Bose Free Space 51 Review (In-depth Guide)

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To throw a fun outdoor party, you need three things: chips and dips (yes, I counted it as one thing), the perfect venue, and an excellent sound system. Choosing the perfect chips and dips would be meant for another article while picking the right venue is as easy as looking behind your house.

Now, all that leaves us is to discuss the right sound system, right? For you to choose the right outdoor speaker, you need to consider the number of people attending the party, the size of the venue, and the durability of the speaker itself.

If you love hosting many guests, then invest in a high-powered speaker that can cut through the crowd chatter or an environmental outdoor speaker with a big subwoofer so that the sounds can be heard even in the farthest corners of the area.

You should also consider its connectivity, battery life/power, and portability. As for its durability, consider a speaker with a thick outer protective shell and can withstand extreme weathers or can still function even if a liquid accidentally spills on it.

With these features mentioned, an outdoor-specific speaker that comes to mind is the Bose Free Space 51.

Keep reading my review of the Bose 151 SE Environmental Outdoor Speakers to learn everything you need to know before you buy.

Table of Contents

TLDR: Bose Free Space 51 Review

Product Description

The Bose Free Space 51 may not be completely weatherproof but it can withstand even extreme weather. Some online buyers even shared their personal experiences, wherein they said that the Bose Free Space 51 survived a few hurricane floods and still no damage to the sound or speaker itself.

The Free Space 51 environmental speakers likewise have a radial design that allows 360-degree sound dispersion for broad outdoor coverage. I like its green speaker cabinet because it blends in your backyard greenery.

You can even leave the Free Space 51 environmental speakers year-long in your outdoor area and it will still deliver a long-lasting, reliable performance.

It features a full-range, downward-firing driver (4.5″) and port that deliver richness and depth of music. Based on sound demonstration, the sound can be heard full-rage or over a large outdoor listening area.

And if you still have doubt in your mind as to its durability and sound quality, many users of these speakers shared that they did not notice any degradation of sound even if they have been using the speaker for more than 10 years already!

Pros

Tested to withstand temperature extremes of 140° F to -22° F, salt, rain, and snow
Trusted brand
Covered by a 5-year warranty
Weather-resistant
Sends sound in every direction, equally in a 360 radius
Can be installed in any ground location
Easy installation
Flexible design

Cons

Needs to be centered in an enclosure and some homeowners don’t like having two lumps at the center of their yard
Could be a tripping hazard
High price

Is it worth it to try?

Just a heads-up, these outdoor speakers are not cheap. But if you are serious and want to invest in durable and convenient outdoor speakers that play a high-quality sound even after being exposed to extreme weather conditions, then this is worth a try.

In-Depth Review of Bose Free Space 51 Environmental Speakers

Specifications

Dimensions/weight

Each speaker:15″ H x 14.5″ W x 14.5″ D (12 lbs)

Pair in carton:15″ H x 29″ W x 16″ D (25 lbs)

Speaker type: passive, wired, on/in-ground

Nominal power handling: 50 watts

Peak power handling: 100 watts

Impedance: 4 ohms

Sensitivity: not specified by the manufacturer

Frequency response range: not specified by the manufacturer

Unit weight: 12 lbs

Unit dimensions: 14.5 x 15.0 inches (diameter x height)

In the box

2 Speakers

4 Wire nuts

Quality and Durability

There’s no question about the durability of these speakers as they are weather-resistant and have some of the highest waterproofing standards.

Bose also promises that you enjoy the consistent and clear sound quality of your favorite music even after the speakers have been exposed to extreme conditions.

Additional Features

This pair of speakers have mounting holes that provide secure and easy installation in the ground or even on hard surfaces.

Warranty

These weather-resistant Free Space 51 speakers are protected by a five-year limited warranty. Bose also offers a generous 30-day warranty, so you may want to take advantage of these benefits.

Who is it best for?

These products or speakers are best for music enthusiasts who are looking for outdoor speakers with good sound quality to be placed in their patio deck, or garden.

Good alternative

For my take, and considering its competitors, you may want to check out the outdoor-resistant TIC G3s speakers. They are also omnidirectional and full-range coaxial speakers, but not as expensive as the Free Space 51.

You may also consider a wall-mount speaker with better specs for the same price as that of Free Space 51 speakers. That way, the sound indoors can be heard outdoors too.

What Do People Say About it?

Amazon

Buyers from the United States

Customer reviews of the Free Space 51 outdoor speakers on Amazon are mostly positive. One Amazon customer said, “ These do NOT disappoint. They are so loud and clear. I’m sure my whole neighborhood can hear them when I turn them up even 1/2 way.”

Another customer wrote, “I was a little apprehensive at first, mainly due to the price. Did some research, read some reviews, and finally… These speakers might be one of the best purchases I have made in a while because they are freaking awesome.

I have two of them around our pool area and they rock the whole neighborhood if I turn them up loud enough. The sound quality is precise and the bass rumbles the ground,” he added.

YouTube

MD TECH YouTube channel reviewed the Free Space 51 outdoor speakers. He said, “I have always enjoyed the sound of Bose [and] I have several friends who have Bose outdoor speakers… I was surprised at how big these things were, but they’re well-made, adorable, and they can be outside during winter.”

Meanwhile, Matt of NewCom Audio Video Systems said, “Bose, which is a leader in the [sound] industry, balances aesthetics, durability, and sound quality… Their Free Space speakers were a perfect option for Mercato.” He was referring to an outdoor shopping mall in Florida.

Wrapping it Up: Should You Buy It?

Overall, I think Bose has done a good job in making these speakers and there are more pros to it than cons. I especially like its 360-degree sound coverage as you can hear sound equally regardless of where you are in the outdoor or listening space.

You can opt for on- or in-ground installation for patio speakers or landscape speakers placement. They are also durable and can withstand saltwater spray, ice, snow, and sun.

The Amazon ratings or stars also reflect that they’re good speakers and worth buying. These speakers are also fit for a certain need or niche that no other audio equipment companies have produced.

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