Bose is launching the SoundLink Max for preorder, a $399 portable speaker that boasts more power and nearly double the battery life of the company’s popular SoundLink Flex. Orders begin shipping on May 16.
Available in two colors, blue dusk and black, the Bose SoundLink Max comes with a removable rope carrying handle that can be replaced with a separately purchased handle in a different color for $25 or a longer over-the-shoulder strap for $45.
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The SoundLink Max has a 3.5mm AUX port and a USB-C port on its back to recharge the speaker or charge your phone while listening to music without interruptions.
Considerably larger and heavier than the Bose SoundLink Flex, the SoundLink Max is also more than twice the price of the Flex, at $399 compared to $149 (or $119 as currently discounted). The SoundLink Max weighs 4.7 lbs, while the Flex is 1.3 lbs. The new speaker measures 4.7″ x 10.4″ x 4″, compared to the Flex’s 3.6″ x 7.9″ x 2″.
Though size alone doesn’t justify its steep price, it indicates the larger battery — with up to 20 hours of battery life — and increased power that Bose packed into the SoundLink Max. The stereo speaker features three transducers as part of Bose’s Articulated Array, with two custom passive radiators for a deep bass.
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The SoundLink Max also features Snapdragon Sound by Qualcomm, which boasts high-resolution, low-latency audio transmission through Bluetooth when paired with a Snapdragon Sound-enabled smartphone. Though Samsung’s and Apple’s flagship devices don’t support Snapdragon Sound, other smartphones do — including the Sony Xperia 1 III, Asus ROG Phone 5, and Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra.
The sleek exterior encases a rugged construction that can withstand the elements in outdoor settings, like spills and dust, with an IP67 rating.
Users can also adjust the Bose SoundLink Max’s EQ settings through the Bose mobile app to personalize their sound.
