Bose SoundTouch 30 Series III Wireless Music System - White

I received Bose Soundtouch 30 series III wireless speakers last week with Amazon's next day delivery. As usual no issues in delivery and packaging. The outer box was Amazon cardboard box with paper cushioning inside and a very sturdy inner Bose original box. Quite heavy item. Inside the box, there is a speaker unit, USB to microUSB cable, power lead and manuals in various languages. Set-up: It is quite easy to get speaker out of the box, connect the power lead (you do not need to connect the USB cable unless you want to get the system connected to a PC and set it up) and start. An amber flashing wi-fi symbol appeared on the screen. I downloaded Bose app from itunes (free) and after installation, I connected my iphone to the home wifi network. After opening the app, it checks for updates and then the set-up starts. The app design is average and the first time it might fail to recognize the speakers on network but if you try again it might detect speakers. After detection of speakers configuration started and I was up and running in no time! The Amber wifi symbol turns white and you know everything is working fine. Usage: You can choose radio stations to play from the Bose app and while paying a radio station, you can touch one of the number buttons in the app for long time and the radio station will be saved in speaker's memory. You can then play the same radio station aytime by pressing that number button either in the app or on the speaker. TThe remote and speaker both have B/AUX button, after pressing once, the system goes into bluetooth mode, twice and in AUX mode. Bluetooth connection is quite easy, I tried connecting my iphone, android phone, laptop without any issues. No sound cutting or disturbances. The only thing is while watching youtube video a delay was observed.AUX physical connection worked fine too. While playing any content the speaker shows the name of the file is playing. Also the display on speaker shows which device the speaker is connected to. Devices connected via bluetooth once can be connected in the future without set-up. Speaker searches for the last device connected bia bluetooth next time and gets connected automatically. The sound level varies everytime the source is changed. The internew radio volume is always high and the volume coming from bluetooth is low and needs to be increased but considering the sound quality of Bose, I can live with this setting. Sound quality: No issues at all. You can trust Bose for the clear, crispy, quality sound and powerful bass even at the low volume. Notes are clear, you can hear and enjoy whatever type of music on this speaker. No distortion at high volumes at all. Room size: I tested it in around 14x12 ft room and had no issues in hearing at other corner of the room.

If you're like me and always read product reviews from real people before splashing out, then you'll probably be feeling utterly confused as to which wireless speaker to buy!! So many conflicting reviews on these things. I was deliberating between the Sonos play 5 or the Bose soundtouch 30, in the end I followed my gut instinct and went for the Bose! Not disappointed at all, in fact over the moon with it! It's attractive and fits right into my interior. It's really easy to set up, just downloaded the Bose app, registered it and away you go. Not had any issues with wifi connection, although I do have a wifi booster anyway. Love the 6 presets and the remote, it's handy! Those people complaining about too much bass or sound distortion at high volumes, this is rubbish! Sound quality is brilliant, very natural. Whether you want subtle background music or full on party beats, it can handle it all! I have an open plan living, dining, kitchen, about 90m2 in total and wherever you stand the sound is fantastic. Ok, it's biggish and heavyish, but let's face it, if you're buying this model it's not because you're looking for something portable. You can't stream Spotify straight through the Bose app unless you get premium Spotify, this totally isn't an issue, just run it through your Bluetooth straight from the Spotify app. The same with YouTube, run it through Bluetooth and it works perfectly. Loving discovering all the internet radio stations, there's thousands! The Bose app was also heavily criticised, but it's simple to use and I have no complaints at all. I personally prefer the look of the Bose system over the Sonos, looks classier. I like the aux in addition, means I can still get my old iPod out and listen to it! I bought it from Amazon UK but live in Belgium, I was already anticipating having to put a travel adapter plug on it, but to my surprise I got 2 power leads, European and UK included! Saved a load of money buying from Amazon UK as opposed to somewhere in Belgium, about €130! Don't hesitate or be put off by negative reviews if you're a Bose fan, go for it. I'm pleased I did!

I have this in my bedroom; yes I know that seems a bit odd; but I like big sound that does not have to struggle. I use it either in it's own source - preferably Tidal, to which I have an account, and which supplies equally good Classical and Jazz besides the more usual followings. The blue tooth connects readily to my Astell and Kearns Kann Eos player. The result is sheer magic. I have had a Sound link for some years which has recently given up the ghost on Bluetooth and so I was used to high quality Bose sound; but this really knocks it out of the ball park. in Jazz with the MJQ playing Fontessa; the tiniest tinkle of cymbal is defined clearly; whilst when listening to the original recordings of Rachmaninov's Vespers- the very deepest of the contrabasses comes through clearly together with the Sopranos and Altos and tenors. No muffling - no noise distraction -just pure sound.! At least for the time being - This is as good as it gets!

Concur with the positives of other reviewers. Looks great and sounds good. I phoned Bose to check why I was not getting anything via the USB input The USB socket on the back is only for set up link to yr computer /ipad etc. I read that you could play an independent CD player through it. WRONG. The USB has no power and could not run my small player (or read it). Also will not run a usb stick. Nor can you use the Aux input as this has no power either. Suppose its for a powered record deck or other powered Hi fi equipment. The only way I can play CDs is to use the CD player in to my Laptop then Bluetooth it to the Bose. The speaker whilst very good is extremely base biased, but can be reduced from the Bose soundtouch app under settings, speaker settings,then select yr speaker. Internet radio is great and the Bluetooth pairs and works well. Hence allowing you to play anything on yr computer, YOUTUBE, Spotify, Amazon.

It is not a good model. Sound is not that great and front cover is in arch shape that looks going to come out slowly. Now it totally stopped working due to hardware issues. I don't recommend this one.

It’s a Bose It’s loud enough for any household & it has a rich base with good quality sound. It’s easy to use, but you need a smart phone to program. It’s a speaker at the end of the day. It also looks nice. If I had 1 gripe it would be that the cat loves to sit on it & keeps switching it on. But seriously, it’s a good pice of kit & the base it lovely, not to harsh but you know it’s not lacking. It’s not that annoying bang, bang, bang. It’s a fine rich base & it just fils the room with rich sound. Relax & enjoy

Fantastic speakers but let down by the horrific app that controls them. The speakers are really great with amazing sound for the size and once you get it working the Internet radio is very good using the presets. The music library really does not work well with wifi and to save yourself constant frustration it is best to select your library on your phone and use the Bluetooth connection which works well. If you try and use the presets via the wifi it will keep telling you it cannot find your music, this is due to your computer going into sleep mode or every time you shut it down the library is gone BUT, be warned, unless you are quite good with tech stuff you will probably throw the whole thing out through the window after you have restarted your computer/router/device/soundtouch multiple times and gone through 7 different setup scenarios. Plus having some lengthy conversations with the very nice and helpful folk at Bose tech help. In all took me about 5 hours to get it set up plus having to return the first one I bought back to the store, (It was a series 2 without Bluetooth had to give up and admit defeat after 6 hours). Once set up and running it is excellent and I love it. The question is why does a big reputable company that makes excellent high end products produce an App written by a demented monkey? Come on Bose pay a couple of proper programmers to do a proper job. If you doubt me just look at the reviews the App gets in the App store no one can bring themselves to give it more that 1 star, and you can't give 0 stars!!!

I was in two minds whether to get the Bose ST 20, ST 30 or Sonos Play 3 or 5. The Sonos lack of Bluetooth meant it was between the two Bose. After I had a demo in a shop I decided on the ST30. Sound quality. Never before have I heard so much noise come from such a small space. The bass is on another level, deep rich bass even at low levels, in fact the sweet spot is half to three quarter volume. When they say room filling sound they’re not joking. The treble can become a bit harsh on some tracks at high volume. Size. Similar to a piece of A3 paper landscape. Weighs a lot more than you’d expect. The app. The weakness in the offering, can be very temperamental at times. Errors such as no WiFi signal when quite clearly connected to WiFi. Be careful with Spotify connect too, I’ve accidentally turned my Bose system on when trying to pair to my car.