Bose TV Speaker vs. Bose Soundbar 300, 500, and 600: A Guide to Making the Right Choice

Bose holds an unparalleled reputation as a trusted brand in the realm of audio equipment. When you invest in a Bose product, you can rest assured that an exceptional audio experience awaits you.

This is precisely why countless audiophiles repeatedly turn to Bose for their speaker needs.

However, the brand’s stellar reputation poses a challenge when perusing the extensive Bose lineup. With a guarantee of excellent audio quality across most of their products, how can you determine which one reigns supreme?

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we will explore some of the most sought-after Bose audio products to help you identify the one that delivers the ultimate audio experience. Specifically, we will compare and contrast the Bose TV Speaker with the Bose Soundbar 300, 500, and 600.

Let’s dive in!

Overview of Bose TV Speaker and Bose Soundbar 300, 500, & 600

To begin, let’s briefly highlight the unique features of each Bose product.

Bose TV Speaker

Starting with the Bose TV Speaker, this option stands out as the most affordable and compact among the choices we discuss today.

Designed to enhance your TV audio experience effortlessly, the Bose TV Speaker incorporates “Dialogue mode.” This feature intelligently analyzes and enhances vocal clarity, allowing you to hear dialogues with utmost precision.

Bose Soundbar 300

If you’re willing to invest a little more for additional features, the Bose Soundbar 300 is worth considering.

This slim and stylish soundbar offers impressive sound quality despite being only a few inches longer than the TV Speaker. Moreover, it provides advanced features such as the Bose Music App, Voice Assistant Compatibility, and WI-FI connectivity—features absent in the TV Speaker.

Bose Soundbar 500

Taking a slight step up in price, the Bose Soundbar 500 shares many key features with the Soundbar 300. However, it boasts a crucial addition: ADAPTiQ audio room calibration. This feature optimizes the soundbar’s acoustic performance based on the room’s layout, delivering the best possible listening experience for your space.

Bose Soundbar 600

Finally, we have the Bose Soundbar 600—the last soundbar on our list. While it shares similarities with the previous models, what sets it apart is its Dolby Atmos sound and HDMI eARC capabilities. These features make it an excellent choice for those seeking a home theater setup that exudes cinematic immersion.

Comparing Bose TV Speaker vs. Bose Soundbar 300, 500, & 600

Now that you have a better understanding of each audio setup’s unique qualities, let’s compare them directly. We will evaluate their design, connectivity options, voice control, and, of course, sound quality to determine how they stack up against one another.

Design

Although design may not significantly impact your audio experience, it’s worth considering if you have limited space or a low TV screen.

Here are the dimensions of each product:

• Bose TV Speaker: 2.2″ H x 23.4″ W x 4″ D
• Bose Soundbar 300: 2¼” H x 27½” W x 4″ D
• Bose Soundbar 500: 1.75″ H x 31.5″ W x 4.0″ D
• Bose Soundbar 600: 2.2″ H x 27.3″ W x 4.1″

As you can see, the Bose TV Speaker is the most compact option, making it an excellent fit for small spaces. Additionally, all the products stand at around two inches tall, ensuring they won’t obstruct your TV screen in most cases.

In the event that it does pose a problem, you can always purchase the Bose Soundbar Wall Bracket separately to address this issue.

Connectivity

Gone are the days when your only option for connecting a speaker to your TV was through a wire. Nowadays, various connectivity options are available, though some Bose models offer more choices than others.

This becomes a significant concern for some users when considering the Bose TV Speaker. While this model provides Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI ARC, Optical, and an AUX input, it lacks WI-FI connectivity.

Yes, you read that right—the Bose TV Speaker cannot be connected via WI-FI. While this might not be a dealbreaker for some, especially with Bluetooth connectivity available, wireless enthusiasts will find the soundbars more appealing.

All the soundbars offer WI-FI connectivity along with nearly all the same connectivity options as the TV Speaker. This grants you various ways to connect them to your favorite streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Moreover, they also support Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility. However, it’s worth noting that they lack an AUX input, which may be important to some users.

Voice Control

Voice control is another aspect that has become increasingly relevant in today’s technology landscape. The ability to control your electronics through voice commands adds convenience and accessibility.

Here, we encounter a notable difference between the Bose TV Speaker and the soundbars. The TV Speaker does not include voice control technology, meaning you’ll need to keep track of the remote for operation.

On the other hand, the soundbars offer two voice assistants to choose from: Alexa and Google Assistant. This enables you to control your soundbar without lifting a finger. Additionally, if you misplace the remote or prefer not to use voice commands, the Bose Music app serves as an alternative option. However, the app is unavailable for the TV Speaker. With any of the soundbars, you can maintain complete control over your audio experience.

Sound Quality

Finally, let’s discuss what you’ve been eagerly waiting for—the sound quality. While both the Bose TV Speaker and the soundbars deliver impressive audio, there are discernible differences between them and among the soundbars themselves.

Starting with the Bose TV Speaker, you can expect decent sound quality, thanks to its two full-range drivers and center tweeter. The angled drivers create expansive, spatial sound, while the tweeter ensures crystal-clear dialogue in TV shows and movies. Additionally, the “Dialogue mode” feature further enhances speech clarity. The TV Speaker surprises with its ability to produce deep and rich bass despite its size, as demonstrated by the dedicated “Bass” button on the remote.

However, if you desire an even more immersive audio experience, a soundbar is the clear choice. Take the Bose Soundbar 300, for instance. It boasts four full-range drivers, separating left and right sounds to provide a more enveloping audio experience. It also incorporates a center tweeter for enhanced dialogue clarity.

The Bose Soundbar 500 and 600 take things up a notch.

For the ultimate immersive audio experience, the Bose Soundbar 600 reigns supreme. It features five transducers and offers Dolby Atmos sound and exclusive TrueSpace technology. The TrueSpace technology analyzes your content and upmixes non-Atmos signals, creating a more immersive multi-channel experience. As a result, both stereo and 5.1 audio content feel exceptionally captivating.

Ultimately, if you prioritize the best possible sound quality, the Bose soundbars outshine the TV Speaker.

So, Which Should You Choose: Bose TV Speaker or Bose Soundbar 300, 500, or 600?

Now that we’ve examined the Bose TV Speaker and soundbars, it becomes clear that any of the Bose soundbars provide superior connectivity, voice control, and sound quality compared to the TV Speaker.

However, this doesn’t diminish the value of the Bose TV Speaker entirely. For instance, if you’re on a budget and seek simple auxiliary sound, this speaker will suffice. It elevates your TV audio experience, albeit to a lesser extent than the soundbars.

If you genuinely seek the best audio experience, the Bose Soundbar 600 is the ideal choice. With Dolby Atmos sound, TrueSpace technology, and five transducers, this soundbar guarantees unparalleled performance, especially considering its current price point.

However, if you remain undecided, you can compare some of the most popular Bose Soundbars to gather more information and make an informed decision.

Regardless of your choice, one thing remains certain—it’s challenging to surpass the quality offered by a Bose speaker!