Bose SoundLink Home: A Fresh Take on Home Audio

The Home Edition of Bose’s SoundLink Series

Bose has recently refreshed its SoundLink Bluetooth speaker line with not one, but two new products: the SoundLink Home, which hits stores today, and the second-generation SoundLink Flex, available since last week. As the name suggests, the SoundLink Home is the home counterpart to the SoundLink Flex, designed to be taken on-the-go. This speaker is meant to live on your bookshelf, filling your room with its guaranteed premium sound.

The SoundLink Home’s Specifications

With a price tag of $219, the SoundLink Home is available in two colorways for the US: Light Silver and Cool Grey. In China, you’ll find an additional option, Warm Wood – which we wish was an option for us too. This speaker promises nine hours of battery life at maximum volume, with two and a half hours of extra power. While not impressively long-lasting for the price point, Bose’s speaker does offer a quicker recharge time of four hours.

Connectivity and Features

The SoundLink Home boasts multipoint connectivity up to two devices, allowing you to stream from two sources simultaneously. It also features an additional wired connectivity option via Type-C and a stereo mode, enabling you to pair two speakers for a true stereo experience. However, unfortunately, this speaker lacks party mode, which would allow you to play from a single source across both speakers.

Conclusion

For those seeking a more permanent, in-home solution for high-quality audio, the SoundLink Home may be worth considering. Its sound quality is guaranteed, but the lack of adjustable EQ, dust, water, and shock resistance, as well as party mode, may be drawbacks for some users. If you’re in the market for a more portable option with added protection and features, the new $149 2nd-Gen SoundLink Flex might be the better choice.

The Right Choice for You

If you’re in the market for a speaker that offers a strong blend of sound quality, connectivity, and durability, here are some key differences to consider:

• 9 hours of battery life (SoundLink Home) vs. 12 hours (SoundLink Flex)
• No adjustable EQ on the SoundLink Home
• No dust, water, shock, or rust resistance on the SoundLink Home
• No party mode on the SoundLink Home
• Stereo mode on the SoundLink Home
• PositionIQ tech on the SoundLink Flex, which auto-senses the speaker’s position and adjusts audio in real time

Ultimately, the SoundLink Home is designed to deliver premium sound quality from a fixed location, while the SoundLink Flex offers more flexibility and advanced features.