Most portable Bluetooth speakers quietly gave up on real stereo years ago. They drop one driver into a can, lean on processing to fake the width, and call it done. Andover Audio, a Boston hi-fi brand better known for turntable systems, just made the opposite bet with the FreePlay, its first portable speaker. It’s a 9-pound box with a true two-woofer stereo array, IP67 armor, and a $429 price that dares you to bring hi-fi to the sand.
Price: $429
Where to Buy: Andover
Andover opened FreePlay pre-orders this week, and it’s available in Ivory, Olive, and Slate. Here’s what’s actually inside, and who it’s for.
The stereo array is the whole pitch
Andover built the FreePlay around a real stereo setup instead of a single mono driver. Each channel gets a 5.25-inch aluminum-cone woofer with a neodymium magnet and a 25mm dome tweeter, while a 160mm rear-mounted passive radiator handles the low end. The company rates frequency response at 55Hz to 20kHz, which is a serious driver complement for a speaker this size. That approach draws on the engineering behind Andover’s home systems, and it’s a big part of why the FreePlay costs what it does.
The pitch is hi-fi sound, not just volume
Andover is selling the FreePlay on detail over raw volume, promising “pure, uncompromised high-fidelity audio” without the plastic distortion or flat sound it associates with typical portables. The true stereo array, with a dedicated woofer and tweeter per channel plus the rear passive radiator, is designed to hold a track’s left-right separation intact rather than collapse it into mono.
As with any stereo speaker, that imaging comes through best when you’re positioned in front of it. For louder settings a selectable Loud Mode adds 6dB to the top end, and Andover suggests placing the speaker near a wall if you want more low-end.
Battery and charging punch above the size
Andover claims up to 24 hours of playback at moderate volume, with a full recharge in about three hours.
The top panel has a 5W Qi pad for wireless phone charging, and the USB-C port runs bi-directional charging at up to 45W. That means the FreePlay can revive a dead phone at the beach or in the car, not just take a charge itself. One catch: Andover recommends against playing music while it charges, to protect the battery long-term.
Built to get thrown in the sand
The FreePlay carries an IP67 rating, so it’s rated to keep out dust and sand and survive up to 30 minutes in a meter of water with the rear flap closed. A fold-down handle, side tie-down bars, and an included shoulder-strap bag make it easy to carry or anchor. At 9 pounds it isn’t pocketable, but it isn’t pretending to be.
Connectivity stays simple on purpose
The FreePlay runs Bluetooth 6.0 with LE Audio and supports the LC3, AAC, and SBC codecs, though there’s no LDAC or aptX HD. There’s also no companion app and no Wi-Fi streaming, so anyone chasing hi-res wireless or multiroom should know that going in. Behind the rear rubber flap sit a 3.5mm aux input and a dynamic microphone input, and Andover says Party Mode can link up to 99 more FreePlay units for a bigger space.
Price and where to buy
Andover sells the FreePlay direct for $429 in all three colors, which is a real investment next to beach-bag mainstays. You’re paying for the stereo array, the IP67 build, phone charging, and an actual power adapter in the box, and it isn’t on Amazon yet, so there’s no affiliate link to add at publish.
Who should buy it
Get the FreePlay if you want home-grade stereo you can carry to the deck, the beach, or a campsite, and the price doesn’t scare you off. Skip it if you need Wi-Fi multiroom, app EQ, or hi-res codecs, or you just want something cheap and loud.
On the plus side, the FreePlay offers a true stereo array with a dedicated woofer and tweeter per channel, and Andover rates it for up to 24 hours of playback on a charge. The build is travel-ready too, with an IP67 cabinet, a carry bag, a USB-C cable, and a real power adapter in the box, and the Qi pad plus 45W bi-directional charging even let it double as a power bank for your phone.
Price: $429
Where to Buy: Andover
The trade-offs are clear on paper too. At $429 it’s a steep ask for a Bluetooth speaker, and you give up Wi-Fi, app EQ, and any multiroom ecosystem, along with LDAC and aptX HD. Andover also advises against listening while the speaker charges, and at 9 pounds this isn’t a toss-in-your-pocket portable.
FAQ
Is the Andover FreePlay waterproof?
It’s IP67 rated, so it handles dust and sand and can survive up to 30 minutes in one meter of water, as long as the rear rubber flap is sealed.
Where can you buy it, and how much is it?
Andover sells it direct at andoveraudio.com for $429, in Ivory, Olive, and Slate. There’s no Amazon listing yet.
Does it need an app?
No. It’s app-agnostic and pairs straight over Bluetooth 6.0, though that also means no app EQ or firmware tuning.
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(as of July 7, 2026 05:18 GMT -05:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
