REVIEWconversation with a friend while nodding along to
Grimes, or just enjoy music without having that pressure
of a bud in your ear. Ambient sound won’t get in the
way of your ambient vaporwave mix, in other words.
With this tech, you’re living in the ‘smart zone’, a place
where reality blends with augmentation – and it’s a
nice place to be in.Product build
Bose is primarily marketing these for people looking
to replace their Ray-Bans. Two big problems, though:
the frames won’t suit all face sizes, and short-
sighted wearers who decide to replace the lenses
with prescription ones will be instantly voiding their
warranty. No alterations allowed, alas.
The Alto design meanwhile doesn’t look too hot,
and with each style there is a certain bulk to the arms
which can’t be missed. The front of the Rondo (pictured
opposite) almost makes up for it, though, being the
most stylish of the set if you ask us. We do wonder if
a partnership with Ray-Ban would have added to the
aesthetic, as a collaboration would probably have been
the best way to create a meaningful alternative to
traditional sunglasses. Note that Bose has built these
frames in the sturdy and reliable Grilamid TR90 plastic,
and lenses will block 99 percent of all UV rays. Smart
or not, these shades do what they’re supposed to do.
The case seen in the photos comes supplied.Battery life
Battery health is good and the Bose Frames can be
easily charged with the provided USB cable. To turnREVIEW
conversationwithafriendwhilenoddingalongto
Grimes,orjustenjoymusicwithouthavingthatpressure
ofabudinyourear.Ambientsoundwon’tgetinthe
wayofyourambientvaporwavemix,inotherwords.
With this tech, you’re living in the ‘smart zone’, a place
where realityblendswith augmentation – and it’s a
nice placetobein.Productbuild
Boseisprimarilymarketingtheseforpeoplelooking
toreplacetheirRay-Bans.Twobigproblems,though:
theframeswon’tsuitallfacesizes,andshort-
sighted wearers who decide to replace the lenses
withprescriptiononeswillbeinstantlyvoidingtheir
warranty.Noalterationsallowed,alas.
The Alto design meanwhile doesn’t look too hot,
andwitheachstylethereisa certainbulktothearms
whichcan’tbemissed.ThefrontoftheRondo(pictured
opposite)almostmakesupforit,though,beingthe
moststylishofthesetifyouaskus.Wedowonderif
apartnershipwithRay-Banwouldhaveaddedtothe
aesthetic,asa collaborationwouldprobablyhavebeen
thebestwaytocreateameaningfulalternativeto
traditionalsunglasses.NotethatBosehasbuiltthese
framesinthesturdyandreliableGrilamidTR90plastic,
andlenseswillblock 99 percentofallUVrays.Smart
or not,theseshadesdowhatthey’resupposedtodo.
Thecaseseeninthephotoscomessupplied.Battery life
BatteryhealthisgoodandtheBoseFramescanbe
easilychargedwiththeprovidedUSBcable.Toturn