Bose Introduces SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker
Bose Introduces SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker
Linking Sound
At Atlas Sound & Vision's flagship showroom at TripleOne Somerset earlier today, Bose unveiled its new SoundLink wireless mobile speaker. Targeted at the youth on the move, the speaker aims to provide high quality audio and fidelity to sound which have become the hallmarks of Bose products over the years. The design principles behind the new product were said to be “Quality Sound”, “Spontaneous Mobility” and “Elegant Durability”.
Armed with four 2-inch drivers and dual opposing passive radiators enclosed in waffle cone surrounds, the Bose SoundLink is definitely a heavy hitter in the wireless speaker category. It boasts almost twice the hardware that the top contenders such as the Jawbone Jambox and the Soundmatters Foxl v2 bring to the table.
During our hands-on session at the showroom, the speaker passed its tests with flying colors. We tested the Bose SoundLink with a selection of jazz tracks, and they were dutifully rendered. Well defined bass and preservation of the rich tonal characteristics of vocals were the most impressive features. In addition, the attack of percussion instruments and guitars on rock tracks was also pleasingly sharp.
The wireless speaker has a built-in digital signal processor (DSP) which makes sure you get the most out of the music you play. Soundstage for the device was also impressive and the SoundLink should have no problems handling medium-sized rooms.
A good deal larger and heavier than the competition, the Bose SoundLink weighs in at 1.3kg. Though it is still portable and will fit easily into a backpack or bag, carrying it in your hands for long periods of time might not be the best idea. Connectivity is offered via Bluetooth; it supports the A2DP profile for streaming.
Pairing with the device is a simple process and can be achieved by holding down the Bluetooth button on the top left of the speaker for three seconds. Once a beep is heard, you can connect with your device of choice. Only one device can be connected at a time to the Bose SoundLink.
The device has a battery life of six to eight hours courtesy of its onboard lithium-ion cells. Holding down the power button will flash the remaining battery life on the speaker's front display.
Housed at the back is a 3.5mm auxiliary port for wired playback. There is also a micro-USB port for firmware upgrades in the future. Of course, there's a jack for the power adapter.
An interesting design choice from Bose is the integrated cover. Closing this cover puts the SoundLink on standby. The inner surface of the cover is a non-stick material and the speaker is actually incapable of standing upright unless the protective layer is folded back. These certainly sound similar to the Smart Cover functions for the Apple iPad 2.
The premium version of the Bose SoundLink is offered with a leather cover and a chrome finish while the regular version comes with a nylon casing. You can purchase a different colored nylon cover for the speaker for S$59, while a new leather case will cost you S$99.
The Bose SoundLink wireless mobile speaker has gone on sale today and is priced at S$549 for the regular model. The price for the premium luxury version is S$639. Look for the product at the Atlas showrooms located at TripleOne Somerset and Milennia Walk.