Preparing for an upcoming garden soiree? Our audio specialist has reviewed Bose's strongest portable speaker, awarding it an almost perfect grade.
The Bose SoundLink Max is a top-tier Bluetooth speaker that delivers an exciting, punchy sound performance suitable for various music genres. With its robust and convincing sound experience, it stands out among portable speakers without being blunt or dull [1].
Key Features
The Bose SoundLink Max boasts several notable features that make it a standout choice for music enthusiasts. Here are some of its main highlights:
- Size and Weight: The speaker is suitable for outdoor settings like garden parties or the beach due to its size and weight of 120 x 265 x 105mm and 2.13kg respectively [2]. Its handle is interchangeable, allowing you to swap it for a longer version for easier carrying [3].
- EQ Adjustments and Controls: The Bose app allows EQ adjustments and programming the physical shortcut button on the speaker. The easy-to-use controls located at the top of the speaker enable quick adjustments without needing to open the app [4].
- Connectivity: The Bose SoundLink Max connects to the same Bose app as soundbars and headphones, and it uses Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity [5]. It also offers connections such as USB-C and 3.5mm [6].
- Battery Life: The speaker has a battery life of 20 hours, which is more than the Bose SoundLink Flex and Sonos Roam 2, but less than the JBL Charge 6 and Sonos Move 2 [7]. It takes around 5 hours to charge from flat to full via the USB-C port [8].
- Colours and Price: The speaker comes in three colours: Black, Blue Dusk, and Citrus Yellow. The Bose SoundLink Max is priced at £399.95, making it the most expensive portable speaker discussed [9].
- Additional Features: The SoundLink Max tells the battery percentage every time it's turned on, and the physical controls are easy to understand and press [10]. However, it lacks Wi-Fi connectivity and voice control from assistants like Alexa [11].
Comparison with Other Portable Speakers
| Aspect | Bose SoundLink Max | JBL Charge 6 | Sonos Roam 2 | Bose SoundLink Plus | |-----------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Sound Quality | Big, impactful sound with a slight stereo feel; very convincing punch [1] | Bass-heavy, loud, well balanced, can distort at high volume; great outdoor use [2][5] | Clear, sophisticated sound with good clarity and power; strong sonic spread [5] | Not explicitly detailed but known for balanced and clear sound | | Battery Life | Approx. 20 hours, 5-hour USB-C recharge [1] | Roughly 10+ hours, good battery for duration user; suitable for outdoor [2] | Around 10 hours (not detailed here but known from typical specs) | Not detailed here, but older SoundLink models have similar ~8-12 hrs range | | Value | Around $400, pricey but justified by sound and build; no smart features [1] | Generally more affordable, rugged and noted for good value in outdoor use [2][5] | Priced competitively with added smart features; multi-room capable in Sonos ecosystem [5] | Older model, typically less expensive but less feature-rich vs Max |
In summary, the SoundLink Max excels in rich, punchy sound and solid battery life at a premium price, focusing solely on sound rather than smart features. It competes well with the JBL Charge 6 for loudness and outdoor use, with the Charge leaning more rugged and bass-heavy. The Sonos Roam 2 offers more multi-room and smart functionality with clear sound but at generally lower battery life. The SoundLink Plus is an older, less advanced alternative to the Max. Your choice depends on prioritizing pure sound quality and battery (SoundLink Max) versus ruggedness, bass (JBL Charge 6), or smart features and portability (Sonos Roam 2).
[1] Source: Bose Official Website [2] Source: TechRadar [3] Source: Bose Official Website [4] Source: Bose Official Website [5] Source: CNET [6] Source: Bose Official Website [7] Source: Bose Official Website [8] Source: Bose Official Website [9] Source: Bose Official Website [10] Source: Bose Official Website [11] Source: Bose Official Website
- The Bose SoundLink Max, with its vibrant colors of Black, Blue Dusk, and Citrus Yellow, makes a stylish addition to any art-centric space, providing an exciting backdrop for the artworks with its rich sound performance.
- While enjoying your favorite tunes from the Bose SoundLink Max technology, you can casually play around with your gadgets without disrupting the music, thanks to its user-friendly connectivity options and Bluetooth compatibility.
