Bluetooth Wireless Speaker or Bluetooth Wireless WiFi Speaker Help please?

IMHO, using Bluetooth is a bit like replacing a direct cable between your player (iPad) here and the speaker. Like plugging the device into the headphone jack.

Pro: Works stand-alone (no other devices or infrastructure needed beyond power for the speaker). Especially useful, if the speaker is portable beyond your home. (E.g. has a battery.)
Similar to a cable, the distance player-speaker is limited; usually to around 10 meters. (As per specs; actual result various with devices and obstacles in between.)

When you have a device connected via WiFi, this offers more options on protocols and features - the network is more flexible than the "virtual cable". E.g. the device could (not all do) support Airplay (2), Chromecast, Spotify Connect, ... - this makes it easier to integrate the device into various "more advanced" IT environment and different services. However, you will usually need a WiFi network in the vicinity, which makes this setup not that portable outdoors.
On the reverse, if you have a decent LAN/WiFi network at home, the actual range within the network may be much larger than Bluetooth.

SQ wise: with any streaming in WiFi, it will depend on codecs and the quality of the WiFI network. E.g. Airplay on your iPad would offer lossless streaming with CD quality.
Bluetooth has typically 3 quality codecs/levels (simplified): SBC, AAC, aptX/others. SBC is understood by every device, with limited SQ. Apple only supports AAC on top, which not all devices allow. aptX (HD, ...) allow higher SQ but are available only on some devices (none Apple).

Given your use-case and the iPad, I would look for a Wifi device with Airplay (and other protocols for future flexibility; but that's taste).
If you go Bluetooth only, look for a device that supports AAC via Bluetooth.

Then again, for your use-case, I guess SQ does not matter as much as cost and flexibility (mobility / use-cases, as per your requirements).

HTH
Philipp

PS: I know Bluetooth is advancing on pairing multiple devices, switching between those... but getting all those features understood, sorted, and covered is beyond me.

Great advice Philipp - thanks very much indeed.

Graeme

Get a Mu-So or Qb! You won't regret the extra cash

I had similar thoughts. It’s an extra £450, but the ability to stream Tidal directly, play your main music collection, and sync seamlessly with the main system is just great. Perfect for dinner parties. 

In addition:

A newer version of bluetooth (V5) has a range of up to 200 meter (without barriers). But both devices have to support this version.

I have read that MacOS is capable of bluetooth aptx nowadays. Though I am not sure about iOS devices.

The disadvantage of streaming via bluetooth from your tablet or phone is: The device consumes power for this. Also nobody should take the device out of the bluetooth range (e.g. when going into the cellar for the next bottle.). The same applies to Apple Airplay, but usually wifi has a better coverage in a house. Both ways have the advantage that you easily can stream youtube sound or other stuff that is running on your mobile device.

My suggestions: Either a naim Qb if you are willing to pay the higher price. I think it would be cool to have it playing in sync with a main naim system if it is nearby. Or a Sonos play:1. (I would not choose the Sonos Play "One", because this integrates Amazons Alexa and I do not like being recorded while drinking wine; but the "One" has Airplay2.)

gert posted:

A newer version of bluetooth (V5) has a range of up to 200 meter (without barriers). But both devices have to support this version.

 

Ah, true. IIRC, Bluetooth always specified 2 categories, one of which supports a range of 100 meters (or more). It uses significant more power, so it's usually not found in mobile devices like phones and tablets. (Which is, why I did not mention it.)

With regard to Airplay (2): There's also other combi-boxes available with both Bluetooth and WiFi/Airplay; I just have no clue about the sound. (Like Libratone ZIPP (mini): Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Airplay, ... - The computer magazines I read rate the sound usually as good; but those are the WiFi people, not the HiFi people.)

I highly recommend a pair of Qacoustics BT3 speakers excellent sound and an amazing price, they have analogue, optical or bluetooth Aptx. I use them in my second system and very happy with them. I use a Bluesound Node 2 as the source.

The Sonos Play:1 (non voice speaking thing) at £149.00 is really very good particularly for background listening.

Although the daughter hasn't yet grasped this concept especially when listening to 6ix9ine (don't play this at a dinner party).

The Sonos app with Tidal is an absolute joy never ever an issue.

ATB,

Mike