Bose SoundLink Residence overview: a speaker that’s all about seems

Typically it’s okay to purchase a speaker principally for the aesthetic. And from the second it was first introduced, Bose’s $219 SoundLink Residence stood out from the pack (and Bose’s personal different efforts) with a mid-modern fashion that bears little resemblance to most opponents. It’s the form of gadget that persons are more likely to discover and touch upon. Nobody says a phrase about boring, ho-hum cylindrical audio system.

However this factor, with its cloth housing wrapped in a brushed aluminum band, seems like classic Bose. The corporate doesn’t all the time present this a lot consideration to element in design and supplies, so I’m inspired by the Residence’s distinctive vibe.

If you happen to’ve used or heard Bose’s SoundLink Flex, then you definitely’ve already acquired a superb understanding of what the Residence speaker will sound like in your lounge. Their tuning is kind of comparable. Just like the Flex, the Residence outputs mixed-down mono audio. I’ll all the time take stereo audio system when given the selection, however mono is widespread for the moveable speaker class — although Bose is pushing it with the value right here — and particularly at this measurement. 

With that in thoughts, the SoundLink Residence sounds fairly detailed and clear. Vocals are crisp. Acoustic devices have a contact of heat. And even if you happen to dial the quantity 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 value. The Residence solely helps your normal AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, whereas the Flex (second-gen) and Max each throw in aptX Adaptive compatibility for units that supply it.

The factor is, you’re going to have to actually just like the Residence’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 Residence lacks any form of cell companion app. Consequently, 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 happen to’re prepared to drop the cash on that, you’ll be rewarded with noticeably richer sound. 

One other essential factor to pay attention to with the SoundLink House is that there’s no water resistance to talk of. The identical goes for mud resistance. This isn’t meant to be a poolside or out of doors speaker. It’s proper there within the title, I suppose. You’ll need to put the speaker someplace secure (and dry). A lined patio is about so far as you’ll need to take it. Bose doesn’t even advocate taking it into the lavatory. The ruggedized Flex is a better option for individuals who want a highway warrior that may face up to the weather. Sturdiness is one space the place the Residence falls brief of Final Ears, JBL, Soundcore, and different manufacturers which have Bluetooth audio system at comparable costs.

To date I’ve mentioned numerous what’s lacking, however one benefit over the SoundLink Flex is that the Residence helps USB-C audio in. And you’ll reap the benefits of that on the identical time that you just’re paired over Bluetooth. So you can theoretically hearken to wired audio out of your laptop computer whereas utilizing the speaker for telephone calls or interacting with Siri or Google Assistant. (You possibly 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 doable. Battery life is rated at as much as 9 hours of playback, and my exams have proven that quantity to be principally correct. If you happen to’re listening at or above 70 p.c quantity, anticipate to lose a pair hours. It’s not spectacular endurance, however for a speaker that’ll solely be touring round your own home, it’s ample. It takes between three and 4 hours to totally recharge the speaker over USB-C, which appears moderately lengthy for the satisfactory battery life you’re getting.

There’s actually not a lot else to cowl with the SoundLink Residence. It bets a complete lot on seems 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 wish to tinker, and I feel any $200-plus Bluetooth speaker ought to have some measure of weatherproofing. However Bose went in a distinct course with the SoundLink Residence. If you happen to’re seeking to purchase (or present) a speaker that’s off the crushed path, I wouldn’t fault you for selecting this one.

Pictures by Chris Welch / The Verge