Sonos vs Bose: Which Soundbar Is Right for You?

Sonos vs Bose

Nowadays Soundbars have revolutionized the way we experience audio at home, offering compact solutions without compromising on quality. Among the giants in this space, Sonos and Bose often emerge as top contenders. Choosing between Sonos and Bose soundbars can be challenging, given their reputations for delivering high-quality audio experiences. 

This comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision by comparing their latest models, features, and performance.

Choosing the right soundbar is essential for an immersive home audio experience. Two prominent contenders in the market are the Sonos Arc and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. This comprehensive comparison will help you determine which soundbar suits your needs.

Overview of Sonos and Bose

Sonos is renowned for its high-quality audio products and seamless multi-room capabilities. The Sonos Arc, equipped with Dolby Atmos, is designed to deliver a cinematic sound experience.

Bose has a longstanding reputation for producing premium audio equipment. The Bose Smart Soundbar 900, also featuring Dolby Atmos, aims to provide immersive sound with sleek aesthetics.

Design and Build Quality

The Sonos Arc features a curved design with a plastic build and fabric grille, available in matte black and white finishes. In contrast, the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 boasts a sleeker profile with a metal grille and tempered glass top, exuding a more premium aesthetic.

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Audio Performance

Both soundbars support Dolby Atmos, enhancing the surround sound experience.

Sonos Arc:

• Drivers: 11 high-performance drivers, including upward-firing speakers for 3D audio effects.
• Tuning Technology: Trueplay tuning adapts the sound to your room's acoustics.
• Sound Profile: Delivers a wide soundstage with immersive audio, particularly effective for large rooms.

Bose Smart Soundbar 900:

• Drivers: Nine drivers, including two upward-firing transducers.
• Tuning Technology: ADAPTiQ audio calibration optimizes sound based on room layout.
• Sound Profile: Emphasizes clear dialogue and balanced audio, suitable for both music and movies.

In user comparisons, some have noted that the Bose 900 offers clarity and defined bass, while the Sonos Arc provides a more powerful and authoritative sound.

Connectivity and Smart Features

The inclusion of Bluetooth in the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 allows for direct streaming from various devices, adding flexibility. The Sonos Arc lacks Bluetooth but integrates seamlessly with other Sonos products for multi-room audio.

Modern soundbars serve as more than just audio enhancers; they act as smart hubs within home entertainment systems.

Sonos Arc:

• Voice Assistants: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
• AirPlay 2 Support: Yes
• Bluetooth Connectivity: No
• HDMI eARC: Yes
• App Control: Sonos S2 app

The Sonos Arc integrates seamlessly with voice assistants, allowing for hands-free control over music playback, volume adjustments, and other smart home functions. Support for Apple AirPlay 2 enables effortless streaming from iOS devices. However, the absence of Bluetooth connectivity might be a limitation for users who prefer direct streaming from non-Apple devices. The Sonos S2 app offers intuitive control over the soundbar, including sound customization and integration with other Sonos products for a cohesive multi-room audio setup.

Bose Smart Soundbar 900:

• Voice Assistants: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
• AirPlay 2 Support: Yes
• Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes
• HDMI eARC: Yes
• App Control: Bose Music app

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 offers a comprehensive suite of connectivity options. In addition to voice assistant integration and AirPlay 2 support, it includes Bluetooth connectivity, providing flexibility for streaming from a wide range of devices. The Bose Music app facilitates easy setup, sound customization, and integration with other Bose smart speakers, enabling synchronized audio playback throughout the home.

Expandability

Both soundbars can be expanded with additional components to enhance the audio experience.

Sonos Arc:

• Compatible Add-ons: Sonos Sub (subwoofer), Sonos One SL (surround speakers).
• Multi-Room Capability: Integrates with other Sonos speakers for a whole-home audio system.

Bose Smart Soundbar 900:

• Compatible Add-ons: Bose Bass Module 700 (subwoofer), Bose Surround Speakers 700.
• Multi-Room Capability: Works with other Bose smart speakers for synchronized audio across rooms.

When expanded with additional speakers and subwoofers, both systems offer enhanced surround sound experiences. Some users have preferred the Bose system for its clarity and detail, while others favor the Sonos setup for its powerful sound.

Pricing

Both soundbars are priced at $899. Additional components for each system are similarly priced, allowing for customization based on budget and desired audio performance.

Conclusion

Both the Sonos Arc and Bose Smart Soundbar 900 offer premium features and exceptional audio quality. Your choice should be guided by your specific needs:

• Choose Sonos Arc if:

  • You are already invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
  • You desire a wider soundstage with immersive audio.
  • Multi-room audio capability is a priority.

• Choose Bose Smart Soundbar 900 if:

  • Bluetooth connectivity is important to you.
  • You prefer a sleeker design with premium materials.
  • Clear dialogue and balanced sound are your main concerns.

Consider your room size, existing audio equipment, and personal preferences when making your decision. Both soundbars are excellent choices that can significantly enhance your home audio experience.

Links:

Sonos Arc  | BoseSmart Soundbar 600