Bose Soundlink Plus sets the tone – but not too loud, please
8-8-2025
Translation: Julia Graham
The Bose Soundlink Plus comes with a clear message: compact, robust and sophisticated sound. When I put this speaker to the test, it proves just how accurate its promise is.
The SoundLink Plus is the fifth member Bose has added to its portable Bluetooth speaker portfolio in the last four years. In terms of size, it’s mid range, but prise-wise, it’s on the higher end of the scale. At 279 francs or 205.44 euros, the RRP Bose has set is pretty substantial. Is it worth the price?
Sweet spot between weight and size
Measuring 99 × 231 × 86 mm, it’s compact enough to keep you and your ears company on a hike. At 1.45 kg, the Soundlink Plus may not be a featherweight, but with the rubberised underside, it also holds firmly on smooth or sloping surfaces. With its centre of gravity being in the base, the speaker is also stable.
Visually, Bose remains true to itself, keeping the design of the SoundLink Plus simple, functional and pleasantly understated. No playful elements, just clear lines and casing that does away with flashing lights and other annoying things. The speaker is available in three colours: black, blue dusk and citrus yellow, with my test device being the latter.
The control buttons on the top are easy to reach and clearly labelled. The feel and tangible feedback of them is pleasant. Bose has included buttons for power, volume, Bluetooth, play/pause and a shortcut button that can be freely assigned via the app.
Source: Florian Bodoky
The housing consists of a combination of silicone, polycarbonate and a steel grille on the front. These materials lend the speaker a high-quality look. The Soundlink Plus can withstand scratches or minor knocks – as well as a cold shower. Its IP67 certification means the device is completely dustproof as well as waterproof. Last but not least, the thick nylon strap is incredibly durable. When I put it through its paces, it survived a hike hanging from my rucksack attached to a carabiner for several hours.
Source: Florian Bodoky
Not too loud, please
For years, Bose has made a name for itself when it comes to finely tuned sound – even in the mobile sector. The SoundLink Plus echoes this exactly. With a set-up of bass driver, tweeter and four passive diaphragms, you’re ensured sound that’s rich in detail – as long as it doesn’t get too loud.
The bass response of the SoundLink Plus is quite impressive for its size. It produces a pleasant low-frequency foundation that adds thrust to pop, hip-hop and electronic music. At a moderate volume, the bass sounds rich, round and satisfyingly warm. At very low frequencies or high volumes, the bass becomes somewhat imprecise. It then appears slightly muffled and muddled. I noticed these flaws when I played It Feels So Good by Sonique. The distinctive synth bass sounds good, but above a certain volume the structure is lost – the thrust remains, but it’s less precise.
The SoundLink Plus shows its strengths in the mid-range. Voices come across clearly and unaltered. Instruments such as guitars, pianos and strings are easy to locate and sound authentic. This clarity is particularly evident in live recordings and unplugged sessions. Boys of Summer by Don Henley shows how cleanly the speaker works here, with the voice track being present but not intrusive. The electric guitars retain their energy without overpowering other elements.
Meanwhile, the trebles are well tuned. The speaker doesn’t seem too sharp or shrill. Even at high volumes, the sound remains largely controlled in the upper frequencies. Only at the very top end – at maximum volume – do the trebles sometimes come across as harsh. Fortunately, this is rarely noticeable in standard everyday use. I played BTSTU by Jai Paul as a test track. The occasionally high, loud voice remains clear if I don’t turn the volume up to its absolute maximum. And even then I can still make improvements with the equaliser.
Battery lasts – but preventive charging won’t hurt
With a stated runtime of up to 20 hours, the SoundLink Plus delivers solid results – and this figure is realistic. When I tested it out, the speaker played for almost 21 hours at medium volume. That’s easily enough for a whole weekend at the lake or several days of standard listening.
As with almost all Bluetooth speakers, the runtime depends heavily on the volume. If you’re content with 50 to 60 per cent volume (which is already very loud), you can easily get 20 hours out of it. If you need it up at maximum all the time, the play time shrinks noticeably.
After that, things get hairy: the Soundlink Plus takes a really long time to get back to 100 per cent. It took me almost five hours, which got on my nerves. Just doing a quick charge and switching it back on again straightaway isn’t an option. That being said, the device does have the benefit of also serving as a power bank via its USB-C port. For example, I can quickly plug my phone in on the go.
Source: Florian Bodoky
The app: simple
You can control the SoundLink Plus using the physical buttons on the device or via the Bose app. The latter is streamlined, clear and works stably. Among other things, you can adjust sound profiles using a 3-band equaliser, check the battery charge, pair two speakers to form a stereo pair and install firmware updates.
A nice feature is the shortcut button on the device that you can assign to different functions. For example, to resume Spotify playback or to call up the voice assistant. Multipoint is also included. Connecting two devices at the same time works reliably, which is practical if you want to switch back and forth between several players.
In a nutshell
A well-rounded package with little compromise
The Bose SoundLink Plus is not a speaker that sets records in individual categories. But this is exactly where its strength lies, offering a balanced overall package. If you’re looking for a speaker you can use on a daily basis with clear trebles and a solid finish, you can’t go wrong with the SoundLink Plus.
For a really big bass kick or absolute outdoor endurance speakers, you’ll find other options (although you’d then have to compromise in terms of splendour). But as a reliable all-rounder, the SoundLink Plus strikes a chord across the board. Even if you have higher expectations for the sound than you’d get from a typical cheap portable speaker.
The Soundlink Plus is worthwhile, but even has competition from its own company. If you have more money to play with, you can get the musically even more powerful Soundlink Max, which is less mobile, for 70 francs more. Meanwhile, if you’re less into hiking and would rather have a barbecue that’s well sheltered from the weather, I’d recommend the cheaper Soundlink Resolve II. Equally, if you want the outdoor aspect but at a lower cost, the Soundlink Plus is a good choice.
Pro
- Robust, weatherproof construction
- Clear, balanced sound at standard volumes
- Powerbank function and carrying strap
Contra
- Slightly muffled at high volume
- Long charging time
- Rather expensive
Header image: Florian Bodoky
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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