Bose's powerful Bluetooth speakers get a big upgrade without a higher price

Bose's powerful Bluetooth speakers get a big upgrade without a higher price

Bose has quietly refreshed its SoundLink Revolve and SoundLink Revolve+ wireless speakers, promising to upgrade the design and battery without increasing the price.

Both the SoundLink Revolve II and SoundLink Revolve+ II were announced on Bose's community forum. They look the same as their successors, but both have extended battery life and are IP55 waterproof. This is good enough to withstand heavy rain and piles of sand on the beach that could ruin a party, and should help the new versions compete better with the best Bluetooth speakers.

This is a particularly big upgrade for the SoundLink Revolve II, as the original SoundLink Revolve only had an IPX4 rating for weather resistance, while the IP55 rating ensures better protection against both solids and liquids, SoundLink Revolve II is not fully waterproof to the extent of the very rugged UE Megaboom 3.

Battery life is also rated at 12 to 13 hours of playback for the SoundLink Revolve. The larger, louder SoundLink Revolve+ II has received a similar upgrade, now capable of 17 hours of playback on a single charge.

The SoundLink Revolve+ II has also jumped up from IPX4 weatherproof to IP55. So whichever speaker you use will be more reliably protected from the elements.

There are no other changes to the design of both speakers. They will still produce 360-degree sound from their cylindrical enclosures. And despite the larger frame, the SoundLink Revolve+ II still has the convenient carrying handle that helped keep the previous model portable.

Another thing that hasn't changed is the price. Although not yet available in the U.S., the SoundLink Revolve II and SoundLink Revolve+ II are already available in the U.K. for £180 and £280, respectively. Since these prices are the same as the MSRP of the original product, the SoundLink Revolve II is expected to cost $200 and the SoundLink Revolve+ II $300 when it launches in the US.

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