Short answer: the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker. It ranks #13 of 20 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $299 and is still sold new; the Klipsch The Three II ranks #18 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is the better-sounding pick. Three drivers (a 3in woofer and 1in tweeter facing forward, plus a 1.5in driver firing upward) give it a noticeably taller sound than most compact home speakers. It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Klipsch The Three II cannot. It links with other speakers (Bose app multi-room, AirPlay 2, Google Cast), which the Klipsch The Three II cannot. Watch for: RTINGS lists sub-par directivity as its main weakness, and reviewers agree a single unit sounds narrow from side to side, so it works best as a stereo pair.
Why pick the Klipsch The Three II: Klipsch The Three II uses 4.5” woofer, 2x 2.25” full-range midranges. Watch for: Its 45Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size.
Buy the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Klipsch The Three II is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker | Klipsch The Three II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 each | $400 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 20 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #18 of 20 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose app multi-room, AirPlay 2, Google Cast) | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord | - |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.68 kg) | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| App | Yes (Bose) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field, mic mute button) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + up-firing driver level) | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Bose app) | No |
| Drivers | 3in woofer, 1in tweeter, 1.5in up-firing mid/high driver | 4.5” woofer, 2x 2.25” full-range midranges |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA, Optical, USB |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 4.8” x 6.6” (184 x 121 x 167 mm) (H x W x D) | 11” x 7.3” x 7.3” (280 x 186 x 186 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Full-range: 2x15W) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker compares with other leading options:
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
- Marshall Woburn III vs Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
- Marshall Woburn II vs Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
- Marshall Woburn I vs Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
- Apple HomePod 2nd Gen vs Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker: $299.00 each Amazon eBay
Pros: Three drivers (a 3in woofer and 1in tweeter facing forward, plus a 1.5in driver firing upward) give it a noticeably taller sound than most compact home speakers. Stuff gave it the edge over the Sonos Era 100, and TechRadar called its tonal balance fairly neutral, with tight bass control and high detail. Alexa, including Alexa+, is built in, and RTINGS found its microphones picked up commands easily from across a noisy room. It streams over AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth 5.3, keeps a 3.5mm aux input that the Era 100 lacks, and two units can be stereo paired or used as rear surrounds with the Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar.
Cons: RTINGS lists sub-par directivity as its main weakness, and reviewers agree a single unit sounds narrow from side to side, so it works best as a stereo pair. Deep bass is limited: Engadget found the low end restrained and preferred the Denon Home 200’s sound, Stuff noted it can’t separate sub-bass from the bassline and that DSP pulls bass back at maximum volume, and TechRadar heard a slight toothiness in the treble that needed EQ to calm. The EQ is only bass, mid and treble with no automatic room calibration. Bose warns the aux and Bluetooth inputs add lip sync delay for TV use, it has no battery or IP rating, and both SoundGuys and Engadget needed several restarts to get stereo pairing working.
Full Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Bose) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field, mic mute button) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 4.8” x 6.6” (184 x 121 x 167 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 3in woofer, 1in tweeter, 1.5in up-firing mid/high driver |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + up-firing driver level) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose app multi-room, AirPlay 2, Google Cast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC power cord |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect |
| TRS Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Bose app) |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.68 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker vs Denon Home 250
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker vs Sonos Era 100
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker vs Marshall Acton III
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker vs Marshall Acton II
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker vs JBL Authentics 200
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker vs Marshall Stanmore IV
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker vs Edifier D12
- See all 41 comparisons
Klipsch The Three II: $400 each Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Klipsch The Three Plus, ranked lower, rated 3.4/5.
Pros: Klipsch The Three II uses 4.5” woofer, 2x 2.25” full-range midranges. Its 4.7 kg, aux input and limited-stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: Its 45Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size. There is no companion app. Discontinued.
Full Klipsch The Three II review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W (Woofer: 30W, Full-range: 2x15W) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11” x 7.3” x 7.3” (280 x 186 x 186 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5” woofer, 2x 2.25” full-range midranges |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, RCA, Optical, USB |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Three II vs Marshall Acton II
- Klipsch The Three II vs Klipsch The One II
- Klipsch The Three II vs Sonos Era 100
- Klipsch The Three II vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Klipsch The Three II vs Marshall Acton III
- Klipsch The Three II vs JBL Authentics 200
- Klipsch The Three II vs Edifier D12
- Klipsch The Three II vs Marshall Stanmore III
- See all 11 comparisons