The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is the latest addition to the Bose Lifestyle Collection, which also includes the Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar and the Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer. This compact smart speaker is designed to offer excellent sound quality and versatile connectivity options. Unlike previous Bose multiroom systems, the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker uses Google Cast and Apple AirPlay making it compatible with other wireless speakers in your home.
While the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is not backward compatible with earlier Bose Wi-Fi speakers, its shift toward a more open ecosystem is a significant step forward. The speaker is also equipped with Amazon Alexa making it a convenient choice for smart home enthusiasts. However, it’s important to note that the speaker does not natively support high-res 24-bit/192kHz audio at launch.
Versatile Use-Case Scenarios
The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is designed to be modular, offering various use-case scenarios. It can be used as a standalone speaker, paired with another for stereo sound, or connected to multiple speakers for seamless multiroom listening. The speaker also features a height driver that uses Bose’s direct reflecting technology to add presence. However, it’s not an Atmos height channel on its own. If used as a rear speaker with the Ultra Soundbar, the height driver will act as an Atmos channel.
The speaker supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and has a 3.5mm input for connecting to source components like a turntable. It’s not a portable speaker, so it must be plugged in. The speaker’s compact design makes it easy to place in various rooms, including a media room, home office, or living room. It’s recommended to give the speaker some breathing room, not placing it right up against a wall.
Easy Setup and Control
Setting up the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is straightforward. The process is done through the Bose app for iOS and Android. You’re asked whether the speaker will be used as part of a multiroom audio system, as a stereo pair, or as rear-channel speakers. The only issue encountered was a fairly long wait time for each speaker to be updated with the latest software.
The speaker has pause/play and volume buttons, along with a microphone mute button on top. However, playback is generally controlled through apps like Spotify on your phone or voice commands using Alexa. The speaker supports Spotify Connect, making it easy to control playback. However, you can’t directly use your phone’s volume buttons to control the speaker’s volume. Instead, a volume slider pops up in the app whenever you hit your phone’s volume buttons.
Sound Quality and Comparison
The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker offers impressive sound quality, especially when used as a stereo pair. The speaker’s bass is tighter, punchier, and more defined compared to the Sonos Era 100. The Bose also has a slightly wider and taller soundstage, thanks to the height driver. Both speakers offer options for tweaking the bass, treble, and midrange settings through equalizer controls in the app.
While the speaker offers excellent sound quality, it’s important to note that you won’t get the same level of clarity as a good wired bookshelf speaker in this price range. The sound quality can also fluctuate depending on the track you’re listening to. However, vocals do sound clear and natural with a nice tonal balance
Its excellent sound quality, versatile connectivity options, and easy setup make it a top choice for wireless audio. However, it’s strongly suggested to buy two if you can afford it, as they sound significantly more impressive as a stereo pair.
