Bose SoundLink Mini is one of the newest additions to a crowded market. As smartphones and tablets become more prevalent and take one more and more functions so to does the market for auxiliary products for these devices rise. This is particularly the case for things which cover areas in which mobile devices are inherently lacking due to their size and energy budget like speakers. Of course the point of both tablets and smartphones is that they are mobile thus there is a significant demand for speakers that are likewise mobile as “downgrading” one’s phone and/or tablet when on the move is quite unappealing.
So how does the Bose SoundLink Mini measure up to the standards of this niche? Quite well, if one is willing to pay the admittedly hefty price of 199$, where many of its competitors cost as little as a quarter of that.
The dignified industrial design featuring grey plastic and white aluminum is good enough to be seen with but it is the performance that make this choice of sound system middling good rather than overpriced mediocre. Sound quality is extraordinary for a device of this size, whether it is connected via Bluetooth or the auxiliary jack. Mids are well-rounded, highs are crisp and detailed, and the bass is exceptional. It’s the sort of device a music aficionado would buy. Also the sort that once used, makes most of its competitors sound cheap and unsatisfying.
Battery-life is seven hour, a respectable amount, given the sound quality. It’s not water-proof but, given it’s weight, it’s not really ideal for situations in which it would make an overly close quincentenary with H2O, such as going to the beach or the pool, anyway. This sound system is a significant investment in quality and should be treated as such. It is good enough that it can be used as a user’s main sound system particularly in crowded urban areas where quality is sought over volume while retaining the advantage of mobility.