possible.

Sound Quality (Above Average)

Portability (Small form, waterproof)

Design Quality (Sleek design optimized to be portable)

Warranty: Not included but can be requested from customer service

Pros

• The Sony SRS-XB41 Bluetooth speaker has incredibly deep bass, making it perfect for parties and outdoor activities.
• The battery life is unmatched, lasting 24 hours or more.
• It is also waterproof and dustproof with an IP67 rating.
• The speaker lights up in different, customizable colors.
• It comes with a variety of inputs and outputs, including a DC input, a micro-USB slot, a 3.5mm input, and a USB output.
• It offers the option for even more bass with the “EXTRA BASS” button.

Cons

• The bass can overpower the middles and highs.
• The sound quality can lack clarity, especially at higher pitches.
• “LIVE SOUND” is a great idea, but the actual effect is underwhelming at its best and unpleasant at its worst.
• When multiple devices are connected to the XB41 simultaneously, they often interfere with one another.
• The accompanying Sony apps, Fesitable and Music Center serve little use, aside from light customization.

Conclusion

[amazon fields=”B0107WH8Q4″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image=”2″]

Image via Amazon

While each of the four speakers reviewed above have their individual merits, the Anker A3143 and the JBL Flip 4 stand out as the best values. The A3143 is an incredible bargain with the sound and build quality of a speaker at least twice as expensive. The battery life is also nothing to sniff at, lasting up to 8 hours on a single charge. Its only real downsides are the size (though it can still easily fit in a backpack) and the glossy finish, which gets dirty rather quickly.

The JBL Flip 4 is a strong competitor, offering similar performance. It is more portable than the Anker A3143 and it is also extremely waterproof with a rating of IPX7, which lets it withstand submersion in water at a depth of 1 meter for as long as 30 minutes at a time. Everything else is comparable, however. So if the slightly improved portability and the waterproofing are unnecessary, it is difficult to recommend the Flip 4 over the A3143, especially considering the significant price difference.

The Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker offers the best portability with its small form and a versatile strap. For active users, particularly hikers and bikers, this feature will certainly be appealing. However, little else about the speaker stands out over the rest of the competition existing on the market.

Finally, the Sony SRS-XB41 Bluetooth speaker is a great choice for people who often throw huge parties with its colorful lights, amazingly deep bass, and an unrivaled battery life of 24 hours or more. The main downsides of this speaker, though, are its lack of portability due to its size and weight and its significantly higher price. Ultimately, the SRS-XB41 is a mixed bag.

Of the four, while both the A3143 and the Flip 4 stand close in performance and design, the Anker A3143 is easily the best value. And that isn’t to say that its performance is only good relative to the price. Its build and sound quality are objectively comparable to its more expensive competitors. If you’re looking for a new Bluetooth speaker, the A3143 should be at the top of your list, especially if you are on a tight budget.

Featured Image via Amazon