Built Quality: Bose Soundbar 500 vs 700

Both the Bose Soundbar 500 and 700 boast sturdy construction and premium materials, but there are some subtle differences in their built quality:

Bose Soundbar 700:

• Sleeker, more modern design: Features a low-profile, glass-topped aesthetic that feels luxurious and blends seamlessly with most home theater setups.
• Solid metal grille: Provides excellent protection for the drivers and adds a touch of sophistication.
• Seamless construction: Minimal seams and joins contribute to a clean, high-quality look and feel.

Bose Soundbar 500:

• More traditional soundbar design: Has a slightly bulkier look with a perforated metal grille throughout.
• Durable plastic construction: While not as premium as the 700's metal, the plastic feels sturdy and well-made.
• Visible seams: There are more noticeable seams and joins compared to the 700, but they're still well-crafted and unlikely to cause any issues.

Overall Built Quality:

Both soundbars are built to last, but the Bose Soundbar 700 arguably takes the edge in terms of built quality. The sleek glass top, solid metal grille, and seamless construction give it a more premium and luxurious feel. However, the Bose Soundbar 500 is still a very well-made soundbar with a durable plastic construction that should withstand everyday use.

Based on test reports, here's a detailed comparison of the audio quality between the Bose Soundbar 500 and 700:

Audio quality based on test reports: Bose Soundbar 500 vs 700

Frequency Response:

• Bose Soundbar 700: Delivers a much wider frequency response, extending deeper into the sub-bass for richer, more impactful bass and reaching higher into the treble for brighter, more detailed highs. This results in a more well-rounded and natural sound that's faithful to the source material.
• Bose Soundbar 500: Has a significantly narrower frequency response, lacking the deep sub-bass extension and crisp treble of the 700. This can lead to a sound that's boomy and muddy in the lows and lacking in clarity and detail in the highs.

Stereo Soundstage:

• Bose Soundbar 700: Creates a much wider and more immersive stereo soundstage, thanks to its wider array of drivers and advanced audio processing. This makes it feel like the sound is coming from around you, rather than just from the soundbar itself.
• Bose Soundbar 500: Has a narrower and less defined stereo soundstage. While it can still produce a decent sense of stereo separation, it doesn't offer the same level of immersion and spaciousness as the 700.

Surround Sound:

• Bose Soundbar 700: Supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X virtual surround sound technologies, which use psychoacoustic processing to create a convincing sense of surround sound from just the soundbar. While not a true replacement for a full surround sound system, it can significantly enhance your movie and gaming experience.
• Bose Soundbar 500: Only supports Dolby Digital surround sound, which is a more basic technology that doesn't offer the same level of immersion and accuracy as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.

Dialogue Clarity:

• Bose Soundbar 700: Delivers excellent dialogue clarity, thanks to its center channel and advanced voice processing. This ensures that voices are always clear and easy to understand, even in complex soundtracks.
• Bose Soundbar 500: Dialogue clarity is good, but not as exceptional as the 700. While voices are generally audible, they can sometimes get overshadowed by other elements in the mix.

Overall Sound Quality:

Based on test results, the Bose Soundbar 700 clearly outperforms the 500 in terms of audio quality. It offers a wider frequency response, a more immersive soundstage, support for advanced surround sound formats, and superior dialogue clarity. If you prioritize the best possible listening experience, the 700 is the better choice.

However, it's important to consider your budget and needs. The Bose Soundbar 500 still offers good sound quality for its price and may be sufficient if you're mainly looking for a basic soundbar for TV watching.

Connectivity: bose soundbar 500 vs 700

Here's a detailed comparison of the connectivity options between the Bose Soundbar 500 and 700:

Wired Connections:

• Both soundbars:

  • 1x HDMI input (with Audio Return Channel)
  • 1x optical audio input

• Bose Soundbar 700 only:

  • 1x HDMI output (for connecting to an external display)
  • 1x wired subwoofer connection (via proprietary cable)

Wireless Connections:

• Both soundbars:

  • Bluetooth 4.1

• Bose Soundbar 700 only:

  • Wi-Fi connectivity for streaming music services (Spotify, Deezer, etc.) and multi-room audio playback with other Bose speakers
  • Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice control

Overall Connectivity Options:

• The Bose Soundbar 500 offers a basic set of wired connections, suitable for connecting to a TV and an occasional optical audio source.
• The Bose Soundbar 700 provides significantly more connectivity options, including an HDMI output, wired subwoofer connection, Wi-Fi for streaming and multi-room audio, and voice control.

Here's a breakdown of the advantages of each soundbar in terms of connectivity:

• Bose Soundbar 500:

  • Simpler setup with fewer cables
  • Good option for basic TV audio needs

• Bose Soundbar 700:

  • More versatile with additional connection options
  • Ideal for users who want streaming capabilities, multi-room audio, and voice control

Ease of Use :bose soundbar 500 vs 700

Both Bose Soundbars 500 and 700 are generally considered user-friendly, but there are some subtle differences in terms of ease of use:

Bose Soundbar 500:

• Simple setup: Requires minimal configuration thanks to HDMI-CEC support, which automatically syncs with your TV.
• Basic remote: Includes essential buttons for volume, source selection, and basic sound adjustments. Easy to learn and navigate.
• No app control: Lacks a dedicated app for advanced control, which might be inconvenient for some users.

Bose Soundbar 700:

• Slightly more complex setup: Requires manual pairing with your TV for some features like HDMI-CEC.
• Advanced remote: Features a backlit universal remote that learns functions from your TV remote, simplifying control of both devices.
• Optional app control: Offers a Bose Music app for advanced features like EQ adjustments, multi-room audio setup, and music streaming (available on both Android and iOS).

Overall Ease of Use:

• Bose Soundbar 500: Ideal for users who prefer a plug-and-play experience with minimal configuration and a straightforward remote.
• Bose Soundbar 700: Provides more control options and future-proof features through its app integration and universal remote. However, the initial setup might be slightly more involved.

Final Verdict:

• Choose the Bose Soundbar 700 if: You prioritize the best sound quality, want streaming and voice control, and have the budget.
• Choose the Bose Soundbar 500 if: You're on a budget, prefer a simple setup, and are mainly looking for a basic soundbar for TV watching.