Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker Review: Big Sound, Big Price 

I would buy this at $250 or $299. $399 is too much. This coming from a Bose fan. I'll stick to my 2x SoundLink flexs for now until this goes on sale

I’m in at $250 max. I’ll be keeping an eye at Costco for it

I bought their older $399 speaker and it is still amazing. Just bought the Max and its even better It is hard to find to compare this speaker to others because you also pay for the smaller form factor. Fitting this kind of sound in such a small package is not easy. I have damn near every decent speaker in this size category, JBL, Sony, Sonos, UE, SoundCore, Marshall etc.. None come close to this

Bought it (pre sale,got it today) It sounds amazing...I love it!!

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

$299 is the sweet spot $249 on sale price would hit just right

I bought this yesterday to use as a keyboard practice amp via the AUX input. Unfortunately the software has some latency, and the sound lags slightly after I hit a key. Not a problem for listening to music, but it won’t work for making music. Returning it tomorrow, even though the sound is great.

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 🤷‍♂️

Great review David! Very informative and love your style.

Bose Max or Sonos Move 2? What do you think? Thanks for your opinion.

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.

Compared to sonos Move 2?

My dog will love it!! 🐶

The thing the Flex has going for it is they can be paired creating a larger sound field. Since the Max is being pushed as a party speaker, that suggests it needs to play very loud and cover a good sized area. The Max sounds very good until you play it very loud and distortion becomes very noticeable. It's a no brainer that stereo pairing is needed. The length of time Bose products are in development often makes me shake my head un disbelief how they miss so many things customers want, especially in a crowded market like Bluetooth speakers.

This is a great review! I wish all reviews were like this. Thank you.

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

David's reviews are the best

Love the handle!

I have 7 Sonos speakers and I bought this due to size and sound. The Sonos Move 2 is just to big and my Roam is not loud enough at the resident pool. Bose is back at it again finally!

Looking forward to comparisons to the Revolve+. I don't mind paying $400 more if it sounds much better.

Which is better, my soundcore x600, or this Bose Max?

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

Great review David - as usual. Thorough and comprehensive, just like most of the time. I really appreciated the blind test though. That was an important contributor to the review and their responses to the pricing was predictable and relatable. I like the idea of this speaker and All the things that Bose is trying to do with it. However ... and of course there would be a however... haha. I have the Bose Sound link Revolve+ and I have e two of them. I also have the SoundLink Portable Speaker of old which I think this one is replacing. (That speaker still sounds fantastic) The Soundlink Revolve+ speakers in stereo pair are utterly subline and have been for years. Together they sound better and louder then the soundlink portable speaker. That is really saying something. They are amazing. When I use them outside - their fill a garden with absolutely no problem. They are also truly omnidirectional speakers so the sound really is everywhere. Having them as a stereo pair means each speaker is doing just one channel's work and that makes that single speaker sound better than if it was doing both channels. This means as a stereo pair you get a more detailed sound than when you listen to just one on its own. You get more of the music. I say this because not having the stereo sound is a real problem for Bose here. Tye did this with the Portable Home Speaker and I think that hurt it's chances. It is a great speaker but does not have stereo pairing capability. I have heard the Flex and I think it would be great in stereo pair and would even possibly be able to deliver lower registers of bass. I liked that speaker but did not find that it went low enough so I was missing some of my music - could not abide that. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay A1 was a better deliverer of that sound and goers a little lower. In stereo they are just another thing altogether. I am glad Bose have made this speaker sound like a stereo speaker but as you mentioned true stereo is only achieve d with actual distance between drivers. Having stereo pairing allows you to implement that distance when they finally do it - they might have a world beater on their hands but till then - it will be a, no doubt, good attempt but I suspect they don't get the cigar yet. What do you think. Do you think that stereo pairing is as important as I am making out and are you happy to have the mono speaker setup? (Most people are not even bothered at all by it - it drives me crazy haha) Am I alone ins having this desire for the stereo capability of Bluetooth speakers?

I wish they could allow for 2.1 wireless pairing setups. This + two Flex'es as R and L channels would be a monster portable setup!

Appreciate this video with the reactions.

Make some comparisons in the future 😁, Move 1,2 JBL extreme, HK onyx, go play 3 etc,also you can compare vs 2 units like x2 Flex,x2 ult field , 2xmotion 300 etc

I haven't heard it in personal. Sure it's fine. But as you said, you can get a boombox or partybox for the same or nearly the same price. Or two flexes easily fit in your backpack.

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?

Good to have comparison with Sonos move 2

$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

How many bluetooth devices can be connected at the same time?

I have had 4 Bose BT speakers. Great sound but, but, the iOS app, connectivity and sync for party mode are a nightmare!!

Finally bose added dome tweeter!

Can it be charged/wall-powered while in use?

Did you listen to any well-mixed stereo tracks on this? I disagree, the stereo image of the max is accurate and for the quality of bluetooth. I can perceive a 20-30 foot sound stage in a good room. The curtains completely ruined their stereo experience.

Direct competition is probably the Sonos Move 2

Which is a better choice, Bose SoundLink Max or JBL Xtreme 4,in comparison of sound quality, maximum volume and bass

I like Bose really much..but at 399 you get the field 7 so idk what they were thinking with the price of max

You can buy a Harman Kardon go play 3 or JBL party box 120 for that price

Great review as always good sir. I always read and watch your reviews first before I buy. I have the Flex and your take into it is spot on. Kudos to you.

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!

Does this sound better than the JBL 3 or 4?

You give great reviews thanks I’ll stick with the flex they are making it in so many color like JBL THE MAXWAY OUT OF MY PRICE RANGE AND THE MICRO TIME TO UPDATE TO USB C AND PRODUCE IT IN VIBRANT COLORS THE ORANGE EAS THE BEST

I will stick with my jbl boombox 2 for now ive had it since summer 2021 would like to get a soundlink mini 2 special edition

i’ll just wait a year or so until it goes on sale. my flex is treating me just well

On the high side 269 USD would have been ideal

日本在住で２０年前からBOSEを愛用していて生活するうえでBOSEのスピーカーは欠かせません　この新商品　早く買いたいです❤

Watts?

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.

Is this a stereo (1 driver each side)?

With Soundcore offering a proper speaker for around 100 bucks, instead of 400, this is insane!

I like this simplest design 😢 but can't afford

Bose I've never been more disappointed in my life you really just point me😮😢

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

Wow the first reviewer!! Lets see if it kills the JBL BB3 and Tribit Stormbox Blast

Quien me puede dar la lista de canciones que hacen la prueba

That's the best review I have ever witnessed.period.

The flex is truly the best product Bose has made. It’s not overpriced, and truly lives up to the Bose name. Bose was undoubtedly the first company to make a good sounding Bluetooth speaker with its Soundlink Mini, but their revolve series was a big step down, especially when other manufacturers (looking at you, JBL) had caught up and produced better sounding speakers than the Soundlink Mini. Finally, Bose is back in the competition with the flex.

Name of the speaker next to the bose??

I’m sure it’s wonderful sound but 400$ it’s for those who truly loves BOSE and will overlook Soundcore or UE Boom for fraction of that cost Imo 250$ is sweet price BOSE should be asking for this speaker especially it’s lucking microphone feature and not IP68

What does Bose have against tweeters?

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..

I’ll wait for the bootleg version on Temu.

Espero q no distorcione como la soundlink flex

bose should make a bigger soundlink mini , that's the best mini speaker ever

The Bose value proposition must take their top notch customer service into account. They are excellent.

I will be getting the Bose on release date on 5/19

In sure it's good. But just get 2 soundcore x600 and stereo pair them for that money

I have the flex the sound is fantastic. I paid 129 for it. 399 is way too much. I would rather have 2 flexes.

$399 and no Wi-Fi? No way. And I’m a Bose fan. I have a Sonos Roam and Bose needs to put out a WiFi speaker at $159-$199 price point

Love Anker

It’s a nice sounding speaker, but for $399.99? If you’re using it inside only, where you’ll be able to maximize its sound quality, sure. For outdoor use, there are larger, cheaper, & more, if not most important,much louder. Loudness is very critical while listening to in an outdoor environment. If you’re buying to strictly use indoors, the price is somewhat justified by what I mentioned above, & the fact that the outdoor elements won’t have the tear & wear effect, considering it does cost $400.00.

Lol - fastest I've ever been uninterested in a review - for that price?? There are fantastic speakers you can find at a fraction of the cost - big fan of the Sonos Roam, might not have as big a base and get as loud as this - but excellent high quality audio

Party Box 310 price. let that sink in

Why release it before you can pair 2. I'll wait.

Great 👍 video.

Want stereo sound? Go for Emberton 2!

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="336">5:36</a> college students usually don’t have $400 to spend unless they use their student loans

Boss it's the best speaker loud in nice

For that price, I’d rather have 2 flex’s. I have 1 now and it fits the bill for my needs.

$399 without a caller function is a crime...

I’ll stay with Bose sp1 pro.

Love all your reviews. I love the speaker but would not spend that amount, even a possible sale price.

thats what she said ... <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="486">8:06</a>

It it so nice with its portability since my blast is too bulky but 3 hours for 400usd😂😂😂 is insane

lol I own 2 JBL partybox 110, and 2 beolit 20s and a devialet phantom I plus some aka beolab 9s $$$ This speaker Immediately impressed me with the sound WIDTH not the bass which is also insane… 400 is well priced IMHO

Very cool!

They should at least drop the price 50$ on sale by Christmas HOPEFULLY😊

Wait till it goes on sales… yup

Why not create a Soundlink Mini big alternative. Good material, good design, good sound.

Bring back the Bose 300.

$200.00 is the attractive prize!

It's a new product. Price range is expected. They will make money on its early days then offer it to real Bose people. Flex is only good if you are after portability. But sound-wise, Revolve is way better not to mention the looks. Even if you buy 2 of them. But, of course, it depends on whoever is listening. Just my take...

*That’s what she said… <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="487">8:07</a>

I’ll wait for a sale also 😂

399 ain’t bad tbh

How are they going to charge that much for a speaker and it doesn’t even include line-in audio?

Release? Price ?

Design problem . Missing that form that make you to buy it just becouse you like the form of it .

400 and I cant answer the phone or add another speaker???? Aint no way bra!!!