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  1. Home
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Bose Soundbar 500 vs Sonos Beam

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The BoxBack - BarBack - SubwooferBack - Satellites
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsStereo Total Harmonic DistortionCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support: ARC/eARCAudio Format Support: HDMI InAudio Format Support: OpticalLatencyVideo Passthrough To TVWireless PlaybackConnectivity - SubwooferConnectivity - Satellites
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants SupportAppOther Features
    Comments

Products

Bose Soundbar 500
Sonos Beam

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:12 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:27 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Bose Soundbar 500 Picture
Sonos Beam Picture
Channels
Locked
Channels
Locked

Our Verdict

Bose Soundbar 500

Sonos Beam

The Sonos Beam is a better soundbar than the Bose Soundbar 500. The Sonos is a more compact soundbar that can get a bit louder, and its stereo frequency response is more accurate. The soundstage of the Sonos is wider, which feels more immersive. The Sonos also has a room correction feature that automatically adjusts the sound profile based on the room's acoustics. On the other hand, the Bose supports eARC, even though it reencodes these formats into Dolby Digital, and is also Bluetooth-compatible. The Sonos only supports wireless streaming via Wi-Fi.

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Variants

  • Soundbar 500
  • Beam (Black)
  • Beam (White)

Review

See Bose Soundbar 500 Review
See Sonos Beam Review
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Check Price

Standard
Soundbar 500
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Beam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Soundbar 500
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White
Beam
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Standard
Soundbar 500
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Standard
Soundbar 500
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

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Mixed Usage 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Bose Soundbar 500 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Bose Soundbar 500 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Bose Soundbar 500 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Bose Soundbar 500 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Bose Soundbar 500 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Bose Soundbar 500 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Bose Soundbar 500 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Bose Soundbar 500 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Bose Soundbar 500 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Bose Soundbar 500 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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HDMI Cable Length 
 

Lock m (Lock ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
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Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Bose Soundbar 500 Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Bar Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Bose Soundbar 500 Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Bose Soundbar 500 Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Bose Soundbar 500 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response  

Bose Soundbar 500 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response Small  

Bose Soundbar 500 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Bose Soundbar 500 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Bose Soundbar 500 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Bose Soundbar 500 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

Bose Soundbar 500 THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Bose Soundbar 500 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Bose Soundbar 500 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

Bose Soundbar 500 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Bose Soundbar 500 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

Bose Soundbar 500 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Bose Soundbar 500 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

N/A
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked

HDMI ARC 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

eARC 
 

Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked

5.1 PCM 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Bose Soundbar 500 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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ARC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sat Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Bose Soundbar 500 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Bose Soundbar 500 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Remote  

Remote photo  

Bose Soundbar 500 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Universal Remote 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Bose Soundbar 500 App image Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam App image Sample

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App Name  

Locked

iOS  

Locked

Android  

Locked

Acts As A Remote 
 

Locked

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Locked

Casts Device Files 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Locked

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Standard
Soundbar 500
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Beam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Soundbar 500
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
White
Beam
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Standard
Soundbar 500
SEARCH
B&H
 
Standard
Soundbar 500
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Back to Top

Bose Soundbar 500

Sonos Beam

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Bose Soundbar 500 vs Sonos Beam: Main Discussion

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