Q. I was looking at the Andover Audio Songbird HR streamer you wrote about and saw the FreePlay speaker on their website. What do you know about it? I need a portable speaker like this for listening outdoors, in the kitchen and in my garage. I like the looks but don't know much about the brand or the speaker.

—D.K., Wexford, Pennsylvania

A. Andover is an audio-only brand created and run by seasoned hi-fi engineers and executives, who collectively have dozens of decades of experience to call upon to develop audio products. The FreePlay Stereo Portable Hi-Fi Speaker was designed to be "a portable speaker for grown-ups" with a classy, conservative design and hi-fi sound quality to compete with the very best. The Andover name also confers exclusivity not found in mass-market brands sold on Amazon and in big-box stores, and though it is intended for a more mature audience, music lovers of any age will love it. The FreePlay has garnered very positive reviews from publications such as Popular Science, Home Technology Review and eCoustics, and you can add my recommendation to the mix.

The FreePlay is a true two-way stereo sound system with integrated left and right speakers, each with a 5.25-inch aluminum woofer and 25 mm dome tweeter. It feels substantial and solid, with some of the highest quality, most durable-feeling plastic I have felt on a product of this type. It almost feels military-grade, and the carrying handle folds pleasingly flush and flat.

The FreePlay has a Bluetooth connection and a 3.5 mm auxiliary connection, as well as 3.5 mm microphone input so it can be used as a portable PA system. The "Loud" button raises output when used in open outdoor spaces for bigger, fuller sound, and the battery life is over 24 hours at moderate volume levels. It is IP67 dustproof and waterproof, and up to 99 FreePlays can be linked together to play simultaneously.

In past columns I have mentioned my love of all things mid-century modern, and I am currently converting my patio into an outdoor Tiki lounge. I had a FreePlay to test when the first stage of the project was complete and brought it out to play Martin Denny's "Exotica" as I hosted guests for dinner. The conservative, classy design and olive green color integrated perfectly and complemented the surroundings, remaining visible without seeming out of place. So many portable speakers have flashing lights or stark, angular designs made of black plastic and would have stood out like a sore thumb. Not so with the FreePlay. It also almost exactly matched the color of my Big Green Egg cooker and cabinet stand, making it a great choice for fellow Eggheads and outdoor cooks, too.

The FreePlay's sound befits an upscale environment, with clarity and richness of tone a step above like-priced competitors. You can listen for hours without tiring and a friend who saw and heard the FreePlay in my outdoor Tiki lounge commented it would be great for her outdoorsy, musician daughter who is going to grad school in September. I had not considered the college angle but it would be a good fit there too, especially for young people with a discerning ear. The FreePlay even has an integrated wireless charging pad for charging on the go.

The FreePlay is available in three colors (Slate, Olive and Ivory) and lists for $429. The limited time 10% off discount on the Andover website is still active and makes it $386.10, very competitive with other speakers in its class while delivering that measure of exclusivity and hi-fi sound that set it apart. andoveraudio.com

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