Bose portable audio products
The portable audio products sold by Bose Corporation have been marketed as the "SoundLink" models. These wireless speaker systems are battery powered and play audio over a wireless connection from a separate source device (such as a computer or smartphone). Most models use Bluetooth to communicate with to the source device.
Models
SoundLink
![](../I/m/Bose_SoundLink_Wireless_music_system.jpg)
The first SoundLink product was released in 2009[1] and used a USB wireless transmitter plugged into the computer to receive audio from the computer (using a proprietary protocol— not Bluetooth).[2] The system included a remote control. Reviewers criticised the high price of US$550.[3][4]
SoundLink Mobile
The "SoundLink Mobile" was released in 2011 as a smaller, battery-powered model.[5][6] It used Bluetooth to communicate with the source device.[7] Reviewers praised the unit's audio quality, but criticised the high price and lack of a microphone (to enable its use as a speakerphone).[8][9]
The SoundLink Mobile was replaced by the "SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II", which was sold from 2012 until 2014. It included a rechargeable battery that was rated at up to 8 hours of playback at "moderate" volume levels.[10] The rear of the device includes a 3.5 mm auxillary input.[11] The appearance is very similar to its predecessor,[10] with the biggest change being the folding arrangement of the front cover.[12]
Reviewers praised the updated version for its audio quality and high volume for a compact device, but criticised its high price and the lack of a speakerphone function.[10][13][14][15] It was classified as an Editors Choice' product by PC Magazine.[11]
SoundLink Mini
![](../I/m/Bose_Soundlink_Mini.jpg)
The "SoundLink Mini" was released in 2013 as a smaller model below the SoundLink Mobile. It weighed 0.7 kg (1.5 lb).[16] Reviewers praised the sound quality and build quality, but criticised the lack of a microphone.[17][18][19][20]
The SoundLink Mini was replaced by the "SoundLink Mini II" in 2015.[21] This featured the same sound quality and shape as the original SoundLink Mini with a few subtle changes. Firstly the controls on the top of the speaker changed from 6 to 5 individual buttons, removing the mute button and AUX button (The speaker changed to AUX automatically when it received a 3.5mm input) and added a multifunction button which could perform a variety of functions such as play, pause, and answer calls (due to the added speakerphone capability). The other major change to the series 2, was the change from DC charging to USB charging which provided a more convenient charging solution. The USB charging port also allowed the user to install software updates through btu.bose.com when available. The SoundLink Mini II was quietly discontinued in late 2018 in favour of the newly released Revolve and Revolve+, however due to high production numbers, it was still readily available as of late 2019.
On 31 October 2019, Bose announced the SoundLink Mini II Special Edition. This featured the same design as the standard edition, however featured a better battery which was capable of 12 hours of playtime and chargeable in 4 hours, as well as a USB-C port. The Special Edition is available in 2 colours, Triple Black and Luxe Silver.
SoundLink Revolve
After a successful performance of earlier models, Bose has launched the model Revolve and Revolve Plus on April 13, 2017. Some salient features of the Revolve are immersive & 360 degrees sound, water-resistant design (IPX4), durable, seamless aluminium body, NFC pairing for secure connectivity to your NFC-enabled devices.
The most surprising feature about the speaker is it can be charged without wire. It would be best if you bought another accessory – the Charging Cradle, which looks like a disc. The bottom of the speaker has some connections, and by using this connection, you can put it on that disc and charge your Bluetooth speaker without connecting a micro USB cable.
SoundLink Color
![](../I/m/Bose_Soundlink_Colour_retail_display.jpg)
The "SoundLink Color" was introduced in 2015, as Bose's smallest portable Bluetooth loudspeaker.[22] It was battery powered and charging was via a micro-USB port.
The original Soundlink Color was replaced by the "SoundLink Color II" in 2016,[23] which had a slimmer design and remains on sale as of June 2019.[24][25][26][27]
See also
References
- "About Bose - Milestones". Archived from the original on 9 March 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- Ehud Rattner (15 August 2010). "Bose SoundLink Wireless Music System". www.thefutureofthings.com. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
- John Biggs (17 July 2009). "Bose SoundLink is like their iPod dock with out (sic) the dock part". Crunchgear. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
- "Bose SoundLink Wireless Music System streams music from your PC to a portable speaker for $550". www.cnet.com. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- Jeremy Horwitz (23 November 2011). "Review: Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker". www.ilounge.com. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
- Imrul Haque (2 October 2011). "Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker". The Tech Journal. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
- Bose Tells AirPlay to Eat It with Its SoundLink Mobile Bluetooth Speaker
- "Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile speaker review". CNet. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- Sherri L. Smith (12 December 2011). "Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker Review". Laptop Magazine. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II review - CNET
- Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II Review & Rating | PCMag.com
- "SoundLink II - Bose". www.theverge.com. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
- Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker II review - Engadget
- Review: Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II | iLounge
- Bose Soundlink II Review | Geeky Product Reviews
- "Bluetooth speakers". www.bose.ie. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014.
- William O'Neal (14 August 2013). "Bose SoundLink Mini review". TechRadar. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- Jeremy Horwitz (8 July 2013). "Review: Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker". www.iLounge.com. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
- "The wireless speaker Apple could have made". CNet. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
- Philipp I. (15 July 2014). "Bose SoundLink Mini im Test". Lautsprecher.org. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
- "Bose SoundLink Mini II review". www.techradar.com. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
- "SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker". Bose. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
- "SoundLink® Color speaker - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
- "SoundLink Color Bluetooth speaker II - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
- "Bose SoundLink Color review". CNet. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
- Alex Colon. "Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker". PC Magazine. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
- Gopal Sathe (1 October 2014). "Bose SoundLink Colour Review: Big Sound, Small Package". NDTV. Retrieved 26 November 2014.