Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II Review: the portable party machine
Best speaker with Aux & micro-USB audio input
Key Features:
- Dimensions: 7.25″ H x 4.13″ W x 4.13″ D (2 lb)
- Water Resistance: IP55
- Battery Life: 17 hours of playtime on a single charge
- Battery Power: 7.2V lithium-ion battery 2560mAh 18Wh
- Driver: Bose 740396-0020
- Speaker Maximum Output Power: 10W
- Microphones: Built-in Microphone
- Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth, NFC Connectivity, Wireless Connectivity
- Wire Connection: 3.5 MM stereo cable, USB cable
- Bluetooth Range: Up to 30 ft (9 m)
- Voice Assistance: Siri/Google Assist
- 360-Degree Sound: Omnidirectional
- Colors Available: Black, Silver
Pros
- Good sound quality with 360-degree design
- Long battery life (up to 13 hours in our test)
- Built-in carry handle
- Tripod mount feature
- Voice Assistance
- Multiple connectivity options (Bluetooth, AUX, micro-USB)
- Built-in Microphone for calls and Voice Assistance
Cons
- Lacks EQ for sound customization
- No built-in smart assistant
- Outdated micro-USB charging port
- No mute mic button
- Only IP55 (splash-proof)
What Inside The Box?
- SoundLink Revolve+ II Speaker.
- USB-A to micro-USB cable.
- AC power adapter.
SoundLink Revolve+ II: Design and Build Quality
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ is a highly portable and durable speaker. Its grille structure is made of aluminum and weighs just 2 pounds. Additionally, Its compact dimensions of 4.1″ x 4.1″ x 7.18″ make it easy to carry, especially with the addition of a flexible fabric handle. The speaker features a 360-degree cylindrical design, ensuring consistent sound quality from all angles. The IP55 rating ensures it’s splashproof, so you need to worry less about accidental water spills.
All control buttons are located on the top for easy accessibility, and the speaker offers multiple connectivity options, including a 3.5mm AUX input, as well as micro-USB. On the bottom, it has threads for tripod mounting, enhancing its versatility. Although it still uses a micro-USB port for charging, upgrading to USB-C would be beneficial for faster charging. The SoundLink Revolve+ also supports cradle charging, while the charging cradle is sold separately. Overall, this speaker combines style, portability, and functionality, making it an excellent choice for those on the go.
SoundLink Revolve+ II: Controls
Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II Bluetooth speaker has 6 physical buttons on top of the speaker: 1 button for Bluetooth, 1 for volume down, 1 button is multi-functional, 1 for volume up, 1 button for speaker input selection, and 1 button for power On/Off.
The Multi-function button controls music sources and speakerphone calls on your mobile device from your speaker.
Media Playback and Volume
Function | What to Do |
---|---|
Play/Pause | Press ••• In Input mode, pressing ••• mutes the audio. |
Skip forward to the next track | Double-press ••• |
Skip backward to the previous track | Triple-press ••• |
Volume up | Press + |
Volume down | Press — |
Sound Quality of Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II features a Bose 740396-0020 driver with up to 20K Hz frequency range, with its cylindrical 360-degree structure, omnidirectional acoustic deflector, and dual-passive radiators enhance the bass, making it deeper and more impactful without distortion at higher volumes. Unfortunately SoundLink Revolve+ II Lacks EQ feature for sound customization.
Additionally, there is an Party mode and Stereo mode, which enhances audio performance in open spaces, making it perfect for outdoor use and ensures clear and rich vocal playback, making it versatile for different audio content.
Moreover, this speaker is only splash proof, so it is not recommended for pool parties, if you are looking for a versatile usage and more on the go speaker then i will recommend the recently launch Ultimate Ears new outdoor speaker which has IP67 (Waterproof, Dustproof, and Floatable) feature, with 14 hours of continuous playtime, I’m talking about UE wonderboom 4 and it is worth trying out.
Battery Life of Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II
Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II has 7.2V lithium-ion battery with 2560mAh, 18Wh of power, during our testing with full volume, Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II last only 12 hours and 40 minutes, which is about 4 hours less than advertised. But still almost about 13 hours of playtime is enough for music keeps playing all day long, additionally there is a micro-USB port for charging, which is now outdated but bose is still using it in its speaker, and it took about 2.5 hours to fully charge the speaker battery from 0% to 100%.
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II Bluetooth Speaker is equipped with an energy-saving auto-off feature. This functionality ensures that the speaker powers down after 20 minutes of inactivity, helping to preserve battery life. Whether you’re using the AUX connection with battery or AC power, or the Bluetooth connection on battery power. Additionally, the Speaker features a battery protection mode designed to preserve battery life. When your speaker is unplugged and remains unused for more than three days with a battery charge of less than 10 percent, it automatically enters this mode to conserve power. To reactivate your speaker, simply connect it to AC (mains) power.
Beside all other features if you are the person who mostly went on camping and looking for a speaker which has atleast 24 hours of playtime, along built-in powerbank than Tribit StormBox Pro is a considerable choice.
Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II: Connectivity and Features
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II supports multiple connectivity options.
Wireless Connectivity: The Revolve+ II supports Bluetooth and NFC for wireless connections. To pair your device using Bluetooth, turn on the speaker, enable Bluetooth on your device, and select the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II from your Bluetooth menu. The speaker can store up to eight paired devices and will automatically reconnect to the last two devices. If your device supports NFC, simply tap the NFC touchpoint on your device to the Bose logo on the speaker to pair.
Wired Connectivity: For wired connections, the Revolve+ II supports a 3.5mm aux input and a micro-USB input. To use the 3.5mm aux input, connect your device with a standard 3.5mm aux cable, then press the Input mode button until you hear “AUX audio.” To use the micro-USB input, connect your device with a micro-USB cable and press the Input mode button until you hear “USB audio.”
Managing Paired Devices: To clear the paired devices from your speaker, press and hold the Bluetooth button for 10 seconds until you hear “Bluetooth device list cleared. Ready to pair.” You can also manage multiple connected devices using the Bose Connect app, which allows for easy switching between devices.
Status Indicators: The Revolve+ II features lights to indicate the status of Bluetooth and input connections. The Bluetooth light blinks blue when the speaker is ready to connect, blinks white when connecting, and stays solid white when connected. The input status light stays solid white when the speaker is ready to play content from a connected device.
Party and Stereo Modes: You can pair two Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II speakers together to play in Party Mode (both speakers play the same audio) or Stereo Mode (one speaker plays the left channel and the other plays the right channel). To switch between Party Mode and Stereo Mode, press the Bluetooth button and Volume Up (+) button simultaneously on either speaker. The Bose Connect app can also be used to manage these modes.
Final verdict About Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II
After thoroughly testing the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II, we found that this speaker delivers high-quality sound with its 360-degree design and offers multiple connectivity options for versatile usage. However, it does have some drawbacks, such as an outdated micro-USB charging port and a lack of an equalizer for sound customization. Despite these issues, if you prioritize excellent audiophile sound quality and need versatile connectivity options, the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II will exceed your expectations.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a speaker that fits all usage scenarios, like pool parties, beach picnics, and long battery life with a built-in power bank, the Tribit StormBox Pro is worth considering. It has a similar design but at a much lower price. The Tribit StormBox Pro features Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, an IP67 waterproof rating, and offers 24 hours of playtime with a powerful 40-watt sound output.
For budget-conscious buyers, the JBL Flip 5 provides great value for casual listeners. While its sound quality may not satisfy audiophiles, but it is really easy to use and carry around, making it ideal for those who prioritize affordability and portability.
For those willing to spend a bit more, the JBL Xtreme 4 is an all-around speaker with audiophile-quality sound. It offers enhanced durability, offers EQ for sound adjustments, 30 hours of long battery life, and even includes a built-in power bank.
In summary, the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II is a top choice for audiophiles seeking versatile connectivity, while the Tribit StormBox Pro is ideal for outdoor activities. The JBL Flip 5 is perfect for budget-conscious casual listeners, and the JBL Xtreme 4 is a premium option for those seeking the best of all worlds.
Is the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II the Best Bluetooth Speaker?
Feature | SoundLink Revolve+ II (This Item) |
SoundLink Revolve II | JBL CHARGE 5 |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 4.1 x 4.1 x 7.18 (inches) | 3.23 x 3.23 x 5.98 (inches) | 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 (inches) |
Weight | 2 lbs | 1.5 lbs | 2.1 lbs | Battery Life | 17 hours | up to 13 hours | up to 20 hours | Portability | woven handle | In-hand | In-hand |
IP Rating | IP55 splashproof | IP55 splashproof | IP67 waterproof and dustproof | Connectivity Ports | micro-USB, Aux (Both Audio Input Ports) | micro-USB, Aux (Both Audio Input Ports) | USB-C(charging) USB-A(powerbank) No Audio Input Port |
Aux Input | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
APP Control | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Voice Assistance | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | Built-in Powerbank | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Bluetooth | Not Specified | Not Specified | Bluetooth 5.1 |
Price | ~$300 | ~$180 | ~$180 |
Why It’s Better |
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Why It’s Not Better |
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Verdict | Offers premium sound, durability, and versatile connectivity, despite its higher price. | Offers premium sound, durability, and versatile connectivity, despite its low battery life. | Offers stronger bass, volume, and battery life, Better value for money |
TRY |
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