Bose Introduces the SoundLink Max

[TheLostSwede]

Today, Bose is turning up the volume on its acclaimed SoundLink Bluetooth speaker line with the introduction of the SoundLink Max Portable Speaker. This all-new portable speaker has lasting power, rugged durability, and delivers incredible sound for its size. Now you can set the vibe with your favorite playlist no matter where you go. The SoundLink Max will be available on May 16th for $399 and can be pre-ordered starting today on Bose.com.

Big Speaker Sound That Wows
The SoundLink Max leverages decades of Bose research in acoustics to deliver incredible performance for your music that will help get the party started and keep it going. The system leverages a Bose Articulated Array with three transducers across the front of the speaker to deliver a spacious stereo experience that goes beyond the speaker itself. Two custom-designed passive radiators are responsible for providing a level of bass performance that also defies the speaker size. Using technology found in Bose soundbars and proprietary digital signal processing that dramatically minimizes distortion, the speaker reproduces full, natural sound regardless of what you're listening to. The result is a system that allows you to hear every instrument, clear vocals, and the beat of your music, no matter where you're listening or where the speaker is placed.




For added audio personalization, you can also adjust your listening experience with Adjustable EQ settings available in the Bose app, including bass, mid-range, and treble.

Built to Go and to Last
The SoundLink Max has a refined design with a powder-coated, silicone-wrapped steel enclosure for a premium look. 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, so you don't have to worry about where you take it or use it—by the pool, on the boat, at the beach or park, the SoundLink Max is ready to be put through the paces.

Measuring 10.42" wide, 4.73" high, and 4.13" deep and weighing just under five pounds, the SoundLink Max has an integrated, removable rope handle so it's easy to pick up and take with you. An optional rope carrying strap is also available if you want to throw the speaker over your shoulder for hands-free transport, as well as four optional color handle accessories so you can customize your speaker's look.

The SoundLink Max can keep the music going from day to night with up to 20 hours of battery life, and if your phone battery starts to run low, the USB-C port lets you charge your mobile device, so you don't lose your tunes.

Additional Details
The SoundLink Max comes in Black or Blue Dusk. It uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC and AAC codec standards for compatibility with nearly all Bluetooth devices. For high-definition audio, it uses Snapdragon Sound with the latest Qualcomm aptX Adaptive codec, which automatically adapts up to lossless quality. Snapdragon Sound technology allows for more seamless and robust connectivity with premium Android devices. The SoundLink Max also offers Google Fast Pair for added ease-of-use when pairing Android devices.

For added convenience, an AUX input lets you enjoy tunes by connecting an audio jack to wired playback sources such as turntables and MP3 or CD players. A shortcut button on the speaker can be used for AUX switching or customized to enable Spotify Tap.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[P4-630]

Well at $399.00 I rather have my 100W 250 EUR Harman Kardon Go+Play 2, I bet mine sounds better too....

 

[TheLostSwede]

Well at $399.00 I rather have my 100W 250 EUR Harman Kardon Go+Play 2, I bet mine sounds better too....

View attachment 345967

But does it support Snapdragon Sound and aptX?

 

[P4-630]

But does it support Snapdragon Sound and aptX?

Probably not, I don't use it anyway...

My comment still stands, I bet mine sounds better at less the costs..

 

[zo0lykas]

Portable wee speaker for 400 quid, hard pass

 

[TheLostSwede]

Portable wee speaker for 400 quid, hard pass

But, but... it's Bose...

 

[alwayssts]

I used to buy the latest Charge from JBL until they got too big (for my liking). Sick of limiters kicking in above a certain volume/gain, I switched it up and bought a compact unit from Denon (which was a brick, but worked very well for transportation and my work space), although it was fairly expensive and perhaps a little 'too' flat for my liking without a bunch of tweaking. Still, 27W (at that time), was pretty good for that size.

Now, iirc, 40w or so is possible...

If I were still in the same situation, I would probably trend towards Anchor/Soundcore, or continue to find a lesser-known company trying to innovate (which are often Chinese).

I haven't tried W-King's D320, or the like, for example.

I've never particularly liked the artificial/electronic sound of modern Bose' bass (I still own [and use] an old Wave and vintage wood bookshelf speakers which I love), but I understand that I may be in the minority.

I ended up settling on a couple W-King D10s a while back for my bedroom/bathroom/deck/wherever.

If I bought something that big (I like small as possible) I wanted something semi-industrial (not an oval/can; which I prefer for travel) with a handle, which that had, and perhaps a form-factor that could imply it was able to hit (actual) deeper bass (and/or have more slam) than most smaller units.

It also has a fairly large battery (it's the little things like that which I care about), where-as many companies do not and/or sometimes do not even list what they use (or heck, even the wattage, which is often VERY low).

While they certainly do bring the (mid) bass in quantity, and that can be pleasant (esp. outdoors), it's not particularly deep. They scale quite well (even and without distortion) across the volume spectrum, though, and can get VERY loud. There's an interesting methodology behind it; it does the best it can and can do it consistently across all volumes unlike many other speakers in which tuning can become be lifeless when quiet, good at low-medium, and absolute garbage at levels I tend to enjoy or higher due to frequency limiting.

They're not the most luxurious pieces of audio equipment I've owned (especially in their default 'outside' DSP which emphasizes the bass carrying [and flashing lights]; sounds better on the more-flat 'interior' mode [and with the lights off imo), but man...They were under $90 and I certainly don't feel 'bad' about owning them, and they've held up very well. This coming from a snob that demanded aptx on everything since it's existence, and certainly look for the LDAC label when considering headphones.

I know it's (kind of) two different ends up the spectrum, but I really don't think a 'boombox' is ever going to be 'perfect', simply due to available space (ex: not wanting it to rattle/move), distance between the drivers, and battery life.

They're generally for quantity, not nuance (in which case you should actually be looking at headphones or a surround sound system).

One of the main factors for me was the advertisement of 70W/80W (at that time), which is/was particularly good for that size/price (when I knew in actuality it was 90-100w+ [I forget the actual spec of the tweeter; I know they advertise 10W but I did have the spec sheet at one point in time and iirc may be different.]) After looking, I guess now they state 120W; 45W per woofer, 15W per tweeter. Appears correct: it's loud, sounds fine, and doesn't need casters or a dolly/handcart to move it. Tuning could improve a little, but that's FIXABLE. You can't fix hardware that isn't there (on even some expensive models), and on those models that lack that hardware they are just that; way too expensive imho.

While I truly am a headphone guy these days (because I prefer the intimacy/not bothering other people), there was a time I was blasting tunes on a surround sound system or out of my car...and still need something for the shower...so I get it.

Time may have marched on, and something may have replaced it wrt to value, but it is still out there and do recommend giving it a try if you're on a budget. Just remember to hit the DSP button before you judge it 'too' much.

I asked the company for slightly different DSP settings (as they have released firmware updates before that tuned their smaller options more to my liking), but no dice on that. I was hoping for a deeper bass extension even if loss of over-all volume or battery life...I certainly think the hardware is capable of doing this. I understand why they opted the other way (for sound to carry outdoors, or never leave the consistent/pleasant frequency spectrum), but it'd be nice if that option were available. Maybe one of these days they'll create something similar (or smaller) with spatial audio; that'd be cool, as I'd like to try that out without spending a fortune or sacrificing in other areas.

Still, they sound decent and can get LOUD, especially with two of them in TWS. If nothing else, I suggest watching some Youtube reviews on them, as the audience that reviewed them is quite varied and some of them are pretty humorous. I appreciate that most agree you really don't 'need' to spend $300-400 on a decent 'boom box'...which is the main point I'm trying to get across.

I also appreciate that some models (such as this) include the option of an easy karaoke setup. Perhaps not something you'll use daily, but you never know when you may just find yourself wanting a make-shift PA.

(Or, you know, digging out those old singles/minis that used to have an instrumental track or two of the most popular tracks at the end and giving them a go).

 

[Easy Rhino]

Mostly highs, mostly lows, must be Bose!

 

[alwayssts]

Mostly highs, mostly lows, must be Bose!

It's funny, you know? I grew up with an amp/fairly-decent Bose bookshelf setup (for music) that I think covered the spectrum fairly well...

...but our family (later) also had an Acoustimass setup (plus a couple other 'newer' Bose speakers) for our home theater...so I can understand that stereotype.

Part of my learning sound/stereo equipment was literally finding weird/misc speakers from different sources to splice into that system (and a bookshelf tape/cd-player many had) to create decent cross-overs.

I get why some people have loved them for a long time. I get why some people like their new sound. I also get why they have sort of a weird reputation, with mixed receptions across most product cycles.

Still, I look at that Wave radio with astonishment. While the same could be said of some new design and/or software ideas wrt sound/music, that thing was just a wonder of engineering (for it's time) IMHO.

IOW, I have a soft spot in my heart for Bose...even though I absolutely recognize both their past/current faults and that they've adapted over the years into something different than they originally were.