The SoundLink Max delivers excellent sound for its size in a premium mini boombox design, rope handle and all. But is it worth $399? CNET Editor David Carnoy helps you figure that out in his full review.
Find The Bose SoundLink Max here:
*Cnet may get commission on this deal.
Read the full CNET article here:
00:00 Intro
00:28 An Upgrade on The SoundLink Flex?
01:33 Design
02:44 Connectivity & Accessories
03:24 Lack of Features
04:05 Sound Quality
05:39 Versus the Competition
06:26 Sound Test
09:40 Final Thoughts
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#bose #bluetooth #speaker
@GoldMineArcade
May 16, 2024 at 3:05 pm
I’m in at $250 max. I’ll be keeping an eye at Costco for it
@AlexAnder-zj3rr
May 16, 2024 at 3:27 pm
Can you also comment for your review whether you would prefer 1 max or 2 flexes? Because if you prefer 2 flexes for the benefit of flexible speaker placement, I don’t see many choosing the max over 2 flexes that cost less and take up less space.
@Linux567
May 16, 2024 at 3:35 pm
Fellas wait for the JBL extreme 4.
@canturkcivelek4896
May 16, 2024 at 3:52 pm
Great review, as always! Why does Bose keep copying Apple’s naming, such as “Plus”, now its “Max.” Bose should come up with their own naming. Bose is not some kind of cheap knockoff small company that is imitating others..
@ElonDust
May 16, 2024 at 4:01 pm
8:08 as a guy you never wanna hear this
@JLummin
May 16, 2024 at 4:19 pm
$200-250 I may go for it. Speaker phone is a nice to have but not a big deal. I do have the Soundcore Boom 2 which is a nice boombox outdoor speaker but I also just got the Tribit Xsound Plus 2 which is $69 and yeah not boombox size but great sound and still has 3.5 aux which many speakers are losing sadly
@Kiennguyen22360
May 16, 2024 at 4:27 pm
$400 LOL
@dwdrum11
May 16, 2024 at 4:33 pm
I’m interested in how this compares to a pair of soundlink flex. I have a pair of the flex and they sound excellent, the Bluetooth pairing is a bit hit and miss mind as is getting them into party mode, especially after a couple beers! so I like the idea of this one larger speaker. Stereo seperation isn’t that big a deal on a speaker that’s likely to be used for parties or outside etc, yes in a lounge where you sit in a fixed position nothing beats the sweet spot between a pair of hifi speakers but that’s not the design of something like this. Intrigued at the driver setup in this, torchlight through the grill generally gives away the speaker setup if you still have the speaker to check!
@Crimsonphilosophy
May 16, 2024 at 4:37 pm
In sure it’s good. But just get 2 soundcore x600 and stereo pair them for that money
@live_to_rot
May 16, 2024 at 4:53 pm
i’ll just wait a year or so until it goes on sale. my flex is treating me just well
@PalashHolkar_
May 16, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Good to have comparison with Sonos move 2
@hebertnyathi9007
May 16, 2024 at 5:17 pm
You can buy a Harman Kardon go play 3 or JBL party box 120 for that price
@lorenzohardy5212
May 16, 2024 at 5:34 pm
Compared to sonos Move 2?
@superkonek7808
May 16, 2024 at 5:46 pm
thats what she said … 8:06
@808jspekeg6
May 16, 2024 at 5:50 pm
When the Anker boom 2 exist, this soundlink is irrelevant
🤭
@errolrrt3457
May 16, 2024 at 6:10 pm
i think bose portable home speaker is still better to this one.
@user-hx1sp2zu6p
May 16, 2024 at 6:16 pm
Dumb
@tobieazeez
May 16, 2024 at 6:23 pm
Direct competition is probably the Sonos Move 2
@dominickvelezjr9171
May 16, 2024 at 9:00 pm
Or the JBL Xtreme 3 which you can buy right now for $199
@transitionshotline
May 16, 2024 at 6:27 pm
Doesn’t seem like a high price to pay for superior sound. Can the app be downloaded on a PC?
@jasonokogho4300
May 16, 2024 at 6:49 pm
Then it means you haven’t tried the JBL charge 5 or flip 6. For a fraction of the price and you can pair two and still have money left. Alternatively is way better to buy two Bose flex and pair. The price is on the high side but is called choices.
@mr.joshmateo
May 16, 2024 at 6:44 pm
@david Don’t sleep on the Harman Kardon onyx studio. Sounds better, waterproof, has mics and can be usually had for a 1/3 of the price.
@davidcarnoy961
May 16, 2024 at 9:20 pm
True. Very good speaker. But the Bose has a better design and is more suited for for mobile use.
@ambroseudike5091
May 16, 2024 at 6:49 pm
The only problem with bose flex and max is they don’t have sd card slot that’s very silly coz why should I waste both batteries on phone and speaker it’s doesn’t make sense ok….if it uses sd card then I won’t waste double energy..phone and speaker. Ok that’s just the big problem with bose B. Speaker no tf card
@markyvesrios6599
May 16, 2024 at 9:23 pm
Today’s speakers mostly don’t have SD card.. even JBL or marshall you cannot find it..
@ThatENGuy
May 16, 2024 at 8:22 pm
For that price it better be way over the JBL charge 5
@dominickvelezjr9171
May 16, 2024 at 8:54 pm
For that price, I’d rather have 2 flex’s. I have 1 now and it fits the bill for my needs.
@dominickvelezjr9171
May 16, 2024 at 9:01 pm
JBL Xtreme 3 is half the price as we speak.
@Novilicious
May 16, 2024 at 9:10 pm
No airplay is a deal breaker. I despise Bluetooth
@seanpeine9258
May 16, 2024 at 10:09 pm
Buy two of the smaller ones and still save money.
@GRSEMETROMALL
May 16, 2024 at 10:17 pm
See now you have to test it against the Marshall Kilburn or Tufton those sound exceptionally well. I found nothing that sounds anywhere near as good as them.
@cutecarbon
May 16, 2024 at 11:25 pm
Overpriced …soundcore motion 600 way better option
@SA-mv3vf
May 17, 2024 at 12:05 am
Nice but way too expensive, for 399 I’d just get the B&o beolit 17 or if possible the 20 , i have the bose flex and it’s a great little spesker but 399 is crazy lmfao
@benjaminwallace5644
May 17, 2024 at 12:45 am
I’m going to wait for them to make it available to pair in stereo pairing to buy, i want to buy 2 soundlink max
@wayne02058
May 17, 2024 at 1:41 am
Id get 3 flex or maybe even just 2 for that price with the bt pairing its gonna sound pretty good, i think soundcore is coming up with a much cheaper competitor
@rjj00
May 17, 2024 at 3:30 am
you can’t pair 3. you can just about pair 2 without them disconnecting
@DavidAnaya26
May 17, 2024 at 2:16 am
I bought my Sony XG 300 last year in August and I love it!! I wonder how this compares to that. I take mine to the beach, my pool and the office and I have never loved a portable speaker so much! My car has a Bose sound system and I love how it sounds so definitely want to see how this compares to my Sony
@shoerice5083
May 17, 2024 at 3:22 am
The thing that makes me wanna buy this speaker is mostly the form factor. Nothing to be afraid of when putting it in a backpack or something..smoot material like the flex also.. gotta look into it
@papayspeanut
May 17, 2024 at 3:53 am
$299 is the sweet spot $249 on sale price would hit just right
@ijessposs
May 17, 2024 at 4:05 am
6:23 I love my boom 2 it does all the work you need
@shubhmandalia6330
May 17, 2024 at 8:47 am
Want stereo sound? Go for Emberton 2!
@jokjoan
May 17, 2024 at 9:51 am
It it so nice with its portability since my blast is too bulky but 3 hours for 400usd😂😂😂 is insane
@droningharry
May 17, 2024 at 10:00 am
I think ut’s over priced and probably over rated as well. 250-275 at most.
@nikolaihadjiev1107
May 17, 2024 at 10:02 am
And how you can compare 2 paired bose soundlink flex with this one? Because I have 2 flex and if together they sound better than this one, it’s pointless to consider purchasing?
@t.h.9897
May 17, 2024 at 10:37 am
Why not create a Soundlink Mini big alternative. Good material, good design, good sound.
@oL5re9re55ion
May 17, 2024 at 10:51 am
Looking forward to comparisons to the Revolve+. I don’t mind paying $400 more if it sounds much better.
@gd.ritter
May 17, 2024 at 11:18 am
Can it be charged/wall-powered while in use?
@Pistolita221
May 17, 2024 at 4:02 pm
I would assume so since the SoundLink Flex can.
@MG-ce3dx
May 17, 2024 at 12:13 pm
250 £ is the correct price .
Yes it sounds good and all that but 400£ for a small compact speaker ,no matter how good it sounds ,it’s still to expensive.
For that price you can buy anything else bit bigger that sounds better 🤷♂️
@juniorj27
May 17, 2024 at 12:23 pm
*That’s what she said… 8:07
@davidcarnoy961
May 17, 2024 at 3:54 pm
😂
@texakinz
May 17, 2024 at 1:38 pm
Great video, but nahh. I’ll stick to my hyperboom.
@Fonzi79
May 17, 2024 at 2:42 pm
399 IS OK 👍
@moondog1888
May 17, 2024 at 4:26 pm
300 would a good price 399 is to much to take to the beach
@maureencorrigan5360
May 17, 2024 at 5:12 pm
I have the flex the sound is fantastic. I paid 129 for it. 399 is way too much. I would rather have 2 flexes.
@BrownChocoMilkBoy
May 17, 2024 at 6:32 pm
Finally bose added dome tweeter!
@rickyhaag6535
May 17, 2024 at 8:15 pm
This is a greats review! I wish all reviews were like this. Thank you.