Over the last few decades, technology has made it easier than ever to listen to music on the go. Car stereos have made it possible for people to hear music while they drive. Boomboxes have given them portable stereos that they can carry anywhere.
As companies continue to improve technology, you have more ways than ever to listen to music no matter where you go. Make sure you’re taking advantage of these four ways that technology lets your high-quality tunes travel with you.
Mobile Devices
People play about 34 percent of their MP3s on mobile phones, so it’s not surprising that mobile device manufacturers spend a lot of time developing audio components that will improve your experience. Audio quality, however, differs from device to device. Here are some of the best smartphones for listening to music on the go:
- Motorola Nexus 6
- Samsung Galaxy S5
- Sony Xperia Z5
These smartphones generate low levels of noise and crosstalk, allowing listeners to hear songs as the musicians and producers intended.
Some smartphones have enough disk space that you can store music on them. Others don’t have enough space to hold many songs, but you can play music from the internet as long as you have a fast connection. Remember that streaming music, while convenient, can lead to high levels of data use that can add to your monthly bill. Some mobile providers, however, allow streaming from certain apps without incurring data charges.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Even the best portable music player won’t give you excellent sound quality unless you can block interference from outside noise. Any sound, from someone talking to a car’s engine, can ruin a great song. Sony’s noise-canceling earbuds can solve this problem by silencing up to 99.7 percent of the ambient noise around you.
Many noise-canceling headphones simply create a physical buffer between your ears and the outside world. The best also use software to counter distracting background noises. For instance, if you’re sitting in a restaurant, they will electronically cancel chatter, clinking glasses, and other sounds so that you can hear music clearly. They can even block the ambient noise that makes it practically impossible to enjoy music on an airplane.
Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Headphones work well when you want to listen to music alone. When you’re with friends, though, you need an option that everyone can enjoy. Bluetooth speakers offer a compact way to take the party with you wherever you go.
You have plenty of choices when buying portable Bluetooth speakers, but you’ll get the best results from lightweight, self-contained designs that can play music for hours between charges. It’s important to read reviews before buying speakers, since sound quality can vary greatly.
Bluetooth speakers don’t always sound as good as wired speakers do, but the audio fidelity is close enough that most people can’t tell the difference, and you don’t have to carry and connect troublesome cords.
Music-Streaming Apps
Image via Google Play
Mobile music players have limited storage space, so you can’t carry your entire library with you. You can, however, use apps to stream music. As long as you can connect to the internet, you have a practically infinite amount of music available.
Some of the most popular music apps include the following:
You can stream music on these apps free of charge as long as you don’t mind listening to advertisements. If you don’t want any interruptions, you can remove the ads for a small membership fee. Premium accounts from Pandora and Slacker Radio cost less than $5 per month. A premium Spotify account is $9.99 per month. Upgrading to a paid membership gives you better audio quality, so a lot of people think it’s worth the cost. Google Play Music’s premium option also costs $9.99 per month. The membership doesn’t give you better quality, but it does let you download music so that you can listen to it offline.
Check with your service provider to find out which apps you can use for streaming free from data charges.
Now is a great time for people who love listening to music. With so many devices and apps, you can play music at home, in your car, and even while you’re out jogging. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money or sacrifice quality to get your music fix on the go.