- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Soundbars
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We've currently reviewed 3 Bose soundbars. Bose is an audio-centric brand that focuses on creating premium-feeling, well-built products that are just as sturdy as they are sleek-looking. While they may lack in audio customization, their balanced and neutral sound reproduction makes their soundbars relatively easy and simple to use. Although we've only tested these soundbars on their own, we have plans to eventually retest them with their full setups.
Updates
- 09/30/2019 Bose Soundbar 500 updated
- 09/30/2019 Bose Solo 5 updated
- 09/30/2019 Bose Soundbar 700 updated
Best Bose Soundbars
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Best Bose Soundbar
Channels3.0The best Bose soundbar that we've tested so far is the Bose Soundbar 700. This 3.0 channel soundbar has a premium look and feel thanks to its unique glass top and metal grill. Its setup is easily upgradable, so you can always add a subwoofer or satellite speakers down the line. This soundbar has a balanced and neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, making it easy to enjoy your audio as soon as you plug it in. Those who want a little more customization can also use its bass and treble adjustments or its EQ presets to tweak the sound, and its room correction feature can help improve its sound quality depending on the shape of your room.
Although it's also similar in performance to the more affordable Bose Soundbar 500, its soundstage still feels wider and more speaker-like, which can help deep immersion into your favorite movies or music. You can even cast your podcasts to it using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. On the downside, it doesn't have a full HDMI In port, so it can't support Dolby Atmos content. While it does support Dolby Digital and DTS via an optical connection, it has to downmix it into 3.0. Still, it's a good choice for those who can't commit to a full setup right away but like the possibility to expand this bar's capabilities in the future, and it's best Bose soundbar we've tested to date.
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Best Small Bose Soundbar
Channels2.0The Bose Solo 5 is the best small Bose soundbar we've tested so far and is also one of the best small soundbars we've tested to date too. Its compact size is great when you're short on table space and it's especially well-suited for computer use as it shouldn't obscure your monitor unless the screen sits flush to the table. It isn't too wide either, so you don't have to worry about it being too long for your desk.
This soundbar has a well-balanced and neutral sound profile that's suited for most audio content. It struggles to get as loud as the Bose Soundbar 700, but if you have it sitting at your computer desk, its volume should be more than enough for video games or movies. You can also wirelessly stream audio from your mobile devices to this soundbar using Bluetooth, which is a nice touch. However, this soundbar doesn't have any sound enhancement features. Still, some users can still appreciate its plug-and-play setup as its simple design makes it easy to use right out-of-the-box.
Compared to other brands
- Balanced sound profile. Although the soundbars we've currently tested lack a subwoofer by default and struggle to create a thumpy bass, the rest of their sound profiles tend to be balanced and fairly neutral, making them suited for a variety of audio content.
- Well-built design. Bose soundbars are generally well-built, with a premium look and feel to them.
- Easily upgradable setup. Both the Bose Soundbar 500 and Bose Soundbar 700 can be upgraded by purchasing a separate subwoofer or satellites, which is great if you may like to expand your setup down the line.
- Lacking low-bass. Without a dedicated subwoofer, Bose soundbars tend to lack thump and rumble integral to genres like EDM and hip-hop.
- No height channels. Bose soundbars don't support Dolby Atmos content found on many 4k Blu-rays or some streaming services, so you won't get the most immersive experience when watching movies.
- No Full HDMI In port. You won't be able to use Bose soundbars as a hub between external devices like a Blu-ray player and your TV.
Bose makes well-built and neutral-sounding soundbars. They tend to be very straightforward to use, and some of their setups are easily upgradable. However, due to their simple design, they don't have as many sound enhancement features as other brands and they lack HDMI In ports. That being said, Bose still provides a solid sound experience right out-of-the-box, which is great for those who don't like to tinker with their settings too much.
Conclusion
Bose is a well-known brand that focuses on well-built, premium-feeling audio products that can reproduce a balanced and neutral sound out-of-the-box. While their soundbars are a little lackluster, especially when compared to brands that offer more of a variety of setups, they still have a sound that's suited for most audio content, and most of their setups can be upgraded down the line. They're a good choice for those who want something simple, yet sturdy in design without sacrificing audio quality.
If you're looking for more soundbars, check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best small soundbars, and the best soundbars under $300.
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