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  1. Home
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Bose Soundbar 500 vs Sonos Playbar

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesBack - BarBack - SubwooferBack - SatellitesBuild QualityIn The Box
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsStereo Total Harmonic DistortionCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Physical Inputs - BarAudio Format Support - ARCAudio Format Support - Full HDMI InAudio Format Support - OpticalLatencyWireless PlaybackOther Input SpecificationsConnectivity - SubwooferConnectivity - Satellites
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants SupportAppOther Features
    Comments

Products

Bose Soundbar 500
Sonos Playbar

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:12 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:26 PM

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

Our Verdict

Bose Soundbar 500

Sonos Playbar

The Sonos Playbar is slightly better than the Bose Soundbar 500. It can get a bit louder than the Bose, and its stereo soundstage is noticeably wider. It also has more sound enhancement features, which is great. On the other hand, the Bose can play content wirelessly via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while the Sonos doesn't support Bluetooth. Also, the Sonos doesn't have any HDMI ports.

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Variants

  • Soundbar 500
  • Playbar

Review

See Bose Soundbar 500 Review
See Sonos Playbar Review
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Check Price

Standard
Soundbar 500
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Soundbar 500
SEE PRICE
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Standard
Playbar
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Standard
Soundbar 500
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Standard
Playbar
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Soundbar 500
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Playbar
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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 Playbar 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 Playbar Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Bose Soundbar 500 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Bose Soundbar 500 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar 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 Playbar 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 Playbar 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 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Bose Soundbar 500 Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Bar Mounting 
 

Locked
Locked
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Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Bose Soundbar 500 Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar 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 Playbar Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Mounting 
 

Locked
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 Playbar Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Bose Soundbar 500 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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HDMI Cable Length 
 

Lock m (Lock ft)
N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
Lock m (Lock ft)
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Bose Soundbar 500 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response  

Bose Soundbar 500 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar 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 Playbar 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 Playbar 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

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Bose Soundbar 500 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar 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 Playbar 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 Playbar 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 Playbar Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Bose Soundbar 500 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar 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 Playbar Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Bose Soundbar 500 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar 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 Playbar Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Bose Soundbar 500 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar 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

Physical Inputs - Bar 
 

Physical inputs bar photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical inputs bar photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar Physical inputs bar photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical inputs bar photo 2  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical inputs bar photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar Physical inputs bar photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI ARC 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

eARC 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

5.1 PCM 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Bose Soundbar 500 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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ARC 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Optical 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
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 Playbar 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 Playbar 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 Playbar 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 Playbar 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 Playbar 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 Playbar Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Remote 
 

Remote photo  

Bose Soundbar 500 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Universal Remote 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Bose Soundbar 500 App image Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Playbar App image Sample

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App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

Acts As A Remote 
 

Locked
Locked

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Locked
Locked

Casts Device Files 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

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

Bose Soundbar 500

Sonos Playbar

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Bose Soundbar 500 vs Sonos Playbar: Main Discussion

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