If you’re thinking of buying a soundbar to amplify the dialogue of your favourite films or to experience the series more intensely, this article is of interest to you. In it, we compare three Bose models that you can’t miss: Bose Smart Soundbar 300 vs 500 vs 700. Although they belong to the same company, they boast some relevant differences that may condition your decision. If you want to know what they are, read on!
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Bose Smart Soundbar 300 Vs 500 Vs 700: How are they similar?
Let’s start by mentioning the similar features found between the three protagonists of our review.
Aesthetics
Although they differ in materials and dimensions, all 3 models are presented in an attractive bar shape.
Noise cancellation system
All 3 models feature a noise cancellation system so that your voice can be heard and you can make better use of the hands-free functionality. This allows you to use voice assistants more reliably.
Synchronisation with Alexa and Google Assistant
The speakers have integrated Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connections are also available.
Bose Smart Soundbar 300 Vs 500 Vs 700: What’s different?
Now that you know what their similarities are, let’s look at how the three Bose soundbars differ:
Automatic calibration system
The 700 and 500 models incorporate ADAPTiQ technology to adapt the sound to the space they are occupying. This technology analyses the space and furniture in between and the distance to the sofa to adjust the sound to the distance and optimise its performance. The 300 model does not have this functionality.
Different decoding
The Bose 700 is a model that can decode Dolby Digital and DTS, while the Bose 500 can decode Dolby Digital, but cannot decode DTS. On the other hand, the Bose 300 can decode both DTS and Dolby Digital.
Sound power
Another feature that most influences the price variation is the sound technology. While the Bose Soundbar 300 has 5.1 audio outputs, the other two models have 7.1 outputs. In addition, the 500 and 700 have 8 microphones.
The Bose 700 produces a clearer and more powerful sound and voice than the Bose 500, as it has a larger space and projects the audio much better. The Bose 300 produces sound from the Bose SoundTouch app, while the 500 and 700 have sound from the Bose music app.
The 700 soundbar has more drivers, so the sense of spaciousness of sound is much better in larger rooms. Its bass is more powerful and its dialogue is clearer.
Universal control
The Bose 700’s remote control is universal, and has a host of built-in functions that allow selective use of the buttons on the device to which it is connected.
The Bose 500 also has a control built into its top, although it has basic control. The Bose 300 has the same control as the 500, basic and not universal. You could buy it separately, but it costs extra.
Size and materials
The first thing to do is to think about the space in which you are going to place the soundbar, and get an idea of its dimensions. Size is an aspect to consider in the Bose 300 vs 500 vs 700 comparison.
The Bose 700 is wider and longer, with dimensions of 97.8 cm x 5.72 cm x 10.8 cm similar to those of the Bose 300. On the other hand, the Bose 500 has dimensions of 80 x 4.44 x 10.16 cm. The Bose 700 weighs 4.7 kilos compared to 3.17 kilos for the Bose 500.
In terms of quality, all soundbars are made of the same materials, with the exception of the top of the Bose 700 which is made of tempered glass. The Soundbar 500 has a matt top finish, while the other two have a glass top.
HDMI connection
The Soundbar 700 includes HDMI and optical cable with purchase, as does the Bose 300. The Bose 500 only has HDMI.
Bose Smart Soundbar 300 Vs 500 Vs 700: in-depth review
We continue the review by breaking down the most significant strengths of the three models we have chosen, so that you can see the differences and similarities more clearly:
1) Bose Smart Soundbar 700: big sound power and universal control
The first one we focus on is the Bose Soundbar 700, one of the brand’s best soundbars. First of all, it has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The sound quality is really good, with particular detail in the depth of the bass.
This Bose model is equipped with the ADAPTiQ audio calibration system, with which it will optimise performance by adapting to the sound characteristics and isolation of each room.
Another interesting option is the ability to synchronise the television with Alexa or Google Assistant, as they are integrated into it. This way, you can operate it by voice, with full hands-free control.
And, if there is outside noise, the noise-cancelling microphones will do their job. Finally, there’s the ability to receive calls and listen to them through the soundbar, as well as compatibility with other products from this brand. In fact, you can operate the bar via the Bose Music app, as well as with the remote control and by voice.
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2) Bose Smart Soundbar 500: a mid-range model
The Bose 500 soundbar, as you can imagine, shares many of the same features as the previous model. It also features Bluetooth, WiFi and Alexa integration, as well as the ADAPTiQ system. However, the sound power is not as excellent as that of the 700, but more similar to the classic Bose sound.
It also supports playlists from Amazon Music, Spotify and other similar apps, as well as wirelessly streaming whatever you want. On the other hand, Bose SimpleSync technology allows you to pair Bose headphones with this soundbar.
It’s smaller than the Bose model, and doesn’t have the glass top finish that its bigger brother does.
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3) Bose Smart Soundbar 300: simpler, but effective
What are the highlights of the Bose Soundtouch 300 soundbar? First of all, the design is similar to the previous two. In fact, the 300 model also has a glass top, just like the 700.
The main difference has to do with the sound quality – it is clear, but not as powerful as its rivals. Thanks to its 5 full-range drivers it offers great acoustic performance, perfect for TV, gaming, movies and whatever else you need.
Another feature it doesn’t share is the ADAPTiQ calibration system, which reduces its ability to adapt to the acoustic environment of various rooms.
And, like its rivals, it integrates Bose Voice4Video technology to amplify Alexa functions, has a remote control and noise cancellation system.
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What’s the best Bose soundbar?
This is the big question that comes up at this point. However, there is no universal answer. Everyone has different needs, which means that there is a smart soundbar for everyone. All you have to do is identify which concepts are most important to you and evaluate accordingly.
Our opinion is that the 700 is the most complete of the three, so if you are looking for the most advanced model, it would be our recommendation. As well as being the only one with universal control, it offers the most powerful sound.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend as much money, the Bose Smart Soundbar 500 is also a good alternative. While it doesn’t have the power of the 700, it has a very advanced feature set and is less expensive.
Still, if you’re buying an additional device to enhance your sensory experience when watching TV, playing your favourite video games or making phone calls, we’d definitely recommend going for the full-featured model.
And if you have any doubts, you can check out the reviews from other users on Amazon.