There is no doubt that Bose is one of the reference brands in the audiovisual panorama, as it has a long history in sound technology. This is demonstrated once again in its latest launch: the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. But how does it differ from the previous model? To find out, we analyse the performance of the Bose Soundbar 700 vs 900, giving you all the information you need to decide which is more worthwhile. Are you ready?
[amazon box=”B07G8H7F6R, B09PLT1886″ grid=”2″]
Bose Soundbar 700 Vs 900: Strengths of both soundbars
First of all, it’s important to define which qualities stand out the most in each soundbar, so you can check whether or not they meet the requirements you’re looking for:
Bose Smart Soundbar 700: multi-device compatibility
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 has been the company’s most comprehensive soundbar to date. And, to tell the truth, it’s still a really interesting option, mainly due to its versatility. In fact, it is compatible with WiFi, Blutooth, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, so you can exercise a very interesting interconnectivity with various devices.
Aesthetically, you’re going to find that it’s a really comfortable and unobtrusive device. You can place it almost anywhere in your living room or another room. In addition, you can buy this soundbar in black and arctic white, so that it matches the rest of the furniture in your living room.
It features PhaseGuide technology, which directs the sound to different points in the room. Also, it is equipped with an eight-microphone array designed to pick up your voice even when there is a lot of external noise. It also features the ADAPTiQ calibration system, which allows you to calibrate the sound in a very professional way.
Finally, thanks to SimpleSync technology, you can connect the soundbar to the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 or other Bose soundbars. And Voice4Video technology also allows you to direct your commands via Alexa.
Highlights
- SimpleSync technology
- Voice4Video
- PhaseGuide
- Support for multiple formats and devices
- Connectivity with Bose Music App
What would we change
- No Dolby Atmos
- No external subwoofer
[amazon box=”B07G8H7F6R”]
Bose Smart Soundbar 900: a leap in quality that’s hard to beat
Next, we analyse the new addition to the Bose catalogue, which has been a real innovation thanks to the incorporation of Dolby Atmos technology.
In this way, Bose takes to a new level the sensorial experience that it is capable of creating throughout your home thanks to this technology, based on PhaseGuide, but with a higher level of development. Thus, it reproduces very faithfully the same sound experience we have in the cinema.
Also in this soundbar is the ability to connect to Alexa and Google Home, as well as the Bose Music app. And, like its rival, it supports Bluetooth, WiFi, Chromecast, AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect.
Other common features include the ADAPTiQ calibration system and SimpleSync technology. The 900’s controller is lighter and smaller, but offers control of fewer features. In fact, many of the features that you can control with the 700’s remote, you have to use the app to do so.
Also, you can only choose between HDMI, eARC or optical audio input, with no way to combine the two.
What we like best
- Dolby Atmos technology
- Very professional sound quality
- Connectivity to multiple formats and devices
- Voice4Video
- ADAPTiQ system
What we like least
- The remote has fewer controls
- No more inputs than on the Bose 700
[amazon box=”B09PLT1886″]
Bose Soundbar 700 Vs 900: How do the two soundbars differ and how are they similar?
Next, it’s time to see how each model performs in the various aspects that may influence your buying decision:
1)Sound quality and technology, the most important thing.
Let’s start by talking about the most important aspect when evaluating any sound device purchase, and that is the quality of the sound. There are multiple elements to take into account in this aspect, and we are going to summarise them now:
Dolby Atmos, the key to innovation
This is the great innovation brought by the Bose Soundbar 900, which is the first Bose soundbar to incorporate Dolby Atmos technology. Thanks to this technology, it reproduces the sound in an omnidirectional way, taking it to different points in the room without the need for speakers in them.
For this, it is based on its own PhaseGuide technology, which is also present in the 700 model, together with nine speakers and two new transducers. The result is an audio-visual experience very similar to what you get when you watch a film in the cinema.
Professional calibration method
One of the features of the two bars is the AdaptiQ audio calibration system, with which you can adjust the sound according to the specific characteristics of each room.
This system analyses the particularities of each room and, based on this, determines the best way to adjust the sound to cover the entire room equally. In addition, in case you change the layout, the system re-calibrates again.
2) Synchronisation and remote operation
Bose soundbars, like other electronic devices, can be controlled in different ways, all of them remotely. Let’s look at the differences:
Universal remote control
The two protagonists of our review are both equipped with a remote control, but it is very different in each case. And, contrary to what it may seem, the Bose Soundbar 700 remote control is more complete and incorporates more functionalities.
On the other hand, the Bose Soundbar 900 has a remote control that, although lighter, leaves more features at the mercy of synchronisation with the app. In addition, and although it is an unimportant detail, the Bose 700 is equipped with 4 batteries, two more than the 900.
Connection with Alexa and Google Home
Home automation is already present in many Spanish homes. If you are one of them and have become accustomed to using one of the Alexa or Google Home virtual assistants, you will be able to connect them to either of the two Bose soundbars.
You won’t have to use anything more than your voice to activate, change or turn off this device. On the other hand, both incorporate Voice4Video technology, thanks to which, using Alexa, you can also perform a range of other actions, such as turning the smart TV on and off, or playing music on it.
3) Cross-device compatibility
Another essential element of a soundbar is that it offers a variety of connectivity options and compatibility with other devices, audio formats and technological systems.
Inputs and connections
Both soundbars have an HDMI port, but only the Bose Soundbar 700 has a CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) input. This type of input allows different connected devices to be controlled via a single remote control.
Bluetooth range
Another feature that both soundbars have in common is that they are compatible with Bluetooth version 4.2, and in both cases there is a range of approximately 9 metres.
In other words, any device that is connected via Bluetooth to the Bose Soundbar can be heard as long as it is within a 9-metre radius of the Soundbar.
Bose Mobile App
Nowadays, virtually any device can be connected with a mobile app. In this case, the two protagonists of our review can be synchronised with the Bose Music mobile app, from which you can make any modifications or parameter changes you want.
In this way, you can enjoy greater interconnectivity between the different Bose smart home devices.
Compatibility with other formats
As you can imagine, the two soundbars differ in terms of compatibility with other audio formats. For example, both are compatible with Dolby Digital. However, the Bose Soundbar 700 is also compatible with DTS, while the Bose Soundbar 900 is compatible with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD.
4) Price and design
Finally, we look at two different aspects that can also help you choose between the two bars.
Aesthetics
If you notice, Bose keeps a very similar design in both soundbars. Both bars have a glass top and a slim and elegant design. The 900 model is slightly taller and wider, and weighs around 1 kg more than the 700 model, but these are not noticeable variations or a change in the location where you would have thought to place the bar.
Price
Given the differences between the two soundbars, it’s not unreasonable to predict that the price will also vary. The Bose Soundbar 900 is the more expensive of the two, although it is the only one compatible with Dolby Atmos.
These are the soundbars most in demand by users
We have already checked the differences and similarities, but it might be interesting to know what opinions users who have already tried each bar have. For this reason, we leave you here the ranking of the best-selling soundbars on Amazon:
[amazon bestseller = “Bose soundbar” items = “5”]
Bose Soundbar 700 Vs 900: Which soundbar is more worthwhile?
It’s a tough decision, but here we look at two different situations in which our recommendation varies slightly. In case you don’t have a soundbar and are hesitating which one to buy, our advice is to go straight for the Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
The price difference is not much compared to the technical improvement it offers in sound quality, mainly due to the implementation of Dolby Atmos. Thus, it is worth choosing the model that costs about 100 euros more to have this functionality.
But if you already have the Bose Smart Soundbar 700, is it worth upgrading to the new model? In this case, it depends. It depends on how much it is worth it for you to go for Dolby Atmos technology for higher sound quality.
It would be unfair to say that the 700 model does not perform well in terms of sound quality. The key is to determine whether it’s worth spending a similar amount of money on the new model if you’ve just bought the 700. In our opinion, if you’re a cinema lover who prefers to experience movies and series as if you were in the theatre, you might want to consider it. In any case, it’s a very subjective decision that only you can make.