In many aspects, again an improvement to its predecessor

The new SoundLink II is externally almost identical to the old version, and only through the new cover really distinguish. I would like to enumerate only the most important changes here. Anyone interested in the SoundLink, should read my detailed review from the previous version, since almost all apply to the new well.

The SoundLink still remains in my opinion the best solution, not want to give to someone who needs a really compact speakers on the go, but you insist on full sound. While there is still much smaller solutions such as Jambox, Mini Boombox etc, which can supply all not really convincing sound, however, and make the bass part already from 150Hz slack, causing the deepest 2-3 octaves easily swallowed. When SoundLink one never has the feeling, however, to have a really small speaker in front of him. Sonically and priced comparable I would still see the BIG Jambox, which I would deem this already a real portable use to be too clunky. Soon appear from Philips the very noticeable on SoundLink design oriented Fidelio P8 / P9 speakers, and it is doubtful whether this can sound really keep up.

The new SoundLink especially the aforementioned cover has been improved, which is now also folded in half, and after flipping over also at the bottom of the speaker is magnetically adhere, characterized it dangles in the operation is no longer around while wearing. The required floor space is now lower, only in case of uneven floor space of the SoundLink looks a bit kippeliger than before. The inside of the cover was placed on the ground with the old version always. Was this dirty, you risk the speaker grille running when closing polluting as well. In my case, I had asked the SoundLink once unknowingly on a resinous wooden bench, after collapsing the cover then remained glued to the speakers and I still visible traces of resin on the grid, I could never remove completely. The new cover can no longer happen, except that it is the outside of the cover soiled, but should wash off easily, in contrast to the felted inside. The speaker itself remains intact, however.

Likewise, the connection appears to have been improved by Bluetooth. Had the old model sometimes difficulties rediscover an already paired Bluetooth source, connects the new instantly available with the first source. With the old model, it was against a good idea to activate first the source and then turn on the loudspeaker. This is now no longer necessary.

But also sound a lot has changed. In the new version the bass does not sound quite as wummig, he is indeed as powerful, but tuned deep, and extends also in frequency significantly lower. Especially in areas where the old has yet applied too thick in the bass something sounds of new uniquely enjoyable. Even the middle range sounds more concise when new SoundLink lot. With the old the centers went through the already dominant bass rather under, this is the new no longer the case, with extraordinary presence and voice acting. The new sounds, however, in the high range a bit duller than the old one, this disturbs not quite as much as the old in the upper frequencies a certain resonance showed, through better coordination between bass and midrange now sound the heights of natural and fit better in the overall picture. Nevertheless, instruments that dominate especially in the upper frequencies, ala triangle, cymbals, wind chimes, tambourine and so the old easy to make out better. Here I find it a pity that Bose has the highest frequencies pushed not something stronger. Using EQ, you can certainly affect the to a certain extent. I would have found it be nice if the SoundLink II would be coordinated from the ground up perfectly.

What also stands out that the new frequency-not diverging so strongly at high volumes. Chatted with the old near maximum volume the bass and treble not quite in balance, the new the sound over the entire volume range retains more or less. The bass is mitigated still at high volumes, but the treble / mid occur not so much in the foreground as its predecessor. This affects the new even more quietly at maximum volume, but does not sound quite as hard-working and hard as the old one, which obviously also the peaks more compressed than the new.

Overall, I would give the SoundLink II attest the musical 'sound. Although the altitude range was withdrawn again, so everything fits together now much better into an overall picture. Had the old sometimes feel as if playing alongside the bass, so this is the new no longer the case.

I do not like Bose will handle the expiry of the old model, and whether one perhaps may even expect price cuts. If you have the opportunity to get cheaper the old version, I would definitely take those. The phonetic differences between the two are not quite so serious. The new covers can be purchased if necessary even as an additive, if really necessary.