Product test
JBL Flip 5 tested: Small sound miracle
by Jan Johannsen
Bose Portable Home Speaker tested: Multiroom to go
7.2.2020
Translation: machine translated
The portable home speaker from Bose is flexible: you can integrate it into your multi-room setup, use it on the go thanks to its rechargeable battery and choose between two voice assistants depending on where you live. But you'll have to dig deep into your pocket for this.
There is a carrying handle at the top of the Portable Home Speaker, which weighs around one kilogramme. This makes it easy to carry the speaker around the home and take it outside. Although the speaker is not waterproof, Bose claims it has a "water-repellent design". So wet hands or a few splashes of water shouldn't be a problem.
Setup and voice control
On the go, you can connect the Bose Portable Home Speaker to your smartphone or notebook in the traditional way via Bluetooth. Pairing worked without any problems after pressing the Bluetooth button during testing. However, the speaker shows its strength as soon as it has Wi-Fi. You can then use the Bose app to connect it to other models from the manufacturer to create a multi-room system and set up a voice assistant. In Germany, you can choose between Google Assistant and Alexa from Amazon, but they don't work at the same time. To switch, you have to log in to the Bose app each time. In Switzerland, you can only set up the Google Assistant.
Theoretically, the speaker should connect to the app in just a few steps. However, I first had to connect my smartphone to the home speaker's Wi-Fi in order to establish the connection in the app or browser and dial it into my wireless network. You switch on the Bose Portable's Wi-Fi by holding down the volume down and start/stop buttons until the light ring at the top and bottom lights up yellow. This is not described in the quick start guide supplied, but only in the detailed instructions on the Bose homepage.
The Portable Home Speaker needs a WLAN with 2.4 Ghz. In our office, we have a 5 Ghz network, which means that the Bose speaker can't access our Wi-Fi. It's probably a different story at home. Most current Wi-Fi routers for private use can operate at both 2.4 and 5 Ghz.
Spotify and multiroom
In the "Bose Music" app (Android / iOS) you can set up streaming services and control the music playback. This works with Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and TuneIn, among others. You can log in via the app settings. However, Apple Music only works via a diversion with AirPlay 2. The "Presets" on the start page of the app are a quick selection for albums, artists or playlists.
Multiroom can also be set up via the app. The function is called "Group speakers" and you assign the speakers, which you can name as you wish, to different rooms. You can then use voice control to say whether the music should play in the living room and kitchen or in the bedroom and bathroom. There is no equaliser in the app. You can only reduce or increase the bass and treble. The adjustments are audible but minor overall.
Operation in three ways
You don't have to open the Spotify app to play music, you can do everything via the Bose app. You can select songs, albums and playlists there, start and stop playback or skip to the next track. However, the app is not the only way to operate the Portable Home Speaker. Of course, you can also do this directly on the device.
There are a total of seven buttons on the top of the speaker: the power button, volume up, volume down and start/stop button. There is also a button for Bluetooth pairing and for switching off the microphone as well as the "action button" with which you can switch on the Google Assistant without a keyword and end its alarms and timers.
The Google Assistant and Alexa are the third way to operate the Portable Home Speaker. The voice assistants have the same functions as on your smartphone or other smart speakers - so they don't just play music. Among other things, you can ask them questions, set reminders and appointments, set a timer and control your smart home.
A round of sound
The Bose Portable Home Speaker delivers excellent sound for its size and mobility. The sound really spreads out in a circle. No matter where you stand or how you turn the speaker, the sound doesn't change. It is therefore ideal for the centre of the room. But even a location in the corner does not harm the sound image.
The treble comes out of the Portable Home Speaker clearly and intelligibly, even at high volumes. The bass is clearly audible, but not too dominant. However, if you like booming bass, the speaker is not for you. It is powerful, but not powerful. Some other smaller speakers, such as the JBL FLip 5 with movable bass cones, have more booming bass.
In combination with other Bose speakers - I still had the Home Speaker 300 to hand - the result is a room-spanning sound image that accompanies you from room to room. The sound merges so seamlessly that you can only hear the individual speakers if you get very close to them.
According to the manufacturer, the battery of the Bose Portable Home Speaker lasts for twelve hours. I've never used it for that long in one go, but if I add up my usage times, that's about right. You charge the battery via the USB-C port - even with the power adapter from your smartphone. However, this can result in a longer charging time. As an optional accessory, Bose offers a wireless charging station, on which you only need to place the speaker.
Conclusion: Mobile addition for your Bose system
There are cheaper ways to get a smart speaker. But then you are usually limited to a voice assistant. With the Bose Portable Home Speaker, you can choose between Alexa and the Google Assistant - but you can only use one at a time.
In terms of sound, there is only something wrong with the Home Speaker Portable if you really want the bass to boom and be noticeable. If you like tinkering with the equaliser yourself, the app might also disappoint you. Although the setup is a little bumpy, the smart speaker can then be used without any problems.
The biggest problem is the high price. Other smart speakers and very good-sounding Bluetooth speakers are much cheaper. That's why we only recommend buying one if you want to expand your existing setup of Bose speakers - the other speakers will then provide the bass. However, this only applies to the newer models that also support the Bose Music app. Older models, such as the SoundTouch series, only recognise the SoundTouch app and can only be put into a group with the Portable Home Speaker via detours.
When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
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