Say what you’ll about Bose’s extra bold swings — I recognize that it takes them within the first place — however at present, the corporate is releasing a brand new product in a class that it’s at all times been fairly glorious at: Bluetooth audio system. Bose is kind of supersizing its SoundLink Flex into a brand new, bigger mannequin referred to as the SoundLink Max. Contemplating how Bose’s acoustic processing has for years squeezed spectacular sound out of comparatively small {hardware}, I’m excited to listen to what a much bigger system is able to.
Coming Might sixteenth for a value of $399, the brand new speaker is loaded with three transducers and two custom-designed passive radiators. So proper there, you’re already in for fairly an enchancment over the mono SoundLink Flex.
Now, I can get fairly aggravated when tech corporations cost some huge cash for Bluetooth audio system that solely do Bluetooth, so I’m glad to see that Bose has outfitted the SoundLink Max with a good-old aux enter. A button on the speaker might be assigned both to Spotify Faucet or to change over to no matter’s plugged into the aux jack.
However in actuality, most individuals are going to go wi-fi most of the time, and the corporate has fortunately included AptX Adaptive codec assist for higher-bitrate streaming than the usual AAC and SBC that the speaker additionally helps. Battery life is rated at round 20 hours, and like many different transportable audio system at present, it’s bought a USB-C that can be utilized to juice up your cellphone once you’re away from an outlet.
Measuring 10.42 inches huge, 4.73 inches excessive, and 4.13 inches deep, the SoundLink Max weighs just below 5 kilos, and that was sufficient for Bose to incorporate a (detachable) rope deal with. The corporate can be promoting a bigger rope carrying strap if you wish to toss the speaker over your shoulder. Similar to the SoundLink Flex, Bose is providing the Max in both black or gentle blue, and it’s rated IP67 to resist the weather.
Keep tuned for impressions of Bose’s SoundLink Max within the subsequent few weeks. New Bluetooth speaker season is upon us. I’ve additionally been testing Sony’s $500 ULT Subject 7 these days, and lemme inform you, that factor is extra speaker than most individuals might presumably want for the hotter months. Nevertheless it’s additionally in a very completely different dimension class than the SoundLink Max. I’m hopeful that Bose’s secret sauce will let its newest speaker defy expectations.