Editor's note:As of June 2015, this product has been discontinued and replaced by its successor, theBose SoundLink Mini II. The new model keeps the same list price, adds longer battery life, speakerphone support, and replaces the proprietary AC charger with one that's compatible with standard micro-USB cables.
8,0
Bose SoundLink mini alto falante Bluetooth
The good
The <b>Bose SoundLink Mini</b> is a very stylish and compact wireless Bluetooth speaker that sounds great for its small size. It also has excellent build quality, with a unibody aluminum casing and includes a charging dock that you can leave plugged in.
evil
Really expensive; no speakerphone capabilities; the protective cover costs extra.
Conclusion
While quite expensive at $200, the Bose SoundLink Mini is one of the few standouts in the ultra-compact wireless speaker category, with a top-notch design and very good sound for its small size.
It's a good thing that Bose has its logo on the front of its new ultra-compact wireless Bluetooth speaker, the SoundLink Mini, because if it didn't, you might think it was made by Apple.
There's something very "i" about it, and it's not just the Mini that's part of its name. Perhaps it's the one-piece aluminum casing that surrounds the two small drivers and the front and rear radiators. Or the fact that, at 1.5 pounds, it feels considerably more substantial than many of the tiny, all-plastic Bluetooth speakers on the market right now. Whatever it is, this is a compact and stylish wireless speaker.
It also happens that it sounds good. For what it is, anyway. After all, there's only so much sound, or should I say quality sound, that you can get from a palm-sized speaker. But overall, there are enough draws, including an integrated charging dock, for you to overlook the minor drawbacks, namely a lack of hands-free functionality and a somewhat steep price tag.
design and features
As with his older
I liked the fact that the unit came with a desktop charging pad. You can also plug the included AC adapter directly into the unit, so you don't have to take the dock with you when you travel. It doesn't charge via USB, though, so you'll need the AC adapter (the pins on the adapter bend, which is handy, but it's another accessory you carry with you). On the plus side, speakers that require charging with an AC adapter tend to be more powerful and produce more sound.
While the crib is a nice extra, everything else will cost you. Bose is selling protective cases for a whopping $25 each, and a case will set you back $45. I haven't tested the case, but the case, which comes in several color options, is nice. It doesn't fully protect the speaker, but it does for the most part, and the good thing is that you can still charge the speaker on the stand without removing it from the case.
In terms of connectivity, there's an auxiliary input on the side for non-Bluetooth devices, as well as a Micro-USB port on the back for potential firmware updates.
I really liked the overall look of the speaker, but like Bose's SoundLink II Bluetooth mobile speaker, it doesn't have a built-in speakerphone, which is a shame. I find it a bit odd, just because the device seems made to stay on a nightstand or home office desk, where it would come in handy as a speakerphone. For most people this won't be an issue (I suspect Bose did their market research and determined that the speakerphone is an underutilized feature in Bluetooth speakers), but it's a must-have feature for some consumers.
performance
How does the Mini sound? Well, while it simply can't deliver the performance of a larger speaker, for what it is, and its small size, it sounds pretty good.
The one thing I've noticed more than other speakers is that placement makes a big difference. Placing it closer to a wall definitely improves bass response and the speaker sounds fuller. He also plays very loud, louder than theJambox Jawbone, for example, but it's clear that Bose engineers had to restrict the sound a bit to avoid distortion at higher volumes. You might feel the speaker want to turn up the volume, but those fine-tuned algorithms running on Bose's digital signal processor (DSP) keep it from going too far and doing something it shouldn't.
Overall, the sound signature is somewhat laid back and easygoing; the sound is a little creamier. The bass is pretty deep, but it doesn't sound incredibly punchy or punchy. Overall, though, you feel like Bose squeezed as much as he could out of a speaker this size. It can fill a small room with sound, and it works well in medium-sized rooms, too.
As for battery life, Bose says you'll get 7 hours of gaming and a 3-hour recharge time. I was able to use the speakerphone through an 8 hour workday without any problem, even though I was listening at moderate volume levels and took a short 30 minute lunch break. That's pretty decent, though some speakers have 10+ hours of battery life.
Comparing the Mini to similarly priced products
Conclusion
As a CNET editor, I get to test a lot of Bluetooth speakers. It seems like a new one comes out every week and a lot of the little ones tend to sound pretty similar. By that I mean the average consumer would think they sound pretty good for their small size, but they tend to sound a bit thin and distort at higher volumes, particularly with bass-heavy material. I'm less critical of the affordable models ($60 and under), but I tend to be more rigid on small speakers that cost $100+ and don't give high marks for design and performance (features count for a bit).
In terms of price, of course, the Bose SoundLink Mini is at the higher end of the ultra-compact Bluetooth speaker spectrum. That said, it's a step up in design and build quality from most of the competition, and while it does have its sonic limitations (a small wireless speaker can only sound so good), it delivers bigger, fuller sound than similarly sized Bluetooth speakers. In other words, it definitely stands out from the rest, even if in some cases the difference in sound is relatively small: the JBL Flip and
For me personally, it would be hard to choose between this $200 model and the $200 UE Boom, which I think is a bit more versatile and better suited for outdoor use. Ultimately it can come down to simple aesthetics and how you intend to use the speaker. The SoundLink Mini is aimed at someone looking for a very stylish wireless speaker that sounds great for its small size and can easily be moved from room to room (and patio), but will probably end up in a bedroom at the end of the day. . or the home office, perhaps parked next to an iMac or MacBook Air. They go well together.
score breakdown
Project 9Characteristics 7As 8Valor 7
See full specifications see all prices
FAQs
What happened to the Bose SoundLink mini? ›
The SoundLink Mini II was quietly discontinued in late 2018, favoring the newly released Revolve and Revolve+. However, due to high production numbers, it was still readily available as of late 2019.
Why won't my Iphone connect to my Bose SoundLink mini? ›Try these steps first
Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory and iOS or iPadOS device are close to each other. Turn your Bluetooth accessory off and back on again. Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory is on and fully charged or connected to power.
When fully charged, the battery typically provides about 10 hours of playing time at a moderate volume levels. Battery power is consumed faster at higher volume levels. The typical life span of the battery is about 300 charge cycles.
Why did Apple stop selling Bose? ›Apple has offered products from Bose and Logitech for several years, but temporarily stopped sales of Bose accessories in 2014 after Bose sued Apple-owned Beats for patent infringement, a case that was quickly settled.
What is the difference between Bose Soundlink Mini and II? ›One major improvement over the original SoundLink Mini comes in the increased battery life. While the original maxed out at 7 hours, the Mini 2 offers up to 10 hours of battery life. It's also easier to charge the speaker now.
Is Bose SoundLink compatible with Iphone? ›All Bose wired headsets can connect to iPhones equipped with a traditional audio jack, but most iPhones don't have audio jacks, and many headphones are wireless. Bose headphones connect to iPhones using Bluetooth and the Bose Connect app.
Why won't my Iphone connect to my Bose Bluetooth speaker? ›If you have any issues with pairing, you can reset Bluetooth on your speaker. Press the blutooth button for ten seconds to clear all devices. The Bluetooth will change to inactive mode and the speaker will turn off. Start over the pairing procecss.
Why wont my iphone connect to Bose? ›Reset your headphones.
Power off your headphones, then wait 30 seconds. Connect your headphones to a wall outlet using a USB charger, then wait 5 seconds. Disconnect the USB cable from the headset, then wait 1 minute. Power on your headphones and resume normal use.
Unable to connect to a device
If the software is already up to date you might need to perform a product reset. This can be accomplished in a few easy steps: On the speaker, press and hold mute for 10 seconds, the LEDs will flash for a few seconds. Next press the Power button to turn the SoundLink Mini speaker back on.
Apple AirPlay technology lets you wirelessly play audio from an AirPlay device (i.e. an iPhone or compatible app) and hear it through an AirPlay-compatible speaker—like your Bose speaker.
Can I leave my Bose SoundLink mini plugged in all the time? ›
Yes, just leave it sitting on the charging station, we do it all the time. Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later. Yes, you can charge the speaker while using it.
Is Bose SoundLink Mini loud? ›If you find yourself on the road a lot, or even if you don't, the SoundLink Mini is definitely a top contender. Loud!
What is the price of Bose SoundLink mini? ›Bose SoundLink Mini BT II Portable Bluetooth Speaker price in India starts from ₹14,856.
Does Bose work well with Apple? ›The Bose QuietComfort 35 II should perform well on iPhones, but Android users will have to take a gamble with these headphones. Both the AirPods Max and Bose QuietComfort 35 II only support the AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs. If you own an Apple device, both headphones should work without any issues.
Which is better Bose or Apple? ›Best audio performance: Bose for bass-a-holics, Apple for spatial audio. As I've already said, both sets of earbuds are high-performing headphones for music-listening sessions. Choosing which is best for you depends on how you plan to use them.
Why is Bose going out of business? ›Bose plans to close its entire retail store footprint in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. The company announced the decision earlier today and pointed to the fact that its headphones, speakers, and other products “are increasingly purchased through e-commerce” as the reasoning.
Which is best Sonos or Bose? ›Verdict: Bose definitely has the most choice, but there's also something to be said of the more streamlined offering from Sonos. The top-end soundbars from both brands are the same price, and while Sonos is more focused on home cinema with multiple speaker sets, Bose has a more substantial Bluetooth speaker range.
What is the best Bluetooth speaker of Bose? ›The Bose SoundLink Flex is the best Bose Bluetooth speaker available in the budget range. It's a portable speaker that's sold in several different colors with a sturdy design that's great for taking your favorite tunes with you on the go.
Is Bose still the best sound system? ›Bose speakers are the best in terms of sound quality. They have a very good bass and treble, which is why they are preferred by many people. The clarity of their music is also amazing as compared to other brands available in the market today.
Can you use Bose SoundLink for phone calls? ›Your Bose product can answer, end and control phone call-related functions. This lets you conveniently take phone calls without accessing the controls on your mobile device.
Can I use Bose SoundLink without Bluetooth? ›
A: Yes. The SoundLink Mini speaker features a standard 3.5mm AUX input on the back that can be connected to a non-Bluetooth device with a headphone jack.
Is Bose SoundLink mini stereo or mono? ›The SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II is a stereo device with two speakers for separate left and right audio channels.
How do I reset my Bose Soundlink mini? ›Restore the factory settings of your speaker.
Power on your speaker. Press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds until the product powers off.
Hello Sunny, the blinking blue light means your speaker is in discoverable mode.
Why is my Bose speaker not connecting to wi-fi? ›If your device does will not connect to the setup network of your Bose product, go to your device Settings, select Cellular and disable Wi-Fi Assist. Then, tap the Bose network name to connect to it.
How do I reset my Bose Soundlink? ›Restore the factory settings of your speaker.
Power on your speaker. Simultaneously press and hold the AUX and Volume – buttons for 15 seconds until a tone is heard.
First, try to turn the speaker off and back on again. If that doesn't work, try resetting the speaker by pressing and holding the power button on the speaker for ten seconds until you see a flashing blue light and the speaker asks you to select a language.
How do I fix the Bluetooth pairing problem? ›- Turn Bluetooth off and then on again. Learn how to turn Bluetooth on and off.
- Confirm that your devices are paired and connected. Learn how to pair and connect via Bluetooth.
- Restart your devices. Learn how to restart your Pixel phone or Nexus device.
- Set up your Bose SoundTouch. In a few steps, we'll set up your Bose SoundTouch speaker. ...
- Step 1: turn on your smartphone or tablet. ...
- Step 2: plug the device into a socket. ...
- Step 3: download the Bose SoundTouch app. ...
- Step 4: open the app. ...
- Step 5: connect to the Internet. ...
- Step 6: connect to WiFi. ...
- Step 7: give your speaker a name.
You can use your headphones without the Bose Music app
The Noise Cancellation button will toggle between 3 different noise cancelling levels (0, 5 and 10) Press and hold the Noise Cancellation button for 1 second to access Conversation Mode.
What app is needed for Bose SoundLink Mini? ›
Get the Bose Connect app.
The Bose Connect app is available for iOS and Android devices.
The battery in your product can be removed so you can insert a new battery if your battery weakens or dies.
How do I connect my Bose SoundLink mini to my Apple TV? ›- Pairing bluetooth devices can be done in Settings﹥Remotes and Devices﹥Bluetooth﹥
- AirPlay speakers should be added to the Home app. ...
- Changing the volume of bluetooth speakers can be done with the Siri Remote, and also in Control Center﹥Audio Controls.
On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth. Your Apple TV will search for nearby Bluetooth accessories. Choose your Bluetooth accessory. If asked, enter a four-digit code or PIN.
How do I connect my Bose SoundLink to my TV? ›- Connect an HDMI cable from the HDMI (ARC) jack on your TV to your speaker.
- Connect your other devices (i.e. cable box or Blu-ray player) to the available inputs on your TV.
- In the TV menu, enable ARC and CEC. (
The company announced the decision earlier today and pointed to the fact that its headphones, speakers, and other products “are increasingly purchased through e-commerce” as the reasoning. Hundreds of employees will be laid off as a result.
Why is Bose struggling? ›The company has struggled with steadily declining sales after losing significant market share to audio giants like Sonos and Apple, especially since the AirPods Pro launched in 2019. Bose has lost nearly $1 billion in sales between 2019 and 2021.
Has Bose closed down? ›There is one store brand that has closed down, but not for pandemic-related reasons. If you haven't heard, at the beginning of the year, the popular audio equipment company, Bose, made the decision to close all of its retail Bose stores, in favor of focusing solely on ecommerce.
Is Bose closing all their stores? ›On January 15, Bose Corporation (Bose), a leading global manufacturer of high-end audio systems, announced its plan to close all 119 of its retail stores in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.
Does Bose have lifetime warranty? ›The Bose® Limited Warranty for Professional products lasts five years from the date of purchase for all amplifiers, digital signal processors, MSA12X, loudspeaker products that are not self-powered (amplified), speaker components for products that are designated weather rated or environmental, and the speaker ...
Is Bose in trouble? ›
Bose Corp. has been cutting jobs and shifting its focus as the audio company, known for its noise-canceling headphones and portable speakers, faces declining sales and growing competition.
How long should Bose last? ›When fully charged, the battery typically provides about 16 hours of use. Battery power is consumed faster at higher volume levels or when used in noisier environments. The typical life span of the battery is about 500 charge cycles.