Bose SoundTouch 20 Series III WiFi

Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers / Home

A wireless home speaker system that uses proprietary WiFi based Bose technology and Bluetooth.

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CR Expert Take

How did it perform in our expert lab testing?

Overall Score

The Overall Score for this model is derived from our expert lab test results.

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Current Range of Tested Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers

What goes into the Overall Score?

Sound quality

/ 5

Ease of use

/ 5

Versatility

/ 5

Color

/ 5

Detailed Test Results

Sound quality: Bose's SoundTouch 20 Series III WiFi had good sound quality overall. Bass has good impact, goes somewhat deep, but is prominent and boomy. Midrange is fairly even but slightly gritty and is somewhat overwhelmed by the bass. Treble is extended but is prominent and sizzly. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience and is a somewhat congested. Fine detail is lacking. No significant difference between Wifi, Bluetooth and wired sound quality. Provides a high volume level in a medium sized room.

Ease of use: We found the system's ease of use to be very good overall. The Bose Sound Touch 20 Series III Connecting to a Wi-Fi network is straight forward but a bit tedious and intrusive since you can't complete the setup without registering the unit which requires providing some personal information. Bluetooth pairing: pairing requires a press well marked button which is also marked multifunction then selection of unit from Bluetooth selection list on source device; unit provides an obvious indication that the unit is in pairing mode as well as when pairing has actually occurred. The speaker and remote have well marked controls that are easy to use, and the speaker has a very informative display.

About

A Bose proprietary technology WiFi and Bluetooth wireless home speaker system with analog audio input and remote control.

Features & Specs

Features

IP rating

Claimed battery life (hrs.)

Adjustable tone settings

Wireless stereo pairing

Speaker phone w/built-in mic

Optional multi-room sharing

Yes

Remote

Yes

Power source

Updatable software/firmware

Yes

Warranty (mos.): parts/labor

12/12

Other features

Lacks Airplay capability but can stream like its larger predecessor versions plus it has Bluetooth.

Included accessories

Power Cord, USB Cable, Remote Control

WiFi content sharing technology

Bose Proprietary

Wake timer

Sleep timer

Specs

Wireless type

WiFi, Bluetooth

Audio format

Stereo

Height (in.)

Width (in.)

Depth (in.)

Weight (lbs.)

Dimensions HxWxD (in.)

7.5 x 12.5 x 6

Connections

Stereo analog audio input

Yes

Optical digital audio input

Headphone jack

Active subwoofer pre-amp out

Other connections

Ethernet port, USB connections for setup

iPod Docking

Price & Shop

Bose SoundTouch 20 Series III WiFi

CR Expert Take

Overall Score

What goes into the Overall Score?

Detailed Test Results

About

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