Portable Smart Speaker Set FAQs

Question 1

What are the main benefits of the Bose Portable Smart Speaker?

Accepted Answer

The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is an incredible-sounding smart speaker that’s flexible enough to handle any situation. It produces surprisingly spacious audio, including deep, rich bass, that spreads evenly in all directions so it envelops you from every angle. It’s battery-powered, so you can easily bring it with you all around your home and ask Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa for music. And away from Wi-Fi, it’s still an excellent Bluetooth speaker, so your sound can go wherever you go. Plus, you can control it with the Bose Music app, Apple AirPlay 2, or Spotify® Connect, or with the intuitive buttons on the speaker. And you can group it with other Bose smart speakers and soundbars to fill your home with sound, or even send synchronized audio to a Bose Bluetooth speaker or pair of headphones.

Question 2

How does the Bose Portable Smart Speaker compare to the Bose Smart Speaker 500 and Bose Home Speaker 300?

Accepted Answer

The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is our only portable smart speaker, while the Bose Home Speaker 300 and Smart Speaker 500 have no battery and must be plugged into the wall to function. Acoustically, the Portable Smart Speaker and the Home Speaker 300 have comparable performance, with the same 360-degree sound and impressively rich bass from similarly compact sizes. Meanwhile, the larger Bose Smart Speaker 500 is our best-sounding smart speaker, providing wall-to-wall stereo sound from a single enclosure. The Smart Speaker 500 also includes a display screen to show you what’s playing. Finally, the Portable Smart Speaker is water resistant and does not have an AUX input, while the Home Speaker 300 and Smart Speaker 500 are not water resistant and do include AUX.All three speakers share the same voice, app, and software features, including your choice of Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, compatibility with the Bose Music app, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, the ability to synchronize in multi-room groups, and more.

Question 3

How does the Bose Portable Smart Speaker compare to the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II?

Accepted Answer

The Bose Portable Smart Speaker has noticeably more powerful acoustic performance than the SoundLink Revolve+ II and is a bit larger, with a different visual design. Both products work as a Bluetooth speaker in any environment, but when you bring the Portable Smart Speaker onto a Wi-Fi network, it also works as a smart speaker with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, plus all the other features of a Bose smart speaker (Bose Music app compatibility, synchronizing multiple speakers, AirPlay 2, and more). The SoundLink Revolve+ II does not have any built-in voice assistants, smart features, or Wi-Fi access. Finally, the SoundLink Revolve+ II has a battery life up to 17 hours, while the extra acoustic power and voice assistant functionality of the Portable Smart Speaker limit its battery life up to 12 hours at loud volumes.

Question 4

What should I do if the Bose Music app doesn’t find my Portable Smart Speaker during setup?

Accepted Answer

First check if your speaker is in Setup Mode: the upper and lower portions of the light ring should be glowing an amber color. If this is not the case, please follow these three simple steps to make sure your speaker is in Setup Mode:Connect the speaker to a power outlet using the USB-C cable and power supplyTurn the speaker on by pressing the power buttonSimultaneously press and hold the volume down and the play/pause buttons for six seconds. While you’re doing this, the sides of the light ring should glow white and increase in size

Question 5

From which sources can I play music?

Accepted Answer

The Bose Portable Smart Speaker can play music directly from streaming music services over Wi-Fi, controlled either by Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa (where available), or using the Bose Music app. The Bose Portable Smart Speaker also has Bluetooth capability. Additionally, you can play music on the Bose Portable Smart Speaker from the Spotify app on a smartphone, tablet, or computer using Spotify Connect, and from an Apple device via Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility for streaming content like Apple Music.

Question 6

Can I use the Bose Portable Smart Speaker without Wi-Fi?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When no Wi-Fi is available, you can use the Portable Smart Speaker as a powerful Bluetooth speaker by connecting to it through your mobile device’s Bluetooth settings. Wi-Fi is required for smart features such as voice control through Google Assistant or Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, Bose Music app control and content browsing, multi-speaker grouping, and more.

Question 7

What happens when I bring the speaker away from a Wi-Fi network while it’s playing?

Accepted Answer

If you start music on the Bose Portable Smart Speaker through Wi-Fi (using a voice assistant or the Bose Music app, for example) and then you carry the product away from your Wi-Fi network, at some point the speaker will lose its Wi-Fi signal and the music will stop. At that point, if you want to keep playing, just press the Bluetooth button on the speaker to connect to your mobile device and play content from there. If you start playback over Bluetooth away from Wi-Fi and then bring the speaker home to a Wi-Fi network, it will reconnect to Wi-Fi in the background without interrupting your music.

Question 8

How long will the battery last?

Accepted Answer

Battery life depends on what type of music you’re playing and at what volume, but the battery of the Portable Smart Speaker will last up to 12 hours while playing at a loud volume. It will last over 24 hours in standby mode, listening for voice commands. And if you turn it all the way off for storage, travel, or battery savings, it will last a month or more.

Question 9

How long does it take for the battery to charge fully?

Accepted Answer

4 hours, as long as you are using the Bose-provided power cable attached to the speaker or to the Bose Portable Smart Speaker Charging Cradle (available as an accessory). Using a third-party USB-C cable or power source may increase charging time.

Question 10

How do I turn off the microphones on the speaker?

Accepted Answer

The microphones on the Bose Portable Smart Speaker may be turned off with a single press of the microphone-off button on the top of the speaker (on the left side). This button completely cuts power to the microphones, so the speaker will not hear any commands. For security reasons, it is not possible to use a voice command or the Bose Music app to turn the microphones on or off, only a physical button press can control the microphones. When the microphones are off, the red light beside the button will always be lit up. Simply press the microphone button again if you want to turn the microphones back on.

Question 11

Can I still play music on the speaker when the microphones are turned off?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Although the Bose Portable Smart Speaker has Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built in, you can also play music from other sources, such as integrated Wi-Fi music services available through the Bose Music app. You can also use a Bluetooth connection, Spotify Connect, or Apple AirPlay 2. All these non-voice sources are available independent of whether the microphones are turned off or whether Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa are enabled.

Question 12

Does Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa work when the speaker is not plugged into power?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As long as you have set up your assistant and are within range of a Wi-Fi network your speaker knows, your voice assistant will be connected, and your speaker will listen for your command even if it’s on battery power. That means you can use the Portable Smart Speaker as a voice-controlled smart speaker all around the home — ask it for music in the kitchen, on the patio, or even yell to it from the shower.

Question 13

Can I make or take calls from the Bose Portable Smart Speaker?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Using Alexa only, you can directly call Bose smart products, Amazon Echo products, and anyone in your contacts list. Simply say, “Alexa, call Mom,” to initiate a call. Or say “Alexa, answer,” to accept an incoming call. You do not need your phone to make or take a call, and it’s free of charge. However, when calling products, both parties are required to have this feature set up in order to use and be on Wi-Fi®.Currently, Amazon Alexa works with QC35 Headphones II,  Headphones 700, Home Speaker 300, Smart Speaker 500, Portable Smart Speaker, Smart Soundbar 300, Soundbar 500, Smart Soundbar 600, Smart Soundbar 700, and Smart Soundbar 900.

Question 14

Can I use the Bose Portable Smart Speaker as a clock or alarm?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Although the Bose Portable Smart Speaker does not have a display to show the time visually, you can use Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa (where available) to ask for the time, timers, and alarms.

Question 15

Does the Bose Portable Smart Speaker have Wi-Fi built in?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The speaker uses the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard.

Question 16

Does the Bose Portable Smart Speaker have Bluetooth built in?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bluetooth makes it easy for anyone to connect a smartphone or other device to the Bose Portable Smart Speaker in a familiar way, and allows you the flexibility to play audio from any source, like a YouTube video or a recording saved on a phone or laptop.

Question 17

Does the Bose Portable Smart Speaker have an auxiliary line-in jack or the ability to play auxiliary through its USB-C port?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 18

Can I charge the speaker and play audio at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 19

Does the Bose Portable Smart Speaker include or work with a remote control?

Accepted Answer

No. You can control the product from across the room using voice control through Google Assistant or Alexa (where available), or from anywhere on your Wi-Fi network using the Bose Music app or Apple AirPlay 2, or from remote locations using Spotify Connect.

Question 20

Is the Bose Portable Smart Speaker water resistant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Portable Smart Speaker is IPx4 water resistant, so you can get it wet with splashes and sprays. While the speaker should not be submerged under water, it can easily withstand sprays from sitting next to the sink, the pool, or the shower.

Question 21

Can the product connect to more than one Bluetooth device at a time?

Accepted Answer

No. Only one mobile device can be connected to the Bose Portable Smart Speaker at a time via Bluetooth. However, it’s easy to switch between devices using the Bose Music app or the Bluetooth settings on the selected device.

Question 22

What is the acoustic technology in the Bose Portable Smart Speaker?

Accepted Answer

The Bose Portable Smart Speaker applies unique Bose portable speaker acoustic technology in a new, more powerful form factor. An ultra-efficient, high-excursion transducer aims downward into an acoustic deflector to radiate rich sound uniformly in every direction, while three passive radiators deepen the bass by increasing the vibrating surface area of the speaker. Just like with our SoundLink Revolve and Revolve+ portable speakers, this 360-degree design avoids the positional sweet spots and frequency drop-offs of speakers that just aim forward, but this time, with the extra power and stronger bass that comes with a new shape and a third passive radiator. Placed in the middle of the room, a corner, or anywhere in between, the Bose Portable Smart Speaker delivers the same impressive audio experience for everyone. Music is clear, surprisingly spacious, and remarkably loud for a product of this size.

Question 23

Can I control the bass and treble?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bass and treble can be adjusted via the settings menu in the Bose Music app.

Question 24

Can the Bose Portable Smart Speaker work in multi-room groups with other Bose products like speakers or headphones?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Bose Portable Smart Speaker can play in synchronized multi-room groups with additional Bose Portable Smart Speaker units, or with the Bose Smart Speaker 500, the Bose Home Speaker 300, the Bose Smart Soundbar 300, the Bose Soundbar 500, the Bose Smart Soundbar 600, the Bose Smart Soundbar 700, or the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. You can also send synchronized audio from the Bose Portable Smart Speaker to one additional Bose Bluetooth product, such as a portable speaker or pair of headphones. However, you cannot play synchronized multi-room content across the Bose Portable Smart Speaker and either Bose SoundTouch products or products from other manufacturers (including Google or Amazon).

Question 25

Can I use Chromecast to cast audio content to groups of Bose smart speakers and soundbars?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can cast audio content to your group of Bose smart speakers or soundbars through the Bose Music app or on the products themselves. Start by creating a group in the Bose Music app and casting to that group, or by pressing and holding the Action button on the connecting device to pair them into a group that’s playing a cast stream. Group your ground floor speakers, or all the speakers in the house and get the party started.

Microphones	Built-in Microphone
Sound Options	Multiroom, SimpleSync
Audio cable included	No
Water Resistant	IPX4
Entire Product System	7.54" H x 4.69" W x 4.09" D (2.34 lb)
Product Material	Aluminum, Fabric, Paint, Plastic, Plastic (Hard), Plastic (Soft)
Battery Life	12 hours
Charging Interface(s)	USB C PORT
Wireless Connectivity	Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Network (WiFi Enabled), Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth Version	4.2
Bluetooth Range	Up to 30 ft (9 m)
Bose App	Bose Music App

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