The Bose SoundLink Revolve II is a small, portable Bluetooth speaker that looks like the Bose SoundLink Revolve and the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II. This Bluetooth speaker is in the shape of a cylinder, but it doesn’t have a handle like the Revolve+ II does. Even though we don’t test it, it’s rated IP55 for resistance to dust and water, while the Revolve is rated IPX4 for water resistance.
The sound profile of the Revolve II is neutral, so it can be used to listen to a wide range of music. It also has great directivity thanks to its 360-degree design, which gives it a soundstage that sounds open and roomy. Unfortunately, it has trouble making a deep thump and rumble in the low-bass, which can be disappointing for EDM fans who like bass-heavy music. It also doesn’t have any ways to change the way it sounds so that it fits your tastes.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]Specifications
- Volume: 62 in³ (1,022 cm³)
- Weight: 1.5 lbs (0.7 kg)
- Power Source: Battery & USB
- One-Hand Carry: Yes
Where to get Bose SoundLink Revolve II?
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The Bose SoundLink Revolve II is about the size of a large Thermos, but it weighs almost 660 grammes, which is more than you might expect. The Bluetooth speaker has a nice shape and is easy to hold with one hand, but we’d like a handle (like the one on the Plus version) or a strap that can be taken off.
The buttons on top of the Bose SoundLink Revolve II are useful when you’re not near your device. They respond quickly, and unlike almost every other Bluetooth product, there isn’t much or any time between entering a command and it being carried out. When we press the power button, we feel like we’re turning off a TV.
The controls are nice because they let you put the phone down. In addition to the buttons, you can also tell Siri or Google Assistant to do simple things like “Play [song] by [artist] on Spotify” by saying things like “Play [song] by [artist] on Spotify.” You’ll have to press the multi-function button for that, unlike a more advanced Alexa speaker that is always listening. It’s a good compromise for people who don’t want a fully smart home but still want the convenience of voice commands.
The SoundLink Revolve II automatically goes into pairing mode when it is turned on, so all you have to do is choose it on your phone. Bose goes against the trend of getting rid of aux inputs by including a 3.5mm port for a wired connection. This is great, but you’ll need to bring your own cable.
The fact that the Bose Connect app doesn’t do much could be a pro or a con, depending on your needs. It is mostly used for updates and changing the name of the speaker. At least the random name generator comes up with some funny ideas— This group gave itself a name Mop the Pope