Bose has managed to extract huge performance from its cylindrical design, which pumps out 360-degree sound in an effort to eliminate sweet spots. Specifications Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Battery life: Mains only Connections: 3.5mm aux input Dimensions (HWD): 21.2 x 14.1 x 8.7cm Weight: 1.87kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 3 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Smart, compact design + Big, clear sound + Abundance of features + Multi-room Reasons to avoid – Slightly coarse treble – Midrange hardens up at high volume – App lacks some features
Considering that it’s the size of a carton of juice, the detailed, spacious sound – underpinned by deep, rich bass – is pretty darn impressive.
Bose has done a decent job of simplifying its user interface, so grouping this speaker with others in the SoundTouch collection is a cinch. Specifications Wireless: Bluetooth Battery life: 10hr Connections: 3.5mm aux input, Micro-B USB Dimensions (HWD): 5.1 x 18 x 5.8cm Weight: 0.68kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 782 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Full-bodied sound + Weighty bass + Portable Reasons to avoid – Lows Lack precision and agility Specifications Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Battery life: Mains power only Connections: 3.5mm aux input Dimensions (HWD): 24.6 x 43.5 x 18cm Weight: 8.4kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 836 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Powerful, spacious presentation + Good sense of timing + Decent low-end authority Reasons to avoid – Coarse treble – Hardness at high volume – Control app is slight disappointment
Bass is punchy and Bose’s ‘Waveguide’ technology does a great job optimising the performance of the drivers, creating a big, room-filling sound. It’s designed to be used as part of a Bose multi-room system, so pairing is simple and intuitive, and there’s plenty of streaming support including Spotify Connect and Amazon Music. Compared to a Sonos system, you might find Bose’s control app a bit fiddly but this is a well-equipped and accomplished wireless speaker. Specifications Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Battery life: Mains power only Connections: 3.5mm aux input Dimensions (HWD): 18.8 x 31.5 x 10.4cm Weight: 3.2kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Good detail and dynamics + Intuitive app + Multi-room potential + Impressive scale Reasons to avoid – No hi-res support – Needs more services – Overbearing bass Like it’s two cousins, the SoundTouch 20 series III is compatible with a decent range of streaming services including Spotify Connect, Deezer and Amazon Music. There are better standalone Bluetooth speakers, but if you have your heart set on a Bose multi-room system, the SoundTouch 20 represents good value for money.
Specifications Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Battery life: Mains only Connections: Aux-in Dimensions (HWD): 160 x 142 x 102mm Weight: 0.9kg TODAY’S BEST DEALS £199 View at Hughes Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Big, weighty sound + Goes loud without hardening + Google Assistant and Alexa Reasons to avoid – Poor detail – Timing is underwhelming – Lack of dynamic range – Cluttered and confused Sound-wise, you’re looking at a mono system here through a single, full-range driver which fires downwards into an acoustic deflector to spread sound 360 degrees from its ovular chassis.
The best Bluetooth speakers in 2021
The few noteworthy ones prove to be worth the investment and offer sound quality on par with the best headphones, long battery life, and a practical design that is either portable friendly or sits handsomely on your coffee table. With the holidays on the horizon, expect to see some great Black Friday deals announced over the coming weeks, and across every major audio category.
If the budget allows, then consider dropping $399 on the Sonos Move, the brand’s first portable speaker with both WiFi and Bluetooth, and lots of features to boot. UE Megaboom 3 The best Bluetooth speaker overall Specifications Size and Weight: 8.9 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches, 2 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 20 hours Water Resistance: Yes Maximum Sound Level: 90db Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Dell View at Walmart 23 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Big bass and full vocals + Good battery life + Can pair with older Megaboom and Boom models for stereo sound Reasons to avoid – Big and heavy for a portable – No speakerphone Thanks to its excellent sound quality, long battery life and travel-ready ruggedness, the UE Megaboom 3 is the best Bluetooth speaker you can buy right now. This big, bold portable speaker pumps out rich 360-degree sound complete with crisp highs and satisfying low-end, and maxes out at 100 decibels of noise.
The Megaboom 3 is on the bigger side compared to other portable speakers, and unlike many of its competitors, it doesn’t have Alexa or Google Assistant support, or any other smart features. For under $50, this tiny powerhouse delivers loud, well-balanced sound within an IPX7-rated design that can survive water, dust and snow.
The speaker lasts a whopping 24 hours, thanks to Anker’s best-in-class battery technology, and the Soundcore 2’s dual neodymium drivers ensure you’ll get powerful sound in any setting.
The Soundcore’s compact, 6.5 x 2.1 x 1.77-inch design makes this speaker perfect for tossing into your bag for a quick road trip, and it comes in vibrant blue and red color schemes in addition to the standard slick black. Sonos Roam The best Bluetooth speaker with Wi-Fi smarts Specifications Size and Weight: 6.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches, 15 ounces Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP67 rated) Voice Controls: Yes (Alexa and Google Assistant) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Lightweight + Extensive connectivity + Auto TruePlay sound tuning Reasons to avoid – No Bluetooth multipoint – Middling battery life It’s much more portable and more affordable than the Move, though, and its Auto TruePlay feature automatically adjusts the sound to suit its surroundings, whether you’re listening in a noisy, urban park or a quaint, airy campground.
This tiny speaker delivers huge sound within a small 4-inch cylinder, complete with throbbing bass, balanced midtones and crisp vocals. It can survive being dunked in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes and is dust-resistant, making it perfect for your next trip to the pool, beach or park. Other key features include an impressive 13-hour battery life and the ability to pair two Wonderbooms together for immersive stereo sound. The UE Hyperboom is the best Bluetooth speaker for large gatherings, thanks to its massive size and big, booming audio output.
Pair that with seamless Bluetooth connectivity and plenty of volume, and you have the ultimate speaker for filling a big area with great sound. LG XBoom Go PL7 The best Bluetooth speaker for sheer style Specifications Size and Weight: 9.7 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches, 3.2 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 24 hours Water Resistance: IPX5 Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at BHPhoto Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Crisp treble and defined bass + Good battery life + LED lights add to the fun Reasons to avoid – No integrated voice assistant – Few sound adjustments available
Every Bluetooth speaker on this list delivers great sound and functionality, but only the LG XBoom Go PL7 does it while boasting awesome LED lights. The XBoom’s appropriately booming sound holds its own against the best Bluetooth speakers in this price range, delivering balanced bass and satisfying treble.
Sonos Move The best high-end Bluetooth speaker for outdoors Specifications Size and Weight: 9.4 x 6.3 x 5 inches, 6.6 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP56 rated for splashes) Voice Controls: Yes (Alexa and Google Assistant) TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Crutchfield Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 689 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Superb audio quality + Built-in Automatic TruePlay technology + Easy Wi-Fi-to-Bluetooth connection conversion Reasons to avoid – Pricey – No smart features in Bluetooth mode Alexa and Google Assistant support allow you to do anything from check the weather to control your smart home, and the Move’s Auto TruePlay automatically tunes the speaker’s audio output for wherever you’re listening, whether you’re having a rooftop party or rocking out in your bedroom. V-Moda Remix The best Bluetooth speaker for bass heads Specifications Size and Weight: 8.1 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches, 1.9 pounds Battery Life (Rated): 10 hours Water Resistance: No Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Musician’s Friend 139 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Loud, balanced audio with booming bass + Stunning design + Lots of customization options + Daisy-chain multiple speakers Reasons to avoid – A bit expensive – No multi-room solution The base model looks slick in aluminum or vegan leather, while, people with bottomless budgets and a penchant for style can opt for steel or platinum finishes (the later of which will run you well over $300,000).
Most importantly, the Remix sounds great, offering plenty of bass as well as a built-in headphone amp for enhancing the audio of your favorite set of cans. The Remix’s 10-hour battery life certainly makes this speaker worthy of longer jam sessions, and its trusty microphone allows for crisp call quality whether you’re set up inside your house or out.
Marshall Stanmore II Voice A classy Alexa speaker with great sound Specifications Size and Weight: 7.7 by 13.8 by 7.3 inches, 10.7 pounds Battery Life (Rated): None Water Resistance: No Voice Controls: Yes TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Verishop 40 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Great looks + Brilliant big sound + Easy to set up Reasons to avoid – Chunky and heavy – No battery option The Marshall Stanmore II Voice packs some fun features in a nostalgic design that emulates the brand’s classic amp look. Tribit StormBox Micro The best Bluetooth speaker that’s both cheap and waterproof Specifications Size and Weight: 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.4-inch, 8 ounces Battery Life (Rated): 8 hours Water Resistance: Yes (IP67) Voice Controls: No TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Small and lightweight + Good bass for a small speaker + Water resistant Reasons to avoid – No app – Limited battery life The speaker has a plastic strap that makes it easy to attach to a backpack or bike, an IP67 water-resistant rating, so it’s fully protected against dust and dirt as well as submersion in water. While a number of wired speakers like the Amazon Echo provide excellent Bluetooth listening, you can’t bring them outside your kitchen or living room. These smart features will not work beyond your home’s Wi-Fi, so opt for a non-smart Bluetooth speaker for the beach or other outdoorsy locales.
Klipsch Vs. Bose Comparison (Best Sound / Best Price?)
No matter how impressive your entertainment setup is, it’s bound to be a little bit lackluster without a proper audio system. These are high efficiency and low distortion, controlled directivity, flat frequency response, and wide dynamic range. Equipment has the signature Klipsch look that’s much more distinctive that Bose’s plain design, with an attractive black finish and copper trimmings. If you’re looking for authentic cinematic sound for your television set, Klipsch sells professional grade theater packages.
Their line of ProMedia 2.1 THX certified computer speakers provides a depth of sound can help to enhance gaming streaming, music, and more at a reasonable price. Klipsch only offers three-part computer speaker options, however, while Bose sells both two-speaker and five-speaker systems.
Klipsch is well known for their standard over-ear and slightly smaller on-ear headphone styles that are built with high-performance speaker drivers that give you top-quality sound wherever you go. Serious gamers can buy over-ear headphones from the KG series that are specially designed to maintain sound quality while talking with teammates through a built-in mic.
Sports enthusiasts can find specialty in-ear buds that are moisture-resistant and designed to stay in your ear even during heavy activity. Their patented oval ear tips help earbuds to stay snugly in place at all times.
Not only does this prevent the hassle of replacing earbuds as you move, but it also helps to create an acoustic seal around your ear for a cleaner sound. Today, Bose sells a diverse range of products, from home sound systems to loudspeakers that can fill stadiums.
The company won the “Circle of Excellence” from Bizrate in 2013 as well as the Plus X award for “5 most innovative brands” for seven consecutive years running. Both give users a full spectrum of sound that can help to bring media to life, but many audiophiles prefer Klipsch products for their slightly crisper, clearer tones. For the average homeowner, though, Bose provides a range of sturdy products that are able to offer impressive sound quality both indoors and outdoors. Though Bose doesn’t have as many options when it comes to home theater packages as Klipsch, they make it easy for customers to hook up a wireless network of speakers through their house.
While Klipsch offers over half a dozen different types of soundbars for customers to choose from, Bose only manufactures two, including a wireless option that’s compatible with the SoundTouch setup. This compact soundbar can connect directly to your TV, or you can hook it up via Bluetooth to make it part of a wider network.
The QuietComfort Series II is one of their latest innovations in noise-rejecting technology, offering quality sound and a comfortable fit. Their in-ear sports are engineered to fit snugly in your ear, while a unique hydrophobic cloth design helps to protect circuits from sweat and moisture.
The unique StayHear+ tips are engineered to stay put even through moisture and movement, which can come in handy during workouts. Not only do they have a flared shape that creates a gentle seal with your ear, but they also have an extended flexible wing that offers even more support and stability that Klipsch designs.
The 15 Loudest Bluetooth Speakers in 2021 – Bass Head Speakers
In this review we feature the loudest Bluetooth speakers that produce the deepest, most earth-shattering sound you’ll ever hear. These speakers can go so loud that they can literally take your entire house down – with booming bass, crystal clear sound and long wireless range. Furthermore, these Bluetooth speakers can deliver a tonne of bass and long hours of playtime with massive battery life. The Soundboks 3 is hands down the loudest Bluetooth speaker you can find on the market that delivers a staggering amount of bass and volume. This speaker is unbelievably loud, and it can really drive an outdoor party with full sound effects and rich bass. It features the latest Bluetooth 5.0, full wireless capability and a swappable battery (40 hours average playtime) which is more than enough power to keep the party going through the night.
It also come with a steel grille with handles for easy portability, and silicone ball corners which protects the speaker from flooring. Overall, the Soundboks 3 is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers you’ll ever find and it delivers pristine sound quality with massive volume.
It is really a combination of a Bluetooth speaker and a versatile PA system made for parties, outdoor gatherings that delivers immensely powerful sound.
It supports Bluetooth wireless pairing and aux inputs for microphone or musical instrument such as a keyboard or guitar for live concert or PA performances. Furthermore, Bose has its proprietary “Articulate Array” technology built into this speaker which allows for wider sound dispersion. Each individual speaker driver is angled slightly to the sides in an alternating pattern to distribute the sound performance naturally.
We also liked the fact that it comes with a built-in auto EQ system which adjusts the speakers tone to ensure that the music sounds natural and free. The speaker also comes with aux and XLR inputs for you to attach microphones and music instruments if you need this to double as a portable PA system.
Overall, the Bose S1 Pro is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers you can find that delivers a tonne of bass and volume output.
The BassPro Go is the latest in the JBL series speakers that delivers booming bass on a scale that you’ve probably never experienced before.
You can push this speaker to maximum volume and it will not produce any distortion – the highs are crisp and clear, while the midrange is distinct and well-defined. The unique thing about the JBL BassPro Go is that it comes with a hybrid subwoofer design and Bluetooth speaker for crisp highs and low-end bass at the same time. It also comes with a built-in 100W amplifier which allows you to push the speaker to max volume – and get crystal clear highs and detailed midranges. They come with Sony’s X-balanced speakers for powerful bass and crisp sound, and can deliver loud volume levels that can easily transform your house into a rock concert.
The speaker features an IP66 water-resistant and dustproof design, and comes with a 30 hour built-in battery for a super long playtime. This speaker has great sound range, and can play the highs, midranges and lows perfectly clear – without distortion at max volumes. While the upper midranges sound sweet and crisp, and low-end bass really kicks hard with this speaker and adds a tonne of flare to EDM and rock music genres. You can also connect and stream music easily with Bluetooth, or adjust the LED ring lighting for party ambience.
The speaker is large but lightweight, and comes with a massive built-in battery that delivers up to 30 hours of playtime on a single charge. Furthermore, the PartyBox 710 features a DJ Launchpad which allows you to play drums, keyboard and piano, and record and loop on the fly. Furthermore, this massive speaker comes with a built-in battery that delivers up to 24 hours of playtime, making this highly portable and great for parties. At full volume, the JBL Boombox 2 will produce extreme bass and very loud sound with minimal distortion – you can still hear the highs, mids and lows clearly.
The Aiwa Exos-9 is possibly the loudest Bluetooth speaker you will ever find that delivers up to 200 watts of massive stereo sound. This speaker delivers really pristine stereo sound with deep bass, crisp treble ranges and balanced mid-range.
You can hear the music crystal clear even at maximum volume with virtually zero distortion – something which no other Bluetooth speaker comes close to doing. The bass is comparable to the JBL Boombox 2 but the Aiwa Exos 9 clearly sounds much louder all things equal.
We liked the fact that this speaker supports both wireless Bluetooth pairing and an 3.5mm aux input jack for audio devices. You can also crank up the bass, mids or highs with the 5-band on-board graphic equalizer which allows you to adjust your sound preferences on the go. The Aiwa Exos-9 is definitely one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers that can pump out the cleanest stereo sound performance you’ll ever hear. This speaker is IPX7 waterproof, making it the perfect choice for pool parties and outdoor gatherings – it can even be submerged underwater.
If you are looking for one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers that can pump out high volume and deep bass, the JBL Charge 4 is definitely a great choice. It is made of a durable fabric and rugged material housing which protects the speaker from all kinds of outdoor elements. This speaker delivers immensely wide soundstage with virtually zero distortion at max volume levels and with no background noise. It also has an extremely wide frequency range of 18 Hz to 21 kHz, and delivers music notes with precision and grace.
Overall, the Devialet Phantom II is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers you can find and we highly recommend them for their iconic sound. If you are looking for one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers with a portable vintage design, the Marshall Kilburn II is a great choice.
If you are looking for a speaker with plenty of gravitas and authority in the lower-end, the Marshall Kilburn II hits all the sweet spots. The wireless range on this speaker can go as long as 45-60 feet, and the sound is crystal clear when streaming music from your iPhone or smartphone device. The speaker has full wireless compatibility and also comes with a touch panel and 3.5mm audio jack at the back for versatile connectivity.
This massive speaker also comes with a portable rechargeable battery that delivers an incredible 24 hours of playtime on a single charge.
It also features full panel LED lighting which gives a visually stunning experience when used in outdoor performances. We really liked the sound performance of this speaker – it delivers crystal clear highs, detailed midranges and very loud bass.
The quality of the sound is spot on and it hits every note with precision and detail, which is pretty impressive considering how large the speaker actually is. The bass rolls deep and feels lifelike, making this speaker great for EDM, rock and hip-hop music genres. Sony really put in a lot of effort to design this speaker to give it a sleek and modern appearance, while maintaining durability. The SRS-XP500 also comes with an integrated carry handle for easy portability, and it is also IPX4 splash resistant making it ideal for outdoor party events. EDM, rock and hip-hop music genres were represented very nicely with good separation, and this speaker can pump out a tonne of volume without any hint of distortion. The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is definitely one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers from UE that delivers a full 360 degree sound performance.
If you are looking for one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers from UE that delivers full-range sound performance, the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is a great choice. The 360 degree sound quality from jazz to hip-hop music genres is particularly enjoyable to listen to, especially if you set up this speaker in open spaces.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers from UE – it excels in sound performance, absolute volume and design. The speaker is super portable, rugged and waterproof – you can bring it virtually anywhere and do not have to worry about exposing it to the outdoor elements. This is an incredibly loud speaker with 60Ws of portable sound and comes with double 20W subwoofers with DSP technology for deeper bass. The MIATONE comes with two 10W tweeters with 100% pure titanium diaphragm which enhances the highs up to 40kHz without any noticeable distortion at max volume levels.
This speaker has massive 60W total volume output and delivers monstrous sound performance with really nice highs, mids and low-frequencies. It sounds like the JBL Boombox 2 at a fraction of the cost, and delivers really loud volume with deep bass output. We also liked the fact that vocals and highs sound so clear on this speaker – it delivers high-end frequencies of up to 40kHz without any noticeable distortion at max volume levels. The sound performance is exceptional; you get solid crisp bass and really nice EQ which accentuates any style of music that you are listening to.
We also played a couple of hip hop and country music genres, and we were impressed by how well-rounded the vocals sound with crystal clear detail. We were very impressed with the level of volume that this speaker has despite its small size, and is built to last with IP67 waterproof rating and up to 24 hours of battery life.
Bose: Legitimate Audio Company or Slick Marketing?
The mere mention of the company’s name conjures up all manner of reaction, response and opinion from the audio community. The self-appointed cognoscenti of the audio world have decreed that Bose products are decidedly inferior to even the better mid-line brands of audio components, are decidedly not of audiophile quality, and in some cases, derive their success more from marketing sleight-of-hand than from legitimate engineering excellence or widely-agreed-upon sound quality.
After all, sooner or later, negative word of mouth will eventually scuttle a truly deserving evil entity. Bose apparently does not covet the attention of the rabid audiophile; it seems like they’re more than content to sell their products to the Great Unwashed, the Unenlightened, the Unknowing. Let’s step back and try to take a reasoned, factual, unemotional look at the company, its background, its technical resources, and yes, its famed marketing. It was designed to take advantage of corner mounting’s uniform boundary reinforcement properties to deliver a consistent power response to the listening field. The 2201 used multiple angled drivers and equalization to achieve its aim, but the speaker’s unconventional shape and high cost limited its appeal and it was soon discontinued. Therefore, according to Bose’s thinking, it made sense to develop a speaker that propagated most of its sound by way of indirect room reflections.
Bose decided that eight rearward-facing drivers and one forward-facing driver would yield the ideal mix of direct vs. reflected sound in the typical home listening environment and that arrangement would most closely replicate the sound field of the typical concert hall.
The result of Bose’s research was the 901, a singularly iconic-looking audio product on its “trumpet” pedestal stands.
As most people know by now, the 901 used nine identical 4 ½-inch full-range drivers, equalized to reach the frequency extremes at either end of the audio spectrum. The 4 ¼-inch driver he devised yielded an almost perfect compromise to being able to be EQ’d for low bass (nine 4 ½-inch drivers have roughly the same radiating area as a single 12-inch woofer), while still being small and light enough for decent natural HF response before EQ.
With constant updates and improvements over the years, the Bose 4 ½-inch driver is, in fact, an outstanding unit—excellent, smooth response, high power-handling and virtually bullet-proof reliability. Julian Hirsch of Stereo Review magazine, the dean of reviewers at the most widely-read audio magazine in the country, said, “I am convinced that it ranks with a handful of the finest home speaker systems of all time,” and, “I have never heard a speaker system in my own home which could surpass, or even equal, the Bose 901 for overall “realism” of sound.” High Fidelity Magazine said it had a “…neutral, well-balanced, transparent quality on all program material” and ended their review by saying, “You’ll be reluctant to turn it off and go to bed.” As their sales and profits grew, Bose introduced less expensive models using the 901’s basic design approach and coupled that with a very aggressive and effective national advertising campaign.
The 901 was followed by the 501—a floorstanding speaker with a 10-inch woofer and two angled cone tweeters designed to mimic the overall sound of the 901. The 501 was a totally passive speaker—no confusing equalization unit to insert in the system’s tape monitor loop, like the 901—so it was easier for the end user to deal with.
Unfortunately, they were mounted vertically, perched atop a 32-inch Sony CRT TV (this was in the early-90’s, before flatscreens), so the tweeters were facing up and down—towards the floor and ceiling. My neighbor was a fairly high-ranking executive at Colgate-Palmolive, well-educated, good income, liked music, but was obviously not an audiophile.
As a former boss of mine at another really well-known speaker company used to say, “We’re not here to save the world from bad sound. The next really big turning point for the company occurred in 1987 with the introduction of their reality-shifting three-piece sub-sat system, the AM-5.
Large Advents on cinder-block stands in a state university dorm room wouldn’t suffice any longer. The engineers at Bose took advantage of the well-understood concept of bass non-directionality and used that to make a three-piece subwoofer-satellite system.
The amazing marketing people at Bose even came up with a great name to describe their new speakers: “Virtually Invisible”. It also had the undeniable ‘cool’ factors of those twisty cubes and the seemingly magic hideaway bass module. When Dolby Pro Logic multi-channel receivers became available in 1990, home theater would not have been anywhere near as successful and widely accepted by the mainstream buyer if the consumer had to somehow convince his wife to allow five big wooden boxes to be strewn around the living room in a visually-objectionable manner. People think the vast majority of Bose’s efforts go into marketing, advertising, visual style and high prices, so everyone along the way makes big money.
Bose does not publicize its star engineers the way Hollywood touts a big-name actor or the way other speaker companies promote their celebrity designers, like Kevin Voecks or Andrew Jones. This is not a knock or negative comment about people like Voecks or Jones and I’m not implying in any way that they as individuals seek the limelight for purposes of self-aggrandization.
Case in point: There was perhaps no single loudspeaker that had a greater impact or got better reviews at the time in the late 1970’s than the Acoustic Research AR9. Snell Acoustics has certainly earned numerous audiophile accolades for a succession of brilliantly-designed speakers through the years.
Whether mechanical, electrical, acoustic, materials, transducer, certification or any other area of engineering, rest assured, Bose is at the very top of the heap.
Think people like Holl and David Smith don’t understand how to design superb speakers?
It takes real engineering horsepower to get things to always fit properly, look good, virtually never fail, sound like you intend them to sound and be ridiculously consistent from unit to unit (“Hand-tuned” is just another way of saying, ‘We have lousy quality control and we use really wide tolerance components that vary like crazy.’ I wouldn’t brag about that. There is also an unspoken thought among audiophiles that somehow, once an engineer gets to Bose, “He stops caring about real sound, he loses his ear, he gets brainwashed, he just wants the fat, safe paycheck, no one there will allow you to do a real product.” That’s so illogical and untrue as to not merit a response.
The difference between these two types of customers can be described as “process-oriented” vs. “non-process-oriented.” Hard-core enthusiasts in any field (cars, fishing, wine, whatever) love the process—the specs, the construction, the manufacturing methodology, the materials. In audio, hard-core enthusiasts love things like Burr-Brown D-to-A converters, HDMI 2.1, 48mm XMax excursion, 210 watts RMS/ch, 4Ω, 20-20kHz, <.05% THD, 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley crossovers with film capacitors, anodized aluminum cones with overmolded ART butyl surrounds, die-cast aluminum heat sinks, etc. For instance, when Apple introduced the iPod portable music player, they didn’t harp on sample rates, GB storage capacity, channel separation, signal-to-noise ratio, headphone frequency response or any traditional audio specification.
Instead, they made a compelling case for what a satisfying, enjoyable experience the iPod would deliver: Smaller and lighter than any previous portable player—you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing it.
The battery lasts all day, so you don’t have to worry about needing another set of Energizers halfway through the afternoon. They described a great user experience, without mentioning a single specification, material or manufacturing method.
However, sometimes their tightly controlled marketing message would run afoul of a troublesome audio writer or critic and sparks would fly. They knew that most people—neophyte customers and seasoned audio critics alike—would be surprised by the “bigness” of the sound coming from those small cubes.
So Bose came up with the “unveil”: A dramatic presentation tactic where it looked as if Bose was playing these brand-new big floorstanding speakers at the press conference, only to lift and remove the hollow “dummy” speakers away at the most opportune moment, revealing the diminutive 6-inch double cube on each channel. Bose established unilateral pricing to maintain dealer profitability and to avoid mistakes over-distribution made by other companies. From a business marketing standpoint, Bose was careful to take steps to ensure their dealers’ profitability and avoid other companies’ mistakes of over-distribution. They required more space, literally more physical “breathing room” around them to let their reflected sound billow out and envelop the listener.
Editorial Note about Bose Demos by Gene DellaSala: Bose separated demo rooms was a brilliant tactic to also avoid having their products directly compared against their competitors, especially those like Klipsch that often had higher sensitivity and would play louder at the same volume level when doing A/B testing. Years later, Bose would do nearfield 5.1 cube demos at department stores like Best Buy which gave the impression of big sound and dynamics by putting the listener in close proximity to all of the speakers.
Shortly after the AM-5 was introduced, Bose executed a brilliant marketing move in response to their dealers’ request for a way to discount the unilaterally-priced AM-5:
It was a clever design: The internal section of the unit was actually comprised by the labyrinthine paths and chambers of their Acoustimass system.
With EQ, full spectrum frequency contouring based on extensive listening tests and panel preferences and clipping detection and prevention, the Wave Radio had a subjectively full-range response, a very pleasing, rich and “lifelike” tonal balance and it couldn’t be driven into obvious clipping or objectionable audible distress. It was a funny sight—there was a group of the very highest-level Bose executives, plus their head of Engineering, their head of Marketing and me with my Panasonic RC-6360, sitting at a conference table, setting Alarm 1, then Alarm 2, then switching from Radio to Buzzer, then activating the Sleep timer and the Snooze timer.
One other inside tidbit—I had told a good friend that we were working on this nice radio model that had an alarm function. It’s doubtful, and Bose felt that the performance was better with the Acoustimass system, plus they wanted the marketing leverage of using the same bass-loading as the wildly-successful recently-introduced AM-5.
“Direct” selling incurs all kinds of new expenses that shipping 1000’s of products in one easy shipment to a dealer’s central warehouse doesn’t. Harvey appeared mid-day on AM talk and news stations all around the country, usually in the lunchtime hour. Bose had branched off from just speakers and the clock radio and had come out with very successful, high-performance, noise-canceling headphones and complete music/surround sound home theater systems and commercial audio products, all backed by Bose’s very distinct and highly-effective advertising. Bose targeted the casual audio consumer, the average person who just wanted good sound without a lot of complication and fuss.
The fact that the small 10% audiophile segment of the market didn’t care for Bose ended up not mattering at all. None of their products exhibits truly deep, powerful, extended bass nor shimmering airy/silky highs in the manner audiophiles have come to expect. Both Bose and Apple are able to do this and be highly successful because both companies created a very strong demand for their products, through legitimately innovative, high-performance products (“high-performance” as perceived by their target customer, not the audio enthusiast snob), effective national advertising/marketing campaigns that raised the company’s visibility, and establishing a solid reputation for customer service and support. I was there when they put a shipping hold on a brand-new product (their very first Lifestyle Music System) right at the height of the Christmas season because there was a very small percentage of units that had a possible QC issue. It’s a matter of what game you’re playing and what you’re attempting to accomplish, whether you’re a political candidate or the marketing head of a consumer audio company.
The 4 Best Bose Speakers of 2021 Reviews
This stereo speaker has a pretty neutral mid-range out-of-the-box, so vocals and lead instruments reproduce clearly, though they may sound a bit dull due to the underemphasized treble. Also, like many small speakers, it struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, which can be disappointing if you love bass-heavy music.
Best Bose speakers
It’s a household name with brand power, and for good reason: much like Apple, Bose understands how to manufacture user-friendly products and has developed an ecosystem to further streamline usability. While the company has some excellent consumer headphones out there, today we’re talking about the best Bose speakers on the market. Bluetooth functionality is also an option, something we’ve seen with the Bose SoundLink Revolve+, but the Revolve+ lacks integrated virtual assistants. Wi-Fi integration is useful as it lets you stream over an array of music services for more reliable connectivity and high-quality 24bit/96kHz audio. This is great news for Amazon Music HD, Qobuz, and Deezer subscribers who want to stream high-resolution FLAC files and the like. The former works best with iOS devices while the latter is great for Android users; both facilitate perceptibly lag-free streaming. If you’re using a speaker that supports AAC, be aware that audio quality varies greatly with Android devices. Oftentimes in headphones, the main, practical difference is having incoming text messages verbally relayed to you in live time. The speaker can easily be held in one hand and pairs quickly via NFC or standard Bluetooth methods. Even though this is a portable speaker, it pumps out loud, clear sound with accurate midrange and treble reproduction.
If you want a solid portable speaker that emits clear audio, the SoundLink Color is a stylish, compact choice. The Smart Soundbar 300 has its issues: users have noted the limited treble, mid, and bass EQ and that a lack of room correction can be difficult to wrangle.
If you’re looking for an alternative without Amazon Alexa, you may prefer the well-regarded, but recently discontinued, Bose Solo 5. Unfortunately, aptX isn’t supported with the speaker, but if you’re listening with it on the patio or from the pool, you’re unlikely to hear a difference. The Revolve+ II may be paired to another Revolve or Revolve+ speaker to enable either party mode or stereo listening. Although the speaker is heavy and lacks oomph in its low-end response, the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II lasts all day, meaning you can keep the party going without concerning yourself with battery life.
The Bose SoundLink Micro directly competes against the likes of the JBL Clip 3 and UE Wonderboom 2. Worst-case scenario, you can loop it to the exterior of your backpack via the rubberized strap that partially detaches from the back.
Sound quality and clarity degrade at higher volumes but seeing how this is billed as an on-the-go speaker, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. For around $80, this IPX7 pick is of the best Bose speakers for outdoor day trips, small gatherings, and drawn-out showers.
This company has a tight grasp on the consumer speaker market, especially as it pertains to portable, durable options. Bose Companion 2 Series III: This set of computer speakers may not look flashy but it performs well and connects via a standard aux input.
It’s a bit pricey (~$400) but includes Apple AirPlay 2 support, Wi-Fi, an eight-microphone array, and a color LCD display. Bose SoundLink Mini II: This little speaker has a directional sound and is great for portable and personal listening.
It is an older model, so it doesn’t feature app compatibility and you can’t pair multiple for stereo sound, but for under $200 it’s not bad.
8 Best Bose Speakers in 2021 (For Home, Portable and More)
Bose speakers deliver sound from compact, intelligently-designed hardware. Today’s best Bose speakers combine lifestyle, sound, and accessibility. Yet, it has enough features to keep you from dwelling on that fact—like being able to build out a multi-room sound experience and control it from this device (so you can have your bass that way you like it). It has a sleek, futuristic profile with a full-color LED display front and center on anodized aluminum housing. Bonus: you can make free calls to anyone who also has a Bose smart speaker, Amazon Echo product, or those in your contacts. 7,524 Reviews Bose Soundlink Revolve+ Delivers deep, loud, jaw dropping sound with True 360 degree coverage
Built-in mic for speakerphone to take clear conference or personal calls out loud with a wireless range… Pros Award-winning speaker (Red Dot Design Award 2020)
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ is compact, lightweight and can do the heavy lifting of generating sound or enabling an outgoing call to any contact (even that carryout spot you like). It has sturdy housing to handle bumps and accidental knock overs. It also has a sweet, loop-style handle that is easy on the hands (or perfect for hanging. The speaker announces the connection of Bluetooth devices and can launch into whatever content you are streaming.
Keep that in mind if you are on your phone early in the morning, and within range, so you don’t wake your household. However, considering its performance over time, its ability to help you multitask, and its stylish design, it’s still our pick for the best portable Bose speaker in terms of mobility, sound, and features. Can pair quickly with NFC devices like smartphones and smart rings
This small speaker can easily fit in a backpack or purse without weighing them down at just over one pound in weight.
It has a max battery life of eight hours, a Bluetooth wireless range of 30 feet, and a USB charging cable. The Soundlink Color II is the speaker you pack right along with your laptop when you travel for business or simply on-the-go fun.
Use the speaker for a conference call by day, and switch to streaming your favorite concert album on a paired device in the evening. Its small footprint doesn’t impact sound quality, playing back audio from the music, podcasts, or movies you watch on your phone, tablet, or computer with good timbre (just stay close for the best sound).
Pair two speakers and use the Bose Connect app to enter stereo mode for proper right-left playback. The Soundlink Color II is a good choice if you want decent sound without a lot of fuss, bells, or whistles. Sale 18,517 Reviews Bose Soundlink Micro Crisp, balanced sound and unmatched bass for a Bluetooth speaker its size, plays loud and clear outdoors… Built-in mic for speakerphone to take clear conference or personal calls out loud with a wireless range…
Silicone strap is hearty; fits well on bike handles and backpacks Impressive bass for the size Cons More expensive than comparable devices It’s about the size of a hockey puck but has power enough to handle your sound needs in an intimate setting while taking a walk or hopping on your bike or a quick store run. It’s waterproof and splashproof, so you can take it along boating, fishing, to the pool, or hang it in your shower.
389 Reviews Bose Acoustimass 5 Spacious stereo performance from a sleek system Redesigned Direct/Reflecting Series II speakers fill the room with clear, lifelike sound
Compatible with multiple receivers/amplifiers such as Sony, Pioneer, and Yamaha Cons No wireless connectivity Must use overpriced Bose hardware (SlideConnect WB-50 wall bracket) to mount speakers
The Bose Acoustimass 5 is an excellent choice for a discreet sound system in your home or business. These direct/reflecting speakers connect to the Acoustimass subwoofer module, which provides the bass and lower sound registers. Together, you get spacious, balanced audio when connected to a stereo receiver or amplifier. Just make sure your preferred device is rated from 10 to 200 watts per channel (RMS) with 4 to 8-ohm impedance, or your bass output will suffer, and the system won’t work correctly.
Bose has offered this system since the late ‘80s; it’s stood the test of time. Dialogue enhancement is the star of this soundbar Cons Wall mounting hardware costs extra It also has Bluetooth connectivity to provide better sound for your favorite streaming content and music. 1,646 Reviews Bose Companion 20 Multimedia Speaker System Convenient control pod to adjust or mute volume, connect headphones and add another audio device
Sleek, space-saving design complements your computer and eliminates need for dedicated bass module If you’re not “feeling” the standard-issue internal or external speakers on your computer or laptop, consider these.
It’s designed in a way to give you the best sound experience as you sit at your computer for work or play. And if you happen to get up, that sound is designed to follow you for an immersive experience in your living space or home office.
The control pod eliminates reaching behind speakers; small design features often count the most. The pod also offers volume control with a simple spin of the dial and a single-touch mute. If you decide to hook up an audio device, you must mute your computer’s volume to avoid dual playback. Overall, this is a solid pick to improve your computer’s sound, and the bass is impressive.
If you’d like to wear your speakers, you’ll love the features of Bose Audio Sunglasses. It’s a good compromise for those who don’t like headphones and crave an “open-air” sound experience to stay aware of their environment.
Tiny Bose speakers are on either side, positioned to direct music to your ears. Bose Audio Sunglasses connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth to stream music, make or receive calls, or listen to an audiobook.
These top Bose speakers can help you narrate your day with a clear, all-encompassing sound. Bose has done an excellent job of providing various options to complement the way you live and listen.
Which Bose Speaker Should You Buy?
The model fares quite well in our sound quality tests, exhibiting strong bass and detailed highs that can reproduce both the thrwock of a kick drum and the shimmer of cymbals with lifelike realism.
Best Bluetooth wireless speaker for 2021
So while there are plenty of mini Bluetooth speakers that deliver bigger sound than you might expect, they do have their sonic limitations. For a lot of people it’s a question of finding a speaker that’s not too big or too small — one that travels well but also is capable of producing good sound for its size. David Carnoy/CNET When it launched, Bose made some bold claims about its new SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, particularly its extra bass performance. Available in three color options — black, white smoke and stone blue (pictured) — it’s equipped with Bose’s PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speaker’s orientation and deliver optimized sound based on whether upright, hanging or flat on its back.
The Flex also floats and Bose says it can survive drops and bumps, with a soft silicone back and powder-coated steel grille that “won’t peel or flake and is resistant to corrosion and UV light.” Aside from its great design, Bose’s SoundLink Micro stood out because it was able to deliver more bass than every Bluetooth speaker in its size class, and it also managed to have limited distortion at higher volumes. It’s IP67 dust-proof and water-resistant (it can be fully submerged in shallow water for a short time) and has up to eight hours of battery life at moderate volume levels with USB-C charging. Like the Bose, this portable Bluetooth speaker has an integrated strap so you can clip it to your backpack or bike’s handlebars.
But for the fourth-gen Clip 4, JBL has moved to a more oval shape, bulked up the speaker slightly and added USB-C charging. It’s kind of a poor man’s version of JBL’s well-regarded Xtreme 2 speaker, which currently sells for around $200 though its list price is higher. Equipped with a handle and weighing a little over 4 pounds, the speaker reminds me of one of those giant flashlights or “floating lanterns” that were in vogue about 30 years ago. Anker says the Motion Boom delivers “huge stereo sound” and yes, it plays pretty loud and has a decent amount of bass with reasonable clarity.
According to JBL, the speaker is equipped with a “racetrack-shaped driver,” with a separate tweeter and dual passive radiators, which improves both clarity and bass performance over the Charge 4. The Charge 5 comes in six color options: black, blue, gray, red, teal and “squad” (which looks like a kind of camo).
There’s an integrated handle for toting the speaker, but the PartyBox 110 is pretty hefty, weighing in at 23 pounds and measuring slightly more than 22 inches tall.
I didn’t test the stereo mode, but I was impressed with the sound of a single PartyBox 110 — it puts out lots of well-defined bass with good overall clarity in the highs and mids — and I suspect that pairing two of these together would be pretty awesome. But it does deliver enough volume to fill a spacious living room with sound and also plays loud enough for a small pool or beach party. This is your best bet if you want a portable speaker that can deliver big, quality sound and operates on battery power.
This portable Bluetooth speaker is both dust- and waterproof with an IP67 certification and is rated for 16 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels (it has USB-C charging while the older XB12 didn’t). David Carnoy/CNET Ultimate Ears Boom Bluetooth speakers come in a few different sizes, but none of them are as big as the all-new Hyberboom.
A supersize wireless speaker that tips the scales at a hefty 13 pounds, the Hyperboom makes the UE Megaboom 3 look unquestionably puny. UE Boom reps told me the Hyperboom was created after the company got feedback from its customers looking for a bigger speaker that could play loud enough and have deep enough bass to power a party.
Besides sounding decent for streaming your favorite music and more, this affordable Bluetooth speaker is also fully waterproof. Like its predecessor, the fully waterproof Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 with Bluetooth connectivity carries a list price of $100, but often sells for less.
This Bluetooth device also has 30% better battery life — lasting up to 13 hours at moderate volume levels, according to Ultimate Ears — and you can link two together to create a stereo sound pairing by pressing a button on each speaker. Sarah Tew/CNET The Tribit MaxSound Plus ($50 with an instant coupon) is about 30% bigger than its sibling XSound Go and costs about $25 more, but it performs substantially better and is one of the best-sounding speakers in its size and price class. It’s also worth noting that the A1 has multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can connect this to your PC and smartphone at the same time and easily switch back and forth between the two if a call comes in on your phone. Additionally, the smart speaker is Alexa-enabled, meaning you can activate Amazon’s voice commands assistant by just saying “Alexa.”
Sarah Tew/CNET Although a little pricey, Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. It’s a fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker and available in three color options, although the blue version appears to be hard to find.
The 7 Best Bose Speakers of 2021
While they’re generally not cheap, their premium pricing is justified by their performance, convenience, and design—the ability to tuck a studio-quality speaker into practically any tiny nook in your home.
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