Buying guide for Best Bose soundbars
One of the most popular and highly regarded companies making sound technology is Bose. Founded by American engineer Amar Bose in the 1960s, this innovative company has been making high-quality products, from headphones to Bluetooth speakers, for decades. It has also brought innovative technologies like noise cancellation to the forefront. One of the more sought-after Bose items can serve as the centerpiece of a home entertainment system: the Bose soundbar.
Bose soundbars are audio devices providing stereo sound of the highest quality. Soundbars are meant to complement high-end TVs, offering superior audio to all your media. Bose soundbars are long, slender pieces that are densely packed and highly durable. They may connect to smartphones or tablets through Bluetooth and WiFi and connect to TV through an HDMI cable. A soundbar is the first component of any home theater system or sound system and may pair with other Bose speakers.
Like smart TVs and other electronics, soundbars are regularly improving, with new technologies and innovations bettering previous iterations. There are a few generations of Bose soundbars available now. Looking at various Bose soundbar features can help you choose the best one for you.
What to think about when choosing a Bose soundbar
Currently, Bose offers a handful of soundbars. These select soundbars may be purchased in bundles with mounts, subwoofers, and/or surround speakers from a similar series. It’s also possible to find models for resale that are not currently being made, or refurbished ones.
Even though your pool of choices is somewhat small, you’ll want to keep the following in mind as you shop.
Control methods
The Bose music app is available on Google Play and the Apple Store. It offers you control of all Bose smart speakers and sound systems.
The Bose music app allows the user to create presets for different sound preferences. It caters to multiple users in case tastes differ. The app integrates music streaming services you can play directly. However, the app needs to wirelessly connect, so both the soundbar and the phone have to be on the same network in order to work.
Newer Bose soundbars will connect with a virtual assistant, such as those offered by Google and Amazon. This allows you to go hands-free when changing the music or adjusting the volume with voice commands. You will have to use your speaker’s name for your assistant to know what to do.
A universal remote control is another control option. One should be included with your purchase. The remote can connect to your TV, too, offering added convenience. This may be easier to use than an app on a phone, which you may be using for other things. What’s more, a universal remote control doesn’t have to be connected to a wireless network to function.
Sound system
The soundbar is the first and main part of any sound system. While you don’t necessarily need additional smart speakers, you may want to have some in order to improve your sound system.
Bose soundbars are part of a series that pair perfectly with other speakers. It may be worth thinking about the monetary investment that comes with upgrading your surround sound system. When bought together, the price will be cheaper than it would cost to add speakers along the way.
Here’s a quick guide to the Bose options.
2.1 system: This system is simply the soundbar, which offers left and right audio channels.
3.1 system: Adding a Bose bass module drastically enhances your surround sound system and audio quality. Bose subwoofers are compact and potent, and they connect wirelessly to the soundbar.
5.1 system: If you want great sound, this is one of the most complete systems you can get with Bose. You can add a pair of surround sound speakers to complement your soundbar and bass. These small speakers deliver comprehensive sound to any living room or multi-room setup while being small enough to stay out of the way.
ADAPTiQ
Bose’s proprietary technology includes ADAPTiQ, which is an innovation to calibrate the sound needs for specific rooms. Bose speakers, including soundbars, come with an ADAPTiQ headset that will direct the calibration process to optimize acoustic performance.
This is something to employ when you first get your speakers and whenever you rearrange furniture in a living room, create a multi-room setup, or play music in a new room.
Size
Most Bose soundbars are between 30 and 40 inches long. They don’t vary greatly in width, height, and weight, either. However, it’s important to make sure you have a place to put the soundbar, whether resting on a TV stand or on a wall mount that can support it.
Some consumers debate between purchasing a Sonos soundbar and a Bose soundbar. If you have been looking at Sonos soundbars — for example, the Sonos Beam or the Sonos Arc — know that they are similar in quality to Bose soundbars. Both high-end soundbar lines are popular with audiophiles.
STAFF
BestReviews
Features
Mount
You may have the option of buying a wall mount for your soundbar that is guaranteed to be compatible with your Bose purchase.
A wall mount is useful if your smart TV is also mounted on a wall or if you don’t have room for a soundbar in your entertainment center.
If you have the option, a wall mount is a preferable spot for the soundbar, as it’s unencumbered and can disperse sound more evenly throughout the room.
Color
There aren’t many options, but you will likely have the choice between black and white in newer models. These choices are purely for aesthetic purposes and meant to complement your home décor.
Newer smart speaker systems will also come in black or white, so you can create a color-coordinated sound system.
DID YOU KNOW?
Some Bose soundbars come with a
wireless subwoofer; others have a wired subwoofer. In some cases, a wireless subwoofer must be obtained and added to your speaker system separately. Potential buyers should learn about this spec before making a purchase.
STAFF
BestReviews
Accessories
Smart TV: Samsung 65” QLED 9 Series
If you’re investing in a high-quality sound system, you’ll want a high-quality TV to complement it. Samsung’s QLED line showcases some of the most visually impressive TVs around, and their 9 Series features the most up-to-date technology. This particular Samsung TV is 65 inches, an impressive size for an impressive TV.
Entertainment center: WE Furniture Farmhouse TV Stand
An entertainment center or TV stand is an essential part of any home theatre system. We love this one from WE Furniture because it features a subtle rustic look and has a spot for your TV, consoles, media, and of course, your Bose soundbar.
Some of the top soundbar manufacturers include Sony, Samsung, JBL, Sonos, and Bose. All can create great sound, but for the dedicated Bose enthusiast, a Bose soundbar is recommended.
STAFF
BestReviews
Bose soundbar prices
Like most electronics, Bose soundbar prices correspond directly to how new the device is.
Inexpensive
For under $200, you will find older models of Bose soundbars that are still high in quality but may not have the fastest technology or the newest special features. Budget shoppers may look here.
Mid-range
For between $200 and $600, you will find relatively new Bose soundbars with voice command features. In this mid-range price tier, you will not be able to create a sound system with your soundbar, but you may be able to add a wall mount. Some Bose soundbar 500 offerings are available at this mid-range price, for example.
Expensive
For over $600, you can purchase the newest Bose soundbar offering or create a sound system with a subwoofer and speakers from a lower series. This may be the best buy for a deluxe home theater system, if your budget allows it.
One of the newest and best soundbars is the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Dolby Atmos. The price is accordingly high, though audiophiles may find it worth it. That said, some of the best Bose soundbars exist in all price ranges.
The higher the number in the name of a Bose soundbar, the newer and more advanced it is — and the more expensive, too.
STAFF
BestReviews
Tips
- Clear some space. In order to get the most out of your soundbar, make sure there are no items or closures around it. The best soundbar setups are free to send audio without anything blocking its way.
- Check WiFi speed. The Bose app works by connecting to your soundbar via WiFi. However, if you have a weaker signal at home for whatever reason, you may have trouble using the app.
- Toggle your settings. Bose speakers are created with great sound quality in mind, but they don’t know your home layout or audio preferences. Calibration is important. Make sure you calibrate new devices to maximize potential.
- Make your TV the media hub. Disable your TV speakers and connect to the external soundbar. Every device connected to the TV, like a console or Blu-ray player, will play audio through the soundbar.
FAQ
Q. Should I use an HDMI cable or an optical cable to connect my new soundbar to my TV?
A. HDMI cables are known for transmitting audio quality with a higher resolution. Formats like Blu-ray and DTS HD require this. If your sound quality needs are simpler than that, an optical cable may suffice. We suggest consulting your user manual for best results with a new Bose soundbar.
Q. Where should I place my soundbar?
A. It’s best to place the soundbar above or below the TV. While you may opt to purchase additional speakers to install around a viewing room, the soundbar, as the main source of audio, should be near the TV and equidistant from walls on either side.
Leave it out in the open as opposed to in a cabinet alcove in order to deliver great sound. As the soundbar will connect to the TV via an HDMI cable, placing it near the TV is convenient as well.
Q. Do I need to pair my Bose soundbar with the same series of speakers?
A. All Bose products can be used with one another regardless of which series they belong to. Bose speakers pair wirelessly. However, the design language, which deals with hardware and software, is unique to each series. What’s more, the aesthetics within a series are meant to complement each other.
Q. Do I need a soundbar if I have a new smart TV?
A. However good the sound may be on a smart TV, it does not come close to comparing with the sound you can get from the best soundbars. A smart TV focuses on creating beautiful images rather than audio. What’s more, the slender design of a smart TV doesn’t allow for quality speakers to be incorporated. If you have a 4K TV, for example, you will want a high-end audio system to match your high-end visual setup.
