We Linked 150 of Ikea’s $10 Speakers to Make a Wall of Sound

You can link 149 identical Bluetooth speakers together from a single phone, creating extreme loudness at low cost.

A tech publication tested Ikea's $10 Kallsup Bluetooth speakers by linking 149 units together to create a "wall of sound." The experiment aimed to see how many speakers could be chained wirelessly from a single smartphone. Out of 150 speakers sent by Ikea, one was damaged in transit. The chaining process, which involves pairing a primary speaker and then powering on and holding the play button on subsequent speakers until a chime indicates multi-speaker mode, took approximately 30 minutes for all 149 units. At moderate volumes, the collective sound was described as competent, though lacking deep bass and clarity. When cranked to maximum volume, the combined 447 watts produced an ear-splitting, physically vibrating, and unmusical noise. The setup's stability was tested, with the wall remaining intact despite the vibrations. Compared to a high-end party speaker, the Kallsup wall matched volume levels but lacked audio fidelity. The experiment highlighted the surprisingly robust chaining capability of the inexpensive speakers, though the incidence of chaining failures increased slightly beyond 100 units.

The successful linking of 149 Ikea Kallsup speakers demonstrates a surprisingly robust multi-device Bluetooth chaining capability in low-cost consumer electronics. This experiment showcases that for an investment of $1,490, users can achieve immense loudness, rivaling significantly more expensive party speakers, albeit with a substantial compromise in audio fidelity. The test suggests that while individual drivers are limited, the sheer number of synchronized units can create a powerful, albeit unmusical, soundscape. This pushes the boundary of what is achievable with mass-market, budget-friendly audio hardware.

This extensive chaining capability, while impressive, also reveals potential limitations. Ikea's own suggestion of a 150-unit limit appears to be near the edge of stability, with chaining difficulties increasing beyond 100 speakers. Furthermore, the experiment underscores that achieving high-fidelity audio requires more than just numerous small drivers; specialized hardware and signal processing remain critical for a nuanced listening experience. The Kallsup's success lies in its accessibility and scalability for sheer volume, not for audiophile-grade sound reproduction.