As a home theater enthusiast, I know first-hand the impact a quality soundbar can have. Out-of-the-box TV audio leaves much to be desired. But models from top-tier brands like Bose can make your movies and music truly come alive.
In this guide, I‘ll review and rank the top Bose soundbars available in 2023 based on core aspects like sound quality, features, design and value. My goal is to help you determine which Bose soundbar best fits your needs and budget.
Overview of Bose Soundbars
Before jumping into the rankings, let‘s briefly examine why Bose soundbars make for such compelling upgrades:
- Far superior audio quality over built-in TV speakers – high clarity, volume and bass
- Compact sizes fit neatly under modern thin display TVs
- Advanced connectivity options for wireless streaming like WiFi and Bluetooth
- Built-in voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant) on many models for hands-free control
- Mostly simple plug and play setups – often just an HDMI cable to get immersive surround effects
Now let‘s explore the top options in more detail:
1. Bose Smart Soundbar 900 – Best Overall
Price: $899 |Dimensions: 2.3 x 27.5 x 4.3 inches
If you want the absolute best Bose soundbar available, the Smart Soundbar 900 takes the crown. It stands at the pinnacle thanks to exhilarating surround sound performance and a robust feature set.
This soundbar channels Dolby Atmos audio in jaw-dropping fashion to make movies roar. Dual angled side-firing transducers bounce sound effects around the room, while up-firing drivers reflect audio off ceilings. This creates a highly immersive 3D dome of sound no standard soundbar can match.
Music listening is just as impressive. The Soundbar 900 reproduced Radiohead‘s "Creep" with startling realism – Thom Yorke‘s vocals mesmerizing centered amid the crisp guitar strums washing around me.
Low-end lover? While bass output bests other soundbars, I recommend pairing with Bose‘s wireless Bass Module 700 sub for seismic rumble ($799).
Connectivity covers all bases. Built-in WiFi/Bluetooth (plus Alexa/Google Assistant) facilitate wireless streaming, while HDMI eARC makes for painless TV setup. Just a single cable mirrors the video signal and pumps out Dolby Atmos. The ADAPTiQ auto sound calibration uses a microphone to tune audio perfection for your room.
About that room – at just 2.3 inches tall, this visually striking bar is at home on tables or mounted. While pricey, the Smart Soundbar 900 rewards audiophiles with a genuinely cinema-grade experience.
Key Specs:
- 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
- Frequency Response: 45Hz – 20kHz ±3dB
- 8 Microphones for Voice Assistant & Tuning
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <1%
- 18 Transducers (8 woofers, 5 tweeters, 2 side-firing, 2 up-firing, 1 center)
- 1 x HDMI eARC, 1 x Optical input
Pros
- Jaw-dropping Dolby Atmos surround effects
- Built-in voice assistant access
- HiFi lossless audio support
- ADAPTiQ auto sound tuning
Cons
- Expensive, especially when adding Bass Module
- Setup limited to Bose smartphone app
2. Bose Smart Soundbar 300 – Most Affordable
Price: $499 | Dimensions: 2.2 x 27.5 x 4.3 inches
The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 retains the audio refinement Bose is known for at a more budget-friendly price.
With 5 full-range drivers inside its petite frame, this compact 3.0 channel bar outputs clear, balanced sound across the frequency spectrum. Vocals come through bright and pronounced whether it‘s news or Netflix. There‘s enough mid-bass thump for action films or rock songs too, though I‘d suggest adding Bose‘s wireless Bass Module 500 subwoofer ($599) for serious low-end immersion.
Like its higher-end stablemate, built-in Alexa and Google Assistant provide handy hands-free voice control. You can adjust volume, switch inputs or play TuneIn Radio stations completely phone free. Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 also enable quick wireless music streaming from your mobile devices.
The Soundbar 300 shares the same adaptive ADAPTiQ tuning tech using the Bose Music app to analyze room acoustics and tweak the bar‘s output accordingly. While missing the 3D Dolby Atmos surround effects of the Smart Soundbar 900, the 300‘s wider soundstage still makes movies and TV shows more engrossing.
If you want better-than-TV audio without breaking the bank, this little Bose overachieves.
Key Specs:
- 3.0 Channel Design
- Total Power Output: 182 Watts
- Frequency Response: 100Hz – 20kHz
- Voice Assistant Support: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
- Inputs: 1 HDMI ARC, 1 Optical
Pros
- Solid, balanced sound quality
- Voice assistant integration
- ADAPTiQ auto audio tuning
- Compact size fits anywhere
Cons
- Lacks Dolby Atmos 3D effects
- Light on bass without subwoofer
3. Bose TV Speaker – Specialized for Dialogue
Price: $249 | Dimensions: 2.2 x 17 x 4 inches
Let‘s face facts – today‘s slim LED TVs look gorgeous but lack the size for decent built-in speakers. This often makes understanding dialogue frustrating. But Bose addresses this issue with their specialized TV Speaker soundbar.
Music performance won‘t blow you away. Where this budget-friendly bar shines is amplifying the mid-range frequencies of the human voice for shows and movies. Activate the Dialogue Mode and speech gets lifted from the mix – no more rewinding to decipher quiet whispers! Its wider profile facing you helps project vocal nuances better as well.
While you won‘t get room-rattling bass or surround effects, Bluetooth connectivity provides a helpful upgrade for wirelessly streaming podcasts or playlists from your phone when not watching TV.
Bottom line – if your main goal is hearing dialogue more clearly when curled up watching the latest Netflix docu-series, few alternatives enhance speech as affordably as the tailored Bose TV Speaker.
Key Specs:
- 2.0 Channel Design
- 270 Watts Total Power
- Bluetooth Wireless Streaming
- Wall & Table Mountable
- Inputs: Optical, HDMI ARC
Pros
- Targeted amplification for clearer dialogue
- Affordable price point
- Bluetooth music streaming capability
- Mounts flush under TV
Cons
- Underwhelming bass performance
- No Dolby Atmos or surround sound
4. Bose Smart Soundbar 700 – Most Stylish Design
Price: $899 | Dimensions: 2.3 x 32 x 4 inches
Style-conscious shoppers will likely fall for the Bose Smart Soundbar 700‘s sleek aesthetic appeal. Wrapped in seamless black or white glass, its ultra-low profile exudes understated elegance.
Of course, stunning looks aren‘t enough. Fortunately, a wealth of proprietary audio innovations lie beneath. Waveguide speaker technology helps widen the stereo image using angled transducers. An included ADAPTiQ headset maps your room‘s shape to tailor the EQ profile accordingly.
The reward is an expansive 360-degree soundfield perfect for immersing in movies or music. Yet despite eight drivers inside, the 700 still easily slides under your wall-mounted flatscreen.
Like the Smart Soundbar 900, built-in mics provide always-listening Alexa/Google Assistant access. HDMI eARC compatibility also guarantees lag-free Dolby Digital surround from your 4K smart TV. Add rear Bose Surround Speakers for 5.1 channel in-ceiling effects.
While it can‘t match the 3D object-oriented sound magic of Dolby Atmos models, the Smart Soundbar 700 remains a versatile performer that accentuates your décor as ably as it awakens audio.
Key Specs:
- 3.0.2 Channel Design
- 4x Angled Full-Range Drivers
- 2x Up-Firing Tweeters
- 1x Center Channel
- Proprietary PhaseGuide® Transducers
- Voice Assistant Support
- Inputs: 1 HDMI eARC, 1 Optical
Pros
- Beautiful minimalist design
- Phase guides widen immersive sound
- Alexa + Google Assistant voice control
- ADAPTiQ auto room calibration
Cons
- Pricier than rivals with similar audio
- Lacks Dolby Atmos 3D height effects
Bose Soundbar Buying Considerations
With the top options covered, let‘s discuss what you should evaluate when shopping Bose soundbars:
Room Size – Larger spaces may require higher power output models. Measure room dimensions (especially ceiling height for Dolby Atmos models) before deciding.
Placement – Most buyers set soundbars directly below wall-mounted TVs. Ensure there‘s enough clearance. Some bars include stands for tabletop use.
Mounting – Wall mounting possible on many models via included or aftermarket brackets. Check weight capacity restrictions first.
Wireless Expandability – Adding components like Bose surround speakers and subwoofers boosts audio immersion. Ensure seamless connectivity.
Configuration – ADAPTiQ auto sound calibration uses room mics to customize output. Other bars need manual EQ tuning. Factor ease-of-setup into purchase decision.
Setting Up Bose Soundbars
Here‘s the beauty of Bose soundbars – installation couldn‘t get much simpler. For many models like the Smart Soundbar 700, you literally just:
- Place beneath wall-mounted or tabletop TV
- Connect HDMI cable from soundbar ARC port to TV HDMI ARC port
- Power on both devices
That‘s it! HDMI ARC allows both video and audio signals to pass from the TV to soundbar in one cable. So movies, streaming shows and more play directly through the upgraded Bose speakers vs. crappy built-ins.
Other soundbars add Bluetooth, optical or AUX ports for alternate wired/wireless sources. But connecting directly into your smart TV‘s HDMI input guarantees full integration.
How Bose Soundbars Compare to Home Theaters
You may be wondering how premium Bose soundbars stack up against full-fledged home theater systems. Let‘s compare:
Home Theater
- Superior sound quality potential
- More customization – speakers, seating etc
- Components like receivers can feel overwhelming
- Complicated wiring running throughout room
- Generally more expensive
Bose Soundbars
- All-in-one simplicity
- Much easier "plug and play" setup
- Impressive spatial audio in sleek package
- Add wireless surrounds & sub for expansion
- Cost varies widely by model
Bottom line – custom home theaters offer pinnacle sound, but complexity intimidates many. Bose soundbars provide 80% of the awe-inspiring effects for 20% of the installation frustration. Their svelte styling also complements modern décor better. Choosing between the two depends on your budget, tech skills and how discernible your listening tastes are.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to offer advice to help find your perfect Bose soundbar fit.
