However, as we all know it, the heart of any speaker is its audio quality. So, how does the new Sonos One (Gen 2) compare against the Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus? Do the smart speaker features make it a better speaker? Well, that’s what we are going to find in this post today as we pit both the speakers against each other to see which one delivers the right results. As it’s going to be a long one, let’s get started, shall we?
Specs That Matter
Portability & Design
One of the first things about the Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus that catches the eye is its design. This one has a quirky shape and is shaped like a mini lantern. It bundles a nifty handle at the top, that completes the look. Jokes aside, this handle makes it easier to take the speaker anywhere. Thankfully, the Soundlink Revolve Plus is not heavy and weighs just around 1.99 pounds. It has an IPX4 rating, thereby making it safe from water splashes and the likes. However, if you were to take it to beach parties or pool parties, make sure not to drop it in water. Nevertheless, it’s an omnidirectional speaker, making it an ideal fit for most backyard parties and barbeque. It’s loud, lightweight and the ability to lift it off just like that makes the deal even sweeter. There’s an integrated microphone for speakerphone calls as well. The Sonos One looks pretty plain when compared to the Soundlink Revolve Plus. It appears to be round. However, a closer look reveals a more squarish design. The speaker grills flank the sides of the speaker, and a thick cap tops off the speaker. It weighs around 4.08 lbs. Like the Bose speaker, here too, the buttons are at the top. But unlike the hardware buttons of the Bose speakers, the Sonos One packs touch-sensitive buttons. Keeping up with the times, I’d say. However, the thing that sets this speaker apart from most portable speakers is its Ethernet port. Yes, this speaker comes with one at the back. So should you not find a good Wi-Fi connection, this port can connect to the internet. Cool, right?
Battery vs Powered
So, how long do both the speakers last? When it comes to the older Soundlink Revolve Plus, it meets out an average battery life of 16 hours. However, if you take it to a party, you might want to bring the charging cable as well. As opposed to it, the Sonos One (Gen 2) is a wired speaker and needs a continuous power supply. This ultimately downplays its portability and ease of access. Unless you have a really long power strip connected to the Sonos speaker, the nearest it can get is to the patio. Bummer? Well, I will leave that up to you.
Built-in Smart Assistant
Quite obviously, you can’t activate both the assistants at the same time. So depending on whichever assistant is your preferred one, you can set it up. And like the Echo Show or the Echo Spot, you can issue voice commands to control other smart home products. Speaking of smart home devices, Alexa integration is better than Google Home. You’ll experience that once you start using both of them alternatively.
Sound Performance
Bose is no stranger when it comes to good audio delivery, and the Soundlink Revolve Plus is no exception. This omnidirectional speaker gets sufficiently loud and can easily be used for backyard parties and indoors without cranking up the volume all the way up. The audio is smooth audio output and has a hint of thumping bass. And even when the volume is cranked up, there’s minimal distortion. Well, that’s what anyone would expect from a $250 speaker. However, compared to conventional speakers and the Revolve Plus delivers bass that is a bit on the weaker side, and that’s a huge bummer for a speaker this size. Plus, if you crank up the volume, the notes distort slightly.
Old vs New
Overall, the Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus is a significantly decent speaker. It has a quirky design, which sets it apart from the rest. Though it delivers great audio quality, the absence of certain features like smart assistant integration and an IPX7 rating makes it a little outdated. And considering all these, the Bose Portable Smart Speaker proves to be a better option. On the other hand, the Sonos One (Gen 2) brings the advantage of smart assistants and music streaming capabilities to the foyer. The audio delivery is great, and its versatility is a huge plus. If only the power cable could be snipped. But if portability is not an issue (and if you can extend your budget), the Sonos Move makes for a better choice. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
