Gadgets that make you go Duh! - A USB speaker for your laptop

Every once in a while, I stumble across a gadget that I didn’t realise I needed until someone tells me about it.

Here’s my favourite from the past few weeks: a USB speaker that plugs into your laptop. Made by JLab, the B-Flex 2 speaker gets over the problem of that tinny, soft sound that eminates from most laptops.

But what I like most about is how convenient it is. It is cheap at £22.99. It is plug and play on PC and Mac. There are no batteries or wires. The metal stem is bendable and strong, allowing you to manipulate the speaker to fit the surroundings. Its small, and won’t take up to much space in a bag.

My only slight niggle is that the sound isn’t top class. But that’s asking for too much.

It’s the technological equivalent of a post-it note or a paper-clip – a bone crushingly simple idea that you wish you had thought of first.

Comments

"My only slight niggle is that the sound isn’t top class. But that’s asking for too much."

Doesn't this make the product useless, laptops already have less than top class speakers built in. If this doesn't solve this it is pointless.

[Brian]

If you are lucky enough to gave tried the B-Flex you will know just how USEFUL it really is. It outperforms every portable speaker on the market, even those at 3-5 x the price. It puts laptop speakers to absolute SHAME! I recently used my B-Flex at a trade show with 100 other booths, and the Good Morning America film crew had to ask me to turn my B-Flex down. I was over 200 feet away from them! Now, it may be outperformed by my 'top class' home theater, but I am not getting that in my laptop bag.

[Mike Göbel]

What's the use of having two speakers that close to each other? There are far better (passsive)usb-speakers available with a fairly good sound.

[Paul]

Ummmm...earphones? Or must we share our choice of "music" with everyone near?

[John Shaw]

I bought one of these speakers a few months ago they are GREAT sounding and give excellant clarity, they are small enough to put in my laptop bag as well.

[Kevan]

These really are great little gadgets, much better than most other options i have tried. i find them to be nice and loud and at a great price, i'll be taking mine with me where ever i go.

[james]

just received two units perfect little gift for christmas. Great value at £22.99 they are lounder than my current speakers on my radio.

[dan]

I bought one for my daughter's macbook -- great gift.

[Spike]

I just received my speakers today. I think they are great because I have a mini laptop and you can hardly hear the sound. Sound is a little tiny but its not bad. Ear plug bother my ears after a while; these speakers are great because there isw no need for wires