Summer 2024 is coming up fast and it’s time to dust off those portable Bluetooth speakers for those outdoor activities. With that in mind, Bose has announced a new addition to its SoundLink speaker lineup with the SoundLink Max ($399). This portable speaker is designed to provide a long battery life, rugged durability, and great sound for its size.
Core Features
Speaker Design: The SoundLink Max has a powder-coated (in Black or Blue Dusk), silicone-wrapped steel enclosure. Built to withstand bumps, drops, and bangs, it won’t peel or flake and is resistant to corrosion and UV light. An IP67 rating protects against water, dust, rust, and shocks. This means you can listen to it by a pool, on a boat, at the beach, or in the park.
Driver Complement: The SoundLink Max incorporates the Bose Articulated Array with three transducers across the front of the speaker to deliver a spacious stereo experience that goes beyond the speaker itself. Custom-designed passive radiators are included to provide a level of bass performance that defies the speaker size.
Audio Processing: Using technology from Bose soundbars and additional proprietary digital signal processing, distortion is minimized, supporting a more natural sound listening experience with distinct instruments, clear vocals, and the beat of your music, no matter where the speaker is placed.
Tech Note: For added audio personalization, the SoundLink Max features Adjustable EQ settings (bass, mid-range, treble) that are available in the Bose app.
Compact and Light Weight: The SoundLink Max is very compact, measuring 10.42″ wide, 4.73″ high, and 4.13″ deep, and weighing just under five pounds. The speaker is easy to carry around with its removable rope handle. An optional rope-carrying strap is also available if you want to throw the speaker over your shoulder for hands-free transport. There are four optional color handle accessories for customization.
Battery Life: The SoundLink Max provides up to 20 hours of battery life. Also, there is a USB-C port for charging compatible mobile devices.
Wireless Connectivity: The SoundLink Max incorporates Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC codec support. For high-resolution audio, Snapdragon Sound with the latest Qualcomm aptX Adaptive codec automatically adapts up to lossless quality. Snapdragon Sound technology provides easy wireless connectivity with premium Android devices. Google Fast Pair is also supported for Android devices.
Wired Connectivity: A 3.5mm AUX input provides wired playback from compatible turntables and MP3 or CD players. A shortcut button on the speaker can be used for AUX switching or customized to enable a wireless Spotify Tap.
Tech Note: If connecting a turntable, the turntable needs to have a built-in phono preamp, or an external phono preamp needs to be connected between the turntable and the SoundLink Max
Specifications
- Microphones: No Microphone
- Sound Options: Stereo, SimpleSync, Full Range Speakers
- Audio cable included: No
- Water Resistant: IP67
- Product Material: Aluminum, Fabric, Nylon, Plastic, Silicone, Steel
- Battery Life: 20 hours
- Battery Charge Time: 5 hours
- Charging Interface(s): USB-C In/Out
- Bluetooth Version: 5.3
- Bluetooth Range: 30 feet
- Bose App: Yes
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 4.73 x 10.42 x 4.13 inches
- Weight: 4.9 lbs
Comparison
| Max | Revolve+ II | Revolve II | Flex | Micro | Mini II SE | |
| Price | $399 | $299 | $219 | $149 | $119 | $199 |
| Microphone | – | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in |
| Speakerphone | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| Stereo Mode | Built-in Stereo Speakers | Yes (when paired with another soundlink speaker) | Yes (when paired with another soundlink speaker) | Yes (when paired with another soundlink speaker) | Yes (when paired with another sound link speaker) | – |
| Noise Control Type | – | Echo Reduction | Echo Reduction | Echo Reduction | Echo Reduction | – |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP55 | IP55 | IP67 | IP67 | – |
| Product Material | Aluminum Fabric Nylon Plastic Silicone Steel | Aluminum Fabric Plastic Silicone Metal | Aluminum Plastic Silicone | Aluminum Fabric Nylon Plastic Silicone Steel | Metal Plastic Silicone Steel | Aluminum Plastic Steel Metal Silicone |
| Battery Life | 20 hours | 17 hours | 13 hours | 12 hours | 6 hours | 12 hours |
| Battery Charge Time | 5 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours |
| Charging Interface(s) | USB-C In/Out | USB Micro B Port | USB Micro B Port | USB C Port | USB Micro Port | USB Port |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth NFC Connectivity | Bluetooth NFC Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 3.0 |
| Bluetooth Range | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft |
| Bose App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 4.73 x 10.42 x 4.13 inches | 7.25 x 4.13 x 4.13 inches | 5.97 x 3.24 x 3.24 inches | 3.56 x 7.93 x 2.06 inches | 3.87 x 3.87 x 1.37 inches | 2 x 7.06 x 2.31 inches |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs | 2 lbs | 1.46 lbs | 1.3 lbs | 0.68 lbs | 1.44 lbs |
What’s in the Box
- Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker
- USB-C (C to C) cable
- USB-C power supply (US only. Not available in all regions)
- Safety sheet
Initial Thoughts
The emphasis of the Bose SoundLink Max is to combine “better” audio quality with portability. The speaker complement includes passive radiators for more rounded sound delivery. Connection flexibility is also emphasized with wired line-in and wireless Bluetooth with Multipoint and aptX Adaptive.
However, with a $399 price tag, there are things missing that may not justify the price. For example, Wi-Fi and Airplay 2 aren’t included, and there is no speakerphone capability (which would be convenient with its Bluetooth multi-point connectivity.
Pricing & Availability
The Bose SoundLink Max is available now for $399 at Bose and Amazon in Blue Dusk or Black.
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