As an example, the rotors of Silva’s attack helicopter ring sweetly in the final showdown of Skyfall, but the explosion of the war machine as it slams into the Scottish manor feels paper-thin. For a voice assistant, you must choose either Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa — you can't have both active at the same time. 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That’s minimalism to a fault in my book, as is the Soundbar 500’s lack of any hi-res processing codecs from Dolby or DTS, with only basic Dolby Digital supported. It leveled out 90 percent of the scratchy artifice, while retaining just enough presence for character development and scenic ambiance.I could still hear the … It also comes packed with some EQ presets, which the latter lacks. Another 3.0Ch setup from Bose, the Soundbar 500 offers visible upgrades over the Soundbar 300. With the app, you can program up to six streaming presets, adjust EQ and other features, control other Bose smart speakers, and more. 5) BOSE never post their acoustic performance stats I bought this BOSE SoundBar 500 to replace an Aldi bought soundbar which gave up the ghost after 3 years, good service. That said, you can get a lot more punch for less from the likes of Yamaha, Samsung, Klipsch, and others. Easily upgradable setup. The Bose Home Speaker 500 is available to buy for the princely sum of $399.95 (£399.95 / AU$599.95) – which makes it more expensive than the Google Home and Sonos One combined.. However, when it comes to punchy bass, it's more of a … While not as clear or detailed, Samsung’s MS-650 offers more balance across registers at a lower price thanks to bigger punch in the bass in a similar single-bar design — though it does present a much larger profile. Copyright ©2021 Designtechnica Corporation. a Bose Soundbar 700 can be wirelessly paired with a Bose Bass Module 500 or a Bose Soundbar 500 with a Bose Bass Module 700). You can also connect wirelessly through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or AirPlay 2. A simple bar that’s extremely well built, the Soundbar 500 should be a fine companion to your TV for the foreseeable future. At the back, you’ll find a small bass port on one side and a cubby at the center with a mix of standard and not-so-standard inputs. That’s especially true with dialogue. One missing feature I would have loved is the ability to change inputs. You can also, of course, ask about the weather, set timers, etc. Though it lacks features you can get with other soundbars in the price range — especially Dolby Atmos support and HDMI inputs — it rivals the Sonos Beam for sound and simplicity. Yes. No one tests sound bars like we do. Rich, crisp, and brilliantly refined sound are hallmarks of Bose’s popular product lineup, and the Soundbar 500 is another prime example. It has the traditional bass-forward Bose sound. Slipping the bar from the box reveals a remarkably slim and compact slab of sound in all black that stands just two inches tall and less than 32-inches long. Luckily, Spotify Connect worked great, and there’s also AirPlay 2 for Apple Music, making it easy to bypass Bose Music and Bluetooth, too. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. The process is a bit awkward, since you have to wear a headset that measures sound from five locations in the room (it makes Sonos' TruePlay process — in which you walk around your room waving your phone up and down — seem less embarrassing). Bose Soundbar 500 – General Review: Bose Soundbar 500 is comparatively a cheaper, or we should say a more cost-effective sound system that features an amazing voice assistant support to provide better reliability.Also, it comes with multiple connectivity options that make it a fine choice for the price. But in doing so, you’ll miss the instructions to download the Bose Music app, which is essential for Wi-Fi connection and voice assistant setup. Neither assistant could change the input on the soundbar, though, so keep the remote or mobile app handy. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, But unless you’re a fan of wires, it makes more sense to extend the Soundbar 300’s low-end with Bose’s wireless subwoofers, the $400 Bass Module 500, and the $700 Bass Module 700. Bose knows how to make audio easy. While the bar occasionally trades some organic flavor in the upper midrange and treble for a more processed, sharper clip at the attacks of instruments, it never crosses over into sibilance, making for a satisfying ride through your favorite tunes. Bose is getting into the smart home game. Matte plates at the top and bottom meet a rounded metal grille in the middle, making it look a bit like a licorice-flavored ice cream sandwich — in a good way. If you’re looking for a more loaded bar at an even lower price, Yamaha’s $350 YAS-209 offers solid performance across frequencies, bigger punch down low thanks to a wireless subwoofer, and tons of features like virtual surround and an extra HDMI input. Its sleek design lends elegance to the device; you would love using it … There aren't any other sound modes to choose from. If you are looking for an alternative then check out our Sonos Beam vs Playbar comparison . New York, The first thing I noticed about the 31.5 x 4 x 1.8-inch Soundbar 500 is how slim it is — it's noticeably slimmer than the 25.6 x 3.9 x 2.7-inch Sonos Beam. Bose Soundbar 500 Review. There was a problem. The Bottom Line. We independently review and compare Bose Soundbar 500 against 45 other soundbar products from 22 brands to help you choose the best. As with it’s bigger brother, the 700, the Bose Soundbar 500 is rated as a 3.0 channels soundbar as it comes without any subwoofer or surround speakers in the main package. The bass and drums on Brittany Howard's "History Repeats" thumped, while her vocals remained clear. I’m not just talking about music playback either. With the volume set at 50 percent, it easily filled a medium-size room. The word that best defines this bar is musicality. You can also enable Dialogue Mode, which is supposed to make voices easier to hear, but I found I liked the overall sound better without it. Both responded to my requests. If you already have some Bose speakers that work with the Bose Music app, the Soundbar 500 will make an excellent addition to your sound system. Yola's voice soared on "Faraway Look."