Another bonus from the SoundLink Max’s beefy design is that it promises an impressive battery life of 20 hours, which should last long enough for most outdoor shindigs. If your smartphone’s low on charge, you can also plug it into the speaker’s USB-C port for a quick top-up.
Bose has made a significant leap in establishing its presence in the realm of Bluetooth speakers with the launch of the new SoundLink Max – a powerful and stylish wireless speaker that appears well-suited for setting the mood at big-group barbecues or picnics.
The SoundLink Max is Bose’s largest Bluetooth speaker to date, weighing just under 2.27kg and measuring 26cm wide. While it may be slightly smaller than some competitors like the Tribit Stormbox Blast, Bose’s creation boasts a stylish design and is built for outdoor use with its IP67 rating, ensuring resistance to water, dust, and shocks.
As expected from a premium audio brand like Bose, the SoundLink Max guarantees a rich and balanced sound quality, thanks to its three transducers and two custom-designed passive radiators for bass reinforcement. Notably, the speaker is equipped with Snapdragon Sound and aptX Adaptive, supporting hi-res lossless audio and dynamically scaling music bit-rates for an enhanced listening experience.
If you’re an Android user, the SoundLink Max supports Google’s Fast Pair standard for quick connectivity. Moreover, for those who prefer traditional connections, there’s an aux input available for linking the speaker to an MP3 or CD player.
Considering Bose’s reputation for producing high-end audio products, the SoundLink Max comes at a premium price of £399 ($499 / AU$765) when pre-orders commence on May 14. Whether this price tag is justified by the speaker’s performance and features will be revealed in upcoming reviews.
A new premium contender?
The SoundLink Max’s premium price point might deter some potential buyers, especially considering that the current top pick in our Bluetooth speakers guide, the Sonos Roam, delivers powerful sound in a compact size at a lower price of $179 / £179 / AU$299.
Despite its heftier build, the SoundLink Max could find a niche as a premium offering in our speaker recommendations. Our Audio Editor commented, “It’s a little pricey, but again, Bose products rarely enter the budget arena. I can’t wait to hear how it sounds.”
