Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex. It ranks #38 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $159. The Klipsch Nashville ranks #85, rated 3.3/5, at $84.80, $74.20 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The SoundLink Flex is lighter and deeper. Its 60mm driver and two passive radiators reach about 56Hz before falling 10dB, Alan Ross measured 96dB, and it is IP67, survives drops and floats. At 1.3 lbs (589 g) it weighs much less than the Nashville. Its bass is boosted enough to cover some midrange detail, and its battery is rated for 12 hours.
The Nashville wins on battery and charging. It claims 24 hours, charges at 18W over USB-C, can charge a phone, and has a rugged rubber-coated IP67 body and an app with EQ. Its upper bass is boosted and its lower treble a little harsh, and Klipsch rates it at only 89dB.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $74.20 you would save on the Klipsch Nashville does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex | Klipsch Nashville | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | $84.80 |
| Ranked | #38 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #85 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | ~64Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (589 g) | 2.1 lbs (970 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 7” x 3.1” x 3.2” (178 x 78 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 2x 57mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W RMS |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Flex: $159.00 Amazon $159.00 eBay
Newer model: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5, released Sep 2024. It adds adjustable EQ, AAC and aptX Adaptive. See every Bose SoundLink Flex, Micro, Max and Plus generation.
Pros: IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. Around 12 hours of battery at moderate volume. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail
Full Bose Soundlink Flex review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (589 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Plus & Flex compared
- Oluv Patreon: Soundcore Motion 300 = Bose Soundlink Flex = Earfun UBoom L?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or Beosound A1 (1st gen) - ultimate compact speaker 😇 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex vs Minirig MK3 and Marshall Emberton - best bluetooth speaker?
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Travel Speakers! Soundcore Motion 300 or Bose Flex or Tribit Stormbow Flow
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex Review! vs JBL Flip 6 and JBL Charge 5. Travel heaven?? 🤞
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- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs Soundcore Motion 300 (LDAC) 😵 Budget Bose Soundlink Flex "Inspired" Speakers More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Danny Pops: BEST Bose Speaker?? Bose Soundlink Flex vs micro, Color II, and revolve + More from DannyPops →
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- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
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Klipsch Nashville: $84.80 Amazon $84.80 eBay
Same family: the Klipsch Austin (smaller model, rated 3.7/5) and the Klipsch Detroit (larger model, rated 3.1/5).
Pros: Sturdy rubber-coated build. ~24 hour battery life with fast 18W USB-C charging; can reverse-charge your phone. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of ~64Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Upper bass boost. Bass not as deep as the top ranked speakers. Boosted lower treble, sounds a little harsh like most Klipsch speakers.
Full Klipsch Nashville review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~64Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7” x 3.1” x 3.2” (178 x 78 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 57mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (970 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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