Sometimes it’s okay to purchase a speaker largely for the aesthetic. And from the second it was first introduced, Bose’s $219 SoundLink Home stood out from the pack (and Bose’s personal different efforts) with a mid-modern model that bears little resemblance to most opponents. It’s the type of gadget that individuals are more likely to discover and touch upon. No one says a phrase about boring, ho-hum cylindrical audio system.
But this factor, with its material housing wrapped in a brushed aluminum band, appears like classic Bose. The firm doesn’t at all times present this a lot consideration to element in design and supplies, so I’m inspired by the Home’s distinctive vibe.
If you’ve used or heard Bose’s SoundLink Flex, then you definately’ve already received an excellent understanding of what the Home speaker will sound like in your front room. Their tuning is sort of related. Like the Flex, the Home outputs mixed-down mono audio. I’ll at all times take stereo audio system when given the selection, however mono is widespread for the transportable speaker class — although Bose is pushing it with the worth right here — and particularly at this dimension.
With that in thoughts, the SoundLink Home sounds fairly detailed and clear. Vocals are crisp. Acoustic devices have a contact of heat. And even in case you dial the amount as much as extremes, there’s little distortion. That’s partially as a result of this speaker is not any bass champ; the SoundLink Max wipes the ground with it in that regard, however is bulkier and practically twice the worth. The Home solely helps your customary AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, whereas the Flex (second-gen) and Max each throw in aptX Adaptive compatibility for gadgets that supply it.
The factor is, you’re going to have to essentially just like the Home’s out-of-the-box sound, as a result of there’s no altering it. In one other departure from different Bose audio system, the SoundLink Home lacks any type of cellular companion app. As a consequence, you’re unable to customise its EQ in any respect. That’s a disappointing omission that might be simpler to forgive from a less expensive speaker, however not this one. You can a minimum of pair two models collectively to create a stereo pair. If you’re keen to drop the cash on that, you’ll be rewarded with noticeably richer sound.
Another necessary factor to concentrate on with the SoundLink Home is that there’s no water resistance to talk of. The identical goes for mud resistance. This is just not meant to be a poolside or outside speaker. It’s proper there within the title, I suppose. You’ll need to put the speaker someplace secure (and dry). A coated patio is about so far as you’ll need to take it. Bose doesn’t even suggest taking it into the rest room. The ruggedized Flex is a more sensible choice for many who want a street warrior that may face up to the weather. Durability is one space the place the Home falls in need of Ultimate Ears, JBL, Soundcore, and different manufacturers which have Bluetooth audio system at related costs.
So far I’ve mentioned a number of what’s lacking, however one benefit over the SoundLink Flex is that the Home helps USB-C audio in. And you’ll be able to benefit from that on the identical time that you just’re paired over Bluetooth. So you may theoretically take heed to wired audio out of your laptop computer whereas utilizing the speaker for telephone calls or interacting with Siri or Google Assistant. (You can maintain down the multi-function button up high to activate your telephone’s voice assistant.) Calls and different Bluetooth exercise will override the USB-C connection.
That USB-C port is on the speaker’s left facet, which makes some cables look a bit inelegant once they’re plugged in. Bose a minimum of features a 90-degree USB-C cable to maintain it as delicate as attainable. Battery life is rated at as much as 9 hours of playback, and my exams have proven that quantity to be largely correct. If you’re listening at or above 70 p.c quantity, count on to lose a pair hours. It’s not spectacular endurance, however for a speaker that’ll solely be touring round your home, it’s adequate. It takes between three and 4 hours to totally recharge the speaker over USB-C, which appears slightly lengthy for the satisfactory battery life you’re getting.
There’s actually not a lot else to cowl with the SoundLink Home. It bets a complete lot on appears to be like and really feel and clears the bar on sound high quality with none obvious tonal weaknesses. The absence of any EQ settings will inevitably disappoint these of you who prefer to tinker, and I believe any $200-plus Bluetooth speaker ought to have some measure of weatherproofing. But Bose went in a distinct path with the SoundLink Home. If you’re seeking to purchase (or present) a speaker that’s off the crushed path, I wouldn’t fault you for selecting this one.
Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge
