Bose SoundLink Flex review: Mini but mighty good

Bose's latest Bluetooth speaker not only sounds better than the competition, but it's actually a good value at $150, which could be a surprising thing to say about anything from Bose. CNET's David Carnoy compares it with some of the best Bluetooth mini speakers and tells you why it should be near the top of your short list if you're looking for a travel-friendly wireless speaker that's fully waterproof.

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00:00 Intro
00:52 Design & Features
02:44 Speaker quality
03:31 Music quality
04:39 The competition
07:09 Stereo pair
07:40 Conclusion

[Xafaro]

Excellent review! Those of us over 50 years old can confirm what I am going to say: bass is important, yes... but when you have years of experience and have listened to various speakers of different classes, ranges, and brands... you become convinced that the most important thing is not the bass nor the power... this eventually becomes tiresome and boring due to the novelty of new and unusual sounds... what years and experience seek is clarity at all frequencies. That no frequency is competing with another one to reach your ear... Rather, they work in unison and in harmony, to bring forward the sound that only Bose knows how to do and only those who have or have had a Bose product know what I mean.

[cactusmanbwl]

I recently bought a 2 pack from Best Buy for $250 and have to say I am blown away with how good they sounds paired together.

[kvechannel]

it's unbelievable how good it sounds. Like real high end speakers.. even at low volume. I was afraid to spend so much money on such a small loudspeaker, but I was not disappointed. It's worth every penny.

[isometrus]

Excellent speakers. Bought first one in gray. Me and my wife were so impressed from such a big sound of that small mono speaker that purchased second one the next day. Was an very good decision. The stereo mode sounds outstanding. Clarity, tonality and balance are excellent as the surprisingly big soundstage. Seems like some people have issues connecting both speakers in party/stereo mode and the user manual is not really informative. Here's the right way to do it easy.
Party/Stereo mode using the speakers buttons:
-Connect your phone to speaker 1
-Turn "On" the speaker 2
-Press BT button and "+" button at same time on speaker 1
-Then press BT button and "-" button at same time on speaker 2
- The speaker's voice say that speakers are connected in "Party Mode" (both mono).
-To turn on the "Stereo mode" or switching between stereo and party mods, just press the BT and "+" on one of the speakers. No matter on which one.
Another important thing for quick and stable connection is to rename at least the one speaker of the pair through the app. That way they will not have the exact same name confusing the streaming device connection and it would be staying connected rock solid to the first speaker only. Actually I'm impressed by the very solid bluetooth connection on both single and pair mode of these speakers. And the stereo mode is mind blowing. Most of the YouTube videos that playing the stereo mode sound are far from the real life sound of the speakers when they are properly positioned in the room in form of a big triangle regarding the listener's position. The real sound is very clear, big and airy, with nice 3D holographic effect present, audio effects coming from each direction and behind me when the track is mastered that way, exactly like this happens when listening to my carefully positioned Mission HiFi speakers. They can be very loud also. Often listening on those small bluetooth speakers for fun with friends in my medium living room next to my main HiFi setup, placing the small Bose on top of my stand mounted speakers, playing some funny recorded track, then telling them that actually the big speakers are "off" and silent and the sound comes only from the tiny gray Bose on top which playing at 60%. My friends always had the illusion that the big speakers are playing and had been shocked from the big sound of the small Soundlink Flex.

[ilovepugs]

The target near my house is remodeling and their removing the elctronics sections so everything is on clearance. I got a white bose soundlink flex for $44.95 !!!!

[ctran]

It’s been a long time since I bought my Bose soundlink color for like $120 many years ago. I compared it with the UE boom at home and the UE boom had…. No bass frankly. I feel like many people hate on Bose for being overrated but…. It’s always sounded nice and rich to me, and the speakers aren’t much more expensive than the competitors. It was my first Bose product and I really enjoyed it. I don’t use it too much anymore since I don’t go anywhere lol. Part of me wants a new toy but I should be realistic haha

[trojanjoe]

I’ve always been a bose fan since I was literally a kid starting off with the larger CD player one my mom use to have. I just got an add for a discount $125 for this and jumped at the opportunity based on the Bose name and associated sound quality. This review just made me much more excited to receive it before my birthday lakehouse trip in two weeks. Thanks!

[meatwad]

I bought the Bose soundlink mini 8 years ago. Still going great after a battery change. BT speakers were the rage then. It was on the expensive side but a comparison with the other popular ones at Best Buy, this one was a lot better. Avoided that ‘tin can ‘ sound. Unfortunately seems like not much progress in sound quality in 8 years. Probably due to size constraints

[cndns]

I just got the blue Bose flex speaker on Black Friday sale for $119. I couldn't be more thrilled. Go and get yours while they're still on sale.

[kiransingh]

I am using soundflex and I love its sound. It's the best sound yet for its Bluetooth speakers

[tarvinder]

I recently bought this speaker and there is no other speaker that comes close this whole overall package. The bass is so deep and awesome. The trebles are so clear. I have compared this with sony xb33 and jbl charge and flip etc.. The Marshall comes close but on that when u increase the volume it goes so flat.. This this Bose is out of the league and really surprised by everything. Its also so compact. Put bose in the corner of the room and u will feel a sound theater playing.

[chrissyt]

I bought a Bose SoundLink Micro after using a much larger UE Boom for years - omg what a difference! The hand palm sized Bose Micro brings out a much wider variety of frequences and beats the boom by miles, strong soundscape for Jazz and Classical music, too. Plenty sound and volume for our small London apartment and very minimalist look.

[BabeWest]

For anyone wondering, the song playing at the 4:00 mark is “Time for Miracles” by The Cave Birds….and yes the buzzing is part of the song. Probably not the best song to use for a speaker review.

I made my phone Shazam itself…for us, you’re welcome.

[KAIYUHAHN]

still using my bose soundlink mini ii 5years without battery damage and last sept. 10 i buy my new bose flex sound link stone blue great performance and quality

[readerrabbit]

I’m so glad you compared it to the jbl charge cuz these are the exact 2 speakers on sale today that I’m trying to decide between 😂

[saurabhsukhdeve]

I like its shape, it help in producing depth in the audio 🔥

[jamiepersona]

Omg just got this today the bass and clarity is off the chain I bought another one immediately and paired them

[Damon]

I’m a little late, almost a year, but just purchased this speaker and the sound is amazing, I liked it so much I only wish I bought the pair to save $ as I immediately ordered a second one and they really sound fantastic in stereo mode.

[raygutierrez]

I just bought one, it's truly great for movies
Sound detail is #1 with perfect base and treble..

[pierjade]

Please do a comparison with the Bose sound link mini II special edition which is still extremely popular and costs a little more. Which one has the better sound. I think you'll get a lot of hits on such a video