Are you tired of the lackluster sound from your TV’s built-in speakers? Ready to elevate your home entertainment experience to the next level? A Bose soundbar might be just what you need. But, with a plethora of options available, choosing the right one can be perplexing. In this guide, we’re going to dive deep into the Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700 to help you understand the differences and make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
Bose Soundbar 500: A Sleek and Compact Marvel
The Soundbar 500 is a design marvel. It boasts a slim and minimalist profile that can effortlessly blend into any living room setup. The build quality is impeccable, with a premium glass top and metal grille that exude elegance.
Bose Soundbar 700: A Stylish Statement Piece
On the other hand, the Soundbar 700 takes a step further in terms of aesthetics. With its tempered glass top and metal finish, it’s not just a soundbar; it’s a piece of art that complements your room decor.
Sound Performance
Bose Soundbar 500: Balanced Soundstage
The Soundbar 500 delivers impressive sound quality with its custom-designed drivers. It offers a balanced soundstage, making it perfect for enjoying your favorite movies and music. While it lacks the depth of the 700, it’s still a significant upgrade from your TV’s speakers.
Bose Soundbar 700: Immersive and Powerful
The Soundbar 700, with its extra drivers and PhaseGuide technology, takes audio to a new level. It provides a wider soundstage and deeper bass. If you crave a truly immersive experience, the 700 won’t disappoint.
Sound Customization
Bose Soundbar 500: Simplicity with SoundTouch
The Soundbar 500 features the SoundTouch app, allowing you to customize the sound to your preference. It’s user-friendly and offers various EQ settings.
Bose Soundbar 700: Bose Music App for Precision
The Soundbar 700 takes customization to the next level with the Bose Music app. It offers detailed control over EQ settings, making it ideal for audiophiles who want to fine-tune their audio experience.
Voice Assistants
Bose Soundbar 500: Alexa Integration
The Soundbar 500 comes with built-in Alexa support, allowing you to control your soundbar and smart home devices using voice commands.
Bose Soundbar 700: Alexa and Google Assistant
The Soundbar 700, in addition to Alexa, also supports Google Assistant, giving you more options for voice control.
HDMI and Connectivity
Bose Soundbar 500: HDMI ARC
Both soundbars come with HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) for a seamless connection to your TV. However, the Soundbar 500 has one HDMI input, which may limit your connectivity options.
Bose Soundbar 700: More HDMI Ports
The Soundbar 700 offers more versatility with multiple HDMI inputs. This is a significant advantage if you have multiple devices like gaming consoles and Blu-ray players.
Adaptiq Audio Calibration
Bose Soundbar 500: Basic Adaptiq
The Soundbar 500 features Adaptiq audio calibration, which optimizes sound based on your room’s acoustics, although it’s a more basic version.
Bose Soundbar 700: Advanced Adaptiq
The Soundbar 700 takes Adaptiq to the next level with advanced calibration, providing a more tailored audio experience.
Remote Control
Bose Soundbar 500: Standard Remote
Both soundbars come with a remote control, but the Soundbar 500 has a more basic one without an LCD screen.
Bose Soundbar 700: Premium Remote
The Soundbar 700’s remote is more advanced, featuring an LCD screen for easier navigation and control.
Price
Bose Soundbar 500: Budget-Friendly Option
The Soundbar 500 is more budget-friendly, making it an attractive choice for those who want Bose quality without breaking the bank.
Bose Soundbar 700: Premium Investment
The Soundbar 700, with its advanced features, comes at a higher price point, targeting customers who prioritize top-tier audio quality.
Dimensions
Bose Soundbar 500: Compact and Space-Saving
Measuring at: 1.75″ x 31.5″ x 4.0″, the Soundbar 500 is compact and can fit in small spaces.
Bose Soundbar 700: Slightly Larger
The Soundbar 700 is slightly larger at 2.25″ x 38.5″ x 4.25″, so ensure you have enough room for it.
Wall Mounting
Bose Soundbar 500: Wall Mount Optional
You can opt to mount the Soundbar 500 on the wall for a clean, space-saving look.
Bose Soundbar 700: Wall Mount Included
The Soundbar 700 comes with a wall mount bracket, making it easier to install if you prefer wall mounting.
Multi-Room Audio
Bose Soundbar 500: Limited Multi-Room
The Soundbar 500 offers basic multi-room audio capabilities, allowing you to connect to other Bose speakers in your home.
Bose Soundbar 700: Enhanced Multi-Room
The Soundbar 700 provides a more extensive multi-room experience, perfect for creating a whole-house audio system.
Warranty
Bose Soundbar 500: Standard Warranty
Both soundbars come with a standard one-year limited warranty.
Bose Soundbar 700: Additional Year
The Soundbar 700 sweetens the deal with an extra year of warranty.
Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700 for You?
So, which one should you choose? It boils down to your preferences and budget. If you’re looking for a stylish, premium soundbar with top-notch audio performance and are willing to invest more, the Soundbar 700 is the way to go. However, if you’re on a budget but still want that Bose quality and a significant audio upgrade from your TV’s built-in speakers, the Soundbar 500 is an excellent choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use both the Soundbar 500 and 700 with a non-Bose TV?
- Yes, you can connect both soundbars to non-Bose TVs using the HDMI ARC connection.
2. Do these soundbars support 4K pass-through for Ultra HD content?
- Yes, both the Soundbar 500 and 700 support 4K pass-through, ensuring that your Ultra HD content maintains its quality.
3. Can I connect additional speakers to these soundbars for a surround sound experience?
- Yes, you can expand both soundbars into a full home theater system by adding Bose surround speakers and a subwoofer.
4. Is there a significant difference in sound quality between the two models?
- While both soundbars offer excellent sound quality, the Soundbar 700 provides a more immersive experience with deeper bass and a wider soundstage.
5. Do these soundbars work with streaming services like Netflix and Spotify?
- Yes, you can easily stream content from services like Netflix and Spotify through these soundbars using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity.
Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, you can confidently choose between the Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700 to enhance your home entertainment and enjoy cinematic sound right in your living room. Happy listening!
