The Bose Soundlink Air is not a dock, its a simple and portable device with 4 speakers and a sub-woofer, stands on a table in a similar way a boombox would but its much thinner and easier to carry.
On 23 Feb 2014, at 10:23 am, Brent Harding <[email protected]> wrote: > How does the Bose sound as compared to the Klipsch IGroove? I got the Klipsch > on Woot awhile back for around $70, which was half off of retail at that > time, if Klipsch even makes it any more, considering it only supports 30-pin > and auxiliary. My original plan was to use this airplay to 30-pin adapter I > found, but I think the airplay services on it crash or are killed almost > immediately on audio stop, and getting it going again can require several > repluggings. > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dane Trethowan" <[email protected]> > To: "PC Audio Discussion List" <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2014 3:38 PM > Subject: Full Review Of The Bose Soundlink Airplay System > > >> THE BOSE >> SOUNDLINK AIR >> APPLE >> AIRPLAY SYSTEM >> A FULL REVIEW >> BY >> DANE TRETHOWAN >> Apple Airplay systems have been with us for some time now and many models >> have made their appearance. I’ve been left feeling somewhat disappointed up >> until this point by the sound quality of what’s been available relative to >> the cost. >> The Bose Soundlink Air changes the balance here, yes you’re paying a fair >> amount for this system but you certainly get what you paid for and that’s >> quality sound in a medium-sized portable unit. >> I did indeed say portable as that’s what the Bose Soundlink Air is and can >> be used well away from an AC wall outlet so this unit is perfect for outdoor >> entertaining or for those days when you’re lazing in the sun listening to >> your favourite audio books etc. >> DESCRIPTION >> The Soundlink air measures 17.1CM high, 30.7CM wide and 10.3CM deep and >> weighs 2.1KG without the optional rechargeable battery pack so as you can >> see, this system is compact enough to pickup and put down just about >> anywhere. >> The front mainly consists of a wire mesh with a panel above made of plastic, >> various LED indicators are displayed here which show the status of the >> Soundlink air - if power has been applied, if the system is connected to a >> Wi-Fi network, if the firmware is updating and so on. - >> The sides and back are made out of hard glossy plastic, a handle can be >> found in the centre on the top at the back. >> On the right hand side are 2 depressions, these are actually volume “Up” and >> “Down” buttons and they are touch sensitive but at least you can’t trigger >> them by accident. >> On the rear on the left is a Micro USB socket for setup and 2 sockets on the >> right for Power and Line-in - the Soundlink Air can be switched between >> Airplay and Line-In mode. >> On the bottom are 5 rubber feet which are of ample size to hold the unit >> securely on a bench top or table, a recessed button can be found on the >> bottom left hand side which is used to either reset the system or to put the >> system into “Alternate Setup” mode. >> The system is powered by a large power supply that comes in the box or an >> optional Rechargeable battery pack which screws onto the back. >> The power supply - though it is large - incorporates a cord management >> system, the cord can be wound up into the supply and a rubber flange >> prevents the cord from unravelling so you only use the length of cord you >> require from the supply to the soundlink air depending on your needs. >> Like many power supplies these days the supply for the Soundlink Air is a >> multi voltage model and thus comes with various adapters to suit different >> power standards for different countries. >> SETUP >> Setup involves connecting the Soundlink Air system to a Wi-Fi network and >> Setup can be performed using 2 methods, the first and recommended method by >> Bose is to go to the Bose web site, download and install the Wi-Fi setup >> software and configure the Soundlink Air via the USB cable supplied using >> your computer. >> The second method involves holding down the recessed button on the bottom of >> the system for 5 seconds, this puts the system into “Alternate setup” mode >> and activates the systems wi-fi network. >> When the network is active you can use a web browser to configure the system >> in a similar way as you would configure a router, the Soundlink Air presents >> a HTML interface where you tell the system about the Wi-Fi network you wish >> it to connect to, click on the the “Connect” button in the Interface and >> the system establishes a connection. >> TESTING AND STREAMING >> Once the Soundlink Air was connected to my Network I had no problems >> whatever in streaming audio from various Airplay compatible devices and >> systems, I even tested an iPod Tough 4th generation which worked >> surprisingly well! - when I’ve tested the iPod Tough 4th generation device >> with other Airplay systems in the past I’ve found that the connection would >> dropout over time but this did not happen in my present testing with the >> Soundlink Air. - >> There can be a considerable delay between pressing a button and hearing the >> result on the Soundlink Air depending on the device or system you’re >> streaming from, the delay doesn’t indicate there’s a problem or fault, its >> an unfortunate characteristic of the Apple Airplay system and the delay >> isn’t usually all that long, for example if you stop a track playing which >> is streaming from the Airfoil software, there’ll be a delay of about 2 >> seconds. Sometimes when you change a track in iTunes, there will be a delay >> of around 5 seconds whilst the next track is loaded, these delays to me at >> least are a small sacrifice and small inconvenience given that you’re >> hearing your audio in a “lossless” digital environment. >> The Soundlink Air comes with a very nice remote control which sports only 8 >> buttons but 8 buttons are certainly enough to drive your Airplay sessions, >> as well as track forward and back you have volume up/down, pause, mute and >> power on/off buttons at your disposal. >> CONCLUSIONS >> The audio out of this system has to be heard to be believed but - if you >> have a Bose system of some kine already - then you won’t have to stretch >> your imagination to far to realise what I’m talking about when I speak of >> “unbelievable audio”. >> Volume can go very loud indeed so be warned! loud volume doesn’t >> lead to audio distortion on this device, this unit performs well in a small >> crowded area. >> I’m somewhat puzzled as to why Bose gives the user two modes of “Setup”, I >> would have thought that the “Wi-Fi Setup” or the “Alternative Setup” method >> as the manual refers to it would have more than sufficed, the main “Setup” >> method whereby software needs to be downloaded and installed just seems to >> add extra complication to the task at hand. >> I bought the option rechargeable battery pack for with my system and I’m >> truly glad I did, I now have great sound in my back yard and full control >> over it. >> The Bose manual claims that battery life is around 3 hours when the system >> is at maximum volume? Well I’m just not game enough to try that as I value >> my ears but I can tell you that I’ve managed 10 hours out of the battery >> pack at around 30% volume, no complaints there given the audio quality. >> Some interesting features are provided which may help those without vision, >> the system beeps when power is applied - whether from the battery pack or >> mains power - and a higher pitched series of beeps sound when the system has >> found and connected to a wi-fi network. >> I found a feature not mentioned in the Soundlink Air User Guide, its not >> necessary for the system to be connected to a home Wi-fi network for the >> user to enjoy it, you can connect the Soundlink Air to your IOS devices >> Wi-Fi network anywhere and enjoy your music library streamed to your >> Soundlink air, just put the Soundlink air into “Setup” mode by holding down >> the recessed button on the bottom for 5 seconds, select the “Soundlink” >> Wi-Fi network in setup on your iOS device and “Airplay” is ready at your >> command. >> This system is extremely good value for money in my view and I’d be very >> surprised if anyone was disappointed by what they hear come out of this >> thing. >> Bose here in Australia offer a 90 day trial period, if you’re not happy >> with the unit after 90 days then Bose will come and collect the system from >> you so check with your Bose web site for your particular country or region. >> There are plenty of videos which show you how the Soundlink Air works on the >> web site so you may wish to refer to these whilst considering your purchase. >> Price of the Bose Soundlink Air system in Australia is $450.00 >> . > > > ********** > > Dane Trethowan > Skype: grtdane12 > Phone US (213) 438-9741 > Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598 > Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589 > Mobile: +61400494862 > Fax +61397437954 > > > > > ********** > > Dane Trethowan > Skype: grtdane12 > Phone US (213) 438-9741 > Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598 > Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589 > Mobile: +61400494862 > faceTime +61400494862 > Fax +61397437954 > Twitter: @grtdane > > > > > > ********** Dane Trethowan Skype: grtdane12 Phone US (213) 438-9741 Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598 Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589 Mobile: +61400494862 faceTime +61400494862 Fax +61397437954 Twitter: @grtdane
