Review: Bose’s 2nd Gen Soundlink Flex, but naive

Bose Soundlink Flex has long sat in the top of the top of the Bluetooth Mobile Smooth Purchase Manual, so it is fair to say I am excited to test behind it. Let’s be clear: This is of the second generation, more or less in the same vein as Sonos Roam 2, which I also reviewed this year. Therefore, there is not much new, and in both cases, the most exciting addition is a new button.

They are unlikely to find Soundlink Flex owners of Flex anything here to justify an upgrade, but when you have already built the best Bluetooth amplifier, I think it is difficult to improve a lot.

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Bose Soundlink Flex (Second General)

8.5
/ 10

Brand

Boss

Communication

Bluetooth 5.3

weight

1.3 pounds

Dimensions

7.93 x 2.06 x 3.56in

The second generation of Bose Soundlink Flex does not change much from the first repetition, but in fairness, it starts from a strong position. Snapdragon Sound and a new shortcut is the main additions, and neither of them will justify the upgrade. But for anyone who does not have the original, this provides a great voice in a small and strong package – and although it is not cheap, it still does not feel a bad value.

Pros and negatives

• Powerful sound quality
• Completed but difficult design
• Easy -to -use

• A few promotions from the first general
• The shortcut button does not do much
• Somewhat

149 dollars in Amazon $ 150 in Best Buy $ 149 in Bose

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Price, availability and specifications

Soundlink Flex is now $ 149, and you can buy it from Amazon and Best Buy and all the usual suspects. This is the same price as the first generation, less than half of the Soundlink Max price of $ 399, which is a new Bose laptop.

Flex is available in black and dusk blue (blue), sandstone (brown) and Alepine Sage (green) – the new color of the second generation, and the version that was sent to the test.

What is good in Bose Soundlink Flex (General Second)?

It looks elegant

The best things in the flexible are the same things that were great the first time: how it looks and how it looks. Let’s start with the design. Flexible rectangle, slightly larger across his face than a large phone like the Galaxy S24 Ultra – but it is clearly thicker than that.

However, it is relatively thin according to the standards of speakers, and it is one of my favorite things. This volume and shape make flexible easily slip in a backpack or throw in a bag – I have already taken it on two separate journeys outside while testing it. Even when I travel the light, the speaker feels pressure and slim enough to include him without intercepting the road, and he alone is sufficient to give him an advantage over competitors such as roaming.

The fabric loop gives you something to tie it if you prefer to tie the headphone out of the bag; The plastic body feels strong enough to survive a few ways if necessary. The IP67 classification means that it can escape sand and indulgence in fresh water, so this is the speaker that you can transfer to the pool or beach without having to be very precious – although you still have to avoid unnecessary exposure as much as possible.

From Bose, hope it looks good at least, and fortunately, Soundlink Flex. It is fragile but vibrant, able to provide an impressive amount of details in the overlapping strings and Piano Patrick Wolf Pick.

This helped in one of the few promotions in the second version: Support Snapdragon Sound. This allows the high -quality sound amplifier for compatible Android devices using APTX. In short, if you have new and decent Android, things should look a little better.

There were no other promotions of devices to Sonics, so in wide strokes, this will look identical to the first generation, although I did not test this speaker myself. The default EQ settings are clean and simple, with a somewhat balanced profile that allows fragile media, although the Bose application includes EQ of three domains for some simple modification options.

Flex get somewhat loudly to its size, but it is really designed to fill one room or entertain a small group somewhere outside, so manage your expectations. The clarity also decreases where the folder is rotated, with a little jamming on the spectrum, so this should not be your first choice if you expect to reach the maximum.

The battery life has also not changed, but this speaker is good enough to stay away from him. Boss tells for 12 hours, and although I haven’t tried a full day boost to test this extent, this is true for me. I can take it on multiple flights and detonate them for an hour or two at the same time in my hotel room without having to distribute it along the way, and for me it is the criterion that the built -in Bluetooth Bluetooth amplifier must meet.

One last one – The Flex can call up to two devices simultaneously above Bluetooth, which is an additional comfort if a joint speaker within your family, or if you want to allow friends to communicate while you are out.

What is bad in Bose Soundlink Flex?

Simple to wrong

I do not have many complaints about the new flexible, and it is unlikely that I do for deals for anyone. First, the device controls are clear and direct, but it is impossible to use them without regard. The power button is separate from the rest, which makes the easiest to find it by touch, but the other six buttons are simply prefixing in a large row.

Conquerically, the temporary operating button is tight to help you find it, but there is no other. The most strange thing is, there is a tight bar that separates the bluetooth keys and the shortcut from the operating control items – but this is placed next to the bottom size key, and as a tape, it looks exactly like a minus button. I still feel confused when I try to reduce the level of the sound by touch and do not understand why Bose followed such an inconsistent approach to design buttons here.

One of the few real additions to the headphone this year is the new shortcut button that I mentioned earlier, but so far, he feels lost. It is customized, but only to one of three options: to pair the headphone with the second Bose Bluetooth amplifier (how many of you will do it really?); To reach your phone’s voice assistant (you can only … use your phone); Or to start playing from Spotify automatically. Not sure what Bose can do with this, but for one of the main additions to the speaker, it is a little disappointment. Since the amplifier preparation, I haven’t used it once.

Along similar lines, do not expect much of the Bose app. It is easy to use but does not do much. You can customize this shortcut button, use the limited EQ 3, and check the fixed program updates. That’s it. There is no Wi-Fi support or compact audio controls that exceed the option to use your phone assistant. For better or worse, you pay the price of sound quality and the Bose brand here, not any luxurious features.

And Soundlink Flex 2 He is Expensive, although he helped a little by coming at $ 30 cheaper than Sonos Roam 2, one of his biggest competitors. The price of $ 149 is not a brilliant speaker, but it is definitely at the end of the market. You can find something almost good so good if you are shopping a little.

Should you buy it?

Yes, perhaps. Indeed, he has not invented himself here, so if you are the owner of Soundlink Flex currently, there is no reason to upgrade at all. Likewise, if you have another decent Bluetooth speaker, and you are happy with it, it will not change this world. However, this is a built, compact and powerful number with impressive battery life and decent sound quality, which covers everything you really need from a portable Bluetooth speaker. The bells and biles are preserved to a minimum, but this only means that focusing on the sound. This friendly friendly design that makes this easier than most beam alternatives in a bag.

Here is the best recommendation I can make: I have a wardrobe full of Bluetooth amplifiers, but this is what I will pick up to spend my next vacation.

Choose the editor

Bose Soundlink Flex (Second General)

8.5
/ 10

Brand

Boss

Communication

Bluetooth 5.3

weight

1.3 pounds

Dimensions

7.93 x 2.06 x 3.56in

The second generation of Bose Soundlink Flex does not change much from the first repetition, but in fairness, it starts from a strong position. Snapdragon Sound and a new shortcut is the main additions, and neither of them will justify the upgrade. But for anyone who does not have the original, this provides a great voice in a small and strong package – and although it is not cheap, it still does not feel a bad value.

149 dollars in Amazon $ 150 in Best Buy $ 149 in Bose

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