It’s not hard to get your hands on a portable Bluetooth speaker. Take a walk through any electronics section, scroll through any electronics site, and you’re sure to encounter a wide range of options to choose from. Different sizes, different shapes, different colors… it’s a crowded field and one that gets even more crowded by the day.
How can you tell the difference between them all, especially those with similar names? Take the Bose Revolve vs Revolve+, for example. What sets these two Bose portable Bluetooth speakers apart?
To tell the difference between the Bose Revolve vs Revolve+, there are several different topics to discuss. From their respective specs and key differences to their respective pros and cons, the Bose Revolve vs Revolve+ have just as many similarities as they do differences.
Luckily for portable Bluetooth speaker shoppers, we’ve outlined everything for you below. Firstly, we’ll make a side-by-side comparison of the two and outline their key differences. Secondly, we’ll discuss their history and weigh their pros and cons. Conclusively, we’ll be able to tell which option is best.
Bose Revolve vs Revolve+: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bose Revolve | Bose Revolve+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Date Released | April 13th, 2017 | April 13th, 2017 |
| Price | $219 | $329 |
| Size | 6 in. x 3.25 in. x 3.25 in. | 7.25 in. x 4 in. x 4 in. |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs. | 2 lbs. |
| Battery Life | 12 hours | 16 hours |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 12 dB | 17 dB |
| Smart Assistant Support | Yes | Yes |
| Colors | Black, Gray, Silver, Triple Black | Black, Gray, Silver, Triple Black, White |
Bose Revolve vs Revolve+: What’s the Difference?
So, taking these general specs into consideration, it helps to dive deep into a few key areas where the Bose Revolve and Bose Revolve+ stand apart. From the actual quality of the audio coming out of the Bluetooth speakers to the price, these are the key differences between the two.
Audio Quality
- Deep, loud and immersive sound, with true 360 degree coverage
- Built-in mic for speakerphone to take clear conference or personal calls out loud with a wireless range of approximately 30 feet.
- Seamless aluminum body is durable and water resistant (IPX4)
- Enjoy up to 12 hours of play time from a rechargeable, lithium-ion battery
- Wireless Bluetooth pairing with voice prompts allows you to easily take calls and access your phone’s virtual assistant — hands free
The audio quality of the Bose Revolve is quite good for its price, delivering crisp and clean sound at a moderate range of volumes. Its small size makes it ideal for indoor spaces, with its highest volume levels bordering on too loud; but it’s still not quite loud enough for an adequate outdoor setting.
True to its name, the Revolve puts out great sound on all sides of the speaker. Its 360-degree cylindrical shape makes it an interesting, quality Bluetooth speaker. Conversely, the Bose Revolve+ takes this quality audio to a slightly elevated level of performance.
For one, it boasts deeper, more robust bass. Additionally, its volume level goes even higher than that of the base model Bose Revolve.
Pair these factors with the all-around richer sound coming out of the Revolve+, and it’s easy to see why they added a “Plus” to this particular speaker. It makes slight but substantial improvements to the base model version of the Revolve, resulting in a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s just a little bit better.
Size
Size matters quite a bit when searching for the best portable Bluetooth speaker. Luckily, the Bose Revolve won’t have anyone complaining about size or weight. Its height measures up to six inches, while its diameter measures 3.25 inches. Being cylindrical, this diameter accounts for both length and width.
Its weight is also quite manageable for a portable speaker, clocking in at just one and a half pounds in all. The Bose Revolve is small enough to transport but sizable enough to deliver good sound.
Comparatively, the “Plus” in Revolve+ does more than just describe the improved 360-degree audio of the speaker. It also speaks to the increased size of the speaker itself. Its height and its diameter are both ever so slightly bigger than the Bose Revolve.
To be specific, it adds an inch and a quarter to the height and three-quarters of an inch to the speaker’s diameter. Additionally, it’s half a pound heavier than the Bose Revolve, bringing its total weight to two pounds. With these specs in mind, it seems the Bose Revolve is more portable than the Bose Revolve+.
Price
- Delivers deep, loud, jaw-dropping sound with True 360-degree coverage
- Built-in mic for speakerphone to take clear conference or personal calls out loud with a wireless range of approximately 30 feet
- The flexible fabric handle makes it easy to grab and go; the seamless aluminum body is durable and water-resistant (IPX4)
- Enjoy up to 16 hours of playtime from a long-lasting, rechargeable, lithium-ion battery
- Wireless Bluetooth pairing with voice prompts allows you to easily take calls and access your phone’s virtual assistant hands-free
- Triple Black
Considering the differences in audio quality and size specs, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that there’s a difference in price between the Bose Revolve vs Revolve+. The Bose Revolve ranges in price depending on which retailer you prefer.
On Amazon, you can sometimes find the speaker for $249. As for a Series II model, you can get the speaker for $179.
The Revolve+ comes at a higher price point, given its increased size and improved audio quality. For the original Revolve+, Amazon sometimes has the speaker priced at $289. For the Series II model, Amazon has the speaker priced at a remarkably low price of $221.
That’s a truly remarkable discount for a Bluetooth speaker of this caliber. This price difference between the Bose Revolve vs Revolve+ is minimal — and understandable — but nevertheless a distinguishing factor.
Bose Revolve vs Revolve+: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The Massachusetts Institute of Technology — founder Amar Bose’s former employer — became the Bose Corporation’s majority owner after Bose’s retirement in 2011.
- Bose never discloses numbers pertaining to their speakers’ specs, stating that actually hearing the audio coming from the speakers is a better indication of quality than any figures ever could be.
- Throughout the years, Bose has garnered a reputation for being incredibly quick to take competitors to court. This boils down to protectiveness over their brands, patents, and trademarks.
- Bose is a prominent figure in automobile audio systems, dating all the way back to the company’s first car installation in the 1983 Cadillac Seville.
- Both NASA and the United States military rely on an exclusive contract with the Bose Corporation for their headphones.
A Brief History of Bose
Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Amar Bose ran into a problem when installing his own personal surround-sound system in the mid-1950s. The audio quality was disappointing, to say the least. Bose couldn’t help but feel like he could make something so much better than what was available on the market at the time.
And so, equipped with his knowledge of electrical and sound engineering — not to mention the support of Bose’s trusted advisor and fellow professor Y. W. Lee — Amar started planning the future of surround-sound speaker technology. It took the help of some key angel investors, but Amar Bose was finally able to make his dream a reality with the first official Bose offering: the Bose 2201.
Sadly, the product was not successful in the slightest. It was discontinued in less than four years, bringing in poor sales and an even worse reception. Bose went back to square one, spending much of the mid-1960s tinkering away at a new product.
In 1968, he debuted the Bose 901. This time, it was an instant success. The Bose 901 remained a staple of Bose’s product lineup for 48 years before being discontinued in 2016. The massive and decades-long success of the Bose 901 was precisely the thing Amar needed to accomplish his goal.
In time, Bose left his role at MIT and continued to foster his increasingly popular audio company. By the 1970s and ’80s, Bose became the titan of the industry. From in-home sound systems to car speakers, over-ear headphones to in-ear earbuds, and PA systems to studio systems, the 21st-century Bose Corporation remains at the top of the ladder; not to mention the Bluetooth market.
History of the Bose Revolve
While Bose initially got into the speaker business for in-home surround-sound systems, the market has changed quite a bit since those early years. Today, for many consumers, it’s less about the best 5.1 or 7.1 (or, heck, even 9.1) surround-sound systems. The real focus is on convenience.
That means that the real popularity lies in soundbars and portable Bluetooth speakers. Keeping up with the latest audio technology trends, Bose has plenty of options available in both the soundbar and the portable Bluetooth markets.
The Bose Revolve and the Bose Revolve+ are perhaps Bose’s strongest offerings in this particular sphere. First released on the same day in April of 2017, the Revolve and Revolve+ set themselves apart from other portable Bluetooth speakers by delivering omnidirectional sound (i.e. sound in all directions).
Their cylindrical design puts out high-quality Bose audio in a full 360-degree range. When a market is as crowded as the Bluetooth speaker market, it makes all the difference to have something that distinguishes your product. Bose’s Revolve excels in this regard.
The Series II models of the Bose Revolve and Bose Revolve+ were released in 2021, four years after the speaker series made its initial debut in 2017. The new and improved models aren’t actually all that different from the Series I models.
They come in the same size, the same weight, the same colors, and the same audio quality. The only real difference is the pricing, which sees the Series II models more readily available, and occasionally even cheaper, than the Series I. Bluetooth technology goes through fast changes, so expect a Series III in a few years’ time.
Bose Revolve vs Revolve+: Pros and Cons
| Pros of Bose Revolve | Cons of Bose Revolve |
|---|---|
| Cheaper than the Bose Revolve+ | Much pricier than other Bluetooth speakers |
| Smaller in size than the Revolve+ | Its omnidirectional sound can lead to some unwanted distortion when placed in a corner |
| More lightweight than the Revolve+ | It’s not loud enough for outdoor listening |
| Great battery life and audio quality for its small size | Particulars surrounding Bose’s audio quality specs are difficult to find |
| Pros of Bose Revolve+ | Cons of Bose Revolve+ |
|---|---|
| Even better audio quality than the base model Revolve | One of the most expensive options in the Bluetooth speaker sphere |
| One of the best Bluetooth speakers money can buy | Heavier than the Revolve |
| Higher top volume compared to the standard Revolve | Taller and wider than the Revolve |
| Comes in additional colors compared to the Revolve base model | Audio quality can falter at high volumes |
Bose Revolve vs Revolve+: Which One Is Best?
So, when it comes down to it, the Bose Revolve vs Revolve+ is a showdown with no real loser. Both portable Bluetooth speakers deliver excellent audio quality at a luxury price. Additionally, both benefit from the 360-degree omnidirectional sound gimmick.
Few other speakers of this kind from rival brands can offer such a unique feature. What’s more, Bose is a trusted and dependable brand, which means Revolve and Revolve+ are both equally reliable. However, there can be just one winner.
Considering the improved audio quality, the increased volume, the larger size, and the heftier weight, the Bose Revolve+ is obviously the better of the two speakers. The Bose Revolve is a solid portable Bluetooth speaker, but marginally lower in quality and volume than the Revolve+.
This is especially true of the Series II Revolve speakers, which make positive improvements to the look, feel, and functionality of the first iterations of the Revolves. When all is said and done, Revolve+ definitely takes the cake.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©ClassyPictures/Shutterstock.com.
