The Superb Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker Is Hard To Beat

So many great Bluetooth speakers have launched this year and it’s hard to choose which one to buy. Some of the budget models, like the Tribit Stormbox 2, offer amazing value for money, but if you want something a little special with a truly premium sound, then look at the new Bose SoundLink Max.

Bose is a brand that can divide a room. Some audiophiles are a bit sniffy about the name. The company doesn’t publish technical specifications for its products, preferring to let potential customers use their ears to decide for themselves. In my experience, music enthusiasts tend to love the big and beefy Bose sound which has been beguiling listeners for more than 60 years, ever since Dr Amar Bose left The Massachusetts Institute of Technology to set up his fledgling audio company.

When Dr Bose died, in 2013, he donated his non-voting shares to MIT and now the institution receives cash dividends from the company’s considerable profits. Dr Bose was clearly a grateful student and his gift acknowledged how much MIT taught him, especially, Professor YW Lee, his thesis supervisor. Since then, Bose has gone on to create a stellar reputation for making great PA systems, superb noise-canceling headphones and excellent Bluetooth speakers.

The latest Bluetooth speaker from Bose is the new SoundLink Max, a compact model with a neat carrying handle and a sound that’s so much bigger than you would expect from such a compact size. It’s hard to understand how such a small box can produce such large and clear sound, but Bose knows a thing or two about the physics of acoustics with its 60 years of experience.

Because Bose doesn’t disclose the precise audio measurements of its products, I can’t quote you the usual numbers like power output, frequency range or total harmonic distortion. So, for this review, we’ll fly solely by my ears and the features included with this astonishing little speaker.

Because Bose doesn’t disclose the precise audio measurements of its products, I can’t quote you the usual metrics like power output, frequency range or total harmonic distortion. So, for this review, we will fly solely by my ears and the features included in this astonishing little speaker.

The SoundLink Max has something called a Bose Articulated Array which consists of three drivers ranged across the front of the speaker that project a generously wide soundstage with a stereo image that’s impressive for such a small speaker.

Two custom-designed passive radiators boost the level of bass frequencies in probably one of the most effective applications of passive radiators I’ve ever heard. There is plenty of thump here and if you want even more, there is an EQ function in the Bose smartphone app that will pump it up further.

The top-plate of the SoundLink Max is where you will find the usual buttons for powering up the speaker, pairing with Bluetooth devices, adjusting volume and controlling the music. There is also a special programmable button that can be assigned using the Bose smartphone app. The buttons are super soft and very sensitive which makes a change. Most Bluetooth speakers seem to require long hard presses on the controls.

Currently, the special programmable button toggles between selecting the 3.5mm AUX input or Spotify Tap, but perhaps more features will be added in the future. The app also has a few custom features including a setting for the amount of time that passes before the speaker turns itself off to save battery.

Bose claims its proprietary digital signal processing dramatically minimizes distortion, enabling the speaker to reproduce a fuller, natural sound regardless of what you’re listening to. I think they are right. You can crank up the volume of the SoundLink Max and it won’t break into a sweat. There’s a clarity and separation of instruments and vocals that mark this speaker out as something special.

The SoundLink Max has a powder-coated, silicone-wrap around its steel enclosure which makes the speaker hard-wearing and resistant to scuffs and scratches. Bose says the finish won’t peel or flake with time, which is reassuring as some cheaper speakers don’t always have the most robust finishes. The surface of the speaker is also resistant to corrosion and UV light, plus its IP67 rating means it can shrug off water, dust, rust and drops, making it ideal for taking to the beach, pool or out in the yard.

For the massive sound the SoundLink Max makes, this is quite a small package and weighs just 2.27kg. Its rope handle is removable and there is an optional rope shoulder strap available which would be great for carrying the speaker to the beach.

The SoundLink Max can provide up to 20 hours of play time from a single charge of the built-in rechargeable battery. The speaker can be recharged via its USB-C port which has a two-way feature so you can plug your smartphone in and top up your phone’s battery and carry on streaming music.

As well as the Bluetooth connectivity, the SoundLink Max has a 3.5mm stereo jack so you can plug in a non-Bluetooth analog device like a Walkman and play it through the speaker. You could even plug in an AirPlay receiver like the Belkin SoundConnect if you want higher quality streaming or to use it as part of a multi-room setup. The speaker uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports both the SBC and AAC audio codecs. For high-definition audio, the SoundLink Max also has Snapdragon Sound Technology with the Qualcomm aptX Adaptive codec, which automatically adapts as high as lossless wireless streaming.

This is the first Bluetooth speaker I’ve reviewed with Snapdragon Sound ^Technology onboard for seamless and robust connectivity with compatible Android devices. The SoundLink Max also includes support for Google Fast Pair for faster Bluetooth connection with Android devices.

Verdict: The sound produced by the Bose SoundLink Max is nothing short of astonishing considering its size. The Bose brand isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but if you listen to this stunning little speaker you will be bowled over. It does its job superbly but it comes with quite a hefty price tag. The SoundLink Max is one of the most expensive Bluetooth speakers of its type and you are paying a premium for exceptional sound and extras like support for Snapdragon Sound Technology. Listen to one and you will soon know whether it is the speaker for you. It’s a very special speaker. Highly Recommended.

Pricing & Availability: The Bose SoundLink Max is available in Black and Blue Dusk colorways. The price is $399 / £399.95 / €399,95.

Tech Specs:

• Drivers: 3 x full range.
• Passive radiators: 2 x.
• Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive.
• Snapdragon Sound: Yes.
• Battery life: 20 hours on one charge.
• Charging port: USB Type-C.
• Smartphone app: Yes.