Compared to its predecessors ...

Bose has usually very long product cycles. Many products (eg. The Wave Radio) are almost unchanged on the market since many years. By contrast, comes from the SoundLink surprisingly every year a new model without great changes on the market, and it is questionable what Bose aims so.

The Sound Links Bose encounter many on a certain love / hate. Many find the sound messed up, others love it.
The third version has the Bose SoundLink visually almost completely revised and adjusted tonally, in truth it is but still to the same loudspeaker without additional features or functions.

I would like to address in particular the differences or advantages to the old versions:

* Plainer and more elegant design without any bars, paraphernalia, etc.
* No cover here, but available as an option
* Clearer sound, more natural bass
* Height range does not suffer quite as much, if not optimally aligned to the handset
* Better coordination at low volumes, much less bassy
* A track louder, at the same time less intently at maximum volume
* Longer battery life

It is a pity that Bose has not thought a little further, because you get to the SoundLink III quasi the same product as in the beginning, only a little different and tuned with a more powerful battery, everything else is as usual. There is no speakerphone, nor the possibility of other equipment to load it. Also App support does not exist, nor NFC, Apt-X support, etc. Here Bose has just taken over all of the old equipment. I'm not sure if the sound adjustments were not easy realisert by a differently tuned DSP, and have implemented in the same way even when the old models can be, for example, by means of an update. I doubt it that the SoundLink III actually completely new loudspeaker chassis was built, to the sound of all releases resembles too strong.
The used Bluetooth technology is to vie against on the same level as 5 years ago, when the very first SoundLink Wireless Music System was introduced (based on the SoundDock Portable).
Still annoying that you have to toil with 2 separate volume controls. If you want to turn up at setter, while the speaker is set rather low, one is compelled to stand up and turn up on Laustprecher. Many manufacturers have already better control and synchronize the volume on both devices.

The casings optional I personally find something useless because they provide the device in any way additional protection. Visually I do not have it necessarily colorful. Dear me would have been a complete package that I can stow the speaker for the transport, possibly with acoustically transparent material, so you can hear from the envelope out. Bose seems last ever very happy to offer extra accessories. If the SoundLink Mini still a small useful charging station been there, this will probably soon be offered as an additional option subject to surcharge during SoundLink III. At the bottom is 2 recessed contacts are available, which would indicate a very charging station, but not yet there. The battery should still be exchanged according to information at Bose, but mine is no obvious way to have noticed. Allegedly, one must first remove the rubber feet I've not tried.

Although the processing of the SoundLink III is very high, the whole grid and the sides are made of metal, but I can not judge how robust the surface in terms of scratches. The SoundLink Mini Beginning very delicate and scratched on the grid soon.
Interesting that the SoundLink III was modeled on the sound SoundLink Mini stronger. Both are similar enormously at medium volume, with the SoundLink III has a slightly finer level drawing, the SoundLink Mini for something more direct centers. In the bass range, no differences between the two can be discerned, in spite of the huge size difference. Only above 70% of the volume from the SoundLink Mini wins the SoundLink III the upper hand and play a total of about 50% even louder. Anyway, I found the difference in sound for less than the Mini SoundLink I and II.

I may be a bit negative, but really negative aspects I have yet not found. The SoundLink III is a great portable Lautstprecher and definitely an improvement on its predecessors, but he continues to be a sound link, no more no less. Sonically you despite slight adjustments still the same Bose sound. After Loewe or the new JBL still does not sound. For owners of older model, the upgrade is worth not necessarily. Interested parties could now also the SoundLink II considering the offered probably reduced slightly.
Many similar competing models are now partly considerably cheaper, or wait for additional features that are not offered by the SoundLink III. Here you have to consider what is important. Some might even find the smaller and cheaper SoundLink Mini suffice. I am very pleased with my, and the more volume and power of the SoundLink III I miss only rare, but also have to say that I like to listen and soft music, many other hand, seem to much prefer to always turn to a maximum, as them Speakers never loud enough, no matter how loud they really play.

PS. I have prepared a video showing the sound quality of the SoundLink III compared to its predecessors, as a video compared to the SoundLink Mini. Both are linked in the comments.