As summer began to wind down, we took one last road trip south to chase the sun. During a long drive, our route took us past a notoriously large outlet mall. My girlfriend and our friend wanted those sweet outlet discounts. I was into the idea. Maybe I’d find some cool shoes. Well, after walking around a store for 15 minutes, I gave up on shopping. I was wandering the giant strip mall aimlessly when something caught my eye, a logo I had seen before. It was a Bose Factory store. I have always been a fan of Bose. They focus on fidelity, user experience, and design. Bose was the first company to study the science of acoustics in order to generate huge sounds from small devices. With a history of being on the vanguard of sound technology, I was interested to check out the latest Bose products. Also, I knew I could kill a couple of hours there. So, I walked in through the storefront doors.
Portable Bluetooth Speakers
The first display that caught my eye was the Bose SoundLink line of Bluetooth speakers. I tried pairing my phone via Bluetooth with each and every model. All of them easily connected without any issues.
The entry-level speaker is the Bose SoundLink Color ($129). The SoundLink Color is the perfect Bluetooth speaker to take on vacation, to the beach, or on a hike. It comes in a variety of vibrant colors to match your personal style. The portable SoundLink Color is only 1.25 lbs, has a range of 30 feet, and has eight hours of battery life. The SoundLink Color is a rugged and durable speaker built for an active and mobile lifestyle.
At the top end there is the Bose SoundLink III ($299). This device can output some serious volume. It is loud enough to have your own dance party. Classic Bose technology incorporates four drivers and two passive radiators to produce clear stereo sound. The SoundLink III has a 30-foot Bluetooth range, a weight of 3 lbs, and a battery life of 14 hours. The Soundlink III is portable enough to travel, but in order to make all that sound it has some heft.
Wireless Multiroom Home Audio System: SoundTouch
It didn’t take long for the sales reps at the Bose store to recognize that I was a gear head. After having my fill of Bluetooth speakers, they ushered me over to the display that demonstrates the Bose SoundTouch system. I immediately walked up to the Bose SoundTouch 20 ($349), downloaded the app, and connected to the system. In moments, I was streaming my music all over the store and blending different units with the control of a studio engineer.
SoundTouch is similar to Sony’s Sonos and Yamaha’s MusicCast in that it allows multiple products to communicate over WiFi to create a singular home system, controlled by a mobile device. Through the intuitive mobile app, you can select audio from streaming services, online radio, physical devices, or even your music library stored on your PC. You can have a Bose SoundTouch device in every room of your home. You can stream different content to different rooms, combine rooms into zones, or unite the whole home under one jam.
The Bose SoundTouch 10 ($199) is the smallest in the family and is perfect for a bedroom, kitchen, or desktop. SoundTouch allows you to start small and expand your system to multiple devices when you are ready. All of the SoundTouch devices allow you to explore music services such as Spotify, Deezer, Pandora, iTunes, and Internet radio. The SoundTouch family is available in white or black. Don’t let the size fool you. Bose is known for delivering big sound in small packages and the SoundTouch 10 is no exception.
The Bose SoundTouch 30 ($499) is the largest of the family and delivers massive sound and clarity. The SoundTouch 20 (mentioned above) sits between the 10 and 30 in size and power. Both the 20 and 30 come with a remote control. The 20 and 30 have a large OLED display that shows current song, station, and more. All of the devices in this family have Bluetooth connectivity built in so you can stream from any mobile device with no set up.
Bring Bose to your home theater with the SoundTouch 130 ($1499). Create a truly cinematic experience in your own home with Bose. This package includes a 37” soundbar that delivers clear and spacious sound all across the room, while the wireless Acoustimass sub module provides impactful bass. The SoundTouch 130 also includes a remote control and a small control console with 4 HDMI inputs to ensure the highest quality sound from your entertainment components. As part of the SoundTouch family, the 130 can be controlled through the mobile application. Through the app, the SoundTouch 130 can access all of your audio sources. In the app, the home theater system can be combined into a zone with other standalone units to fill the whole house with music.
In 1993, the Wave Radio put Bose in the spotlight. It was one of the first systems to use a folded waveguide in an attempt to replicate sound from larger systems in a compact design. It is no surprise that they have created a version of this iconic device that is compatible with SoundTouch: Wave SoundTouch Music System IV ($599). This device is easy to set up and can play any type of audio CD as well as AM/FM radio. It includes a slim infrared remote control. It can be used as a bedside alarm clock and features dual alarms for working couples that have to wake up at different times.
Headphones
My, oh my, how time flies when you’re listening to Bose. My girlfriend had finished shopping and joined me in the Bose store while our friend continued his hunt for the perfect cardigan. I was getting ready to leave, but the sales reps insisted that I check out their newest headphones. I am glad I did.
They handed me the Bose SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear Headphones ($149) for apple devices. As I slid them in my ears, I noticed they had the feel and fit of professional in-ear monitors. Once I pressed play I was immersed in a lush soundscape with remarkably rich bass. Normally I’m not a fan of listening with in-ears, but these were an exception. The SoundTrue Ultra has an inline microphone and remote for easy switching between calls and music. There is a separate model available of the SoundTrue Ultra In-Ear for Android and Samsung ($149). Both models come with a lightweight and durable case. These in-ears feature flat high-flexion wiring that is less prone to tangles and failures. The patented Bose StayHear Ultra tips conform to the shape of your ears and spread contact evenly. The tips come in three sizes, so you can keep your listening experience secure and comfortable.
After experiencing in-ear bliss with the SoundTrue Ultra, it was time to head out. Through the storefront window I could see our friend heading to the car, with more shopping bags than any person should ever carry. I thanked the sales reps at the Bose store for their time and information. They were so happy to share their products and knowledge with me. They answered all of my questions with a smile even though it was obvious I wasn’t going to buy. I guess it goes to show why great businesses are the ones that put customer service first. The guy who stumbles in to kill time and not buy anything might turn out to be a pro-audio journalist.
