The primary-generation Bose SoundLink Flex has lengthy sat on the prime of our moveable Bluetooth speaker purchaser’s information, so it’s truthful to say that I used to be excited to check its successor. Let’s be clear: this can be a second-gen, roughly in the identical vein because the Sonos Roam 2, which I additionally reviewed this 12 months. So, there’s not an entire lot that’s new, and in each instances, probably the most thrilling addition is a brand new button.
Present SoundLink Flex house owners are unlikely to seek out something right here to justify an improve, however whenever you’ve already constructed the most effective Bluetooth speaker round, I suppose it’s onerous to make it significantly better.
Editor’s alternative
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
$119 $149 Save
$30
The second-generation Bose SoundLink Flex does not change a lot from the primary iteration, however, in equity, it is ranging from a robust place. Snapdragon Sound and a brand new Shortcut button are the primary additions, and neither will justify an improve. However for anybody who does not personal the unique, this gives implausible sound in a slim, sturdy bundle — and whereas it isn’t low-cost, it nonetheless does not really feel like a nasty worth.
- Sturdy sound high quality
- Compact however robust design
- Simple to make use of
- Few upgrades from the first Gen
- Shortcut button does not do a lot
- Pretty costly
Value, availability, and specs
The SoundLink Flex is out now for $149, and you should buy it from Amazon, Greatest Purchase, and all the standard suspects. That’s the identical worth as the primary era, and fewer than half the worth of the $399 SoundLink Max, Bose’s different new moveable speaker.
The Flex is obtainable in Black, Blue Nightfall (blue), Sandstone (brown), and Alpine Sage (inexperienced) — the brand new shade for the second era, and the model I used to be despatched to check.
What’s good in regards to the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen)?
Sounds trendy
The very best issues in regards to the Flex are the identical issues that had been nice the primary time round: the way it appears to be like and the way it sounds. Let’s begin with the design. The Flex is rectangular, just a little greater throughout its face than a big telephone just like the Galaxy S24 Extremely — however clearly a lot thicker than that.
Nonetheless, it’s comparatively slender by speaker requirements, which is considered one of my favourite issues. This dimension and form make the Flex straightforward to slide right into a backpack or throw in a suitcase — I’ve already taken it on two separate journeys overseas whereas testing it. Even after I’m touring gentle, the speaker feels compact and slim sufficient to incorporate with out getting in the way in which, which alone is sufficient to give it an edge over rivals just like the Roam.
A material loop on one finish provides you one thing to hook onto in case you’d somewhat strap the speaker to the skin of a bag; the plastic physique feels sturdy sufficient to outlive a couple of knocks if crucial. An IP67 ranking means it may possibly survive sand and immersion in contemporary water, so this can be a speaker you possibly can take to the pool or seaside with out having to be too valuable about it—although it’s best to nonetheless keep away from pointless publicity to water as a lot as you possibly can.
From Bose, you’d hope the factor would sound good at a minimal, and fortuitously, the SoundLink Flex delivers. It’s crisp however punchy, able to delivering a powerful quantity of element within the interweaving strings and piano of Patrick Wolf’s Magpie.
That’s helped alongside by one of many few upgrades within the second version: help for Snapdragon Sound. This enables the speaker to stream higher-quality sound to appropriate Android gadgets utilizing the aptX codec. Briefly, when you’ve got a latest and first rate Android, stuff ought to sound just a little higher.
There have been no different {hardware} upgrades to the sonics, so in broad strokes, this may sound an identical to the primary era, although I by no means examined that speaker myself. Default EQ settings are clear and easy, with a reasonably balanced profile that enables for crisp mids, although the Bose app features a three-band EQ for some easy adjustment choices.
The Flex will get pretty loud for its dimension, however it’s actually constructed to fill a single room or entertain a small group someplace outdoors, so handle your expectations. Readability additionally drops as the amount is cranked, with just a little muddying of the spectrum, so this shouldn’t be your first alternative in case you anticipate to typically crank it as much as max.
Battery life hasn’t modified both, however this speaker is nice sufficient to get away with it. Bose touts a 12-hour period, and whereas I haven’t tried a full-day push to check that restrict, it sounds about proper to me. I might take it on multi-day journeys and blast it for an hour or two at a time in my lodge room with out ever needing to prime it up alongside the way in which, which for me is the usual {that a} compact Bluetooth speaker wants to satisfy.
One remaining perk — the Flex can hook up with as much as two gadgets directly over Bluetooth, which is an additional comfort if it’s a shared speaker inside your loved ones, or if you wish to let buddies join when you’re out and about with it.
What’s unhealthy in regards to the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen)?
Easy to a fault
I don’t have many complaints in regards to the new Flex, and those who I do are unlikely to be deal-breakers for anybody. First up, the on-device controls are fairly easy however unattainable to make use of with out trying. The facility button is separate from the remaining, making it just a little simpler to seek out by contact, however the different six buttons are merely indented in a single large row.
Confusingly, the play/pause button is textured that can assist you discover it, however not one of the others are. Extra surprisingly, there’s a textured bar that separates the Bluetooth and Shortcut keys from the playback controls — however that is positioned proper subsequent to the decrease quantity key and, as a bar, feels similar to a minus button may. I nonetheless get confused by this when I attempt to decrease the amount by contact and don’t perceive why Bose has taken such an inconsistent strategy to the button design right here.
One of many few actual additions to the speaker this 12 months is the brand new Shortcut button I beforehand talked about, however to date, it feels wasted. It’s customizable, however solely to considered one of three choices: to pair the speaker with a second Bose Bluetooth speaker (what number of of you’ll actually do this?); to entry your telephone’s voice assistant (you possibly can simply…use your telephone); or to start out enjoying from Spotify routinely. I’m unsure what higher Bose might have finished with this, however for one of many two main additions to the speaker, it’s a little bit of a letdown. Since setting the speaker up, I haven’t used it as soon as.
Alongside related traces, don’t anticipate an excessive amount of from the Bose app. It’s straightforward to make use of however doesn’t do a lot. You may customise that Shortcut button, use the restricted 3-band EQ, and verify for firmware updates. That’s it. There is no Wi-Fi help or built-in voice controls past the choice to make use of your telephone’s assistant. For higher or worse, you’re paying for sound high quality and the Bose model right here, not any fancy options.
And the SoundLink Flex 2 is costly, although it’s helped just a little by coming in $30 cheaper than the Sonos Roam 2, considered one of its greatest rivals. The $149 price ticket is not outrageous for a transportable speaker, however it’s undoubtedly on the premium finish of the market. You may most likely discover one thing that sounds virtually nearly as good for an terrible lot much less in case you store round just a little.
Learn our evaluation
Overview: Sonos performs it protected with the Roam 2
Similar speaker, similar sound, new Bluetooth button
Do you have to purchase it?
Yeah, most likely. Bose actually hasn’t reinvented itself right here, so in case you’re an present SoundLink Flex proprietor, there’s completely no purpose to improve. Equally, in case you personal one other first rate Bluetooth speaker, and also you’re pleased with it, this received’t change your world. Nevertheless, this can be a slickly constructed, compact, and durable quantity with spectacular battery life and first rate sound high quality, which covers all the things you actually need from a transportable Bluetooth speaker. Bells and whistles have been saved to a minimal, however that simply means the main target is on the audio. And that pleasant, flat design that makes this simpler than most alternate options to pack right into a bag.
Right here’s the most effective suggestion I may give: I’ve a cabinet stuffed with Bluetooth audio system proper now, however that is the one I’ll be grabbing for my subsequent trip.
Editor’s alternative
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
$119 $149 Save
$30
The second-generation Bose SoundLink Flex does not change a lot from the primary iteration, however, in equity, it is ranging from a robust place. Snapdragon Sound and a brand new Shortcut button are the primary additions, and neither will justify an improve. However for anybody who does not personal the unique, this gives implausible sound in a slim, sturdy bundle — and whereas it isn’t low-cost, it nonetheless does not really feel like a nasty worth.
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