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Bookshelf or countertop: where your smart speaker works best
A bookshelf speaker has a long history in South African homes. Today's version is smaller and wireless, but the idea is the same: good sound that sits quietly in the corner.The Knoppie Speaker Blush slides onto a shelf between books and plants. Its soft colour suits wood, white walls and fabric alike. Connect it by Bluetooth and the whole room fills with music.
Leave a little space behind it, so the sound can breathe. If the shelf is full, rest it on the end. It will still sound clear, and it will not rattle the books next to it.
Where it sounds best
Put the speaker at ear height when you sit, a hand's width from the wall. Avoid tight cupboards, which muffle the sound. A shelf with a few books around it spreads the sound nicely. Small gaps on either side keep the bass tidy, and a flat surface stops the speaker from buzzing when the volume goes up. Try it for a day before you decide.
A good speaker does not shout. It sits quietly in the room and lets the music do the talking, from the first song in the morning to the last one at night.
Counter spots suit a speaker that you reach for often. Keep it a little back from the edge, away from water and hot pans. Keep a charger close and the Knoppie USB Wall Charger can top it up while you cook. Wipe the cover with a dry cloth and it stays tidy for years.
Where to put your speaker
Play a song you know well and walk around the room. Notice where the bass feels heavy or thin, then move the speaker a little. When it sounds right, mark the spot and leave it there.
A bookshelf speaker that fits any room
The Knoppie Speaker Mini sits happily on a shelf, a desk or a kitchen counter. It pairs over Bluetooth in seconds and plays for hours on one charge.
A good speaker should disappear into the room. The Knoppie sits on a bookshelf or a TV unit without taking over, and the sound still fills the space. Pair it over Bluetooth in seconds, then stream your playlist from your phone. Keep it a hand's width from the wall and the bass stays tight, which suits Cape Town flats and older houses alike.
