Bose SoundLink On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones Review

People have different tastes especially when it comes to music. That’s why the hardware we use to listen to them have their own different characteristics – some are great with bass while some are more inclined towards trebles. Then there are the special unbiased ones that offer great balance from both ends of the spectrum. One good example is the Bose SoundLink on-ear Bluetooth headphones.

Design and Construction

We normally associate the power of a headphone with size. Meaning the bigger it is the more powerful, but with the SoundLink BT headphones, this is certainly not the case. The wireless headphone is small and portable enough that it can fit inside a small case when folded. It can even fit inside a pocket of a cargo shorts. Unfolded, you can still put it inside a small bag and won’t take up much space.

The SoundLink BT headphones sports a similar build and design as the Bose QC25 Noise-cancelling headphones we reviewed recently. It is mostly made of plastic with black and dark blue accents. The adjustable headband has foam underneath and is covered with cloth with the top that is similar to denim.

The swiveling earcups, like the QC25, feature soft leather padding which feels comfortable on the ears. On the right side of the right earcup is the switch for the power and Bluetooth, and the two-way microphone system for when you take calls.

Behind it are the LED lights for Bluetooth and Power. Also found here are the volume keys and the multifunction key (play/pause, accept and end voice calls, initiate voice recognition). Found below is the microUSB port for charging. As for the left earcup, it houses the port for the audio cable so you can still listen to your tunes when the battery runs out.

The Bose SoundLink BT headphones is easy to carry and very comfortable to wear thanks to the soft padding at the headband and cups. It’s snug but not tight enough to keep itself in place when it comes to sudden movements. So if you’re planning to take it to the gym or outside for running this is not exactly the type you’d want to bring.

Connectivity

One of the best bits about this headphone is Bluetooth connectivity. To connect, just switch on Bluetooth and connect your smartphone to the SoundLink BT headphones when discovered. Once paired, the voice prompt on the headphones tell you the level of the battery and which device it is connected to. The voice prompt will also notify you of an incoming call.

Once connected you can conveniently start listening to your tunes without having to worry about the messy cables. We found this very handy especially when we were working in front of the computer or when traveling inside a cramped bus/MRT as no cables were dangling or snagging. We can also move around without having to carry our smartphone or tablet with us. It was liberating.

Sound Performance

As mentioned at the start of the article, the SoundLink BT headphones is one of the most balanced headphones we’ve used so far. Bluetooth or wired, it produces loud sounds with great lows, mids, and highs. Noise canceling, which is found on the Bose QC25, is absent here but the leather padding on the cups and snug fit help block some of the external noise. Sound leakage is almost non-existent.

Play some bass-dominated tracks like hip-hop or club music and you can hear and feel the powerful thumps that doesn’t overpower the less bassy beats. Rock and acoustic music sound fantastic as well as the mids and highs are very detailed and really crisp minus the unwanted sibilance. Overall, the SoundLink BT headphones is really good in producing loud, balanced, clean and clear sounds.

Call quality

As mentioned earlier, you can take calls from your smartphone on the SoundLink. Sound quality is also good with no sign of choppiness. The person on the other line can also hear us loud and clear without having to speak louder than normal.

Battery Life

The SoundLink has a rated battery life of 15 hours which is really good. This makes it a perfect companion for long travels. If you’re low on juice you can charge it using a standard microUSB smartphone charger or a power bank. Charging time is also quick and will be full in just about an hour.

Conclusion

To conclude, the Bose SoundLink On-Ear Bluetooth headphones is an amazing wireless audio device that can produce great sounds. Regardless of what type of music you listen to this headphone can deliver it very well.

In addition, it’s portable, comfortable, has Bluetooth connectivity, can accept calls, and has a long battery life. It’s a bit expensive though at Php13,500USD 230INR 19,502EUR 219CNY 1,675 but you won’t be disappointed.

Bose SoundLink On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones specs:
Type: Supra-aural / on-ear
Bose TriPort Technology
Bluetooth
30 feet wireless range
dual microphone system
up to 15 hours battery life
7.1 x 5.5 x 2.4 in
152.6 g
Black, White

What we liked about it:
* Great sound quality
* Wireless Bluetooth playback
* Bluetooth call function
* Light and comfortable
* Foldable and portable
* Nice design
* Comes with a carrying case
* Long battery life

What we didn’t like:
* Pricey