Bose SoundSport Free review

23 September 2018
We take Bose's first attempt at truly wireless earbuds for a ride.

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  • M
  • Mardan
  • Ntp
  • 30 Mar 2020

I has used the bose speaker soundsport around 5 month, but suddenly can't use again, i don't the problem, suddenly not sound hear in the speaker. Thank you.

    • O
    • Owner review
    • uNY
    • 05 Sep 2019

    I wish I could return my Soundsport Free. But I got it by winning a competition, mostly free, so I can't. While its sound quality is nice, call quality is terrible, to the point that you can't use it for calls at all. During a call, ambient noise is so loud that the other side can't hear you. Full of complaints on Bose's support forum for years, and they just ignored them, see https://community.bose.com/t5/Around-On-Ear-Headphones/Microphone-amplifies-background-noise/td-p/150948/page/6. Unacceptable for a $200 headset.

    My advice: stay away from Bose headsets if you plan to use them for calls.

      Audio sync issue is a real deal breaker with these earbuds.
      It's not true that the problem is only with YouTube.

      First of all YouTube on Android 9.0 doesn't have a sync issue. Lots of video playing apps does not have the issue on the latest Android. That's because 9.0 report audio delay to apps, so they can delay video playback to sync audio and video.
      However try to play any games with these headphones and you'll be disappointed.

      YouTube on iOS fails to sync video and audio. Other apps like Amazon Prime Video are ok, unless you try to run something real-time like a game..

      YouTube in Chrome on macOS is still a disaster.

      I'm sure there are lots of other apps which doesn't use audio delay reported by earbuds and OS to sync video.
      Problem here is Bose doesn't admit there is a problem. Probably because there is a hardware limitation.

        • S
        • Socalteknique
        • qNG
        • 24 Sep 2018

        I just bought a set of Bose Soundsport free and can't wait to receive them later today in the mail. I've been hearing a lot of pros and cons about them but the pros outweigh the cons. Good sound quality and sweat resistance are a must. I aslo have the Sony WF-1000x but their 2.5h battery life and low volume & bass are disappointing.

          • C
          • Clar
          • fxU
          • 24 Sep 2018

          Bought the soundsport free, but returned it as the left ear piece kept dropping out. It was hopeless. Bulky and average sound quality. People here probably have never heard of the Anker Zolo Liberty+. It's half the price with very nice audio and superior Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. It's practically dropout free. It has the best Bluetooth connection in a wireless earpiece (totally wireless or not)! The best part is that it costs half the price of these overpriced ones.

            • C
            • Chemist83
            • rfW
            • 24 Sep 2018

            Anonymous, 23 Sep 2018I have a set of the latest over-the-ear Bose active noise c... moreI updated the Software, i don't get any drops or disconnection.

              "The buttons on these units are practically unusable". I would rather have the buttons than none.

              This entire article is about Airpods vs SoundSports Free. I actually spent the $350 on the Bose because I found the sound quality to be top. The right-ear phone calls are fine, and wasn't a deal breaker at all.

              The writer rambles on how Airpods "beats" the the SSF in every aspect except sound quality and water protection. He failed to mention how Airpods are like two white sticks are oozing out of one's ears. Think about that Ben Stiller movie.

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • x8}
                • 23 Sep 2018

                I have had the Bose SoudSport Free for awhile, and they sound fantastic, and I find them comfortable in the ear, with no fear of them falling out. Not unlike some other wireless earbuds (Apple).

                  • 2
                  • 24C4+1
                  • qxU
                  • 23 Sep 2018

                  For all the cheap folks reading this Sound Magic are the only award winning budget headphones

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • sfK
                    • 23 Sep 2018

                    I have a set of the latest over-the-ear Bose active noise cancelling headphones as well as set of the SoundSport Free (SSF) wireless. I've had several other Bose products over the years and there is NOTHING good to say about the SSF product! I don't really like wearing over-the-ear headphones due to the bulk, etc. That's what led me to the SSF set. Waste of money. The wireless connection drops multiple times every time I use them with my Android phone (Google Pixel 2 XL). Also, the SSF shuts down/powers off at random - every time I use them. The charger case is large - no biggie - but it's true that the weight of them leads to irritation over time. I usually don't write reviews, but the SSF product is the worst Bose product I've ever purchased. Stick to the over-the-ear products where they still seem to know what they're doing.

                      • D
                      • Dubaiboy78
                      • Hxd
                      • 23 Sep 2018

                      Anonymous, 23 Sep 2018The best wireless ear buds for 2018 is Jabra Elite 65t.I agree on this 100000%. I returned my Bose Soundsport free to get Jabra Elite 65t. No regret since 65t is way better!

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • Nyj
                        • 23 Sep 2018

                        [deleted post]The best wireless ear buds for 2018 is Jabra Elite 65t.

                          I'm sorry GSMARENA but I really deny on your claim that AirPods are the best.
                          Sure, they innovate that true wireless earphones but they sound meh!

                          I'll pull the trigger when I'll test this Bose SoundSport in a tech store.

                            • D
                            • DAN13l83
                            • rfW
                            • 23 Sep 2018

                            I own both Bose and the airpods. I even own the first SoundSport. I use the free wireless Bose for the gym. Sounds so much better for music over the airpods. I use them for the gym and leave the case in my car. If I don't leave them on the charger, I sometimes find them dead but only after two or three weeks of no use. They are very similar to the first SoundSport which I still use because they are stored at home and I use them when I walk to work or walk back from taking the kid to school. Now the airpods, I own every apple device and switch out between my iPhone X and iPhone se. It was very easy to pair. I'll Use those to use my phone around the house to watch videos when everyone is asleep or something or make phone calls.I can't walk with them or do anything with them as they fall out of my ear. I do like the size and convenience and I only charged the case twice in 10 months and give it the equal use on my Bose free wireless. I ask own the Beats solo wireless but I never use those. The Bose sound so much better.

                              "the AirPods are still the best wireless earphones you can get"
                              You really sound like a man without an audio experience.
                              Airpods sound like crap, are uncomfortable and are they even suffer sync issues now and then. I tested them many time but my finding were always the same: "What a hell is this uncomfortable crap?" "And why wireless earbuds for 15$ sounds better (QCY)?"

                              Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless can't come soon enough ... to wipe the floor with every other solution (hopefully).

                                "... the AirPods beat the SoundSport Free with their hands tied behind their back in every other aspect, and because of that the AirPods actually come out ahead when you factor in everything." WTF.

                                The sound quality of Airpods aren't as comparable to the SoundSports - my number one consideration, plus they aren't shoved jammed into the ear canals. Yes, SoundSports are big and stick out of your ears, but at least not two white sticks coming out of my ears.