Bose SoundLink Max Review

The Bose SoundLink Max is a high-end Bluetooth portable speaker, first avaliable in May 2024, and currently available in two colors black and blue dusk. This premium speaker features a durable build with a soft nylon handle for easy portability. With an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, the SoundLink Max is perfect for poolside parties, beach outings, and other adventurous activities.

The SoundLink Max delivers powerful and clear sound, which can be customized using the Bose App. Despite its short Bluetooth range of only 30 feet, it supports Aux connections, providing versatility in usage. The speaker features the latest Bluetooth technology, ensuring a reliable connection within its range.

While the SoundLink Max comes at a high price point and lacks smart functionalities like built-in voice assistants, it compensates with exceptional build quality, impressive sound performance, and versatile features. This makes it a top choice for those seeking a premium portable speaker.

For casual listening, you might consider the Bose SoundLink Flex, or explore other top picks available on Amazon’s USA marketplace.

SoundLink Max: Design

The Bose SoundLink Max is a premium portable speaker designed to deliver an exceptional audio experience. Measuring 4.73 x 10.42 x 4.13 inches (HxWxD) and weighing 4.9 lbs, this Bluetooth speaker is double the size of the SoundLink Flex and features a large and crystal-clear soundstage.

Constructed from high-quality materials including aluminum, fabric, nylon, plastic, silicone, and steel, the SoundLink Max is built to last. It has a rubbery finish to withstand accidental drops, bumps and is designed for longevity.

The speaker has an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, making it ideal for outdoor activities like poolside parties and beach outings. Its robust build ensures it can handle various environments without compromising on performance.

On top of the speaker, there is a control panel with six buttons for different functions, ensuring easy operation. Two passive radiators on the right and left sides enhance the bass response and overall sound quality. The front grille is made of perforated metal, adding a premium touch to its design.

For portability, the SoundLink Max features a soft climbing rope handle that is easily removable. It is available in hand-carry and shoulder-carrying strap options and in four different colors. This stylish addition makes it easy to transport your music wherever you go.

SoundLink Max: Control

The Bose SoundLink Max features six physical buttons on the top of the speaker, arranged in a line from left to right:

1. Power Button: Turns the speaker on and off.
2. Bluetooth Button: Connects the speaker to Bluetooth devices.
3. Shortcut Button: Configurable through the Bose App for various functions.
4. Volume Down Button: Lowers the volume of the current track.
5. Play/Pause Button: Controls playback, including play, pause, skip forward, and skip backward.
6. Volume Up Button: Increases the volume of the current track.

In addition to these physical controls, the Bose SoundLink Max can be managed via the Bose App. This app allows you to:

• Manage Bluetooth connections
• Adjust speaker settings
• Control music track volume
• View the battery level
• Customize EQ settings for personalized audio profiles
• Enable the auto on/off feature to conserve battery when the speaker is not in use
• Pair multiple Bose speakers for a seamless audio experience.

SoundLink Max: Sound Quality

The Bose SoundLink Max is equipped with three transducers and two passive radiators, delivering clear and well-balanced audio across all frequencies. Using the Boss App, you can personalize your sound experience with the custom EQ mode, tailoring the audio to your preferences. This portable speaker creates a large soundstage, surpassing the combined output of two Bose SoundLink Flex units, and provides rich stereo sound. The SoundLink Max excels in handling a wide range of music genres, from pop and rock to classical and jazz, offering clear and powerful sound suitable for outdoor use.

SoundLink Max: Battery Life

The SoundLink Max claims up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge at 65% volume, making it suitable for long listening sessions during camping trips or long journeys. It includes a USB-C port for charging, and takes 5 hours to fully recharge from 0% to 100%.

Additionally, the speaker also features a built-in power bank function, allowing you to charge your gadgets like phones and watches via the same USB-C port. This versatile feature enhances its suitability for outdoor activities like camping and hiking, ensuring your devices stay powered up during your adventures.

SoundLink Max: Battery Tests

We conducted multiple battery life tests on the Soundlink Max in different settings, examining the impact of different volumes, temperatures, and connection types (Bluetooth and Aux). Here are the detailed results of our tests:

• Using a Bluetooth connection at 65% volume, with room temperatures ranging between 68°F and 77°F, the Soundlink Max with the default EQ setting and without utilizing the built-in powerbank feature lasted for 20 hours.
• When connected via Bluetooth at 80% volume and exposed to temperatures between 90°F and 100°F, the Soundlink Max, still using the default EQ and without the powerbank feature, had a battery life of 14.5 hours.
• At maximum volume (100%) and the same high-temperature range of 90°F to 100°F, with the default EQ and no powerbank usage, the Soundlink Max’s battery life was 12.1 hours.
• Under more demanding conditions—using Bluetooth at 100% volume, in temperatures between 90°F and 100°F, with the Club EQ setting, and charging an iPhone 13 up to 50% via the built-in powerbank—the Soundlink Max lasted 10.7 hours.
• Using an Aux connection at 50% volume and room temperatures of 68°F to 77°F, with the default EQ and without the powerbank feature, the Soundlink Max demonstrated an impressive battery life of 30.8 hours.
• Finally, when connected through Aux at 100% volume and temperatures between 90°F and 100°F, with the default EQ and no powerbank usage, the Soundlink Max lasted for 13.5 hours.

Here, we see 1 hour and 20 minutes of more playtime with an Aux connection at a similar 100% volume, default EQ, and no external device charging.

These tests demonstrate the Soundlink Max’s versatility and endurance under various usage scenarios, ensuring consistent performance, whether in moderate or extreme conditions.

SoundLink Max: Connectivity

The Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth supports Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, offering a stable connection up to 30 feet and featuring the A2DP profile for high-quality audio streaming. However, this range is shorter compared to competitor speakers like the JBL Xtreme 4 and Tribit StormBox Pro, which provide stable connectivity over 100 feet. Additionally, SoundLink Max offers a multi-point connection, which means you can connect your speaker to 2 devices at the same time.

The SoundLink Max includes a 3.5mm AUX input for wired connections, increasing its compatibility with various audio sources. Additionally, the speaker is compatible with the Bose app, which allows users to control the sound profile, adjust EQ settings, and manage connected devices. It can also connect with other Bose speakers, such as soundbars and smart speakers, to create an enhanced audio experience.

Final verdict

After testing the Bose SoundLink Max, we conclude that this is one of the best premium portable Bluetooth speakers available in the market, delivering a powerful and clear sound through its premium build structure. Its premium price is justified by its performance, making it a worthwhile investment for music lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Despite its rubbery finish, which attracts dust particles, and shorter Bluetooth range than some competitors, it features the latest available version of Bluetooth for wireless connection as well as an Aux connection for audio input, multi-pairing, and impressive battery life, making it a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor use.

There are also other considerable options in $400 price range, the JBL Xtreme 4, which offers 80 watts of booming bass, and 24 hours of playtime with Ai Sound Boost technology and AuraCast.