For Bose Wireless Speakers, Big Sounds Come in Small Packages

— -- Ever since Bluetooth technology was invented some 20 years ago, companies have been rushing to create accessories to take advantage of it. That’s particularly been the case with music, as a deluge of firms large and small have introduced everything from wireless speakers and headphones in an effort to appeal to music lovers and tap into a lucrative and growing market.

As the the list of firms jumping into the Bluetooth-equipped speakers market expands, few can match the array of sleekly designed products from Bose, the visionary company long-synonymous with high-quality audio systems and speakers.

And its new line of Soundlink products continues the company’s reputation for offering a rich audio experience wrapped in a small, eye-catching design.

The Soundlink Mini - encased in silver anodized aluminum - is by far the company’ s best product for music lovers who want their tunes in a travel-friendly device.

Like most of the Soundlink line, the device connects to a variety of Bluetooth-enabled devices, including the iPhone, Android tablets and laptops. But unlike much of it’s competition, the small device packs a surprisingly powerful audio punch with a deep and rich audio experience and advanced functions. Its aluminum casing gives the unit a distinctly premium feel. The Soundlink Mini, which sales for $199.95, also has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack used for connecting devices directly to the speaker.

“The technology involved in delivering the product is sophisticated enough to create a winning device for discerning consumers, but it’s also simple enough for everyday music lovers to embrace,” says Jack Yu, senior product manager for Bose mobile audio products. “For us, utilizing all of the best technical tools to deliver these kinds of products has always been paramount to the company.”

The Soundlink line also includes the SoundLink Color Bluetooth speaker, a 1.25 pound device that comes in a spectrum of colors, including blue, aquamarine, red, black and white. With seven hours of playback on a single charge, the design-friendly, compact device is perfect for travel. It lists for $129.95.

For a stepped audio experience that’s still somewhat mobile, Bose offers Soundlink lll, the company’s best-performing Bluetooth speaker. It plays louder and longer than its predecessor, the company says. It sales for $299.95

(Bose also offer the Soundlink lll NFL Collection, limited-edition audio products that feature team logos on the front and back.)

The new line of speakers come as sales of Bluetooth-equipped speakers continue to soar. According to research group NPD, which tracks consumer product sales in the U.S., nearly 800,000 Bluetooth-equipped speakers were sold in the fourth quarter of 2014, a staggering 432 percent increase from the year before.