Bose Speakers: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Bose Speakers: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

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Thinking of buying a Bose speaker? Well, Bose indeed has a lot of variety in portable, stereo, Bluetooth, and smart speakers. To make it easier for you, here is a buying guide on the same.

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What is a Bose Speaker? 

Bose speakers are speakers from the popular brand named Bose. Adam Bose started the company in the year 1964. Their sole objective was to create better speakers through research. Even after five decades, it’s stuck on its motive and is one of the reasons why it has become a household name.

Be it speakers or headphones, Bose has successfully made a positive impact in the market with its clear, compelling, and powerful sound quality.

Are Bose speakers worth the money? 

Yes, some Bose speakers are definitely worth the money. Among these speakers, the Bose Bluetooth portable speakers top the list. If you find Bose speakers too expensive, why not go for a variant within your budget.

Bose has a wide range of options in each of its segments, allowing users to get what they want. For instance, smart speakers, it has more than three options. And seven options for portable speakers, and the same goes for surround speakers and docking stations.

Why should I select Bose speakers? 

There are a lot of valid reasons why you should select Bose speakers. Some of the compelling reasons include:

  • Affordability

Bose speakers are known for their affordability. The new Soundlink Micro Bluetooth speaker is wireless and IP67 rating dust and waterproof resistant.

Among the smart speakers, the most affordable Bose speaker is priced at only $349 which is both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible and Apple Airplay 2 compatible.

  • Sound quality

The wall-to-wall stereo sound in Bose smart speakers is its signature feature that is enough reason to buy a Bose speaker. Like the Bose Smart speaker 500 is fitted with two custom drivers point that fill the room with astonishing sound.

Like the Bose Portable Smart speaker, its portable speakers feature 360 degrees sound and powerful bass with three passive radiators that make it the most versatile smart speaker.

  • High IP ratings

The Bose speakers are both dust and water-resistant with high IP ratings. The Bose new Micro Bluetooth portable speaker is IP67 rated, which means it can be submerged in water for 30 minutes.

Other Bose speakers can also withstand minor splashing and showers. This is one of the many reasons to prefer Bose speakers.

  • Remotes and apps

All the smart speakers of Bose can be easily controlled with Bose Music App. The app is simple to use and less uncluttered. It allows for an easy step-up of any Bose product easily. Some of the Bose speakers also come with a compact remote, making controlling speakers even smoother.

For instance, you can control the Bose Wave system, and soundbars can be controlled through a remote.

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How We Chose the Best Bose Speakers 

We chose the best Bose speakers after proper research and comparing them with the speakers of alternative brands. While choosing, we consider the pricing advantages, the sound quality, portability, and availability of smart features.

We also consider eh customer reviews on the same.

Features To Look For In Bose Speakers 

  • Sound quality

The Bose speakers are engineered with amplifiers and woofers that provide superb crisp and clear sounds. The best part is that the Bose speakers are so powerful that they can be used outside for hosting pool parties.

The Bose speakers are also great for bass lovers. The custom-designed microphone array under the surface also allows Bose speakers to pick up superior voice instantly. It hears you even in loud music.

  • Portability

Another impressive feature of Bose speakers is portability. They are designed in a way to throw powerful voices and yet make them portable. They are suitable for pool parties and patio parties and accompany you on adventures, on the beach, or wherever you go.

These speakers feature both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that allow you to play music at your convenience. Play music through online streaming apps or an external device using Bluetooth.

They do not have an aux-in for headphones or a USB cable. However, the portable speakers do come with a good battery life of 12 hours per charge.

  • Cinema sound at home

Want to turn your home into a mini home theatre. For the best experience, company Bose speakers with Bose soundbars can turn your place into a surround sound music experience. Bose has powerful soundbars which can accompany Bose speakers to alleviate the presence of sound all around.

  • Smart speaker

If you do not know, Bose speakers are smart as well. If you are too bored with the Amazon Echo, no worries. There are better smart speakers on the market as well. Bose speakers have built-in voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant that allows you to talk to them.

What Bose speaker is the best? 

  • Best in portable speakers: SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker
  • Best in smart speakers: Bose Smart speaker 500
  • Best in soundbars: Bose smart soundbar 300
  • Best in surround speaker: Bose surround speakers 700
  • Best budget Bose speaker: SoundLink Colour Bluetooth speaker II
Bose Speakers: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide

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Types of Bose speakers 

Bose has a range of speakers for your every need. Here are all the types of speakers you can find.

Portable speakers 

Portable speakers are easier to carry around. Bose portable speakers come with a handle on top for easy portability.

Other Bose portable speakers include Soundlink Revolve + II Bluetooth speaker, SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, Bose Micro Bluetooth speaker, and also the SoundLink Colour Bluetooth speaker II (available in four vibrant colors).

Stereo speakers 

Under Bose stereo speakers, you can find three great options for different uses. If you want to create surround sound and looking for ceiling speakers, Bose in-ceiling speakers II is a great choice.

It also has bookshelf speakers and outdoor speakers, meeting the needs of different users suitably. All these speakers come in pairs and are priced suitably. The outdoor speakers can also be wall-mounted. They are also made to withstand harsh weather conditions like high temperatures, snow, rain, moisture, etc.

Multi-room speakers

Many of Bose’s portable speakers and other smart speakers are multi-room speakers. Multi-Room speakers connect when placed in different rooms. This allows owners to place the same music throughout the house.

You can connect one Bose multi-room speaker to others using the Bose Connect App. Bose speakers that support Party Mode, Stereo Mode, or Simple Sync can be used as multiroom speakers. For instance, Bose Home Speaker 300 can be connected with another Bose Home speaker 300 or other Bose speakers like Bose smart speaker 500, Bose soundbar 500, and Bose Smart Soundbar 700.

Wave systems 

Bose also makes remarkable wave systems i.e., music systems with CD players and other functionality like AM/FM radio tuners. The old remains the gold, and the Bose Wave Music System IV proves so very well.

The wave system also includes different inputs on the back for playing music from other external sources as well. The wave system is compact yet is powerful enough to fill the room with loud music sounds. You can play content from any CD or just fine-tune it to the FM/AM radio. It’s super easy to connect and sue without any Wi-Fi concerns.

It also comes with a classy and compact remote that adds to its accessibility. It’s simply great in looks as well as functionality.

Home theatre speakers 

So, Bose provides a lot of options amongst its home theatre speakers as well. You can choose from a whole Bose surround sound system under the product name Lifestyle 650 home entertainment system or choose to buy them separately.

Bose also manufacturers surround speakers, smart soundbars, bass modules, and TV speakers that certainly can be used to create a personalized home theatre system at home.

Bose Speakers: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide
Bose Lifestyle 650 Home Entertainment System

What you should know about the best Bose speakers 

Here are some of the key specifications you should know about the best Bose speakers. You wonder if Bose speakers are water-resistant and have voice assistants, these features here will clear that up.

Technical specifications 

One should know about the technical specifications of the Bose speaker you are buying. This includes the material with which eh Bose speakers are made of. Most Bose speakers are made of an anodized aluminum grille. You should also know about the sound quality, voice pickup, and design.

Did you know the Bose portable speakers like the SoundLink Revolve have rubber bumpers on both sides? These bumpers prevent speakers from being damaged even when they are dropped from a height or bumped into surfaces.

Bose speakers come with a power input and an aux input at the back in the case of inputs.

Size 

When you buy a Bose speaker, you should look for the size and dimensions of the speaker. It provides an idea about the space it may take. This is usually feasible when buying bookshelf speakers or portable speakers.

Bose manufacturers speakers of all sizes to meet the user’s needs.

Control type 

The Bose speakers have a full control panel on the top of the speaker. It has a touch control that lets users change the volume, Play/pause the song, turn on/off Bluetooth, microphone button, power button, and action button.

Some Bose speakers also include 6 preset buttons that allow users to preset 6 songs from playlists, set favorites, or set favorite internet radio stations. The control panel on Bose speakers keeps everything on just a tap away.

IP ratings indicate dust and water-resistance 

Some of the Bose speakers are dust and water-resistant. Bose smart portable speaker is IPx4 water-resistant. This means it can withstand minor splashes and sprays but should not be submerged deep into the water.

Whereas the Bose’s Soundlink Revolve+ II speakers have an IP55 rating. This means they have a high degree of protection against dust, accidental contact, and water. It can withstand accidental showering of water. It also withstands the intrusion of solid objects.

The Bose Micro Bluetooth speaker is IP67 rated water and dusty resistant. This means it can withstand being immersed in 3.3ft water for 30 minutes.

Remember, not all Bose speakers are dust and water-resistant. Therefore, look carefully before buying.

Wireless streaming and Bluetooth quality 

Almost all new Bose speakers come with wireless streaming, i.e., supports Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or both.

The Bluetooth wireless range in Bose speakers is up to 30ft, i.e., the Bose speakers can catch Bluetooth connection within this distance. Also, Bose speakers can keep track of up to the last eight devices connected.

Bose speakers with Wi-Fi, like the Bose portable smart speaker, can use Wi-Fi to connect to music streaming apps and voice control and also lets you control the speaker through the Bose Music App. All the Bose smart speakers also come with wireless streaming and Bluetooth connectivity.

Assistant integration 

Assistant integrations refer to the voice control assistants. Bose smart speakers have built-in voice control assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. This means users can connect their speaker to Wi-Fi and control their speaker through voice. You can also take and make calls on Bose speaker using Alexa voice assistant.

Remember that Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II supports Siri and Google Assistant as voice controls.

Which Bose speaker should I buy? 

If you are looking for a smart Bose speaker, you can buy Bose smart speaker 500. It has wall-to-wall stereo sound, six preset buttons, superior voice pickup, and a digital screen in front.

If you are looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker, go to Soundlink Revolve + II or color II.

Tips 

Think about what you want from your Bose speakers 

When buying a Bose speaker, you should first be clear about its use. What do you want from your Bose speaker? Do you want a good sound quality? Do you want Bluetooth connectivity or Wi-Fi? Do you want it to be voice-controlled? Which voice control assistant would you prefer? Do you want a surround sound speaker or a stereo speaker?

The answers to these questions can be a dealbreaker. Further, the questions also help you to narrow down your list.

Decide where you’re going to place your Bose speakers

Another major consideration when buying a Bose speaker is deciding where you want to keep it. You can place a Bose speaker outside near your pool or patio. You can place it indoors as bookshelf speakers, ceiling speakers, and wall mount speakers.

Some portable speakers can be carried anywhere on adventures, traveling etc. Also, the Bose Micro Bluetooth speaker can be placed on your pool bar or bicycle as it comes with a tear-resistant strap.

Thus, deciding on where you are placing your Bose speakers can also help in choosing one.

Consider whether your chosen speaker will blend with your home decor

Now, Bose speakers come in different colors. If you are a home décor enthusiast, you can also choose a Bose speaker that can blend with your home color. Bose speakers come in colors like black, Stone Blue, White Smoke, Yellow Citron, and Aquatic Blue.

Make sure there’s a good return policy. 

Bose speakers come with a 90-day risk-free trial when bought directly from them. They also offer a price match promise and free 2-day shipping on their products. Bose product also comes with a one-year warranty.

Areas Where Bose is Good 

Some of the key areas where Bose products are good to include:

Headphones 

Bose headphones are uber popular. You can see someone or other sporting them very often. Bose has a variety of headphones like

  • Noise-canceling headphones
  • Wireless headphones
  • Sport headphones
  • Open ear headphones
  • Aviation headset for pilots

Portable Bluetooth speakers 

Bose has an impressive collection of portable Bluetooth speakers. Not just one, Bose has seven different portable Bluetooth speakers within its range. Each of these portable speakers has some unique features like their Bluetooth feature, IP rating, color, or design.

Docking Stations 

Bose used to have three SoundDock music player systems, namely

  • Bose SoundDock 10 Digital Music system
  • Bose SoundDock Series II digital music system
  • Bose SoundDock Series III digital music system

The first two series have been discontinued and replaced by the Series III digital music system. However, you can still find the discontinued SoundDock on Amazon. The SoundDock Series III comes in more attractive colors like Purple, Orange, Green, etc. the product is compatible with various iPhone and iPod models.

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Other Brands to Consider – Bose alternatives 

If you find Bose speakers are not what you are looking for, here are other brands to consider. However, don’t expect them to be any less costly. Each of these brands has its own pros and cons.

Klipsch 

Klipsch is a great brand to consider if you are looking for a full sound system. Their sound systems are fairly less expensive, with unique design and good sound quality.

Polk 

If you can compromise with the sound quality for less cost, Polk speakers can do the job. Polk is known for its soundbars and home speakers. The design is average, as well as sound quality. They usually deal in bookshelf and other big speakers. You won’t find a compact portable speaker.

Dali 

Similarly, Dali is also known for its bookshelf and floor-standing speakers that make part of sound surround systems.

JBL 

JBL is one near competitor of Bose as it’s known for its headphones, portable speakers, waterproof speakers, Bluetooth speakers, and more. The JBL speakers are also affordable. You can get a portable waterproof speaker for $100 to $200. The powerful sound quality of JBL is also impressive.

Sonos 

Sonos is probably the greatest competitor of Bose. Sonos speakers are known for their multi-room functionality and are true competitors in the home theatre system speakers like the soundbars and subwoofers. However, Sonos is more expensive than Bose in some respects. They also have better software and sound quality.

Yamaha 

Yamaha is neck to neck with Bose in terms of variety. However, Yamaha is more popular for commercial speakers like loudspeakers, ceiling speakers, and wall mount speakers.

Axiom 

Axiom is known for its bookshelf speakers, floor-standing speakers, wireless speakers, and amplifiers. However, they won’t have many options if you look for some compact speakers. Otherwise, it’s a premium brand with good sound quality.

How to install Bose speakers? 

Different Bose speakers are installed differently. However, the basic installation process remains the same. Here is how you can install any Bose speaker:

  1. Use a power cord or USB C cable

Depending on your Bose product, use the right cable to connect one end to the back of the speaker. Plug the other end of the cable to an AC power outlet. If it’s the USB C cable, plug another end into the power adapter and then to the AC power outlet.

  1. Power on

The speaker will power on and will show a white light indicator.

  1. Download Bose Music App

Now, download the Bose Music app from the Google Play Store or App Store on your mobile device. Create a new Bose account or sign in.

Tap on the + connect Product button to scan your new Bose speaker. Once scanned, tap on Add Product. Now, follow on-screen instructions to install it completely via Wi-Fi.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Can the Bose Soundlink Micro attach to a TV? 

Yes, Bose Soundlink Micro can be attached to a TV if the TV is Bluetooth enabled. Bose Soundlink Micro is a portable speaker with Bluetooth. You can also use a Micro B USB cable to connect it to the TV and try if it works.

Do any of the Bose smart speakers have an internal smart hub? 

No, Bose smart speakers do not have an internal smart hub. However, you can control selected smart home devices using the Google Actions and Alexa Skills on Bose Home Speakers 500. You can turn off the lights or set your smart thermostat.

Are there any Bose speakers that support aptX? 

No, there are no Bose speakers that support aptX as of now. They make use of A2DP CODEC instead.

Which Bose speakers have Party Mode? 

The latest Bose speakers like SoundLink Colour II, Soundlink Micro, Revolve + II, and Revolve II have the Party Mode feature. Such speakers can be played together with a maximum of 2 speakers at once.

Do you recommend Bose over alternative brands? 

Yes, if you are looking for portable, smart, and Bluetooth-enabled compact speakers, Bose is highly recommended over other alternative brands. Some of the Bose speakers are also water-resistant.

Will Bose speakers work with non-Bose receivers? 

Yes, Bose speaker systems like Bose Acoustimass 6 and Bose Acoustimass 10 work with non-Bose receivers.

Can I connect two Bose speakers? 

Yes, any two Bose speakers that support Party Mode can be connected together using the Bose Connect app.

Can I connect my Bose speaker to a TV? 

Yes, some Bose speakers can be connected to the TV using the optical cable with the Bose speaker. If the following Bose speaker contains a remote, the speaker can be controlled through the remote when connected to the TV.

Why are Bose speakers so expensive? 

Bose spends a lot on advertising, marketing, and research. This makes them expensive. However, there are still less expensive than other alternative brands like Sonos.

Are Bose speakers difficult to set up? 

The Bose speakers are not difficult to set up. You just need a Bose Music app to set them up. Bose’s official website provides a video guide on how to set up each speaker. Following the video is super easy.

What’s the sound quality like on Bose speakers? 

The sound quality of Bose speakers is good and average. The new smart Bose speakers are more powerful in terms of bass and provide 360 degrees of sound coverage with no dead zones. They are loud and something a non-audiophile would love.

How long is the battery life on Bose portable speakers? 

The Bose portable speakers have a long battery life of 12 hours on a single charge. The latest Revolve + II has 17 hours of battery life when audio is played at nominal volume.

Recognizing Fake Bose Speakers

To recognize a fake Bose speaker, you need to know the product’s serial number (found on the warranty card or product itself) and ask Bose customer care to verify it for you.

Another way to avoid buying fake Bose speakers is to buy directly from Bose.com or their recognized dealers worldwide