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Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker Review

Written By Louie Diangson
Published • January 31st, 2018
AudioGadget Reviews
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Bluetooth-enabled speakers are common nowadays, especially portable ones that you can easily carry with you. However, not all of them can deliver big sound with good quality in a small package. As for those that can, the Bose SoundLink Micro is one of them. Check out our review of this tiny speaker below.

Table of Contents

Design and Construction

Bose is known for its no-frills approach when it comes to the design of their speakers, and the SoundLink Micro is no exception. It features a rubber body in orange, black, and dark blue colors, which matches its rugged exterior.

On the front is the speaker grille along with the volume controls, multifunction button, and built-in microphone for hands-free voice calls and for interacting with Google Assistant or Siri.

Found on the top are the power button, the Bluetooth button, micro USB port for charging, and LEDs to indicate battery level and pairing status.

At the back are the speaker vent, four nubs to keep it steady on a flat surface, and a “tear-resistant” silicone strap so you can strap it on to a bike or bag.

The Bose SoundLink Mini is no bigger than the palm of your hand, which makes it easy to hold or carry. It’s thick, but the square shape makes it easy to store inside a small bag.

The silicone rubber exterior has good quality, rugged, yet feels nice to the touch. It is IPX7 certified, so it can survive a fall into a pool. If it gets dirty, just wash it under running water and it’s all good.

Bose didn’t mention if there’s any resistance to drops. While the rubber exterior can certainly absorb minor impact, we still suggest handling it with care.

Setup and Features

Setup is simple as you only need to turn on the device then press the Bluetooth button on the SoundLink Micro to initiate pairing. Just pair your mobile device with it and you’re ready to listen. A voice prompt will let you know its battery level and what device it is connected to. We would have liked it better if it had NFC, though.

We also recommend downloading the Bose Connect app to take advantage of features like Party Mode so you can pair it with a second SoundLink speaker, Auto-off Timer, and Software Updates.

One of the extra features we like on the SoundLink Micro is its built-in microphone with support for Google Assistant and Siri. We just need to press and hold the multifunction button and we can say our commands to the speaker directly. In a way, this turns the SoundLink Micro into a smart speaker. Sort of.

Sound Quality

This is the part that surprises us the most about the SoundLink Mini. It’s a tiny speaker, but the level of sound quality coming out of it is something we normally hear in bigger speakers. It’s not as good as Bose’s bigger and more expensive speakers like the SoundLink Color or SoundLink Mini, but it definitely sounds better than pocketable speakers offered by Sony and JBL.

Bass is deep and full and had no problems delivering our favorite hip-hop tracks. However, we noticed some distortion at higher volumes, especially in really bass-heavy tracks. We recommend keeping the volume below 90% for better bass performance.

Mids and highs, on the other hand, are dynamic and with a good amount of detail, so R&B, rock, or orchestral music shouldn’t be a problem. However, it could use some punch when delivering high-pitched vocals and percussions like piano and cymbals. We could be nitpicking though, as this is a tiny speaker and it’s unfair to demand something above its class.

One thing that frustrates us about the SoundLink Micro is its placement. With four nubs behind it, it is suggested to be placed on its back when on a flat surface. This means the sound is directed upwards and not to the user who is on the side. This is fine if you can just strap it on somewhere like your bike handle and have it face you, but as a desktop speaker, this is a bit frustrating. A built-in stand could have done the trick.

Battery Life

Bose says that the SoundLink Micro can provide up to 6 hours of listening time. Based on our experience we can actually get it up to 7 hours when the volume is set between 50 to 60%. It drops to around 5 hours when the volume is cranked up. Charging is done via a micro USB port and takes about 3 hours to charge to full. It comes with its own cable but no charger so you can use whatever smartphone charger you have lying around.

Conclusion

Bose says that the SoundLink Micro is “Tiny. Until you turn it on.” The company is actually spot on and successfully engineered a device that can throw a punch above its class. It sounds great, rugged but looks good, portable, and has a decent battery life. There are some trade-offs like the lack of NFC and built-in stand, but if you’re looking for a big-sounding speaker in a small package, the Bose SoundLink Micro is the one to get.

The Bose SoundLink Micro is available in Bose stores in the Philippines for Php6,990.

Bose SoundLink Micro specs:
3.87″ H 3.87″ W 1.37″ D (10.24 oz)
Micro-B USB port
Wireless range up to 30 ft (9 m)
Battery life up to 6 hours
Comes with USB charging cable

What we liked:
* Portable
* Good build quality
* Great sound for its size
* IPX7 water-resistant body

What we didn’t:
* No NFC
* No built-in stand