Bluetooth speaker Bose SoundLink Flex in test: sounds bigger than it is

now there is a successor Bose SoundLink Flex 2nd GenerationHowever, the differences from the first SoundLink Flex tested here are small. The predecessor only lacks a button to connect it directly to other compatible Bose speakers. Furthermore, the app in question does not offer an equalizer. The rest of the hardware is largely the same. The old SoundLink Flex is currently available 120 euros Much cheaper than new on Amazon 180 euros On Amazon. Most users will be able to work without both features, for them the predecessor, which is 60 euros cheaper, is the better choice.

Visually, the SoundLink Flex appears arbitrary and interchangeable. Due to the smooth silicone casing without any distinctive design elements, it is not very recognizable. It’s a shame, because the old Bose SoundLink Mini was still a real eye-catcher in its sleek metal housing.

With dimensions of 20 cm x 9 cm x 5 cm and a weight of 600 grams, the Flex is quite compact and portable. The front grille is made of powder-coated steel, but you can hardly tell at first glance. It could also be plastic. Unfortunately, our white test sample quickly attracted darker lint that collected on the soft silicone cover.

The small loop on the side is practical, with which the speaker can be attached to a backpack or bicycle. However, the five buttons at the top don’t have particularly good pressure points and are difficult to use.

Finally, the SoundLink Flex is waterproof and dustproof as per IP67. This means that it can withstand being submerged in water up to one meter deep for up to 30 minutes, causing the Flex not to sink, but to float. But that shouldn’t be an excuse for boring design. Other waterproof Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Charge 5 (test report) or the Marshall Emberton III (test report) show that both are possible – great looks and water protection.

It’s a shame: Bose speakers don’t have an AUX input for wired players.

When it comes to sound, the SoundLink Flex does a lot of things right. The compact Bluetooth speaker delivers surprisingly powerful, balanced sound that can easily compete with the best in its class. As is typical for Bose, all frequency ranges are represented in a pleasantly balanced manner. The mids are not swallowed and the highs are not given much importance.

The rich bass produced from the small speaker is particularly impressive. This shows that Bose knows his art. It doesn’t matter hip-hop, electro or pop – the Flex provides a powerful bass foundation within its capabilities due to its compact design, without sounding muddy or overloaded. Even at higher volumes, the sound remains clean and clear at all times.

Of course, such a compact speaker cannot provide audiophile HiFi sound. Great dynamics and detailed resolution are a bit lacking. But for a portable Bluetooth box, the sound quality is absolutely excellent. Whether in the living room, in the park or on the beach – SoundLink Flex ensures a great atmosphere everywhere. He also masters demanding styles like classical or jazz with excellence.

Thanks to the integrated microphone, the speaker can also be used as a hands-free device. It works well in testing. We understand our counterparts clearly and clearly at all times. We are also well understood as long as we don’t stray too far from the box.

By the way, only Bluetooth codecs SBC and AAC are supported. You also won’t find significant other standards like aptX or LDAC. This is not enough for a speaker in this price range. However, most users will hardly notice the difference unless they play high-resolution music files.

The SoundLink Flex is incredibly easy to operate. All the important functions can be controlled directly using the five buttons present on the device. The included Bose Connect app is more of a nice bonus than a mandatory requirement.

The firmware can be updated via the app, which was not necessary in our test device. You can also change the announcement language from English to German. However, we recommend disabling speech output completely. Especially in German it sounds strange to our ears.

You won’t find an equalizer in the first SoundLink Flex’s app. This feature is only available in the Flex second generation successor. Similarly, only in the newer models you can activate Party Mode by pressing a button to connect multiple speakers. No problem: in the first Flex you use the app for this, so it works too.

Bose doesn’t provide any specific information about the battery. The manufacturer only promises to last up to 12 hours per charge. We were able to confirm this value in moderate amounts of testing. But that’s not really impressive – especially when you consider that the Marshall Emberton III (test report) lasts up to 32 hours.

The SoundLink Flex lacks a quick charging function as well as the ability to be used as a power bank to charge other devices. It takes approximately 4 hours for the battery to be fully charged.

Bose specifies the Bluetooth range of the SoundLink Flex as 9 meters. This matches our experiences in testing. Up to this distance, the connection remains stable even through the wall. Dropouts occur only over large distances or obstacles.

Bose uses the older Bluetooth version 4.2 here. Pairing with smartphones, tablets, etc. is quick and easy. Practical: The speaker knows multipoint, remembers the last eight devices connected and reconnects automatically.

You won’t find any further information about the speakers on the Bose website. An animated exploded view shows the SoundLink Flex with two woofer/midrange drivers and a separate tweeter in action. This combination explains the powerful, detailed sound.

Unfortunately, if you want to know more about the technology, Bose will leave you in the dark. Information about performance, frequency response or materials used: None. It’s a shame, because technology-savvy buyers in particular would definitely like more transparency here.

The RRP of the Bose SoundLink Flex is 179 Euros. However, it is now available much cheaper in stores, for example on Amazon 120 eurosIn return you get a powerful Bluetooth speaker with superb workmanship. The downer is a somewhat boring design.

The Bose SoundLink Flex is an excellent Bluetooth speaker that impresses with its powerful, balanced sound and good workmanship. The rich and clearly resolved bass produced by the compact speaker is particularly impressive for its small size. IP67 certification makes it a strong companion for indoors and outdoors.

One point of criticism is the somewhat boring, not very distinctive design. We would like Bose to show more courage to create an independent form here. A quick charging function, a power bank and an auxiliary input would also be desirable features. Moreover, 12 hours of battery life is no longer a thing of the past.

Overall, the SoundLink Flex is still a recommended Bluetooth speaker that can easily keep pace with its competitors in terms of sound quality. What is particularly exciting at the moment is the SoundLink Flex 1, which is on sale for 120 euros. If you’re looking for first-class sound in a convenient format and can do without a flashy design, Bose speakers are the perfect choice.

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