Bose - SoundLink Home

I've commented on the state of Bose's product offerings before, but for now, their wireless speaker range *continues* to be confusing.. even **WITH** new products. Bose just today announced the SoundLink Home. It appears to be a SoundLink Flex 2 that you do **NOT** intend to take outside your house. Let's look at a few points: * It is **not** weather **nor** water resistant, and Bose even cautions using it in your bathroom * It **cannot** be setup using the Bose app - therefore, setup depends solely on your device's Settings app * It is **more** expensive than the new SoundLink Flex 2, but has **less** features (no weather resistance, no PositionIQ, etc..) * It has **less** battery life (9 hours on the Home vs 12 hours on the Flex 2) * It **cannot** be linked to other SoundLink Flex/Max/Revolve products, only other SoundLink Home speakers of the same range - and if so, it only supports Stereo Mode (no Party Mode) * This product sadly has **no Wi-Fi** built in - major bummer for me personally, because I've been hoping for a Portable Smart Speaker replacement Let's look at some upsides: * the design is very sleek and modern - way nicer than the Flex, or I'd even argue, the Revolve line * Bluetooth 5.3 with MultiPoint * the USB-C Port can act as a Line-In (something the Flex 2 does not offer) * I'm hoping it sounds just as good, if not slightly better, than the Flex 2 AT LEAST (which is gonna be tough, since this speaker seems to be slightly smaller) So yeah, not really sure who this speaker is for...since clearly the better deal is the new Flex 2... but if anything, I'm glad Bose is trying SOMETHING new, even if this may miss the mark... Links for your reference: Bose site: [https://www.bose.com/p/speakers/soundlink-home-bluetooth-speaker/SLHM-SPEAKERWIRELESS.html?srsltid=AfmBOopfCqvD0qTHTI0LMmhf3ums9UF87xRoQKCSN\_cyteDI0sxU29LI](https://www.bose.com/p/speakers/soundlink-home-bluetooth-speaker/SLHM-SPEAKERWIRELESS.html?srsltid=AfmBOopfCqvD0qTHTI0LMmhf3ums9UF87xRoQKCSN_cyteDI0sxU29LI) The Verge: [https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/1/24259408/bose-bluetooth-wireless-speaker-soundlink-home](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/1/24259408/bose-bluetooth-wireless-speaker-soundlink-home) Engadget: [https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/the-bose-soundlink-home-brings-premium-audio-to-a-small-and-portable-package-171006213.html](https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/the-bose-soundlink-home-brings-premium-audio-to-a-small-and-portable-package-171006213.html)

Major bummer for me too! I've been waiting for an update to the Portable Smart/Home Speaker. And yes - I was also under the impression that "Home" in the product name meant Wi-Fi included. Maybe because this still has "SoundLink" in the name, that's supposed to mean portable Bluetooth? This speaker lineup is confusing. It does seem like the Flex 2 is the better overall buy.

Yeah, this design is so nice! I'd personally also enjoy Wi-Fi functionality. Their Portable Smart/Home Speaker hasn't been updated in a while. Sign me up for those Customer Feedback sessions too lol. I'd love to give Bose some insight as a long-time consumer of theirs. I do commend them for at least *trying* some new things - but they have some work to do to streamline this Bluetooth speaker offering (it looks like they're ***still*** keeping around the Bose Revolve+ 2 - which ***STILL*** connects only via micro-USB).

yeah agreed! I bought both the Flex 2 and the SoundLink Home, and definitely kept the Flex 2. It sounds much better, which is so odd.

The new Bose Soundlinks are really good too!

Same here! My 2 soundlinks are still going strong and I even still have my sounddock from when I was young.

Ive left mine on my patio one full night of heavy rain, work like a charm.

Diggin my Bose Soundlink. Thin for portability. The bass isn't mind blowing but I was surprised for the size. Sounds great.

I do. for me. so I'm the guy who rarely listens to music around others. I don't like listening to others music especially out side, at a park or beach for example. so I don't listen to my music loud out of consideration. this little bose unit sounds great to just chill with on the back porch, not loud enough for the neighbors to hear but it's able to reproduce great sound at moderate levels. I like this flatter form over the round speakers, it will pack better. if it packs better the chance is higher it will go more places with me.

Yes. I can hear the bass at low volumes. All frequencies are well produced.

Using an old Bose sound link Bluetooth speaker when I need more sound that the mini provides.

I have several models of Bose Soundlink, left one at my previous work facility, all have lasted years and all are in excellent working order. Great sound, and at least 10+ different employees linked to one of them without issue.

I have a Bose soundlink and a soundlink mini and I think they’re both pushing 15 years. The mini has been drug all over golf courses and gotten wet countless times. The soundlink has been outdoors on patios or back porches everywhere I’ve lived that entire time

Bose. SoundsLink. I got one for chrismas 3 years ago. I took on a 16-day rafting trip down the Grande Canyon and even lost It in the bottom of the raft for several days where it was wet. Still work perfectly. It's pretty bomber.

Bose Soundlink is a champ, our first died after many years and we got a replacement instead of something different. I was gifted a JBL mini-clip and holy SHIT this thing is loud and has pretty decent sound quality-around $70 I think.