A Tiny Speaker You May Really Love

I don’t find out about you, however for me, there’s one thing infinitely interesting about compact devices. I liked the iPhone Mini (RIP) and love (present-tense) the very a lot still-existent Samsung Galaxy Z Flip (not RIP). And don’t even get me began on tiny gaming handhelds like Panic’s Playdate. Seriously, take one take a look at that factor and inform me it’s not the cutest goddamn handheld you’ve ever seen. If I may, I’d pinch its Simpons-yellow cheeks.

But as a lot as I really like compact devices, there’s one thing that loses me as soon as moveable Bluetooth audio system come into play. Maybe I’m simply an excessive amount of of an audio snob to completely take pleasure in a portability-focused speaker, however generally greater is higher within the audio area, and with audio system, that’s partly only a matter of physics. Bigger audio system transfer extra air, which in flip equates to extra bass, larger quantity, and infrequently, much less distortion. Nevertheless, you’re not going to catch me strolling round with a car-sized boombox any time quickly, which suggests some degree of compromise within the audio division is all the time inevitable.

But how a lot s acceptable at $129? Bose’s newest tiny Bluetooth speaker could have simply answered my query.

SoundHyperlink Micr-oh, rattling, this factor sounds fairly good

Bose’s $129 SoundLink Micro (2nd gen) is perhaps the primary ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker that I’ve felt like I may use frequently, and it’s thanks largely (no pun meant) to its massive emphasis on sound high quality. Like the latest SoundHyperlink Plus, which I reviewed this 12 months, the SoundHyperlink Micro sounds nice, however does so in a kind issue that’s a few third of the dimensions, if not much less.

Don’t get me incorrect, you’re not going to get anyplace close to as a lot bass or quantity from the SoundHyperlink Micro (2nd Gen) as you’ll out of the SoundHyperlink Plus, however you’ll nonetheless get much more than you would possibly anticipate. I carried the SoundHyperlink Micro (2nd Gen) round Washington Square Park in Manhattan and was pleasantly stunned by not solely the amount, but in addition the standard of the sound it was placing out.

It’s not as loud as opponents just like the just lately launched JBL Grip, the unofficial tall boy of Bluetooth audio system, however that’s greater than okay in my e-book, as a result of it sounds a heck of rather a lot nicer. I performed a number of completely different genres on the SoundHyperlink Micro (2nd Gen), together with jazz/funk, ambient, and rock, and all three had the nuance you’d anticipate from Bose. Bass was punchy and pure, however not overpowering, which suggests you’ll be able to nonetheless hear mid and excessive frequencies the place vocals and guitars dwell.

This isn’t going to deal with greater audio system by way of sound high quality, nor do you have to ever anticipate a speaker of this measurement to take action, however in the event you’re on the lookout for audio that doesn’t suck, the SoundHyperlink Micro (2nd gen) has it. There are inevitably moments the place its limitations come into focus, significantly at larger volumes, or within the speaker’s dealing with of treble generally (in some songs I listened to, larger frequencies sounded virtually somewhat too sharp and snappy), however its faults weren’t sufficient to vary my total impressions. This speaker sounds fairly good and even higher subsequent to opponents from JBL.

I’m not usually ready the place I want to emphasise portability above all else (often an average-sized speaker like Soundcore’s Boom 3i or one in every of JBL’s Charge line is sufficiently small to suit right into a bag), but when I have been at a premium for area, the SoundHyperlink Micro (2nd Gen) would simply be amongst my first picks for which speaker I seize earlier than I’m going backpacking within the Carpathian Mountains or no matter; and consider or not, there’s multiple purpose for that.

In the second-gen SoundHyperlink Micro, Bose ups the sturdiness, giving it an IP67 ranking. That means it’s capable of take care of mud but in addition face up to just about any water that you could be encounter in a traditional, non-biblical flood setting. To take a look at that out, I’ve the SoundHyperlink Micro, somewhat rinse within the sink after getting some grime on it, and certain sufficient, it labored simply superb afterwards. Bose says the SoundHyperlink Micro (2nd Gen) can be extra sturdy, although I don’t do any intensive drop testing, so on that entrance, you’ll should take Bose’s phrase. Anecdotally, the speaker feels stable and durable sufficient to face up to some drops.

Mico enhancements make for a macro improve

Another space by which Bose’s second-gen SoundHyperlink Micro improves is battery life. I’ve not examined the first-gen model of this Bluetooth speaker, however from what I can inform, the battery life was, effectively… unhealthy. Even by Bose’s official estimate, it’s solely rated for six hours of audio playback, which is greater than sufficient within the context of 1 sitting, however annoying when you think about that nearly nobody remembers to cost their Bluetooth speaker day-after-day. Those 6 hours are going to be all used up earlier than you recognize it.

This time round, Bose doubled the battery life, and primarily based on my testing, its estimates are fairly correct. After over an hour of listening at about 50% quantity, the SoundHyperlink Micro (2nd Gen), which was at 60% after I began, didn’t budge. Obviously, battery life is contingent on plenty of issues, significantly the amount you’re enjoying music at, so your precise mileage could differ, however in my expertise, Bose’s audio system appeared to carry up effectively. To be clear, 12 hours isn’t the longest battery life on the earth, but it surely appears like a very good quantity for a speaker this measurement, particularly when contemplating opponents like JBL’s Grip, which can be rated for 12 hours on a full cost.

Another notable tweak from the final technology is the velcro strap, which, this time round, is each detachable and replaceable. There’s not a lot to say right here, actually. I strapped the SounLink Micro (2nd Gen) to the belt loop on my pants and walked round, which made me really feel like a dork, but it surely didn’t fall off. Being capable of take away and substitute the band appears like a welcome change, given the truth that it’s only a piece of material. If it ought to get torn or tarnished in any manner, chances are you’ll need to swap it out.

One factor you’ll not get this time round is a microphone. Bose’s SoundHyperlink Micro (2nd Gen) does away with an built-in mic that could possibly be used for speaking by way of speakerphone, in addition to activating a voice assistant. I suppose it’s a bummer to lose a characteristic, however I’m unsure that will probably be a significant drag for most individuals, because the overwhelming majority of us aren’t itching to yell right into a tiny Bluetooth speaker for calls (or, actually, for some other purpose.)

One different nice-to-have this time round is the swap from microUSB to USB-C, which is extra a matter of timing than anything, because the first-gen SoundHyperlink Micro was launched all the way in which again in 2017. There’s additionally extra performance with the Bose app that allows you to do extra granular stuff, like three-band EQ. That improve is augmented additional by a brand new “shortcut” button on the speaker that may be programmed to do varied issues. By default, the button is used to hyperlink two Bose audio system to allow them to play on the identical time, but it surely may also be programmed to play Spotify in your system with a single press. There’s additionally your typical array of buttons that allow you to skip tracks, play/pause, energy off/on, and connect with Bluetooth.

If there’s one gripe I’ve with the SoundHyperlink Micro (2nd Gen), it’s the identical one I’ve with most audio system of this measurement, which is that the flexibility to hitch it to issues simply doesn’t make a ton of sense for a front-firing system. Sure, you may strap the product to your bike or belt, however then your music is blaring quite than at you. That can really feel somewhat foolish, or obnoxious at worst, but it surely’s only a truth of any speaker meant for use on this manner. One factor I can nudge Bose for, although, isn’t having a option to stand the SoundHyperlink Micro up. The JBL Grip, which I just lately examined, can stand upright, making positioning the speaker in order that it truly performs towards you a lot simpler. I’d’ve liked to see a kickstand or one thing related right here, however I suppose precariously perching the speaker upright works effectively sufficient of the time.

Should you make a microtransaction?

Tiny Bluetooth audio system aren’t for everybody. They serve a selected kind of particular person in a selected kind of state of affairs. But in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing very moveable, Bose is holding that class down effectively. The newest SoundHyperlink Micro prices $30 greater than JBL’s Grip, however given the distinction in sound high quality and the parity on battery life, I feel the Bose premium is value it right here. If you need one thing on the louder facet, JBL nonetheless has the SoundHyperlink beat, however Bose would be the higher choose for most individuals.

You ought to by no means anticipate the world out of a Bluetooth speaker this measurement, however Bose has additionally confirmed that you may anticipate a stable package deal. Coupled with different high quality of life enhancements during the last technology, that is firmly the one SoundHyperlink Micro speaker value shopping for at this level, and some of the interesting I’ve used thus far.