Bose Soundlink Color II Bluetooth Speakers: A Comprehensive Review

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Compact Bluetooth speaker with camouflage pattern against a bright yellow background, ideal for outdoor use.
Credit: pexels.com, Compact Bluetooth speaker with camouflage pattern against a bright yellow background, ideal for outdoor use.

The Bose Soundlink Color II Bluetooth speakers are a popular choice among music lovers, and for good reason. They're compact, lightweight, and incredibly durable.

The speakers come in a range of vibrant colors, making them a great accessory for any music enthusiast. They're also waterproof, so you can take them to the beach or pool without worrying about damaging them.

One of the standout features of the Soundlink Color II is its impressive battery life. You can get up to 8 hours of playback time on a single charge, which is perfect for long days at the beach or pool.

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Design

The Bose SoundLink Color II is a sleek and compact speaker, measuring 5.3 by 5.0 by 2.3 inches.

Its slender design has rounded ends and a rubberized contour that's resistant to water, with an IPX4 rating, so it can withstand splashes and rain.

You can choose from four colors: black, coral red, light blue, and gray.

Curious to learn more? Check out: B& O Speakers

Credit: youtube.com, Bose SoundLink Color II Speakers | Our Point Of View

The front face of the speaker is emblazoned with the Bose logo and covered in grille perforations.

The left side of the speaker houses the connection for the micro USB charging cable and a 3.5mm aux input.

There are controls across the top panel for power, pairing, input, and volume.

The volume buttons work in conjunction with your mobile device's master volume levels.

A multifunction button controls playback, call management, and track navigation depending on how many times you tap it.

There's also a central NFC pairing zone for compatible mobile devices.

Performance and Sound

The Bose SoundLink Color II Bluetooth speakers deliver solid low frequency response on tracks with intense sub-bass content, but may sound like it's close to distortion at top volumes.

It's actually a clever feature that helps prevent distortion, and at slightly lower volumes, the bass sounds fuller and richer.

The highs on these tracks are well-represented, so things feel balanced.

Credit: youtube.com, Bose SoundLink Color II – Using the Speakerphone

The sound signature is also evident on tracks with less deep bass, like Bill Callahan's "Drover", where the drums aren't overpowering and the vocals sound boosted and rich.

The SoundLink Color II is also great at delivering clear and clean vocals, with no added harshness and only a slight hint of sibilance, as seen on Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild".

Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene in John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, get some added presence in the lows and low-mids that pushes the lower register instrumentation forward in the mix.

However, the spotlight still belongs to the higher register brass, strings, and vocals, which have a bright, crisp delivery that's the most prominent aspect of the mix.

In terms of power and clarity, the SoundLink Color II is a solid performer, earning an 8 out of 10 in sound quality testing, which puts it close to the top models.

Its slight shortcomings are only noticeable in direct side-by-side comparisons with other top-rated Bluetooth speakers, and even then, it's hard to point out any glaring deficiencies.

The sound is unmistakably Bose, with a very round and pleasing quality, but it's also a bit dull in the treble region and not particularly transparent.

This makes it more suitable for pleasant background music rather than a rousing party or sophisticated hi-fi listening.

Connectivity and Controls

Credit: youtube.com, Bose Soundlink Color 2 | Setup & Features

The Bose Connect app gives you easy access to everything your SoundLink Color II has to offer, allowing you to personalize your settings and enjoy music without the hassle of setup.

You can manage your speaker's Bluetooth connections with a single swipe, making it easy for everyone to take turns being the DJ.

The app also lets you easily switch between two connected devices, so you can quickly change the music source without any fuss.

The SoundLink Color II has a reliable wireless range of about 9 meters, making it easy to connect to devices from a distance.

Voice prompts guide you through the pairing process, making it simple to connect your devices and start playing music.

Complete Control

With the Bose Connect app, you get easy access to your speaker's features and settings. This means you can spend more time enjoying your music instead of fiddling with settings.

You can easily manage your speaker's Bluetooth connections with a single swipe, so everyone can have a turn at being the DJ. This is perfect for parties or gatherings.

Wireless Bose Speaker Soundlink Color II
Credit: pexels.com, Wireless Bose Speaker Soundlink Color II

The app also lets you turn it up with Party Mode to play two wireless speakers simultaneously. Or, switch to Stereo Mode for dedicated left and right playback, giving you a full and dynamic surround-sound experience.

A fully charged battery lasts for about eight hours, which is a decent amount of time for a party or outdoor gathering.

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Water Resistant

The SoundLink Color Bluetooth speaker II is designed to withstand the elements, making it perfect for outdoor use. Its water-resistant design allows you to take it by the pool or lake without worrying about damage.

You can toss it in a bag or backpack and take it anywhere, thanks to its compact durability. The wrap-around silicone body provides the protection you need to rough it out.

Its rounded shape and soft touch surface make it easy to carry in your hand, even for extended periods.

Battery Life and Volume

The Bose SoundLink Color II Bluetooth speakers are known for their impressive battery life. It lasted a full 13 hours in our test, well beyond its claimed life of 8 hours.

Close-up of portable Bluetooth speaker MS-1615BT in a vibrant outdoor setting.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of portable Bluetooth speaker MS-1615BT in a vibrant outdoor setting.

You can easily get a full day's worth of listening time, whether you're at the beach, by the lake, or just lounging around the house. This is plenty of juice for days of listening pleasure.

It's worth noting that the Color II's battery life earned a score of 5 out of 10, but that's still a respectable showing.

Battery Life

Bose tends to underestimate the battery life of its products, as seen in the SoundLink Color II, which lasted 13 hours in testing, far exceeding its claimed 8 hours.

The SoundLink Color II's battery life is plenty of juice for a day at the beach or by the lake.

Its impressive battery life earned it a score of 5 out of 10, which suggests that it's not the longest-lasting option, but still a great choice for casual use.

Volume

The Color II's volume capabilities are impressive, earning an 8 out of 10 in our testing, which is right up there with the best of them.

Bluetooth speaker resting on a tree branch during sunset in a serene outdoor setting.
Credit: pexels.com, Bluetooth speaker resting on a tree branch during sunset in a serene outdoor setting.

It retained its sound quality at higher volumes, only starting to sound a bit shrill at the absolute highest setting.

You can easily fill a small apartment with sound without sacrificing quality, making it perfect for large groups or a board game night.

Just be aware that it might not be loud enough to power a crowded dance party in that same apartment.

Analysis and Test Results

The Bose SoundLink Color II Bluetooth speaker is a top-notch performer that delivers excellent sound quality and ruggedness. It's a near-perfect balance of sound quality and durability for those who want a speaker that can handle some rain and splashes.

The speaker's sound quality is good overall, with decent bass impact, but it lacks a bit of detail and doesn't go deep. It's best for close listening, but can provide a decent volume level in a small to medium-sized room.

The SoundLink Color II was one of the best overall performers in our testing, earning our Best Overall Value Award.

Analysis and Test Results

Close-up of a luxurious car interior featuring brown leather and a Bose speaker panel.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a luxurious car interior featuring brown leather and a Bose speaker panel.

The Bose SoundLink Color II is a top-notch speaker that delivers great sound quality and ruggedness. It's a near-perfect balance of sound quality and durability for those who want a speaker that can handle some rain and splashes.

This speaker lasted 13 hours in our battery testing, making it a great option for long outdoor adventures. Its splash proofness also means you can take it to the beach or pool without worrying about it getting damaged.

The Bose SoundLink Color II was one of the best overall performers in our testing, earning our Best Overall Value Award. Its impressive performance in various testing metrics makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and high-quality speaker.

The speaker's sound quality is good overall, with decent bass impact and fairly even midrange. However, it lacks some detail in the bass and midrange, and the treble can be a bit grainy and hazy.

Pros & Cons

A hand holding a speaker against a backdrop of a calm sea, perfect for summer vibes and beach leisure.
Credit: pexels.com, A hand holding a speaker against a backdrop of a calm sea, perfect for summer vibes and beach leisure.

The Bose SoundLink Color II is a solid choice for those looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker. It delivers surprisingly strong audio performance for its size and price.

One of the standout features of this speaker is its water-resistant design, making it perfect for poolside parties and camping trips. The speaker is also easily portable, weighing in at a convenient size.

The Bose Connect app is a useful tool that allows you to control playback and volume, as well as manage your connection to the speaker. Within the app, you can also access the user manual and disable voice prompts.

However, this speaker may not be the best choice for audio purists or those seeking a huge bass sound. It's also light on accessories, so you may need to look elsewhere for additional features.

Here's a summary of the pros and cons:

  • Solid audio performance with rich lows and well-defined highs.
  • Easily portable, water-resistant design.
  • Simple to operate.
  • Useful free app.
  • Not for audio purists or those seeking a huge bass sound.
  • Light on accessories.

The Bottom Line

The Bose SoundLink Color II is a solid choice for anyone looking for a compact Bluetooth speaker that delivers a strong audio experience. Its rich lows and crisp highs make it a great option for outdoor use.

A flat lay of a red iPhone surrounded by AirPods and Bose headphones on a wooden surface.
Credit: pexels.com, A flat lay of a red iPhone surrounded by AirPods and Bose headphones on a wooden surface.

In terms of sound quality, the Bose SoundLink Color II is above average, and its performance attributes are at or above average as well. This is a key factor in making it a strong value, especially considering its average price point.

The speaker is a great option for music lovers who want to stream music, buy albums digitally or on vinyl, and support fair compensation for musicians and engineers. This is a great way to enjoy music while also contributing to the music industry.

For its size, the Bose SoundLink Color II delivers a very solid audio experience. It's a great choice for anyone who wants a compact speaker that can keep up with their music needs.

Francis McKenzie

Writer

Francis McKenzie is a skilled writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a focus on technology and software development, Francis has established herself as a knowledgeable and authoritative voice in the field of Next.js development.

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