I say a "somewhat" portable iPhone and iPod speaker dock, because though the Bose SoundLink Air can be powered by a battery, the SoundLink Air doesn't include one - Bose's rechargeable lithium-ion battery is an additional pay-for option. My review unit didn't include the battery, so I couldn't test the SoundLink's portable features. See all speaker reviews.
The all-black SoundLink Air measures 307x103x171mm; it weighs 2.1kg. I rarely comment on power bricks in my speaker reviews, but the SoundLink Air's is worth mention (sadly, not to praise it): Though I appreciate the integrated cable-storage groove, the wall-wart style power brick is massive. That width is the biggest problem, since it blocked at least two - and often three - outlets on the power strips I tried it with; it also blocks both outlets in a standard two-outlet wall plate.
On the front of the SoundLink Air, near the top, sits its single LED, which indicates whether the speaker is successfully connected to a Wi-Fi network. When I first started testing the system, I thought there were no buttons save for the Reset button on the base of the unit. In fact, though, a pair of nearly invisible volume buttons sit on the right-hand side of the unit. You use either your AirPlay audio source or the included thin, plastic remote (4.3 inches tall and 1.5 inches wide) to control playback. The remote includes power, mute, volume, auxiliary-input, play/pause, previous, and next buttons.
If you're paying close attention, you'll note that this means that there is no power button on the speaker itself. Unless you want to unplug and later plug in the Sound Link Air to turn it off and on, you'll need to use the power button on the remote.
On the back of the unit, you'll find a connector for the power brick, a 1/8-inch (3.5mm) auxiliary-input jack, and a Micro-USB port. That last one is used only during the setup process: You visit bose.com/wifisetup on your computer to download an app (available for Mac and Windows) for configuring the speaker system; during this process, you connect the SoundLink Air to your computer using the included Micro-USB cable. Alternatively, you can hold down the Reset button on the SoundLink Air, which creates an ad-hoc wireless network; you then connect your computer to that Wi-Fi network and direct your browser to the SoundLink Air's special IP address for setting up the unit.
Once the SoundLink Air is successfully on your wireless network, you can send music (or other audio) to it from any compatible AirPlay device, such as any iOS device or iTunes on your computer. When you do, you'll be treated to satisfying, room-filling sound. The speaker can get very loud, though I did notice occasional discrepancies with volume-level behavior: When I used the speaker's remote to adjust volume, the iTunes 11 volume slider didn't consistently move along with it, the way it normally does when controlling an AirPlay speaker. However, the volume slider on my iOS devices did move in tandem when streaming to the SoundLink Air from my iPhone or iPod. This may well be an iTunes 11 issue, and it's a minor one at that.
The SoundLink seems tuned to boost bass levels relative to other frequencies; if you like a little extra kick, you'll like the effect. The overall sound is otherwise crisp and clean. I did notice a bit of low-end distortion at peak volumes when playing bass-heavy music, but dialing down the volume a smidgen alleviated that distortion quickly.
Comments
ajake said: I know Sonos well Its now at all what Im after Their speakers suck sorry to all the Sonos fans but really - they do including the sound bar The amps are not great either Probably the best products they have are the little vanilla receiver boxes that put out digital audio - but you cant use these with stereo or multi channel speaker What I need is wireless speakers that can give me audio on par with a really great Hi-Fi system not lifestyle convenience I have put in a pre-order for the Moos BTW - will let you know how I go once I get them still not shipping tho
Bob said: Try looking at SONOS might be worth a look if nothing else
Spicynoodle said: Well there you have it If its not available for Linux its pretty much shit
ajake said: Great to read a balanced review Im looking at wireless speaker options and have spent time looking at a whole lot of stuff I even made my way into a Bose store - I know embarrassing to admitMy conclusion on the Bose wireless options is that they are well unexciting probably the best way to put it Overblown bass agree with Lexs review average midrange and top end at best - ok for a boom box but definitely not a HiFi audio product Basically what you would expect from Bose just wrapped in wireless There are better options from BampW if you are after a boomboxsingle-box productWhat I am looking for are wireless speakers that qualify as real HiFi - products designed with excellent audio in mind So far I have come across only two contenders the Dynaudio Xeo which are quite good infinitely better than anything Bose has and the Moos Audio Mini Aero - which have the potential to be astonishingly good but I have not heard them from what Ive seen they got good writeups from CES reviewers plus an awardI would be curious if anybody knows of anything else worth looking at