Bose SoundLink Max

The bold and assertive sound from this robust, go-anywhere wireless speaker is almost enough to make you overlook its (few, and minor) shortcomings. If you want your portable party to go with a bang, don’t look any further.

At the end of the day, the SoundLink Max will draw in the same people who’ve always bought Bose’s speakers. If you want to splurge on a very simple, elegant, great-sounding speaker, this is that. But the Bose tax and that $399 price will inevitably give others pause — understandably so. I’m already planning to carry this thing around often over the months ahead, but it’s a luxury purchase through and through.