ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Bose SoundLink Max retails for $399 within the colours Black and Blue Nightfall
- This unassuming Bluetooth speaker delivers the high-quality sound that Bose is thought for, with the battery life to maintain the get together going all evening.
- The common worth is likely to be a turn-off, given you will get completely succesful audio system for much less.
extra shopping for selections
Bose’s SoundLink Max moveable speaker is on sale for $299 at Amazon. This deal solely applies to the Black coloration possibility.
Many years in the past, after I was working for an audio set up firm, we used to have a saying: “No highs, no lows; it should be Bose.” Remember the fact that we have been coping with audio system that price tens of 1000’s of {dollars}, so the thought of something consumer-grade was laughable.
Additionally: The best Bluetooth speakers of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed
Quick-forward to at the moment, and Bose nonetheless makes audio system, headphones, and earbuds able to producing wealthy, elegant sound with vast soundstages, punchy bass, and crisp highs. Such is the case with the Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker.
When listening to the SoundLink Max, I am very a lot reminded of the unique SoundLink, an excellent speaker from a couple of decade in the past that I all the time felt was among the finest I would ever used. This new iteration is even higher, as it might probably push the quantity to new heights with out the slightest little bit of distortion.
Though the sound won’t fulfill the ears of a discerning audiophile, its huge bass and highly effective quantity are definitely a crowd-pleaser. Let’s get into it.
Additionally: This waterproof speaker floats with you in the pool, but that isn’t its best feature
The very first thing I observed about this speaker was the standard Bose processing, which makes the sound appear a bit ethereal. This pairs very nicely with audio from widespread genres that sometimes do not demand an excessive amount of from the {hardware}, and is because of how Bose processes midrange sounds for a stereo impact. Sadly, it might probably translate into imprecise midrange sounds which might be barely off-color. I’ve skilled that with nearly each Bose speaker I’ve bought or examined.
It is not a foul factor; it is only a Bose factor.
I additionally could not assist however discover this speaker’s lack of options. It permits two gadgets to attach concurrently, has a three-band EQ (accessible from the minimal cell app — Android/iOS), and features a play/pause button. That is it.
This is the factor: a high quality moveable speaker would not want a deluge of options. I would like the machine to sound nice, have loads of battery life, and be easy to make use of. The Bose SoundLink Max simply checks all of these packing containers.
Additionally: The viral Toniebox is exactly what both kids and parents want from a smart device
After I began testing this speaker, I modified up my ordinary testing technique. Being acquainted with the Bose sound, I made a decision to throw two completely different albums at it to see the way it fared. The primary was “Large Generator” by Sure. This album was recorded and mastered at a time that completely suited the Bose sound, and it sounded higher than I anticipated. The mids have been ideally suited for Jon Anderson’s refrain, the guitars have been completely crunchy, and the soundstage was surprisingly vast.
Additionally: This soundbar delivers audio above its price point, and it’s not by Sonos or JBL
Subsequent, I opted for a style that is not fairly fitted to the Bose sound: classical. I used to be shocked by how George Frideric Handel’s “Wassermusik” sounded. It was wealthy, energetic, and by no means misplaced. In fact, no get together is full with out a Baroque masterpiece.
So far as the bass is anxious, the SoundLink Max does an excellent job to round 65Hz. Beneath that, the bass rolls off a bit, so you are not going to really feel the kick drum as you would possibly with an even bigger speaker. Given the scale of this machine, nonetheless, it holds its personal on the low finish.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
If you happen to’re a fan of the Bose sound and need a moveable speaker that may fill a room (after which some), the $399 SoundLink Max is the apparent selection. If you happen to’re iffy in regards to the Bose sound or favor extra EQ choices than three bands, then it’s best to take a look at the Anker Soundcore Motion X500, which can also be on sale for $80.
In the end, followers of the Bose sound will take pleasure in this speaker, and provided that it is constructed like a tank, you will not have to fret about it at a crowded get together.
Bose SoundLink Max tech specs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4
- Weight: 4.9 lbs
- Dimensions: 4.73 x 10.42 x 4.13 inches
- Battery: As much as 20 hours
- Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm in
- Colours: Black, blue
- Buttons: Media controls alongside the highest
- Water and dirt resistance: IP67