I have probably the most (certainly not all) is one portable speaker in this class and also possessed. Starting with the currently lower TDK A33, about BIG Jambox, Grundig Blue Beat, Loewe Speaker 2go, to Bose SoundLink III, and everything in between. However, I'm stuck with the Bose SoundLink Mini, the similar amount as the Denon costs, but much more compact and lighter than the Denon.
The SoundLink Mini is sonically certainly not perfect, but at this size, there are currently just nothing that would begin to come close. Also in the size about it is scarce. Although the SoundLink III sounds louder and more power, but at normal volume levels are both in direct comparison really indistinguishable. The SoundLink Mini can surprisingly keep up with the larger speakers, if you are not required party volume.
The Denon's new on the market and of course I was curious as to whether this would provide a significant improvement to the SoundLink Mini, at the expense of size and portability.
After much back and forth, I can say that the Denon Envaya definitely the most similar speakers who I have heard sonically provides, purely as regards the sound volume and sound tuning at all volumes. While many similar speakers sound turned up accordingly and dynamic. But will you sometimes hear a low, comes out Gesäusel out hardly anything and they mutate to approve clock radios. The Denon but also sounds played softly correspondingly voluminous. Denon fits here on the sound according to the volume, similar to the famous "Loudness" button. The SoundLink III of Denon can keep up, which he does not quite reach its maximum volume, but the Denon is also considerably cheaper and easier to transport through the curves well. Which really sounds better, is certainly a matter of taste. Both Bose and Denon are relatively dominant in the bass range and playing to about 60Hz down, where I have even expected from Denon clearer treble reproduction, which he unfortunately also not really offering. It sounds sometimes even duller than the Bose speakers that are already known, not just to be among the clearest.
In direct comparison with the SoundLink Mini striking that both play extremely similar in the bass range. No one has an advantage here, the Denon little more upper bass, mini plays for maybe a trace deeper. Most differences can be seen in the upper mids, or in the height range. At Denon we often feel as if the singers sing with their hands. If you switch on the SoundLink mini order, the singer suddenly sounds much more present. Piano attacks come more clearly on the Bose, Denon when they become blurred. Although the Denon plays fine and silky on the top level range, it lacks somehow lower. Played softly Especially the bass becomes even dominant. I was very surprised to hear that the SoundLink Mini here even benefits offered, during which muffled playback always was my main gripe.
Volume default has the Denon definitely more reserves than the SoundLink Mini, what else would be surprising even if the size difference. But the Denon is not quite as stable levels. At high volumes and heavy bass recordings of bass catches ever to drone on and on talking in the other frequencies. You can clearly hear in jazz recordings as the bass distorts both piano and pool. The same recording on the SoundLink Mini is almost distortion-free, and available in a similar volume.
I can not say at what volume to reach the advertised battery life of 10 hours, at high volumes (about 80-90%) the power LED starts already after 2 hours flashing. I still need to test how long the Envaya I played there. For smaller outdoor parties where high volume is mandatory, it may be closely related to the Envaya. By comparison, the sound links held at maximum volume about 4-5 hours, the new SoundLink III probably even longer.
What I would criticize in a portable speaker particularly, the smooth back. Although high-gloss looks always nobler than matt, another surface would have been announced just here. One can the speaker not even carefree where lie down, without fear that he scratched instantly. A beige-packaged bag or an envelope would not be wrong. The interchangeable color inserts could have to save also quiet. I do not know how many times I must have the speaker really in a different color. I would be more important he stays a long time presentable than that I would decorate it with new colors.
If you look at all the alternatives, there's not really much to the price.
I remain nevertheless at Bose SoundLink Mini because me the Denon sound offers little advantage. The dull sound that has always bothered me when Bose, I have also the Denon. The higher volume of Denon is indeed welcome, but not so much higher than that of the larger form factor and the higher weight would be expected, a portable loudspeaker must be portable for me, and I hear at home rarely at such a high volume. Nevertheless, there will be plenty of buyers who are averse to Bose from the outset and to buy only for the reason prefer the Denon. The Denon is definitely one of the best currently, but it's far from perfect. I have there still expected a little more tweaking.
In the comments I linked to my video showing the comparison of Denon audio Envaya with the Bose SoundLink Mini.
