Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: a wonderful pint-sized social gathering speaker with superior audio
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: two-minute overview
When you’re searching for a modern, trendy transportable Bluetooth speaker, you’ll wrestle to discover a better-looking various than the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2. This small speaker assumes a compact, curved type with a sturdy rubber physique and engaging metallic-looking grille. However it’s greater than only a fairly face.
The Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 plates up impressively highly effective audio for its dimension, with commendable ranges of element and surprisingly good instrument separation. Because of this, you get a layered, clear listening expertise that can preserve you tuned into your favourite tracks for hours on finish. Sound high quality can get a contact harsh and unstable at prime volumes, however for the overwhelming majority of the time, it steers nicely away from tinniness and distortion.
Audio within the treble is communicated with delicacy and finesse, with mids additionally sounding as wealthy as you’d hope to listen to from among the greatest Bluetooth audio system on this dimension and weight class. Bass – though not delivering as a lot affect as a large-sized social gathering speaker – has strong depth and dynamism too. You possibly can, in contrast to its unique gen predecessor, alter EQ settings on the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2. Simply obtain the Bose app and swap issues as much as your liking. Nevertheless, there’s a disappointing lack of presets (4 that enhance or cut back both bass or treble), so that you’ll seemingly have to manually alter audio with the app’s three-band equaliser.
However you don’t solely get a robust audio efficiency from the SoundLink Flex Gen 2, you additionally get glorious construct high quality and sturdiness. This Bluetooth speaker has the IP67 dustproof and waterproof score, that means it could possibly survive being dunked below a meter of water for half an hour. Fairly spectacular. On prime of that, it has a sturdy exterior, discreet toes that preserve it standing and a customizable shortcut button, which I personally used to activate my voice assistant. Design-wise, this actually is the full-package.
And even within the options division, the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 has a strong quantity to work with. In fact, the Bose app opens up a whole lot of this, together with the aforementioned EQ settings and shortcut button customization. However it additionally allows you to view gadgets related through multi-point, change auto-power off time and even title the speaker from an inventory of random names (mine was Pint Dimension Celebration). And like its first era ancestor, the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 harnesses PositionIQ tech, which optimizes audio output relying on the speaker’s orientation.
The re-utilization of PositionIQ is welcome, nevertheless it does hammer dwelling one thing plain concerning the SoundLink Flex Gen 2. It’s similar to the unique Bose SoundLink Flex. Not solely does it look virtually equivalent, nevertheless it additionally has a like-for-like sound profile. Maybe most frustratingly, the newer variant has the identical battery life – simply 12 hours – which is just a little underwhelming when you think about recently-released rivals, just like the Beats Capsule, supply a for much longer playtime.
Having mentioned that, the addition of EQ choices and a extra up-to-date Bluetooth model is a noticeable enchancment. Is it value upgrading for homeowners of the unique SoundLink Flex? Maybe not. However if you need a brand new Bluetooth speaker, this actually stands by itself 4 toes as a really robust choice. So, for those who’re new to the SoundLink Flex line and desire a great-sounding transportable speaker for all environments, I’d advocate this one. In any other case, you might be higher served by another in our information to one of the best waterproof audio system.
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: worth and launch date
- $149 / £149.95 / AU$249.95
- Already appeared on sale
- Launched in September 2024
The Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 is a mid-priced choice within the transportable Bluetooth speaker market. It’s obtainable in a pleasant vary of colours, together with: Alpine Sage (inexperienced); Black; Sandstone (brown); and my private favourite, Blue Nightfall.
It has an inventory worth of $149 / £149.95 / AU$249.95, though I’ve already seen it obtainable for $119 / £119 (about AU$180). Given it solely launched in September 2024, that’s fairly an attractive worth – although it nonetheless has sizzling competitors. Rivals just like the JBL Flip 6, as an illustration, have been discounted to as little as $79 / £79 on Amazon.
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: specs
| Weight | 1.3lbs / 0.59kg |
| Dimensions | 3.6 x 7.9 x 2.1 inches / 90.4 x 201.4 x 52.3mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Speaker drivers | Not specified |
| Waterproofing | IP67 |
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: options
- Companion app compatibility
- Speaker pairing for stereo mode
- PositionIQ tech
Maybe the largest improve the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 has over its predecessor is that it really has a companion app. It’s not obtained a ton of fancy options, nevertheless it’s just about a must have for contemporary Bluetooth audio system in my opinion – and it is a fairly slick, clean-looking app too.
So, let’s begin with crucial operate – EQ settings. These have been absent final time, and though it’s good to have some customizability, they’re really fairly disappointing. There’s a grand whole of 4 presets: Bass Increase; Bass Reducer; Treble Increase; and Treble Reducer. Wow, actually? Certain, you possibly can manually alter EQ throughout three bands (Bass, Mids, Treble), however I might’ve most popular to see extra depth right here – perhaps some genre-specific presets, as an illustration.
So what else does the app have? Firstly, it has a Supply choice, to toggle Multi-point – a helpful characteristic – on or off and examine related gadgets. It additionally has an choice to alter the operate of the Shortcut button to Speaker Hyperlink (to pair Bose audio system), Voice Assistant or Spotify Resume – fairly neat. These are good additions in my opinion, making for a decently well-rounded in-app expertise – even when EQ choices are a bit missing.
However there’s extra: the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 continues the usage of PositionIQ. This basically gives positional compensation, that means that the speaker can optimize audio output relying on its placement and orientation – fairly cool for a small Bluetooth speaker like this that’s made to be used in a spread of environments. As well as, you possibly can pair this speaker with one other with a view to entry Stereo audio output – however frustratingly, that is locked to Gen 2 fashions alone. I can’t assist however suppose that backwards compatibility with the unique mannequin would’ve been an actual incentive for homeowners to go for the improve, so this appears like a little bit of a missed alternative.
Though this speaker has a USB-C port, you’re not in a position to make use of this for music output. There’s additionally no 3.5mm port, so it’s going to be wi-fi play solely, guys. For me, this isn’t a problem, however the choice can be a pleasant contact.
Lastly, this speaker presents pretty common battery life. It could possibly ship roughly 12 hours of playtime with music at round 50% quantity – the identical as its predecessor and similarly-price rivals just like the JBL Flip 6. Some could really feel that merely matching its predecessor isn’t sufficient and what’s extra, there are a whole lot of similarly-sized Bluetooth audio system that may supply superior numbers. Simply have a look at the Beats Capsule, as an illustration, which provides an superior 24 hours of playtime.
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: sound high quality
- Balanced, punchy sound
- Spectacular dynamism and instrument separation
- Bass could also be just a little skinny for some
On the SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s field, Bose says that “you’ve by no means had a sidekick that sounds this good”. And for a lot of, that could be true – this speaker does supply balanced, pleasingly nuanced audio. However regardless of its skills, I might argue that audio isn’t fairly S-tier high quality.
One purpose for that is that music generally is a little tough across the edges at excessive volumes. When tuning into As If Waltz by Geordie Greep, I felt that the observe sounded virtually compressed at 90%-100%, with treble a contact abrasive and vocals missing the crisp readability I heard at decrease quantity ranges. This was a problem we additionally recognized in our overview on the SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s predecessor, however like that mannequin, quantity can climb surprisingly excessive for the speaker’s dimension, so for those who’re not maxing out loudness, this seemingly received’t have an effect on you.
Moreover, some could discover that bass isn’t fairly as impactful as they’d like, particularly for bigger rooms or extra open areas. Though bass is responsive and sharp, it may be a contact skinny, particularly out of the field. You possibly can treatment this, partly, by upping bass ranges within the Bose app, simply don’t anticipate the increase of a bigger social gathering speaker. When listening to The Boys Are Again in City by Yung Gravy, I discovered that the imposing, in-your-face low-end felt just a little constricted. A major issue right here is, after all, the SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s dimension – it’s no beefy Boombox. In case your predominant focus is ground-shaking low-frequency audio, you would possibly wish to think about a bigger choice, just like the Earfun UBoom X or Bose SoundLink Max, as an illustration.
However anyway, that’s sufficient moaning. I wish to be clear, the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 does, in reality, sound superb and it’s going to supply a big sonic step-up from virtually any finances transportable speaker. Why? Properly there are just a few key causes. To start with, instrument separation is fairly robust. When enjoying St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins, the nice and cozy double bass, forward-sounding sax, sporadic percussion and funky keys all occupied surprisingly separate areas, combining for a satisfying pay attention.
On prime of that, instrumental and vocal parts sound pure and detailed. As an illustration, the drum solo in St. Thomas sounded genuine with even the burden of every drum hit sounding discernible and true to life. The rainfall initially of Rains once more by Solji additionally maintained its meant sound, with out coming via like static or a muffled, crackling mess. Vocals additionally had a breathy, delicate high quality that many low cost alternate options miss out on.
I’ll circle again to bass as nicely. As I discussed earlier, it’s not precisely thunderous, nevertheless it does have strong depth and a good chew for a small speaker. I listened to I Need You by Moloko on each the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 and a finances choice – the Tribit Stormbox 2 – to establish the important thing advantages of splashing some further money. And bass readability was one of many key enhancements. With the Bose speaker, bass was neatly separated and had a extra correct tone than Tribit’s various – which served up a barely muddied, muffled sound compared.
One other track with a whole lot of low-end emphasis – Black Eye by Allie X – produced related outcomes. The depth of the drum machine was replicated with way more finesse utilizing Bose’s audio system, with the Tribit providing a extra dulled sound. The dynamism of the bass connecting as much as the decrease mids was additionally way more spectacular with the SoundLink Flex Gen 2, so for those who’re prepared to spend extra on a Bluetooth speaker, you’ll actually hear the distinction, that a lot is definite.
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: design
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof score
- Engaging look with stylish colour choices
- Easy, well-sized button controls
So maybe unsurprisingly, I’d argue that the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s design is definitely its standout side. It seems to be very related – no, virtually equivalent – to its predecessor, however I’m not complaining; it was a really nice-looking mannequin.
This speaker has easy, curved corners, a rubbery physique and superbly completed speaker grille. It’s obtainable in a very nice set of colours too. These aren’t eye-poppingly vibrant, more-so stylish and refined. The unit I reviewed got here in Blue Nightfall – a very stunning medium-blue colour that’s neither boring or overbearing. It’s oriented to take a seat lengthways too and has 4 refined bumps that act as a base for the speaker to face on.
And that ties right into a incredible side of the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 – it’s equally as sensible as it’s fairly. Firstly, it has a fairly sturdy design, partly because of its rubber outer casing, which implies it ought to be effective to throw round (to an extent) and able to taking just a few falls. It additionally has the IP67 dustproof and waterproof score, that means it received’t succumb to an premature dying, even when submerged below a meter of water for as much as half-hour. It additionally has a helpful cloth tab that you should utilize to connect the speaker to a bag or belt.
Lastly, the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 has a strong set of onboard controls. You get energy, Bluetooth, shortcut, quantity up/down and play/pause buttons. All of those are completely sized and are tremendous clear – there’s no second-guessing what does what. There’s, nonetheless, a consumer guide and ideas part within the Bose app, so that you’ll have the ability to get one of the best out of your speaker. Actually, there’s nothing I didn’t like concerning the SoundLink Flex Gen 2’s design – it’s a real factor of magnificence – nevertheless it doesn’t skimp on ease-of-use or sturdiness both.
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: worth
- Not the most affordable speaker on the market
- However already obtainable on sale
- Clear high quality enchancment over finances choices, too
Relating to worth, the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 finds what I’d name a cheerful medium. The underside line is, this isn’t an affordable, finances product – nevertheless it’s not a top-of-the vary, premium choose both.
And I’d argue that the standard you get right here matches that worth profile properly. Audio high quality – though not mind-blowing – is superb and skips on the muddy, constricted sound you get from a whole lot of finances choices. However you additionally get a shocking design and a good sufficient feature-set besides, which actually assist to justify the value tag.
You possibly can already get this unhealthy boy on sale too. I headed over to Amazon within the US and the UK and noticed this factor on low cost, so that you received’t have to spend so much greater than $120 / £120 for those who’re savvy. That’s actually not too unhealthy given the standard on present – and given it’s predecessor was solely a contact much less. So once more, it is probably not the last word budget-friendly choose, however the SoundLink Flex Gen 2 nonetheless earns its preserve.
Ought to I purchase the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2?
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Options | App is a welcome addition, however EQ choices are restricted and battery life is common. | 3.5/5 |
| Sound high quality | Balanced, detailed sound, however generally is a bit edgy at highest volumes. | 4/5 |
| Design | Attractive design, stylish colour choices, good button controls, IP67 rated. | 5/5 |
| Worth | Tasty sound high quality, swell design, not the most affordable, however not precisely overpriced. | 4/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: additionally think about
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 | JBL Flip 6 | Sonos Roam 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $149 / £149.95 / AU$249.95 | $129.95 / £129.99 (about AU$175) | $179 / £179 / AU$299 |
| Weight | 1.3lbs / 0.59kg | 1.21lbs / 0.55kg | 0.96lbs / 0.44kg |
| Dimensions | 3.6 x 7.9 x 2.1 inches / 90.4 x 201.4 x 52.3mm | 7 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches / 178 x 68 x 72mm | 6.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches / 168 x 62 x 60mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi |
| Battery life | 12 hours | 12 hours | 10 hours |
| Speaker drivers | Not specified | 1x 20W woofer; 1x 10W tweeter | 1x tweeter, 1x mid-woofer |
| Waterproofing | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 overview: how I examined
- Examined for one week
- Predominantly used on the Future Labs music testing house
- Primarily examined utilizing Tidal on FiiO M11S
I spent hours listening to music on the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2, testing it throughout numerous EQ modes and quantity ranges. I predominantly used the speaker in our music testing room at Future Labs to greatest choose audio high quality and validate battery life claims.
When listening to tunes, I predominantly tapped into Tidal on the Fiio M11S hi-res music participant. I streamed tracks from our rigorously curated TechRadar reference playlist in addition to a bunch of songs from my private library. This included songs with deep bass, high-pitched vocals, and complexly layered mixes, enabling me to listen to the speaker’s full vary capabilities and dynamism throughout totally different frequencies. I additionally used the Tribit Stormbox 2 to carefully assess the enhancements this Bose speaker can supply over a extra finances mannequin.
- First reviewed: December 2024
- Learn extra about how we take a look at
