ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Bose SoundLink Max retails for $399 within the colours Black and Blue Nightfall
- This unassuming Bluetooth speaker delivers the high-quality sound that Bose is understood for, with the battery life to maintain the occasion going all evening.
- The common value could be a turn-off, given you will get completely succesful audio system for much less.
The Bose SoundLink Max is on sale for $329, shaving $70 off its retail value. In line with Bose, the SoundLink Max is a flash sale merchandise, and this deal will expire on March 16. Nonetheless, you could find this speaker for $100 off (in Black solely) at Walmart.
Many years in the past, once I was working for an audio set up firm, we used to have a saying: “No highs, no lows; it should be Bose.” Needless to say we have been coping with audio system that price tens of 1000’s of {dollars}, so the concept of something consumer-grade was laughable.
Quick-forward to right this moment, and it nonetheless holds true that Bose makes audio system, headphones, and earbuds which might be able to producing wealthy, elegant sound with huge soundstages, punchy bass, and crisp highs. Such is the case with the SoundLink Max.
Additionally: This moveable Bluetooth speaker won’t be a Bose or JBL, nevertheless it nonetheless delivers the bass
When listening to the Soundlink Max, I am very a lot reminded of the unique Soundlink, a fantastic speaker from a couple of decade in the past that I all the time felt was probably the greatest I would ever used. This new iteration is even higher, as it may possibly push the amount to new heights with out the slightest little bit of distortion.
Though the sound won’t fulfill the ears of a discerning audiophile, its massive bass and highly effective quantity are actually a crowd-pleaser. Let’s get into it.
Bose Soundlink Max tech specs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4
- Weight: 4.9 lbs
- Dimensions: 4.73 x 10.42 x 4.13 inches
- Battery: As much as 20 hours
- Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm in
- Colours: Black, blue
- Buttons: Media controls alongside the highest
- Water and mud resistance: IP67
- Value: $299 on Amazon
The very first thing I observed on this speaker was the standard Bose processing, which makes the sound appear a bit ethereal. This pairs very properly with audio from common genres that sometimes do not demand an excessive amount of from the {hardware} and is because of how Bose processes mid-range sounds for a stereo impact. Sadly, it may possibly translate into imprecise mid-range sounds which might be barely off-color. I’ve skilled that with nearly each Bose speaker I’ve bought or examined.
It is not a foul factor; it is only a Bose factor.
I additionally could not assist however discover this speaker’s lack of options. It permits two gadgets to attach concurrently, has a three-band EQ (accessible from the minimal cellular app — Android/iOS), and features a play/pause button. That is it.
This is the factor: a high quality moveable speaker does not want a deluge of options. I would like the machine to sound nice, have loads of battery life, and be easy to make use of. The Bose Soundlink Max simply checks all of these bins.
Additionally: I lastly discovered a Bluetooth speaker that pumps out loud sound – and appears good doing it
Once I began testing this speaker, I modified up my regular testing technique. Being aware of the Bose sound, I made a decision to throw two completely different albums at it to see the way it fared. The primary was “Huge Generator” by Sure. This album was recorded and mastered at a time that completely suited the Bose sound, and it sounded higher than I anticipated. The mids have been superb for Jon Anderson’s refrain, the guitars have been completely crunchy, and the soundstage was surprisingly huge.
Subsequent, I opted for a style that is not fairly suited to the Bose sound: classical. I used to be greatly surprised by how George Frideric Handel’s “Wassermusik” sounded. It was wealthy, energetic, and by no means misplaced. After all, no occasion is full and not using a Baroque masterpiece.
Additionally: Anker points recall for 3 Bluetooth audio system on account of hearth danger – cease utilizing them now
So far as the bass is worried, the Soundlink Max does a fantastic job to round 65Hz. Under that, the bass rolls off a bit, so you are not going to really feel the kick drum as you may with an even bigger speaker. Given the scale of this machine, nevertheless, it holds its personal on the low finish.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
In the event you’re a fan of the Bose sound and desire a moveable speaker that may fill a room (after which some), the Soundlink Max is the plain selection. In the event you’re iffy on the Bose sound, or choose to have extra EQ choices than three bands, then you must try the Anker Soundcore Movement X500, which sells for round $170.
In the end, followers of the Bose sound will take pleasure in this speaker, and provided that it is constructed like a tank, you will not have to fret about it at a crowded occasion.
