Short answer: the Klipsch Austin. It ranks #15 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $80; the Bose Soundlink Micro ranks #19 and costs $90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Klipsch Austin: Dual passive radiators give more low-end presence than most mini speakers. The tradeoff: Not as deep bass as higher ranked speakers.
What the Bose Soundlink Micro gets right: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). The catch: Lack of clarity.
Buy the Klipsch Austin. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Micro and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Klipsch Austin is rated for 12 hours versus 6 hours for the Bose Soundlink Micro.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Austin | Bose Soundlink Micro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $90.00 |
| Ranked | #15 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 397 g | 0.6 lbs / 289 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 1.5" (38mm) full-range with dual passive radiators | 40mm with dual passive radiators |
| Charging Time | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 4.3" x 4.3" x 1.7" (109 x 109 x 43 mm) | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (98 x 98 x 35 mm) |
| Output Power | 10W RMS | 5W |
| Max Volume | 89dB | 90dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 50ms |
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- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Marshall Willen
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- Marshall Willen II vs Klipsch Austin
- Klipsch Austin vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
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 Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Klipsch Austin vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Klipsch Austin vs Marshall Willen II
- Klipsch Austin vs JBL Clip 5
- Klipsch Austin vs Soundcore Mini 3
- See all 19 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Micro: $90.00 Amazon
Pros: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). Very compact and pocketable at 0.68 lb.
Cons: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass
Full Bose Soundlink Micro review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4" (98 x 98 x 35 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 90dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 289 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 vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Clip 5
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Clip 4
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Marshall Willen
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Go 5
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Go 4
- See all 22 comparisons


