Short answer: the Klipsch Austin. It ranks #15 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $80; the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 ranks #18 and costs $99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Klipsch Austin gets right: Dual passive radiators give more low-end presence than most mini speakers. The catch: Not as deep bass as higher ranked speakers.
On the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 side: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. Set against that: Lack of clarity.
Buy the Klipsch Austin. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Austin | Bose Soundlink Micro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #15 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (10W reverse USB-C charging) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 397 g | 0.7 lbs / 329 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 1.5" (38mm) full-range with dual passive radiators | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| Charging Time | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 4.3" x 4.3" x 1.7" (109 x 109 x 43 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 1.7" (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Output Power | 10W RMS | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Max Volume | 89dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Marshall Willen vs JBL Clip 4
- Marshall Willen II vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Marshall Willen vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Klipsch Austin vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Marshall Willen II vs Klipsch Austin
The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch Austin: $80 Amazon
Pros: Dual passive radiators give more low-end presence than most mini speakers. Clear mids and crisp trebles. Rugged rubberized build with a metal grille; IP67. Supports TWS pairing with a second Austin.
Cons: Not as deep bass as higher ranked speakers
Full Klipsch Austin review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.3" x 4.3" x 1.7" (109 x 109 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.5" (38mm) full-range with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 89dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 10W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (10W reverse USB-C charging) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 397 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch Austin vs Marshall Willen
- Klipsch Austin vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Klipsch Austin vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- Klipsch Austin vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Klipsch Austin vs Marshall Willen II
- Klipsch Austin vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Klipsch Austin vs JBL Clip 5
- Klipsch Austin vs Soundcore Mini 3
- See all 19 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Micro 2: $99.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. Compact fabric strap for clipping to bags/bikes - replaces the 1st-gen’s hook clip, which was prone to breaking. USB-C charging. Surprisingly good bass when mounted outdoors, like on a bike.
Cons: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass that causes some thudding, and can overdrive/distort at higher volumes - worse in this regard than the 1st-gen model. Overly boosted treble, turn down bass and treble in the EQ. Falls clearly behind the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 on bass depth, cleanliness, and loudness.
Full Bose Soundlink Micro 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 4.1" x 1.7" (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 329 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 5
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Marshall Willen
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 4
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- See all 18 comparisons