Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max for better sound quality, the Dockin D Fine+ 2 for the lower price. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 77 large speakers at $309.99. The Dockin D Fine+ 2 ranks #26 at $150, $159.99 cheaper.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Max: it’s IP67 rated, rated for up to 20 hours of battery (with real-world testing finding 43+ hours), delivers deep, rich bass with neutral tuning and an app EQ, and its USB-C port doubles as a device charger with a sturdy carry handle. The catch: there’s a big peak in the upper bass, a dipped midrange, and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange, bass doesn’t go quite as deep as a Boom 2, it distorts above 80% volume, and it self-drains its battery about 20% a week.
What the Dockin D Fine+ 2 gets right: quite deep bass for the category. Set against that: it doesn’t have as much midrange clarity as other top ranked speakers and has a dip at 1.8kHz.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Dockin D Fine+ 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Dockin D Fine+ 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $309.99 | $150 |
| Ranked | #17 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg | 5.1 lbs / 2.3 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes (Bass boost 3 steps) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 10.4" x 4.7" x 4.1" (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 12.2" x 4.1" x 4.1" (310 x 103 x 103 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter | 2x tweeters, 2x midrange/bass drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 96dB |
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Max: $309.99 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated - dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Up to 20 hour battery; real-world testing found 43+ hours. Deep, rich bass with neutral tuning, app EQ. USB-C doubles as device charger. Sturdy carry handle.
Cons: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange. Bass not as deep as a Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.
Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4" x 4.7" x 4.1" (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs. Ultimate Ears EpicBoom 🤑Big Bucks No Whammies? 💣 Let’s Find Out 😧
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One?
- Scott’s Reviews: Bose SoundLink Max First Impressions, Unboxing, and Sound Test.
- Reddit Search for Bose SoundLink Max Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Bose SoundLink Max vs onn Portable FM Boombox
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Mee audio PartySPKR
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Sony ULT Field 5
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Ultimate Ears Epicboom
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Teufel Rockster
Dockin D Fine+ 2: $150 Amazon
Pros: Quite deep bass for the category.
Cons: Not as much midrange clarity as other top ranked speakers. Dip at 1.8khz.
Full Dockin D Fine+ 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2" x 4.1" x 4.1" (310 x 103 x 103 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x tweeters, 2x midrange/bass drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (Bass boost 3 steps) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs / 2.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dockin D Fine+ 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom 50w vs 30w 😱
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dockin d fine plus 2 v w king d8 budget boombox - 2020 50 watt speakers
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dockin D Fine+ 2 - overview - specs - sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dockin d fine+ mk2 stereo test - two Dockin Speakers - wow!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
- Reddit Search for Dockin D Fine+ 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons