(Credit: John P. Falcone/CNET)
There's a new portable Bluetooth speaker in town -- and it's got the
Jawbone Jambox and its wireless brethren squarely in its sights.
Bose today introduced the SoundLink Mini, a $200 wireless speaker that's
considerably smaller and less expensive than the company's earlier Bluetooth
offering, the SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II. That model
retails for $300 to $350, depending on whether you opt for a nylon or leather
cover flap.
The svelte speaker is 2 x 7.1 x 2.3 inches, and it's a looker. The frame
is a unibody aluminum enclosure surrounds tiny stereo drivers at each side,
flanking front and rear passive radiators in the center. 
Color sleeves will set you back $25 -- each.
(Credit: John P. Falcone/CNET)
Like all Bluetooth speakers, the Mini will stream audio wirelessly from
virtually any smartphone or tablet, plus any Bluetooth-enabled PC or audio
player (like all recent iPod Touch models). The speaker remembers up to six
devices, so you'll only need to sync once.
At 1.5 pounds, the Mini isn't as diminutive as some of the supertiny Bluetooth ultaportables now on the
market. But its metal housing gives it considerably more substance than most of
its plastic competitors as well -- this thing feels like something
that's worth $200, at least.
Another nice luxury on the Mini is its included charge cradle. But that
can stay in the house when you travel, since the included fold-up AC adapter
can also plug into the speaker's side. For the record, Bose claims seven hours
of playtime, and a three-hour recharge time.
While the cradle is a nice extra, everything else is gonna cost you -- big
time. Bose will sell green, orange, and blue colored sleeves for a whopping $25
each, and a carrying case will set you back $45.
The Bose SoundLink Mini (with charging cradle in the foreground)
(Credit: John P. Falcone/CNET)
A good first impression -- but enough to distinguish
it from the pack?
I was able to hear the SoundLink Mini in person (it was being demoed at the same event in Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal where Bose introduced its new QuietComfort 20 headphones). For such a tiny speaker, its sonic gravitas was palpable. Low-end bass was particularly meaty compared to what we've come to expect from the endless array of on-the-go portables. In that regard, the DNA of its elder sibling -- which also delivered excellent sound quality for its size -- was apparent.
It's a good thing the sonics are promising, because the SoundLink Mini is
against a mountain of competing products -- including many that deliver more
features for the same money (or less). The Jawbone Jambox, for instance, has a longer
advertised battery life (10 hours), and it doubles as a speakerphone (the Bose
does not). The Jambox is now widely available for $130, and in multiple colors
-- so there's no need to invest in expensive cosmetic sleeves. Or take the Logitech UE Boom -- that $200 model is rated at
15 hours of battery life, has speakerphone capabilities, and is water
resistant.(source: cnet)
I was able to hear the SoundLink Mini in person (it was being demoed at the same event in Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal where Bose introduced its new QuietComfort 20 headphones). For such a tiny speaker, its sonic gravitas was palpable. Low-end bass was particularly meaty compared to what we've come to expect from the endless array of on-the-go portables. In that regard, the DNA of its elder sibling -- which also delivered excellent sound quality for its size -- was apparent.
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