The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module is a smart soundbar setup released in 2021. It uses the manufacturer's PhaseGuide technology to beam sound throughout your room, resulting in a very wide and immersive soundstage. You can use its ADAPTiQ audio calibration feature to optimize audio reproduction based on your room. With this feature turned on, it has a very neutral sound profile suitable for listening to many different types of audio content, and there's even a little extra punch in the bass range. Unlike the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module, it also supports Dolby Atmos content, although there's no DTS support.
Our Verdict
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module is great for mixed usage. With its ADAPTiQ room correction feature, it offers a neutral sound profile with a little extra punch in the bass range that's suitable for most types of audio content. Its excellent soundstage performance helps immerse you in your audio content. It supports Dolby Atmos content, too, although it lacks DTS support. There isn't an EQ, although some users may be satisfied with its bass and treble adjustments.
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Bass and treble adjustments.
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Excellent soundstage.
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Gets loud.
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Dolby Atmos support.
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No EQ.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module is impressive for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Thanks to its discrete center channel, dialogue is anchored in an accurate, pinpoint location in the soundstage. Also, its neutral sound profile helps reproduce voices clearly and accurately. There's even a dialogue enhancement feature available to make voices more crisp. Unfortunately, it lacks an auto-volume mode, which isn't ideal for users who watch a lot of TV at night.
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Gets loud.
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Dialogue enhancement mode.
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No auto-volume.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module is amazing for music. Its ADAPTiQ feature automatically optimizes audio reproduction based on your room's acoustics. With this feature turned on, it has a neutral sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different music genres. Also, its subwoofer helps reproduce a little extra punch in the bass range. There are some bass and treble adjustments to help you customize its sound, but unfortunately, it lacks an EQ.
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Bass and treble adjustments.
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Excellent soundstage.
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Gets loud.
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No EQ.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module is very good for movies. Thanks to its PhaseGuide technology, this soundbar offers a wide, immersive-sounding soundstage. Its discrete satellite speakers provide a very good surrounds performance, and the soundbar supports Dolby Atmos content. Its subwoofer also helps reproduce the deep thump and rumble in action-packed movies. While there's latency present regardless of connection, you can use the Audio Delay feature in the app to manually adjust for it.
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Bass and treble adjustments.
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Excellent soundstage.
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Dolby Atmos support.
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No EQ.
- 8.2 Mixed Usage
- 8.1 Dialogue/TV Shows
- 8.7 Music
- 7.9 Movies
- Updated May 10, 2024: Updated Stereo Dynamics results with new methodology from TBU 1.3. Added text to Audio Latency: ARC, and Audio Latency: Optical boxes.
- Updated May 09, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench Update 1.3. If applicable, we've retested stereo sound based on the manufacturer's recommendations. Additionally, we've expanded our audio latency tests to the following boxes: Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Nov 15, 2023: We've added a comparison between this soundbar and the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar in Build Quality.
- Updated Jun 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
- Updated May 24, 2023: Added market comparison to the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc in the Height (Atmos) box.
- Updated May 10, 2023: Added market comparison with the Samsung HW-Q990C to the Inputs/Outputs - Bar box.
- Updated Mar 21, 2023: Added a market comparison to the JBL Bar 1000 in the Style - Satellites box.
- Updated Mar 01, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
- Updated Mar 01, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.1. With this update, we've added a Mounting test and added information aboutSubwoofer Output, Spotify Connect, and Microphone Mute.
- Updated Mar 15, 2022: Firmware update adds Chromecast built-in support.
- Updated Nov 05, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Nov 02, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Oct 20, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Oct 14, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Oct 09, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module is available in 'Black' and 'Arctic White'. We expect both color variants to perform similarly. We tested the 'Black' variant, and you can see the label we tested here.
These results are only valid for the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module as a full setup. You can also look at our results for the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
If you come across another version of the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module, let us know in the discussion section below, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Soundbars
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module is a very versatile 5.1.2 setup. Its performance rivals other premium soundbars like the Samsung HW-Q950A and the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers, thanks to its wide, immersive soundstage and its neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. You can also purchase the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 900 if you prefer.
See also our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars with subwoofer.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module and the Samsung HW-Q990C are two premium Dolby Atmos soundbars with stand-out performances. The best model for your needs will depend on your preferences, though. The Bose has a better stereo soundstage but doesn't offer as much flexibility as the Samsung. For example, the Samsung soundbar has an EQ for greater sound customization, as well as support for more audio formats. It has HDMI In ports, too, unlike the Bose, for video passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup with satellites and a subwoofer, so naturally, its surround sound is improved compared to the bar on its own. That said, the Sonos still offers solid performance for a standalone bar, and you can even upgrade it with a sub and satellites if you want. You may prefer to compare this setup to the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc or the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. The Bose has a better soundstage performance, and it supports more wireless playback options such as Bluetooth. Its default sound profile is also more balanced than the Sonos. That said, you can use the Sonos' bass and treble adjustments to create a more neutral sound profile if you prefer.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module offers a better overall experience than the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. The Smart Soundbar 900's full setup with satellite speakers and a subwoofer gives it a fuller sound that's more immersive, especially when it comes to surround and Atmos content. That said, if you're low on room, the Smart Ultra isn't a bad choice, thanks to its integrated subwoofer, which helps add punch and warmth to your content. It has the same audio format support as the full setup, too.
The Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module are both very premium setups with versatile overall performances. Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The Sonos supports more audio formats, such as DTS, and the up-firing drivers on its satellites provide a more immersive sound with Atmos content. However, it doesn't support Bluetooth like the Bose. The Bose's stereo soundstage is better, too.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the JBL Bar 1300X. The Bose is a premium 5.1.4 setup with a better stereo soundstage, resulting in a more immersive sound overall. It really shines in terms of sound quality, though it doesn't offer quite as many features as the JBL. For example, the JBL has HDMI In ports for video passthrough, unlike the Bose, and it supports more audio formats. Your listening habits may dictate which bar is best for you overall.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The 900 supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the 700. The manufacturer even says that its Voice4Video feature lets you control the bar and your TV with your voice. However, only the 700 offers DTS support.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 900. The full setup has a dedicated subwoofer and satellites to improve its performance. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass than the standalone bar and has better surround and soundstage performances. That said, if you don't have a lot of space, the standalone bar is still a really good choice.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module and the JBL Bar 1000 are both very premium soundbars, and you may prefer one over the other. The Bose is better built with built-in voice assistant support, though its satellites aren't truly wireless like the JBL's. It has a better stereo soundstage performance, too. Even though it comes with two fewer surround channels and two fewer up-firing drivers, the Bose still does well with surround content. However, it doesn't have Full HDMI In ports like the JBL and doesn't support DTS content, either.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the JBL Bar 9.1. Both are premium setups, but the Bose is better built with a better soundstage. It can also get a bit louder with less compression at max volume. However, only the JBL has DTS support and a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. Some users may also prefer the flexibility of its truly wireless satellite speakers.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sony HT-A7000 with Speakers + Bass Module. Both are very premium setups, but the Bose has better soundstage, center, and Atmos performances. It also gets louder than the Sony. That said, unlike the Bose, the Sony offers DTS support and a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX. The Bose comes with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, and it can reproduce more bass out-of-the-box. It's better built, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. That said, some users may prefer the Sennheiser model's unique standalone design. It also gets louder than the Bose.
Whether you choose the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module or the Samsung HW-Q990B, you won't be disappointed. They're both really premium setups with versatile performances overall. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup that has a wider, more immersive soundstage with stereo content. However, the 11.1.4 Samsung comes with more channels, including two up-firing drivers on its satellites, so it has a slightly more cinematic sound. It also has more sound enhancement features on hand.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700. The 900 full setup comes with a subwoofer and satellites, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It can reproduce a more extended low bass and has better soundstage and surround performances. You can upgrade the 700 with a sub and satellites as the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module if you prefer.
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module are both premium setups, but the Bose scores a bit better overall. The Bose is better built, and it offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it has room correction and DTS support. Some listeners may also prefer its more neutral sound out-of-the-box compared to the Klipsch's bass-heavy sound profile. The Klipsch comes with a graphic EQ and presets, unlike the Bose, as well as Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. It's still a suitable choice, especially for listeners who love to feel the thump in the bass range.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the LG S95QR. They're both premium setups with versatile performances that make them suitable for most listeners, but the Bose does a better job. Its soundstage is wider and more immersive, and its default sound is more neutral than the LG's boomy out-of-the-box performance. The LG comes with more customization tools, which is better if you want more control over the bar's sound.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better for most uses than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers. While they're both premium setups, the Bose is a bit better, as the bigger bar offers a better soundstage performance. Subjectively, it's noticeable with Atmos content, too, as the bar does a better job simulating height. It has more wireless playback options, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. That said, the Sonos supports DTS content, unlike the Bose.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup with a dedicated sub and satellite speakers. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It's better built, too, and there are more sound enhancement features like room correction. However, unlike the Bang & Olufsen, it doesn't come with a graphic EQ and presets.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module or the Samsung HW-Q90R. The Bose is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with better soundstage and center channel performances. However, unlike the Samsung, it doesn't have DTS support or a Full HDMI In port. The Samsung also gets louder, and it has a better surrounds performance.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the standalone Sony HT-A7000. The Bose comes with a dedicated sub and satellites, and it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It gets louder, and its soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances are better. However, it doesn't come with a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough like the Sony. You can also upgrade the Sony with the sub and satellites if you prefer.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup with better center and surround performances. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. That said, the Sony has better Atmos and soundstage performances. Unlike the Bose, it also supports DTS content.
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module are premium soundbars with versatile overall performances. The Bose is better built. and it offers a better soundstage performance. It also offers a more balanced sound profile out of the box. That said, the Samsung comes with more sound customization features. Unlike the Bose, it has DTS support and a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Bose is a better-built setup with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the JBL, it also supports Atmos content. Also, it can get louder with less compression at max volume.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sonos Beam. The Bose is a better-built setup with a subwoofer and satellites. It supports Dolby Atmos content and can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Also, its surround and soundstage performances are better. However, the Sonos is still a solid choice if you prefer a compact, standalone soundbar.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300. While the Harman/Kardon is good for music and dialogue-centric content like TV shows, the Bose offers a more versatile overall performance. It's a better choice for movies, as it supports Atmos content and has better surround and soundstage performances. It also comes with a dedicated sub and satellites, and it can reproduce a more extended low-bass.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Samsung HW-Q850A. The Bose is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with better soundstage and center performances. It can get louder with less compression at max volume. Also, some listeners may prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, it doesn't support DTS content like the Samsung. The Samsung also has a Full HDMI In port, and it has more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) for most uses. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder. Its soundstage and surround performances are better, and there are even more wireless playback options to choose from. However, the Sonos' small, compact design may be preferable for users without a lot of space in their setup.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Vizio M Series M512a-H6 or the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Bose is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the Samsung soundbar, it has built-in voice assistant support. However, it doesn't support DTS content like the Vizio and lacks a Full HDMI In port.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module and the Vizio Elevate are both premium soundbar setups. The Bose is better built and has better soundstage and surround performances. Some listeners may also prefer its more neutral sound profile out of the box than the Vizio soundbar's bass-heavy sound. That said, unlike the Bose, the Vizio comes with a Full HDMI In port, so you can use it for high-quality passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is a better 5.1.2 bar than the Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6. The Bose is a better-built setup that supports more wireless playback options. It stands out thanks to its sound, with a wide, immersive soundstage that surpasses the Vizio soundbar's performance. That said, the Vizio is a more affordable alternative, and unlike the Bose, it has an HDMI In port for video passthrough and support for more audio formats.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module and the Samsung HW-Q930B are both premium setups with versatile performances that will please most listeners. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup with a much better soundstage, so you feel more immersed in its sound. However, it doesn't come with as many sound customization tools as the Samsung soundbar, and it doesn't support as many audio formats. Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Klipsch Cinema 800. The Bose is a better built 5.1.2 setup with discrete satellites. It has much better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. There are more sound enhancement features, including room correction. However, unlike the Klipsch, it doesn't have a Full HDMI In port for 4k passthrough.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module or the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch. The Bose is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with better soundstage and center performances. Some listeners may prefer its more neutral sound profile out of the box. Also, it has built-in voice assistant support. However, some users may prefer the Nakamichi's unique design with two subwoofers and four satellites. It has better surround and Atmos performances, and it has a Full HDMI In port.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Samsung HW-Q600A. The Bose is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Also, it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. That said, it doesn't support DTS content like the Samsung.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is more versatile than the Sony HT-G700. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances, and it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. That said, the 3.1 Sony is a simpler setup that's still good for vocal-centric content like TV shows.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the LG S90QY. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup that comes with discrete satellites, unlike the LG, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Even though the LG comes with an additional up-firing center channel, it doesn't really make a difference with its center performance.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better for mixed usage than the LG SP9YA. The Bose is better built with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. That said, the LG offers more sound enhancement features, such as EQ presets. Unlike the Bose, it supports DTS content and has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better for most uses than the standalone Sony HT-A9. The Bose comes with a dedicated sub, and it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It's also better built with better surrounds and center performances. That said, the Sony has better soundstage and Atmos performances. Unlike the Bose, it even has DTS support and a Full HDMI In for high quality passthrough. You can also upgrade it with a sub if you prefer.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better for most uses than the Devialet Dione, though they both address different types of listeners. The Bose's full setup offers premium performance with a wide, immersive soundstage and better surrounds, thanks to its included satellites. It has more sound enhancement features, like bass and treble adjustments. That said, the Devialet is a standalone bar that's suitable for Atmos if you don't want all the extra add-ons.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. The 900 is a full setup with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, while the 300 is just a standalone bar. The 900 supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. It can also reproduce a more extended low-bass. There are even some more sound enhancement features available, like room correction. However, if you're low on space and just want to watch dialogue-centric content like TV shows, the 300 is still a solid choice.
The Samsung HW-Q950T and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module are both premium setups. The Bose is better built, and it offers a better soundstage performance. These setups have different sound enhancement features available: the Bose has room correction, whereas the Samsung has a graphic EQ. The Samsung also gets louder, and it has DTS support. There's also a Full HDMI In port available for high quality passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the LG SN9YG. The Bose is a better-built setup with satellites. It has better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. However, unlike the LG, it doesn't support DTS content. The LG also has a few more sound enhancement features, like EQ presets.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module and the Samsung HW-Q80R are both very versatile, premium soundbar setups. That said, the Bose comes with discrete satellites, so it offers a more clear and real surround sound. It has a better soundstage, too. However, unlike the Samsung, it doesn't have a Full HDMI In port, and it doesn't support DTS content.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Samsung HW-Q800A. The Bose is a better-built setup with discrete satellite speakers. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. That said, the 3.1.2 Samsung supports DTS content, and it has a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Bose.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sony HT-Z9F. The Bose is a better built 5.1.2 setup with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and its neutral sound profile out-of-the-box may be preferable for some users. That said, it doesn't have a Full HDMI In port like the 3.1 Sony.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module and the LG SP11RA are both very premium soundbar setups, however, the Bose is a bit better for mixed usage. The Bose is a better-built 5.1.2 setup that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It offers better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. However, the 7.1.4 LG has more sound enhancement features, including EQ presets. Unlike the Bose, it also offers DTS support and a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sony HT-ST5000. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage and surround performances. Also, there are more sound enhancement features, like room correction. However, the Sony is still a very versatile 7.1.2 setup — and unlike the Bose, it has a Full HDMI In port for video passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A for most uses. The Bose is a better-built setup that comes with discrete satellites. It has better surround and soundstage performances, and it reproduces more low-bass. That said, the Samsung is still a good choice for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Unlike the Bose, it even supports DTS content and has a Full HDMI In port for video passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Samsung HW-Q800B. The Bose has a better stereo soundstage. Unlike the Samsung, it comes with rear speakers, so it's better for surround sound, too. The Samsung has more sound enhancement features, but given the Bose's balanced sound, you're unlikely to need them if you opt for the Bose.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is a bit better for mixed usage than the LG SN11RG. The Bose is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Some users may also prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, it doesn't support DTS content like the LG. Also, the LG has a few more sound enhancement features, such as EQ presets.
The Samsung HW-Q900A and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module are both premium soundbar setups. Unlike the Samsung, the Bose comes with discrete satellites. It offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances, and it's better built. However, the Samsung offers more sound enhancement features, such as a graphic EQ and presets. Unlike the Bose, it has DTS support and a Full HDMI In port for high quality passthrough.
Test Results
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has a sleek, premium design. The soundbar has metal grilles covering the front of the bar and the up-firing drivers on top. Also, the glass plate on top of the bar gives it a very premium feel.
The Bose Bass Module 700 is mostly plastic, and there's also a glass plate on top. You can find this subwoofer in all-black and all-white variants.
The Bose Surround Speakers 700 are mostly made of metal, which feels quite durable. There are small grilles to help protect the drivers inside. You can also find them in either all-black or all-white color variants to match the rest of your setup. They connect to the bar wirelessly, but you have to plug them into an outlet to use them. For a truly wireless alternative, you can check out the JBL Bar 1000.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module is a fairly wide soundbar that likely won't fit between the legs of a 55" TV. That said, it isn't very tall, so it shouldn't block your TV screen unless your TV sits flush on your table.
The Bose Bass Module 700 is a wireless subwoofer. It's roughly the same size as a typical desktop PC.
The Bose Surround Speakers 700 are tall and skinny. They connect to the bar wirelessly, but you need to plug them into a power outlet to get them to work. Their cables include a power brick, which is rather bulky. Our measurements above are for the satellites without the power brick. With the power brick, the satellites measure 9.3" (23.8 cm) W x 7.4" (18.8 cm) H x 3.1" (7.9 cm) D.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has excellent build quality. Like the premium Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, it has metal grilles to help protect the drivers inside, as well as a premium-looking glass plate on top. The subwoofer is topped with glass, and it's mostly made of plastic. The satellites are made of metal. Overall, this setup feels very solid and premium.
Note: You may notice some imperfections on the Bose Surround Speakers 700 that we tested. We received these satellites in better condition. After owning them for several years, the metal chipped slightly, and the power cables started to fray.
- Manuals
- ADAPTIQ Headset (cable length: 23 ft / 7m)
- Remote
- 2x AAA batteries
- Power Cable for soundbar (5.0 ft / 1.5m)
- Power cable for Sub (5.0 ft / 1.5m)
- HDMI cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- Optical cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- 2x power brick for satellites (2x power cables: 5.0 ft / 1.5m)
- 2x speaker wire for satellites (2x: 20 ft / 6.0m)
- Screwdriver for satellites
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has an excellent stereo frequency response. Its ADAPTiQ feature automatically calibrates audio reproduction based on the unique acoustic characteristics of your room. With this feature on, it has a very neutral sound profile suitable for listening to many different types of audio content. There's also a little extra punch in the bass range, though it isn't too overpowering. Audio sounds less bright than with the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 900, and the overall listening experience is immersive and complete. There are also some bass and treble adjustments to help you customize its sound.
If you prefer a neutral sound profile, we recommend using the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module with its default settings.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has an amazing stereo soundstage. The soundstage is perceived to be very wide, and sound reaches out to the side walls of the room. Its focus is a bit diffused but less so than with the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 900. That said, sound objects may still seem to come from a more general area instead of a pinpoint location.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has a great stereo dynamics performance. It gets loud, making it suitable for listening in large rooms and at crowded parties. There's a bit of compression at max volume, but it isn't very noticeable.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has an excellent center performance. This 5.1.2 setup has a discrete center channel, which helps to accurately anchor dialogue to a pinpoint location in the soundstage. Also, its frequency response is neutral, especially in the mid-range, where most voices are reproduced. As a result, dialogue is clear and detailed.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has a very good surrounds performance. Its discrete surround speakers can clearly and accurately represent surround objects in the soundstage. Audio seems like it's coming from all around you, rather than just from speakers placed in front of you.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module uses side-firing and up-firing drivers built into the bar. They bounce sound off the ceiling and back down towards the listener to create the illusion of height. Our subjective listening tests showed that it offers an impressive Atmos performance. Although the satellites don't have up-firing drivers, Atmos content is still very immersive. Sound seems to come from all around you, and it has good focus, so sound objects seem to come from an accurate location. Compared to the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 900, the subwoofer adds rumble in the low-bass, and the satellites help focus. That said, unlike the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc, there aren't any up-firing drivers on the satellites, so you notice a touch less height overall.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has a satisfactory selection of sound enhancement features. There's an ADAPTiQ room correction feature to optimize audio reproduction based on your room's acoustics. You can also use the bass and treble adjustments to customize its sound. However, there's no EQ for sound customization, especially compared to other premium models like the Samsung HW-Q950A or the LG S90QY.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has a limited selection of physical inputs. You can connect it to your TV using its ARC or Optical ports. There's also an input for the ADAPTiQ headset, as well as a USB port for servicing the bar. You can also plug in a wired bass module or use the IR blaster input to operate an AV receiver. Compared to other premium models like the Samsung HW-Q990C, it lacks HDMI In ports, so you can't use it for video passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module supports most of the audio formats that we test for. You can use it to watch surround sound content like Dolby Digital. There's also eARC support, and it can playback lossless and object-based formats like Dolby Atmos. Unfortunately, unlike the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module, there's no DTS support.
If you want a premium bar with a Full HDMI In port, check out the LG S95QR.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module only supports Dolby Digital via Optical. That said, Dolby Digital is the most common surround sound format, meaning you can find it on many Blu-ray discs and streaming platforms. If you want a bar with DTS support, see the Samsung HW-Q930B.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has a decent latency performance. Latency tends to be higher on formats like Dolby Digital, which can cause your audio and visuals to be out of sync. While some apps and TVs compensate for latency differently, you can use the companion app to manually adjust for delay.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has an okay latency performance. There's some latency when using this connection, which can cause your audio and visuals to noticeably fall out of sync. Luckily, you can use the companion app's Audio Delay feature to manually compensate for it. It's worth mentioning that some apps and TVs compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience can vary.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module lets you wirelessly stream audio from your mobile device to the bar. The manufacturer says that this soundbar supports Spotify Connect, too.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module doesn't have a display. Instead, there's a strip of light that flashes different patterns and colors based on the settings you adjust. Unfortunately, this feature isn't very user-friendly, but at least there's more information in the manual to explain the different patterns.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has two touch-sensitive buttons on top of the bar. The 'Microphone Off' button lets you disable the voice assistants, and the 'Action' button can manually activate voice assistants and silence alarms and timers. That said, the 'Action' button can't activate the voice assistant while the microphone is off.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module's remote is much smaller than the one that comes with the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. It lets you control some basic functions like the volume. However, unlike the Bose Smart Soundbar 700, the manufacturer says that its Voice4Video technology lets you control the bar and your TV.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers and Bass Module has built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The manufacturer says that it has Voice4Video technology that lets you use these voice assistants to control your soundbar, TV, and cable or satellite box with Amazon Alexa. That said, you can also mute the bar if you don't want it to listen to you.