9.5.2017

Where to begin with the Bose SLC II? There's a reason Bose are one of the most popular audio products on the market, their effortlessly cool designs and audio quality has always been of the highest quality. Now with the latest iteration of the of the Soundlink Color series it aims to make a dent in the ever so trendy Bluetooth speaker market. So what has changed? Well let’s look at the design and build of the speaker. The original SL was a fairly smooth plastic that was topped off with a little rubber feel trim on top of the speaker and sides. The new updated model however is covered completely in a soft touch rubber plastic, which is generally becoming the norm for IPX-4 certified devices.The soft rubber coating is also apparently UV resistant as well, and OK that might not seem that interesting, but if you're investing in a speaker in this premium part of the market, you want it to stand the test of time. As it can be used both indoors and outdoors (in the bright sunshine) then as with anything plastic left in the sun, it has a tendency so fade, but not so with the Bose. Smart thinking on their part. On the point of IPX-4 of course, this means that this device is water resistant, so is perfect for your days around the pool on holiday, but don't drop it in the pool, it’s certainly not waterproof, but it will definitely survive a heavy rain shower. Build wise, the speaker feels like a very quality item, there’s absolutely no question about it, and from the moment you open the packaging, to the time you get the speaker out, you know this product sits at the premium end of the market, and with both Bluetooth, NFC and external devices via the 3.5mm cable point, connectivity is well covered, and all devices are suited to the SLC II. Weighing in at just over 0.5kg, you get the impression that there are some really quality drivers in place within the device. Inside the unit there's a lithium ion battery which according to Bose will provide upto 8 hours of music playback time, a little on that later. To charge the device you can use any standard micro USB charger that you get with a phone or tablet, but please note too, this speaker does not include an AC adapter of any kind so please make sure you have a Micro USB charger lead available, which is incredibly important for Apple device users as your lightning cables will not do. As with the previous SLC series of course, Bose has issued the SLC II with the choice of several distinctive colour combinations, of which you can choose from Aquatic Blue, Coral Red, Polar White and Soft Black which I have reviewed here, and in truth it adds a little bit of fun to the range just as with previous SLC speakers.Reading the product information from Bose, they use the terms "Simplicity Tested" and "Ready for Life" to describe this speaker, and based on this I can assume it’s simply tested to survive the inevitable drops and knocks that will ensue during its life. It is most definitely simple to setup as well with a nice little Bose Connect app, which will download firmware updates to the product as well as control it of course. The only caveat I would add is that Bose do ask for some strange permissions such as location access for your device.The biggest issue facing any manufacturer who decides to go down the route of IPX certification is that the seals to protect the electronics and the drivers can add some issues in terms of sound quality. Now Bose have upgraded their drivers on this unit, in so much that they are now able to resist moisture from the outside but also provide a decent enough audio output. As with all Bose products and certainly the SoundLink series in general, they are known for providing a decent large sound stage in a small package. Compared with its predecessor, Bose have listened (pardon the pun) to their customer base and have added a few upgrades to its drivers. The SLC II, again like so many Bose products, places a large emphasis on low frequency tones and bass, and this is speaker is no different. Depending on the audio source you are listening too, the bass is solid and pounding, and for such a relatively small device it quite a surprise to hear this level of bass.With the drivers Bose has chosen to install in this unit, and with the sound processing on board, you also get that familiar Bose immersive (almost 3D like) surround sound. It really doesn't matter where in the room this speaker is placed, you get a feeling that there is more than one speaker working, which is truly amazing again considering the size. According to Bose this sound reproduction is possible due to the positioning of the drivers and two passive sound radiators located at the rear of the unit, so in effect the speaker is directing sound from every part of the unit. Now in terms of overall sound quality this is where it gets interesting. As I mentioned earlier, Bose have placed a heavy emphasis on the low frequency tones, so how does it cope with other types of audio? On the whole it does reasonably but in my opinion the distinct lack of treble gives certain audio a troubling muddy feel, almost like it’s underwater. Also with strong vocal tracks there's not much balance at all and in some cases the vocal track is lost in the strong low tones, but as with all portable speakers it’s all down to personal preference. Trying several different pieces of music from different genres highlights several interesting things about the SLC II. It is definitely suited to music that has no strong vocal tracks mixed with bass, but on the whole it works. Classical music is beautifully reproduced, and comparing it back to back with some of the markets most popular offerings the Bose unit blows them out of the water for absolute power and precision. So the question is, would I buy one? It’s a lot of money for a speaker sure, but you're getting a product that overall does what it says on the box, and does it well. The sound on the whole is excellent, but make sure you test it first with your own music catalogue before buying, and the addition of the IPX certification and rubberised exterior and supreme build quality quite frankly makes this an absolute winner for those who are travelling. The only major downside I could find was the battery life of the SLC II. Quoted outright as being able to support up to 8 hours of playtime, I managed approximately 5.5-7 hours maximum out of the unit. Which you have to take into consideration if you're going somewhere that doesn't have power to charge the unit. If you have an original SLC I, would you upgrade? In short, maybe not, as the additions are probably not worthwhile, and the sound quality is very similar. If however, you're new to portable Bluetooth/NFC speakers, then yes it’s a great buy, and I'd be more than happy having one in my suitcase ready for the pool or the beach. Big things do indeed come in small packages and Bose has come up with a winner in the SLC II.

30.4.2017

Bose Soundlink Color II SpeakerBose Website User ID: RobCT67SalfordWhen I first read about the Bose Soundlink Color II Speaker I was desperate to try it out. I just loved the choice of available colours , the fact it was light in weight only 1.2pounds means it's nice and easy to carry about.As I have many Bose products (I just love their top specifications, amazing quality, style and above all brilliant sound quality and clarity.So not surprisingly my expectations for the Bose Soundlink Color II Speaker were very high. When it arrived I couldn't unpack it quick enough and give it its first full charge.On opening it was a wow!! moment, nice sleek stylish modern design. I loved it.I'd chosen the red coloured version, sleek lines and modern colour was perfect.The instructions to set it up were simple, quick and easy to follow. It fully charged in only I initially set it up by Bluetooth to my iPhone 7 Plus. It linked instantly and couldn't have been simpler.The sound quality and streaming of music from my iTunes and other music stored on my phone was perfect with no loss of quality.The Bose Soundlink Color II Speaker delivers great sound. The Bass is nice and deep, and just what you expect from Bose.I found the Bluetooth range to be brilliant, I live in an apartment with concrete walls and found I could leave my phone in one room and use the Bose Soundlink Color II Speaker in other rooms with no distortion or loss of quality. The fact that it has a silicon body, makes it tough, impact and water resistant means I felt comfortable standing it my bathroom whilst I showered.Its durability meant as well as using in my house, I also took the Bose Soundlink Color II Speaker outside and again the sound was perfect as I sat listening to my music at the side of a lake. Again, there was no loss of sound quality or distortion.It's not often I fall head over heels for a product but with the Bose Soundlink Color II Speaker I have done.I just love it's sleek stylish design, amazing sound quality and it's simplicity in setting up and using.I also really like the fact the Bose Soundlink Color II Speaker quickly stores multiple (fast remembering the last 8 I used - a combination of Bluetooth mobiles, tablets, kindles etc). It's ability to remember the devices meant switching between them next time was simplicity itself.I found by downloading and using the Bose Connect App makes managing all of my Bluetooth devices even easier.I love the fact that at the touch of a button I could answer calls from my mobile, without having to take my mobile out of my pocket.The other thing that the Bose Soundlink Color II Speaker delivers is a good battery life, better than similar Bluetooth speakers. I found after giving my Bose Soundlink Color Bluetooth Speaker II a full charge I got just minutes under the stated 8 hours.I've raved about the Bose Soundlink Color II Speaker to my sister, parents and friends. My partner has been so impressed they now have one on order.Bose you keep going from strength to strength once again I feel you have excelled yourselves yet again, your new Soundlink Color II Speaker is a wonderful Bluetooth speaker and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone. Give it a go, you will not be disappointed.I'm happy to rate the Soundlink Color Bluetooth Speaker II a maximum score of 10.

2.5.2017

As more and more mid range Bluetooth speakers are being released, Bose has launched the Sound Link Color II with the aim to target the mass market. As a fervent fan of Bose who owns several Bose devices, I believe this product is good but does not tick all the boxes to make it the ultimate Bluetooth Portable speaker. Here are the reasons why;Product Design and Description:The Speaker is made of soft touch silicone (very good grip) and is extremely light (just under 0.6 Kg). It is easy to carry around in a ruck sack and can be taken outdoor as it is water proof. The absence of a handle is a turn off.All the 6 control buttons (power, bluetooth, volume controls, multi function button and for auxiliary audio connectivity)are located on the top of the device. The USB and Auxiliary connect points are located at the lower end of the unit. Overall, the design is quite standard and does not look that appealing. There’s no LED battery indicator although the Voice prompt does indicate whether the Battery is “High”, “Medium” or “Low”Product Specifications:Out of the Box, the following are included:1. The Speaker 2. A micro USB to USB Charger3. User Manual When the power button is pressed, an audible notification gives an indication for the battery status and the device it is paired with. The pairing (either Bluetooth or NFC) is almost flawless and it only took a few seconds when paired with my devices for the first time. Subsequently, it connects to the device as soon as the power button is pressed. I have tested it with different smartphones (Android and IOS) and have encountered no issues. When I turn off the Bluetooth functionality from my mobile device, the voice prompt states that the device has been disconnected.In terms of sound quality and clarity, it’s very good. It is rich and loud enough for a medium sized room. A big plus is that the speaker can rest either vertically or horizontally. Calls placed were clear enough and was no background interference or noise was identified from my end or the receiver of my phone call. The Voice Control also works well.The Battery Life lasted almost the full 8 hours when the volume was maintained below 50% throughout the listening period. I believe this is not sufficient considering the size of the speaker.Bose Connect:The integrated Bose Connect App encompasses several good features. When started, there’s an icon of the Speaker with information about the Battery Life. Additionally, I can skip to the next track although I cannot access my whole music library. The settings menu is quite generic and provides information about the device nametype of connections, the Auto-Off timer (can be set from 5 minutes to never), language and the User Manual. Here there’s no option to pair the device with a similar one.Final Verdict:The Bose SoundLink Color II is a good mid range Wireless Bluetooth Speaker which offers an excellent sound quality. It tends to lack certain key features (such as a handle or an LED battery life indicator and battery life of only 8 hours) to make it the ultimate portable mid range speaker.

2.5.2017

I had been looking for a quality portable Bluetooth speaker for some time to use in the garden and for camping trips. The Bose Sound Link Color II is a compact solid speaker, and really does deliver!!Sounds funny I know but the speaker feels great, the “silicon skin” offers great protection from those unwanted rain showers, along with a perfect surface to carry around, the non-slip surface gives me the confidence I won’t be dropping it!I think this little gem looks great, but more importantly sounds very good and is so easy to setup once out the box. Don’t go setting expectations of super surround sound with deep rumbling bass, as this speaker is not aimed for that market. However,do expect excellent sound quality, with just enough bass and very clear mid and high tones from a small compact unit. Having played a range of genres on the speaker, it handles them all really well. From indie to rock to dance and pop, they all sound great. More importantly this speaker sounds fab for such a portable unit, you will be pushed to find anything better!If you’re looking for a light weight solid built portable speaker, which you can just throw into your rucksack this seems to tick all the boxes. I have been using this a lot outside so far and the sound still travels well. The Bluetooth range also seems really good as I’ve had no dropouts at all so far.The battery life is excellent, played music over 8 hours off the one single charge.There is a useful 80’s style voice indicating whether the battery is Low Medium or High, and the same voice will also speak out when connecting devices to the speaker. If you pair your phone the speaker will also tell you who is calling when receiving a phone call which is useful. You can also answer the phone and use the built in mic to take the phone conversation, without actually touching your phone at all!I would also recommend using the Bose Connect App as this really does help with getting to use some of the great features. The app instantly picks up the speaker ready to play music to. Updates to the software is also a cinch to do. Bluetooth connections, voice prompts, auto off timer and the speakers name can all be managed from my iPhone using the app. The only thing missing is an equaliser to make finer sound adjustments. This can be overcome with a 3rd party app though.One thing that Bose really should supply with this speaker is a plug. All you get in the box is a USB cable to charge the battery with.I have been extremely pleased with the speaker so far, it doesn’t disappoint, big sound from a small unit. An excellent choice and one I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a speaker that sounds fantastic, and can be taken just about anywhere.

1.5.2017

I love Bose product but was a bit skeptical about Bose Soundlink color II Bluetooth speaker and expected the same quality and sound like other Bluetooth speakers, but I was wrong. When I opened the box you can see and feel an excellent quality product, its smooth and sleek design makes it easy to hold. You can carry Bose Soundlink color II anywhere you go, it’s lighter than I thought it would be above all its available in different color.The instructions are very easy and simple to set up the speaker. I have connected via Bluetooth with my iPhone and 5 other devices (Yes! you can connect 8 different devices). Bose Soundlink color II is clever and will remember which device you are using to pair so that you don’t have to remove and reconnect every device again and again.

16.5.2017

I wanted to try the Bose sound link color 2 as i was thinking of buying a bluetooth speaker, i have herd so many good reports about Bose equipment but never had the privledge of owning any,so when i was accepted to test the Bose sound link color 2 i was delighted. First thoughts when opening the box was how small the speaker was, my first thoughts where it would be nice and portable which it is as it has a built in battery, second thought was as it is small it is going to lack in audio quality well i was wrong on this one the performance of the Bose sound link color 2 blew me away, i have had the speaker 3 weeks now and still cant beleive how good it sounds,

1.5.2017

Having been looking for a rugged, well built bluetooth speaker for a while, I was a bit sceptical about whether this was just going to be another bluetooth speaker that promised a lot but delivered very little - how wrong could I be?? On opening the box, straightaway the feel and quality was evident. It has a weight to it but at just over half a kilogram, its not too heavy to carry in a bag or suitcase to take on holiday.The Soundlink Color II is extremely easy to set up - it took literally seconds to pair it via bluetooth to my phone and it can remember up to 8 devices (although we only have a couple paired currently) so no more having to keep reconnecting. Simply switch it on and away you go.

29.4.2017

The Bose Soundlink Colour II is THE bluetooth speaker to buy. When I unpacked it, I was sceptical based on the compact appearance of it, that it would generate a decent volume and the quality would not be great. How wrong was I!!!,It’s modern looking and would not look out of place in any home, especially with the 4 colour choices available (black, blue, white and red). However once I followed the really simple pairing instructions using the Bose Connect app. I was ready to go! Operation of it is really simple, the buttons are on the top of it! It was more than loud enough for a kid’s party which we used it for party games and could easily supply the music at a House Party. What makes this so good,

2.5.2017

My first impression of the Bose Soundlink Colour II, I love the design with the silicon cover which doesn’t show finger prints which also repels water, a must for any portable device.As I am not very technically minded so I was please to discover that I did not have to mess around the Bose Connect app made synchronising my phone to the Bose Soundlink Colour II straight forward.You can feel the quality of the Bose Soundlink Colour II as soon as you take it out of the box as it feels nice and solid, you get the impression straight away that you have purchased a quality product that will last.I was amazed by the deep rich sound produced by the Bose Soundlink Colour II given its size.Over the last

3.5.2017

The Soundlink colour 2 begs one question straight away… How on earth have Bose managed to squeeze such a monumental sound into such a small box?It has a rubberised black coating that is water resistant to splashing, and works just as well in the kitchen as bathroom. I have used this during a group presentation to ideally boost the sound from a laptop, so that the whole group could clearly hear the soundtrack.The speaker paired with all of my Bluetooth audio devices out of the box, with the press of a couple of buttons, and instantly transforms a music device into a room filling audio experience. Volume is super clear, even at higher levels, with bass being present at a good level, which is surprising,

1.5.2017

Very simple to set up, I had my speaker connected to my iPhone and listening to music within a couple of minutes of unboxing.The build quality is first rate and the rubberised finish gives you the confidence that it can be used pretty much anywhere without fear of damage from small bumps and knocks. This proved to be a very important feature to me as previously owned portable Bluetooth speakers have been left at home in fear of getting damaged - which totally defeated the object!The sound is very good for such a small unit with no real-life loss in audio quality at any volume and after a couple of hours' listening, makes my iPhone and iPad's own speakers sound like they are in a tin. Underwater.

2.5.2017

I wanted to experience this product as I am a high level athlete that trains daily indoors and outdoors and I find that headphones get in the way of my training. I had high expectations of this product as it is my first BOSE product, i had heard good things about sound quality. It was safe to say all my expectations were met, the clear quality of the sound and bass was great. I used this product mainly in a large sports hall during basketball workouts, the sound wasn't muffled or restricted. The speaker's durability is good, it was used outdoors in wet conditions for American Football practice and wiped down easily. Really easy to use, straight forward buttons, NFC connectivity makes connecting even easier.

28.4.2017

I was looking for a compact & portable Bluetooth speaker to take around with me & settled on the Soundlink Color Bluetooth11, I definitely made the right choice! After unwrapping it from its packaging & box, I was initially surprised at its small proportions, After charging it up any preconceptions I may have had on its size were quickly gone when I connected my phone to it. WOW what a deep, crisp sound it gives out & loud too! I couldn't believe the noise this compact & bijou speaker throws out. It has that tactile almost rubberised feel to it that oozes quality & feels tough at the same time. The operation buttons are across the top of its body, the micro usb & auxiliary inlets are low down on one side,

3.5.2017

The Look:Weighing in at just over a pound this speaker is incredibly light and easy to carry around. The colour is very bright, with plastic moulding also makes it splash and rain proof, perfect for the British weather!The Sound:Extremely easy to connect to your tablet or smart phone, using the Bose connect app. It will also store the last 8 devices for auto connection when using again. Simple!It also has a great feature which links to Siri, if you apple products, enabling you to utilise all the offerings such as voice commands.For such a small speaker if defiantly packs a punch, I’ve found for the best sound outputs its best placed about 50CM from a wall. We had a few people (10) over for a BBQ,

3.5.2017

I have had my Bose Soundlink colour 2 for about a week now. The fist thing I noticed is how robust and good looking the device is. Black. Simple. Buttons are responsive to the touch. The overall design is so smart. This speaker is sleek and super simple to set up. It is also splash proof so doesn't matter if it starts raining when using it outside. The range on it is excellent too. It exceeds what the specifications state. I had this set up in less than a minute. Once you have it connected to your Bluetooth device you will be blown away by the sound the Bose Soundlink colour 2 produces. It may be small but WOW does it pack a punch. Your songs are crystal clear and the bass is phenomenal.

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