Bose is more or less supersizing its SoundLink Flex into a new, larger model called the SoundLink Max.
Considering how Bose’s acoustic processing has for years squeezed impressive sound out of relatively small hardware, I’m excited to hear what a bigger device is capable of.
So right there, you’re already in for quite an improvement over the mono SoundLink Flex.
Measuring 10.42 inches wide, 4.73 inches high, and 4.13 inches deep, the SoundLink Max weighs just under five pounds, and that was enough for Bose to include a (removable) rope handle.
Just like the SoundLink Flex, Bose is offering the Max in either black or light blue, and it’s rated IP67 to withstand the elements.
Stay tuned for impressions of Bose’s SoundLink Max in the next few weeks.
New Bluetooth speaker season is upon us.
But it’s also in a completely different size class than the SoundLink Max.
Whatever you think of Bose’s more audacious moves—I’m glad it makes them in the first place—the company is launching a new product today in the Bluetooth speaker market, which is a segment in which it has always excelled. The SoundLink Flex is being essentially superseded by Bose into the SoundLink Max, a new, larger model. I’m eager to see what a larger gadget is capable of, given how Bose’s acoustic processing has for years produced amazing sound from comparatively small hardware.
The new speaker will be available for $399 on May 16 and comes equipped with three transducers and two specially made passive radiators. You’ll be getting quite a bit better than the mono SoundLink Flex right there.
As a result, I’m happy to see that Bose included an analog aux input in the SoundLink Max. I must admit that I find it annoying when tech companies charge exorbitant prices for Bluetooth speakers that only function with Bluetooth. You can program a button on the speaker to switch between Spotify Tap and the device that is plugged into the aux jack.
However, the majority of people will actually stream wirelessly most of the time, and fortunately the company has added support for the AptX Adaptive codec, which allows for higher bitrate streaming than the standard AAC and SBC that the speaker also supports. Its battery life is estimated to be about 20 hours, and like many other modern portable speakers, it has a USB-C port for charging your phone when you’re not near an outlet.
Bose decided to include a rope handle on the SoundLink Max, which has dimensions of 10.42 inches wide, 4.73 inches high, and 4.13 inches deep. The device weighs slightly less than five pounds. If you’d prefer to hurl the speaker over your shoulder, the manufacturer also offers a larger rope carrying strap. Similar to the SoundLink Flex, Bose offers the IP67-rated Max in two color options: light blue and black.
Watch this space over the coming weeks for our impressions of Bose’s SoundLink Max. The season for new Bluetooth speakers is here. Additionally, I’ve been testing Sony’s $500 ULT Field 7 lately, and let me tell you, that speaker is more than most people could possibly require for the summer. However, compared to the SoundLink Max, it is also in an entirely different size class. I’m optimistic that Bose’s proprietary blend will enable its newest speaker to surpass expectations.
