Music for on the go
Summer is travel time! If you don't want to miss out on high-quality music enjoyment while on the go, we've put together some tips for you.
Always have your own music with you
First of all, the question arises: where does the music you listen to on vacation actually come from? The easiest way is, of course, to take your own digital music collection or at least a part of it with you. Fortunately, you no longer have to carry bulky CD cases in your hand luggage. Digital storage has become so affordable that even mid-range smartphones now offer enough space for many hours of music in very good quality. If your collection mainly consists of high-res files, which take up more space, you should use a phone with at least 64GB of storage, as you’ll want to have a decent selection of music available on holiday.
The selection offered by the popular streaming services, of course, is virtually unlimited. Here, however, you need to consider your online connection: for a few years now, accessing the internet via mobile phone within the EU has incurred no additional charges, but you do need to keep an eye on your available data volume. All providers' apps offer suitable settings for this. With TIDAL, for example, you can set different quality levels depending on your internet connection—so when you're using mobile data by the pool, you can reduce data consumption, but still enjoy full quality over the WiFi connection in your room. And that means, with a TIDAL Hi-Fi account, at least CD quality, with the option to receive even high-res data via MQA/TIDAL Master.
All streaming services also offer the option to temporarily download selected albums and playlists to your mobile device. This way, you can listen to your favorite music anywhere, even without an internet connection, and usually in the best quality the respective streaming service provides.
Of course, you can also simply bring a copy of your own music collection on a mobile USB hard drive, in which case your laptop will usually serve as the music player. This might be a bit impractical for the pool, but it's a very practical solution for your hotel room or motorhome. As with playback via smartphone, there are numerous portable devices that take up hardly any space in your luggage but greatly enhance your listening pleasure at your destination. We've put together some recommendations for you.
Headphones
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless follow the latest trend and connect via Bluetooth to your smartphone and to each other. The wireless connection to your phone is used not only for transmitting the music signal but also for controlling various functions via a mobile app. The name Sennheiser stands for technical sophistication and, above all, for outstanding sound quality, and the Momentum True Wireless do not disappoint in this regard. Sennheiser’s first wireless in-ears can truly be described as a great success: high-quality craftsmanship, well-chosen and smoothly functioning features, high wearing comfort, and excellent sound that lives up to the brand’s reputation.
High-end for on the go
You don't have to miss out on true high-end listening quality while traveling, especially if you pair the high-quality Focal Elegia with the impressively good headphone DAC Mojo from Chord Electronics. The closed-back Elegia combines innovative technology with excellent design and the sound DNA of Focal. To really get the most out of these headphones, you need an equally high-quality partner like the small Mojo from Chord. Combined with a suitable smartphone, you’ll always have a fully-fledged personal high-res hi-fi system with you.
The compact solution
In terms of sound, it may not be quite on the same level as the Mojo, but it is significantly smaller: the new Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt. Its biggest advantage is that it doesn’t need its own battery but can be powered directly by your smartphone. It can also act as an MQA renderer, allowing you to play TIDAL Master tracks in full 192kHz quality.
Depending on your smartphone, you'll need a suitable USB adapter for both the Mojo and the Dragonfly Cobalt, such as the Lightning adapter for iPhones or the Audioquest Dragontail adapter for Android devices. Please contact us, and we’ll be happy to recommend the right adapter for your phone.
More headphone recommendations:
Technics EAH-F 50 Bluetooth headphones
Bowers & Wilkins PX Wireless
Grado GW100 Bluetooth headphones
Mobile speakers
Portable speakers with their own battery are ideal for listening to music with two or more people. Often, their power is even enough for a barbecue party at the campsite or on your home patio. Usually, music is streamed to the speaker wirelessly via Bluetooth, though a connection via mini-jack cable is usually possible as well. Apart from your smartphone, your laptop can also serve as a source. Our recommendation for small travel bags is the stylish Yoyo S from Cambridge Audio—a sleek and powerful companion that also looks really good. If you have a bit more space in your suitcase and plan to use it mainly near a power outlet, the new Devialet Phantom Reactor 600 is hard to beat. No other manufacturer offers more power and sound from such a small housing.
More Bluetooth speaker recommendations:
DALI KATCH
Bowers & Wilkins T7
Important note:
All devices recommended here are intended for use in hotel rooms, trains or airplanes, or protected environments such as your home patio. Of course, you can also use them by the hotel pool, as long as they are protected from splashes. However, high-quality consumer electronics do not belong on the beach!
