Gone are the days when bulky and high power-devouring speakers were used to amplify your favourite tunes. As technology advances, devices are getting smaller and slimmer by the day and speakers today are available in micro-sizes, without compromising on the sound quality. Now, in an already diverse selection of “tiny speakers” market. Bose has introduced the Soundlink Micro Speaker, promising easy portability and superior audio quality. But how does the device fare in real-life situations? Let’s find out.

Build and design

With the word “Micro” attached to its name, the fact that these speakers come with minimalist designs is implied. In terms of size, the Bose Soundlink Micro measures 98 x 98 x 35mm and weighs in at 290 grams. The speaker is surprisingly portable for this dimension. The speaker itself is wrapped in silicone rubber, which not only gives it a seamlessly elegant look but also increases its resistance to scratches, cracks, and dents should it be dropped. 

With the rounded corners, the Soundlink Micro looks great aesthetically and ergonomically. It comes with five function buttons, with volume rockers and multi-function buttons. The power button and the active Bluetooth button are placed on the top with a micro USB 2.0 port sandwiched between them.

Next to the charging port, there are six LEDs lights to depict the power state of the speaker. The secluded single LED on the right-hand side shows the power on/off state of the speaker, whereas the remaining five on its left denotes the battery level while charging.

The soundlink Micro is IPX7 certified so it is resistant to water (up to 30 feet for around 30 minutes) and moisture. This specialty makes it suitable for use during showers, while swimming or if you want to kick off your shoes and go dancing in the rain! The speaker also comes with rubberised silicon strap on the back. The strap is tear-resistant and can be used to fix the speaker on belts or belt loops, backpacks, bike handles or any place that is convenient really.

Pairing and control

Soundlink Micro is a wireless speaker and it pairs with audio devices via Bluetooth. The speaker does not come with 3.5mm headphone, unlike the JBL Clip 2, and is inconvenient if you want to amplify sounds via a wired connection. The device starts to search the Bluetooth devices in its proximity upon startup and connects to them quite fast if it has been paired with the device previously.

Once the Bluetooth connection is established, every sound from the audio device is amplified by the speaker, and the level of sound can be controlled through the volume buttons on the device’s chest. The multi-function button in between the volume buttons comes handy for playing/pausing the audio, toggling to the next and previous songs, and triggering the AI assistant in the smartphones. While playing music, pressing the multi-function button twice skips the tracks and plays the next song on the list, whereas pressing it thrice plays back the previous song. 

Once connected to the smartphone, pressing and holding the multi-function button triggers the AI assistant of the smartphone. There is also a mic right on the top of the Bose logo through which commands to the AI assistants can be given. This mic also comes handy during phone conversations in the hands-free mode.

For hassle-free control of the speaker via smartphone, Bose has also developed an app named Bose Connect. With this app, you can control the power and volume through your phone, while also pausing and playing music through it. The best thing about the app is it helps you pair the device with another Bose speaker for more loud and vibrant stereo output.

Sound performance

In terms of sound output, the speaker is without doubt one of the best speakers for its size. The level of amplification and the quality of sound produced can even be overwhelming at first. Bose has included “custom-engineered transducer and miniature dual-passive radiators” in the speaker to enhance the audio and while listening to the classic blues or rock music, walking bass lines has a pleasing rumble. Along with the soothing sensation, the sound output is vivid and clear at low volumes. However, as the volume is increased near the maximum level, the music does sound a little distorted.

So playing music at 50-75 percent always result in the better audio quality.

In a nutshell, the Micro has an impressive performance with regards to the overall sound quality. However, the speaker does not offer 360-degree sound because of which a shift from the speaker’s path results in the muddier and less intense sound. This is definitely a major issue if the speaker is used during parties and group hangouts.

Battery

For the size and portability, Bose seems have made a compromise with regards to the battery. The battery backed me up for six hours while playing music with the volume at 50 percent. Like every other wireless speaker out there in the market, Micro’s battery life is also diminished when the amplification was increased. At maximum volume, you can expect the batteries to last you just a shade under four hours. Charging is also a little sluggish on the device, with a full charge taking about four hours.

Verdict

Bose Soundlink Micro is a great audio gadget for audiophiles looking for minimum size and maximum portability. Its size makes it extremely friendly in multiple occasions like biking, hiking, jogging and small indoor get togethers. But the short battery life can rain on your parade. Also, going for the price of Rs 18,000, the device is quite expensive. 

So, if sound quality and portability are your priorities, Soundlink Micro is the perfect audio gadget at this size. However, if prolonged battery life is what you are looking for then JBL Clip 2 would be the better fit. The JBL Clip 2 comes in nearly the same form factor at a cheaper price, offering eight hours of backup but with some compromises on the audio quality.