Bose SoundLink Mini: Tiny $200 Bluetooth speaker delivers big sound
Hi.
I'm David Carnoy, executive editor for CNET.com, time to give you a quick video tour of the Bose Soundlink Mini, the company's new ultra compact wireless Bluetooth speaker that retails for $199.99.
The first thing you'll notice about this speaker is that it's got a sleek design and almost looks like it was built by Apple with the unibody aluminum enclosure that surrounds two small drivers in front and rear passive radiators.
At 1.5 pounds,
the Mini isn't as diminutive as some of the tiny Bluetooth speakers now on the market.
But its metal housing gives it considerably more substance that most of its plastic competitors and if nothing else, this thing feels like something that's worth $200.
The Mini is designed to be very simple to use with clearly labeled buttons on the top like all Bluetooth speakers, it will stream audio wirelessly from virtually any smartphone or tablet plus any Bluetooth enabled PC or audio player.
The speaker remembers up to six devices
so you only need to sync once.
I like that the unit comes with a desktop charging cradle.
You can also plug the included AC adapter directly into the unit so you don't have to take the cradle with you when you travel.
However, it does not charge via USB, so you do need the AC adapter.
As for battery life, Bose claims 7 hours of play time and a 3-hour recharge time.
While the cradle is a nice extra, everything else will cost you.
Bose is selling protective bumper sleeves for a
whopping $25 each and a carrying case will set you back $45.
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 upgrades.
I really like the whole look and feel of the speaker, but like Bose's step-up SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker 2, there's no integrated speaker phone, which is too bad.
How's it sound?
Well, while it just can't deliver the performance of a larger speaker for what it is and its tiny size, it sounds
very good.
The one thing I noticed about it more than some other speakers is that placement makes a big difference.
Putting it closer to a wall definitely improves bass response and the speaker sounds fuller.
It also plays pretty loud, louder than the Jawbone Jambox for instance, but it's clear that Bose's engineers had to keep the sound a little restrained in order to avoid distortion at higher volumes.
Overall, the sound signature is somewhat laid back and forgiving, so it's got a bit creamier sound, the bass goes pretty deep but it doesn't sound incredibly tight
or punchy.
All in all, however, you come away with the sense that Bose eked out about as much as it could from such a tiny speaker.
The Mini is the better choice over such products as the Beats Pill which currently retails for around the same price, but the $200 UE Boom has a bit bigger sound, better battery life, and built-in speaker phone.
It's water-resistant and better suited for outdoor use.
The Soundlink Mini is really targeted someone who's looking for a very sleek wireless speaker that sounds very good for its tiny size
and can be easily move from room to room but will probably end up docked at the end of the day in a bedroom or a home office, perhaps parked next to an iMac or MacBook Air.
I'm David Carnoy and that's the Bose Soundlink Mini.
Thanks for watching.
Up Next
Dolby's New Atmos System Lets You Place Speakers Anywhere in the Room
Up Next
Dolby's New Atmos System Lets You Place Speakers Anywhere in the Room
Razer Leviathan v2 Game Soundbar Delivers Big Sound, Front and Center
Razer Leviathan v2 Game Soundbar Delivers Big Sound, Front and Center
LG's latest soundbars promise more realistic voices
LG's latest soundbars promise more realistic voices
Soundbars: What to know before you buy
Soundbars: What to know before you buy
Vizio Elevate soundbar lifts the roof with Dolby Atmos
Vizio Elevate soundbar lifts the roof with Dolby Atmos
This luxury speaker brings Alexa smarts to art gallery design
This luxury speaker brings Alexa smarts to art gallery design
This is the best smart speaker
This is the best smart speaker
UE Hyperboom is built to party
UE Hyperboom is built to party
Samsung's Atmos soundbar offers big sound, fewer boxes
Samsung's Atmos soundbar offers big sound, fewer boxes
Amazon introduces high-end smarter speaker, Echo Studio
Amazon introduces high-end smarter speaker, Echo Studio
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
New iPad Pros and iPad Airs vs. Earlier iPads
New iPad Pros and iPad Airs vs. Earlier iPads
Road Testing Lincoln's Massive Panoramic Dashboard Display
Road Testing Lincoln's Massive Panoramic Dashboard Display
Switch 2 Will Be Officially Announced Within Fiscal Year, Nintendo Says
Switch 2 Will Be Officially Announced Within Fiscal Year, Nintendo Says
Apple Reveals iPad Pros With M4 Chips
Apple Reveals iPad Pros With M4 Chips
Google's Pixel 8A Is Here: What's New and Different
Google's Pixel 8A Is Here: What's New and Different
See Apple's New 'Squeezable' Pencil Pro
See Apple's New 'Squeezable' Pencil Pro
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
New iPad Pros and iPad Airs vs. Earlier iPads
New iPad Pros and iPad Airs vs. Earlier iPads
Road Testing Lincoln's Massive Panoramic Dashboard Display
Road Testing Lincoln's Massive Panoramic Dashboard Display
Google's Pixel 8A Is Here: What's New and Different
Google's Pixel 8A Is Here: What's New and Different
Trying an AI Exoskeleton in the Real World
Trying an AI Exoskeleton in the Real World
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Latest How To All how to videos
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra