A very compact and very heavy audio system with amazing sound for its size. Included is a docking station, a Mini case made of metal, we couldn’t find any competitors.
Design, construction
It seems that Bose looked at what was happening in the market for a very long time, studied trends, demand, and studied competitors’ products before releasing their solution in the portable speaker segment. The company already had relatively portable speaker, it was called Bose Soundlink Wireless, I will quote my conclusions regarding that device: “The average cost of this system in the USA is about three hundred and fifty dollars, in Russia it is twelve to thirteen thousand rubles. As always, Bose is quite expensive, and the company has no plans to move down from the selective segment. There are no exceptions for either compact or large systems. Is it worth buying? Excellent design and materials, very suitable for Apple equipment, good battery life, can be used with any gadgets, from iPhone, iPad to devices with Android based. Decoration for your desktop, a wonderful gift, sound for your office or bedroom. In general, I strongly recommend purchasing."
After the article, several friends and acquaintances immediately purchased this gadget, everyone is happy, but lately I have increasingly heard the question, when will Bose show something even smaller. Something that you can throw in your bag and take with you out of town or on a trip. I didn't know the answer. But, as I have written more than once, there is a trend, and it will continue in the near future. You know, it’s one thing to write about it, and quite another to see with your own eyes how it happens. In March I was in Bulgaria, in Bansko, skiing in a large group. Once we were having a party right in the hotel, and a friend brought a small speaker, connected it to a smartphone, and here’s the music. Everything is more fun than a smartphone speaker. A week ago I was on vacation, lying on the beach, at a Jambox company nearby. I saw such things in Gorky Park so many times. Certainly more often than I see people with Bluetooth headsets now. And I understand why people vote with rubles for such gadgets; the effect is immediately visible. You can play on an iPad with normal sound (or watch a movie), you can listen to normal music on your office computer when everyone is gone, you can take it on a picnic - there are a lot of use cases.
So what did the wizards from Bose come up with? In my opinion, they have created the best portable speaker in its class. It is customary to praise in conclusions, but I can’t resist, this is truly an outstanding product on all fronts. Let's talk about design first. Don't be fooled by the large box and official photos, this is a miniature device in real life. The dimensions are 5.1 x 18 x 5.8 cm. But the weight is very good, the Mini weighs a lot, 670 grams. But I'm willing to forgive that because the Mini is made of metal. Thing. The thick aluminum body is reminiscent of Apple products, check out the thickness. On the front and back there are perforated inserts, as far as I can tell, made of plastic. At the bottom there is a massive rubber foot, at the end there is an input for connecting the power supply, an AUX connector, at the bottom there is a microUSB connector (probably for service) and a connector for connecting a docking station. It is included in the kit, which is a huge plus. You can simply put the speaker in the cradle, and it will charge, this is very convenient. If you don't want to, use a power supply.
You can connect devices via Bluetooth or using the AUX connector, there were no problems with either. To activate pairing mode, you need to press and hold the button with the Bluetooth logo until the indicator flashes blue.
Accessories
Bose has repeatedly presented special accessories for its devices; for example, the company has produced carrying bags for some speakers. They also did something special for Mini, it’s like bumpers in three colors, it looks great. There is also a car charger, which is also a useful thing.
Control
On the top there are control buttons, made of rubber, very reminiscent of control panels for large Bose audio systems, this applies to both material and designations. There are light indicators above the buttons, they are made cool, very clearly, beautifully, I’m used to seeing such solutions from Sony. When you select Bluetooth or AUX connection, the white lights above the buttons light up. The set of controls is standard: a power button, a mute button, volume control buttons and sound source selection buttons.
Working hours
The claimed run time is around 7 hours of playback, which is not bad, especially when you listen to the Mini.
Sound
I don't know how long it took to set up the tiny speakers, to develop the cabinet and resonators - it's a fact, but the Mini sounds like a Big Jambox. At the same time, the system is two or even three times smaller. The sound is truly amazing and you won't find a speaker this size with the same sound quality. Bright bass, huge, truly huge volume reserve, the sound is clear, interesting, so to speak, groovy. I was lucky, because on the very first evening when I turned on the Mini, there was company at home, everyone had only positive reviews. This is truly an ideal device in its class - once again I am convinced that in the world of consumer portable speakers, only a few companies manage to create truly amazing things, Bose among them. You're always expecting a surprise. And there are more than enough surprises here.
A few words about the design, there are two speakers and a clever system of passive resonators, they are located between the speakers. The resonators, in turn, are located on both the front and rear parts. It is clear why such a massive body was needed - but I will not write this down as a disadvantage, the sound justifies everything.
conclusions
The cost of the device is about 9,000 rubles, a simple Jambox is cheaper, it has a microphone, the ability to install voice applications, but the Mini has a better design and, most importantly, sound. Another competitor is Beats Pill, which is also an interesting thing, but even here, in terms of sound, the Mini seems to me the best option.
There is no point in comparing with other devices at all; the Mini has a better design (and materials), convenient controls, and sound... The sound here can be compared with systems of a different price category, for example, the Jawbone Big Jambox.
I really liked the device, Bose did a tremendous job. The device is positioned as a youth device, but, in my opinion, it will appeal more to middle-aged people, those who are already familiar with the brand’s products. These are those gentlemen and ladies who use Bose QC during frequent flights, use Bose speakers in the car and an audio system at home - they will like the Mini. Metal, classic design, great sound, no unnecessary features. Young people need more chips and whistles, older people need quality.
P.S. The cradle is a brilliant accessory, I used it constantly during the test. Very comfortably.
Sergey Kuzmin ()
I've used many gadgets, but the Bose SoundLink Mini speaker has always been among the leaders. So, I'm thrilled that I had the opportunity to review its successor, the new Bose SoundLink Mini II portable speaker.
Bose SoundLink Mini II - Reviews
For two years I have been using the first model of mobile speaker, and it accompanies me everywhere. I use it at home, on trips and on weekends. I will not exaggerate if I say that the equipment has become very close to me.
Appearance of SoundLink Mini II
At first glance, the Bose SoundLink Mini II speaker is no different from its predecessor. We are dealing with the same anodized aluminum body. Its dimensions are 5.10 x 18 x 5.8 cm, and the speaker weighs only 670 grams. Compact size and light weight allow you to use the speaker absolutely everywhere. This is completely mobile equipment.
The housing consists of a single, slightly rounded piece of metal at the corners that surrounds the devices. Using a thin rubber gasket, a mesh was attached to the column, which prevents anything from getting inside. Its cells are small, but sand can easily pass through them. I learned about this hard during my stay on the sea coast.
To avoid scratching the coating and for stability, the speaker was made on very large rubber feet. Bose SoundLink Mini 2 has good adhesion, so that despite the very powerful bass, the speaker does not move. This is very important, especially during long listening sessions.
I know many speakers that, after a few hours of continuous play, simply fall off the table or countertop. Bose SoundLink Mini bluetooth speaker II, even if it plays very loudly, will stand like a rock and won't budge. This is one of those details that determine the quality of the equipment.
Bose SoundLink Mini II sound
However, the Bose SoundLink Mini 2 owes its stabilization to more than just its rubber feet. It is worth noting that the masking grid is located on both sides of the column. This unusual design move was due to the fact that the speaker plays in two opposite directions. The membranes vibrate in two directions simultaneously, so the speaker does not move in any direction. This is not only a very simple, but also an extremely effective solution.
Although I am not an audiophile, I will try to evaluate the sound quality. This is very close or the same as the previous generation speaker. The sound is very loud and clear. For such a small device, the SoundLink Mini II speaker provides very good low frequencies, but there are also no problems with higher sounds. Vocals are a little worse to hear, but for a portable speaker this is excellent.
The sound from the speaker is exceptionally warm, but not exceptionally soft. The speaker has proven herself in almost all genres of music, but I think that the maximum of her abilities is demonstrated in rock music.
The high class of the Bose SoundLink Mini 2 is confirmed by the fact that the speaker was able to provide music not only for intimate meetings, but also for gatherings around the fire or barbecue. I was not mistaken, this speaker will easily support a large house party.
What's changed in the Bose SoundLink Mini II
The truth is that everything mentioned above can also be written about the first model of Bose SoundLink Mini bluetooth speaker. It is worth noting exactly what has changed in relation to its predecessor. Firstly, battery life has increased from seven to ten hours. As a result, the speaker can play all day long.
Other changes can be seen after a quick look at the device's buttons. The first generation of speakers had six buttons covered with soft rubber, now there are only five. These are, respectively, on/off, volume down button, multifunction button and volume up button, as well as a button responsible for communication.
Using the multi-function button you can, among other things, stop the music, resume it, receive, reject a call and limit switch in between. The first and last versions of the speaker have LEDs that inform the user about the device's charge level and what type of communication is being used.
The Bose SoundLink Mini 2 portable speaker also has many commands that have been polished. If we add to this the fact that the new speaker can be connected to several, up to eight devices at the same time, it turns out that this is a very convenient solution. Moreover, in order to start playing music from another device easily and quickly. Simply stop playing music on the first device and start on the second.
The last and, in my opinion, most important change is that the Bose SoundLink Mini II wireless speaker can be charged via a micro-USB port. The previous model also had this port, but it did not support the charging function, so it was necessary to use a special connector and Charger.
Bose SoundLink apps
The Bose SoundLink Mini speaker was a great product that had a few drawbacks, such as the inability to charge it using a USB port and the lack of a built-in device speakerphone. The American company decided to release a hit by softly updating the product two years ago and making it perfect. Not only has it lost its annoying drawbacks, but new features and capabilities have also been added that make using this device a pleasure.
Bottom line
If you are looking for a high quality portable speaker and are willing to spend up to $200 on it, you should just go to the store and buy the Bose SoundLink Mini II. It is difficult to find such a stylish, colorful and well-made speaker on the market. This is the kind of equipment where you really pay for quality.
However, are the changes big enough to replace the previous SoundLink? Definitely not. The old column stands the test of time and I have no intention of changing it.
I have already written quite a few reviews about the products of Bose, a well-known manufacturer of high-quality speaker systems (and not only). And there was always one conclusion - an excellent quality product. IN this review We will talk about a very compact, self-contained speaker system with Bluetooth - Bose SoundLink Mini.
1. Packaging and kit:
Sealed in plastic film, a cardboard box of not very small sizes
The main features are listed at the back,
Below is the scope of delivery.
We open the package and in front of us are 2 boxes:
Let's start with a large, 2-tier.... Under the cover is the column itself in a special substrate
Then the cradle,
At the very bottom is the charger:
In a small box there are only 2 adapters for European and English sockets
That's the whole set....
Strange... I was a little surprised, to be honest... Add a cradle (I personally don’t need it at all), but not add an audio cable and at least some kind of case...? A very controversial decision. But it is what it is.
2. Design and design features:
I'll start with the overall dimensions. Despite the impressive size of the box, the speaker itself is very miniature
Comparison with iPhone 5S
Well, very compact :)
If we're talking about dimensions, I'll also mention the weight, which is not very small for such dimensions - 670g. (although, depending on what you compare with :)) But this is not surprising -
Bose SoundLink Mini has a unibody aluminum body
Now let's take a closer look at the column...
Bose branding on perforated front panel
The back has exactly the same panel, but without the inscription
Through it you can see a passive resonator that improves sound quality
All control buttons are located on top; by the way, they are made of rubber and slightly recessed (except for volume control)
Above the power button is a built-in battery charge indicator,
Silent mode and AUX indicators are milky white,
The Bluetooth indicator during search is blue, when a connection is established it is also milky white
The volume buttons do not have indicators.
On the right side surface there are 2 connectors: charging and audio input (AUX)
From a convenience point of view (my personal opinion), it would be better if they were located at the back, but perhaps this was impossible due to the presence of a rear acoustic resonator.
The left side is completely smooth
The base of the case has an impressive rubber “sole” that provides stability on smooth surfaces. In addition, the center of gravity of the system is shifted down, so it is quite difficult to accidentally move the column. The following are also indicated: s/n, country of origin (Mexico) and charger parameters. Well, in one of the corners there are contact pads for the cradle and a MicroUSB connector (for updating the software, but how to do this is not indicated anywhere)
The cradle itself is made of black plastic, almost weightless, with shock-absorbing rubber strips on the sides.
In the upper right corner there are contacts for charging the speaker and a fixing pin (to avoid displacement, although the speaker is already placed in a niche and has nowhere to go)
What else interested me and to which I could not find an answer: there are 2 contacts in the cradle, and there are 4 contact pads on the system. One can only guess what the 2 additional ones are used for...
The connector for connecting the charger is on the right side of the cradle
Well, why not do it from the back? This is more convenient than a cable sticking out to the side. Alas, there is...
On the bottom, again: rubber anti-slip strips, information about the model and requirements for the device.
Here is the power supply itself:
What prompted Bose not to use the MicroUSB connector for charging, so familiar to all other manufacturers, and even manage to make 12V/0.833A? Honestly - just a shock! Losing or damaging the charger is almost equivalent to losing the speaker or you will have to run around looking for it..... No comments!
This is what the system looks like in the dock:
Now a little about the “filling”. In order to provide high-quality sound with such a small size, specialists from Bose had to work hard and “rack their brains.” The sound is produced by 2 small speakers and a rather complex system of passive resonators, which are located both in the front (between the speakers) and in the back. Below is a screenshot of an advertising video about the device... So the heavy aluminum body is made for a reason...
What else can you say about the characteristics? Battery capacity is unknown, but it provides up to 7 hours battery life. Full charging time is about 3 hours.
When the speaker turns on, the battery indicator lights up for 10 seconds and then turns off to conserve charge. To check the charge, press and hold the power button, the indicator will light up. The indicator turns green when the battery has 70 percent charge or more. Yellow indicates a charge between 20 and 70 percent. And red means less than 20 percent battery charge.
There is no built-in microphone, so you won’t be able to use the speaker in hands-free mode.
And finally, about the design: here it is - 5 points. Appearance very harmonious, calm, and at the same time pleasing to the eye. Well, if you are a fan of Apple technology, then even more so :)
3. Connection:
As you probably already understood, connection is possible in two ways: via Bluetooth and a 3.5 jack audio cable. In both cases everything is very simple. First of all, turn on the speaker with the power button, then select the connection type. If it is Bluetooth, then, when connecting for the first time, we slightly hold down the corresponding button, the indicator blinks blue. On the sound source (iPhone 5S was used), turn on the search and select the Bose Mini SoundLink that appears. The column indicator changes color to milky white... That's it...
You can listen...
Well, connecting with a cable is even easier: connect and press the AUX button.
Please note that in any of the methods, the volume levels on the speaker and on the iPhone are not synchronized (although I have seen this happen). If the volume on the connected device is at maximum, this does not mean that it is also maximum on the system. The loudest sound is achieved by increasing the volume to the maximum on both devices (this may be a truism, but I mentioned it just in case).
4. Sound quality:
I’ve already written about the design features of the acoustics, so now I’m talking about my listening impressions. First, let me give you the opinion of Bose itself on this matter:
"You wouldn't expect to hear this much power from a speaker this small, but the SoundLink® Mini takes the system to the next level. You don't have to sacrifice power for portability. Proprietary technologies and innovative driver configurations combine to deliver full-range sound, including low frequencies, in an ultra-compact package. Now you have the opportunity to take your music with you and listen to it wherever you go."
I repeat, as in some other reviews... I am not a music lover and am not good at using special terms to describe sound quality, only my personal impressions or the opinions of other people who have listened to this system. For evaluation, I selected compositions from different genres, but only high-quality ones: downloaded from the iTunes Store, converted from original CDs, or already available in ALAC format. What exactly.... M. Gulko, Accept, Iron Maiden, Pilgrim, El Pasador, Yngwie Malmsteen, MC ST Yura, Savages, Vanessa Mae, Louis Armstrong, Alisa - such an assortment :) Yes, and I also watched a couple of films with DTS sound. I can definitely say that the sound quality exceeded all my expectations. It's hard to believe that such a "little thing" is capable of playing so great. The bass is noticeable, the sound is clear with excellent detail, no wheezing or distortion at maximum volume (and it can really sound a 2-room apartment, but a small one). It's safe to say that Bose performed a "small miracle" :) And I'm writing this entire review while enjoying the music from this speaker.
My words are confirmed by the highest rating the system received from the authoritative resource What Hi*Fi?
Here are some more opinions:
"The sound is truly amazing, and you will not find a speaker of this size with the same sound quality. Bright bass, huge, truly huge volume reserve, the sound is clear, interesting, so to speak, groovy."
"I came across the Bose Soundlink Mini at the airport (and there was a large selection of similar devices), turned it on and just fell in love. It sounds fantastic for such a little thing. I bought it right away and have been enjoying it for a week now. An excellent solution for the home (kitchen/bedroom and etc.), and even more so for travel."
“I saw it behind the glass in the store and asked the seller to turn it on. I couldn’t help but buy it.”
5. Accessories:
Yes, this is something new in my reviews, but in this case we cannot do without it. Now it’s clear why there is no cover included :) On the official Bose website (not Russian) I found 3 different types: plastic 3 colors SoundLink® Mini Bluetooth® speaker soft cover ($24.95), leather 2 colors SoundLink® Mini Bluetooth® speaker leather cover ($34.95)
And SoundLink® Mini Bluetooth® speaker travel bag ($44.95)
You can also find a car charger on sale - Bose SoundLink Mini Car Charger
6. Conclusion:
Bose SoundLink Mini- very good stylish autonomous compact acoustic system with excellent sound quality! The only downsides are the lack of a case included and a non-standard charger. But this is clearly not a reason to refuse the purchase. So I recommend it!
Having tested a dozen portable speakers, we learned to predict their advantages and disadvantages - even before we take the new device out of the box. Looking back, nothing could not prepare us for meeting Bose SoundLink Mini.
Here is the most amazing portable speaker we've ever reviewed. Possibilities SoundLink Mini many times larger than its size. And it's not about the features, but about the stunning sound quality. This minimalist, small oval thing plays in such a way that the pupils of those around you dilate, your pulse quickens, and the required amount instantly pours out of your wallet. Verified.
They did not expect
Bose– one of the synonyms for high-quality sound. The brand name comes to mind every time someone searches good acoustics for home. Still on the pages website their mobile speakers did not appear, and it was decided to start getting acquainted with them with SoundLink Mini.
SoundLink Mini forever changed our ideas about mobile sound and the capabilities of portable speakers. And not only ours. The entire RuNet is replete with similar reviews from buyers of the device. Shock, surprise, love from the first track - this is how you can describe the first minutes of owning a speaker. In this regard, there is a question addressed to Bose's competitors: how can you even compete with this?
Equipment and design
The speaker's delivery package is almost predictable, with a small but very important surprise. In addition to the device itself, lying on a plastic pedestal, the box stores network cable, a micro-USB cable and a docking station with an inductive charging port. We'll talk about it and how much it means to the owner a little later. And now about the highlight of the program, sharp and aluminum.
Every second portable speaker on the market has a strictly rectangular shape. SoundLink Mini stands out against their background: instead of perfectly straight lines, it has curved, rounded dimensions. The case makes us draw a parallel with the front speaker from an expensive home theater set. The parallel, by the way, is not far from the truth. Comparing this speaker with portable speakers, even large ones, is almost pointless. There will be a beating of a person lying down, but not with hands, but with the force of sound.
All controls on the column are located at the top, in the center. Opposite the logo are all the typical keys familiar to owners of portable speakers. Power off, mute, volume control, Bluetooth controller and input source switch. All extreme buttons are recessed into the body. This is done in order to adjust the volume blindly. Or maybe just to brighten up the design.
The dark gray stripe between the logo and the keys hides the operation status LEDs. There are four of them in total. By the way, the speaker, given its size, is not a light one - 670 grams is still felt in the hands, at the same time instinctively arousing respect and confidence in the quality. Gadget lovers have this weakness: heavier means cooler. Old habits are difficult to overcome, also because of such little things that strongly confirm the correctness of the judgment.
The bottom is covered with a dense rubber stand, which successfully dampens the vibrations of the speaker at maximum volume and completes the picture that is typical of front speakers, but not portable ones. This plate also acts as a mount for the docking station.
The Bose SoundLink Mini comes with a plastic docking station with a plug for inductive charging. The latter connects to the corresponding port in the speaker every time you install the acoustics on the “pedestal”. By connecting power to the dock, the owner receives an incredibly convenient charger that continues the best visual features of the speaker.
Instead of having to deal with cords every time, you can simply place the speaker in the dock, and then remove it and move it just as easily. Very comfortably. This approach allows you to hide the unsightly power cable away, behind furniture and other objects, leaving only the cradle in a visible place. It will turn out very nice:
Sound
Remember what the last portable speaker you listened to sounded like. And forget about it forever. Bose SoundLink Mini plays as if its speakers are three to four times larger, and there are at least five of them themselves. I think that the engineers who first assembled the prototype of this model felt the same way as Gagarin did at the time of his flight into space.
A small and austere speaker from Bose, as expected, reproduces high frequencies well without affecting the brightness of vocals or the presence of instruments. But then the real magic begins: we have never heard such detailed, varied midrange frequencies from mobile speakers. It’s generally scary about the lows: there is no separate low-frequency speaker, but the bass sounds amazingly decent.
Bose is in no hurry to expand on how they managed to achieve such sound quality. Most likely, the miracles come from the use of a proprietary dual passive radiator design. Thanks to it, SoundLink Mini reproduces low frequencies with unexpected detail, filling music with depth and variety that is unusual for mobile speakers.
This is exactly the speaker you need to listen to before jumping to any conclusions. Otherwise, there is simply nothing to argue and discuss about. Hats off to Bose.
Additional accessories and price
Bose's minimalist design can be customized with one of five colorful cases. The format is known to every iPhone owner: essentially, these are silicone bumpers with colored stripes on the edges and a transparent protective wall. By choosing a bumper to match the color of the room, you can fit SoundLink Mini into any interior. And at the same time protect against falls from the shelf.
In addition to bumpers, Bose sells a branded survival-style case that will definitely appeal to the Tracer.ru audience. Really high quality and dense, with a pocket for cables and the softest inside, this case is perfect for transporting the SoundLink Mini over long distances.
The column is removed and inserted with force, clearly adjusted to the millimeter.
Build quality, sound quality, bluetooth speed (connecting unfamiliar devices), sound quality via bluetooth
Minuses
Price, lack of aux wires included (they could have included them for that price)
Review
BOSE did not disappoint, the sound quality is excellent. The build quality is the same. I think the volume is good for its size. There is another speaker for comparison, JBL Charge - it is louder with similar dimensions, but it only picks up high and medium frequencies, low frequencies. are absent, unlike BOSE. I'm not a prof. musician, but I can feel the difference between these speakers very well. There is a negative point about BOSE - the lack of uniform sound at 360 degrees. around you. When the speaker is positioned at the end, and not with the speakers facing the person, the volume drops noticeably, there is a real feeling that you are listening to music from somewhere on the side, as if you were behind the sound waves. JBL, for example, does not have this, where the location of the speaker relative to the person is not important, the sound is the same at 360 degrees. The second point is the weight, the speaker is quite heavy. I admit that this is necessary, as already mentioned to combat vibration and due to the use of higher quality and more expensive components and materials. But since I often have to take the speaker with me, this is rather a minus for me. IN RESULT: I recommend this speaker for purchase to those people who care about sound quality and who will mainly use it in one place without carrying much with them, having the opportunity to correctly position it relative to themselves in order to reveal its full potential. Review based on the results of three months of operation and comparison with other existing speakers.