Bose TV Speaker vs soundbar 900


Comparing Bose TV speaker vs Soundbar 900, the 900 soundbar is an upgrade over the TV speaker. With more drivers it ensures captivating soundfield with overhead effects. Movies from this standalone bar sounds engaging and cinematic. With room calibration feature, the sound is enhanced and optimized.

If you want a simple and cheap soundbar and don’t need online streaming contents, then then Bose TV speaker is an excellent option for you. It is ideal for general listeners who are willing to overlook minor shortcomings. The bar is a simple plug and play speaker that improves TV sound. To improve the sound quality, add a Bose Bass Module.


Our Verdict:

Bose TV speaker vs Soundbar 900 comparison shows the TV speaker is an upgrade over built-in TV speakers. However, if you seek cinematic sound, then the Bose 900 is for you. Along with movies, gamers will also enjoy the breathtaking sound from the 900 model. Upward and side-firing drivers ensure a powerful surround sound. If you want to stream contents from online, then the Bose 900 is your only option between the two.

The cheaper Bose TV speaker works well with music and movies. It can deliver crisp and clear sound. It also has good dynamic range. Consider this an entry-level soundbar at a reasonable price. This soundbar is ideal for users with tight spaces.

Pros
  • Plug and play
  • Roku TV ready
  • Sub out
  • Supports Dolby Digital
  • Good for compact spaces
Cons
  • No center channel
Pros
  • Built-in Google Assistant and Alexa
  • Bose SimpleSync to connect headphones.
  • Futureproof to rears and sub
  • Sturdy built
  • Remote and app are available
Cons
  • No dedicated sub

Advance Comparison

Model

Bose TV Speaker

Bose Smart Soundbar 900

Brand Name

Bose

Bose

Rating
Mixed Usage
6.9
7.1
SOUND QUALITY
7.2
9
BASS ACCURACY :
7.2
5
AUDIO & VIDEO LATENCY:
9.8
8.01
AUDIO ENHANCEMENT FEATURES:
2.1
5
BUILD QUALITY :
8
8.5
GENERAL
Number of Channel
2.0 Channel
5.0.2 Channel
Placement Type
Table-top , Wall-mountable
Wall-mountable
Connectivity Type
Wireless
Subwoofer Feature
Without Subwoofer
Without Subwoofer
Rear Speaker
N/A
N/A
Central Channel Speaker
N/A
Yes
Audio Enhancement Features
Yes
Yes
HDMI input/output
N/A
N/A
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
Yes
N/A
Loudness
Moderate ( ± 80db)
High Volume ( > 92db )
Warranty
12 months Months
12 months Months
Connectivity:
Digital Optical Audio Input ( Toslink )
1 Optical Audio Input
1 Optical Audio Input
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
None
None
Full HDMI In
None
3
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
None
RCA Ports
No
No
USB Port
None
None
Ethernet Jack
No
Yes
Audio Quality ( Tested )
Dialogue & Vocal Accuracy
Frequency deviation from target is less than standard error (3.4 dB ); which means soundbar is very good to reproduce dialog and instrumental music
Frequency deviation from target is less than standard error (3.4 dB ); which means soundbar is very good to reproduce dialog and instrumental music
Bass Accuracy ( for music, film scores, movies, and games)
Soundbar 's Low-Frequency-Extension is more than 35 Hz. Which means It can reproduce the deep thump and rumble in the low-bass accurately.
It lacks some low-bass. It may disappoint you want to feel the deep rumble in action-packed movie scenes.
3- Dimensional Sound Accuracy ( Sound Stage)
soundstage has good focus overall but but some sound tracks seem to be bit more diffused and lack separation.
soundstage has good focus overall but but some sound tracks seem to be bit more diffused and lack separation.
Total Harmonic Distortion ( Center Channel )
No Dedicated Center Channel Speaker. So, it can not produce sound quite as clear as 3.0, 3.2 , 5.1 or 7.2 channels Soundbar. But It has decent center performance to produce accurate audio and dialogue.
It has dedicated center channel speaker and Total Harmonic Distortion of center channel @80dB is less than standard value(>0.7). So soundbar produce more clear and accurate audio of the dialogue in movies.
Surround Sound Imaging ( Rear Channel )
No dedicated or alternative channel for surround content. So it downmixes surround content to stereo.
No dedicated rear channel (7.1 channel) but surround content produced by side-firing speakers on the bar is quite impressive and sounds seem to be coming from above you, behind you and on the sides.
Streo Dynamics ( Loudness ):
Dynamic Range Compression @ Standard Volume (80 dB) is more than standard deviation (<2 dB).
Dynamic Range Compression @ Max Volume is little bit more than standard deviation (<2 dB) and maximum valume is over 92 dB SPL
Audio & Video Latency
Here no visible latency via ARC (11 ms) and Optical (9 ms) but visuals difference may found via Full HDMI Input (N/A).
Here no visible latency via ARC (ARC @ 56 ms) and Optical (55 ms) but visuals difference may found via Full HDMI Input (N/A).
Audio Enhancement Features:
Digital Room Correction:
N/A
Yes
Auto Volume Adjustment/ Night Mode:
N/A
N/A
Equilizer Options:
None
Bass Adjustment ( Thump & Punch of sound)
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustent ( Brightness and Clarity od Audio)
N/A
Yes
Surround Level Adjustment:
N/A
N/A
Virtual Surround Effect:
N/A
N/A
Supported Audio Format ( HDMI ARC)
eARC Standard
N/A
Yes
Dolby Atmos
N/A
Yes
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Yes
DTS
N/A
N/A
DTS: X
N/A
N/A
Dolby True HD ( eARC only )
N/A
Yes
DTS- HD MA (eARC only)
N/A
N/A
5.1 PCM ( eARC only )
N/A
Yes
Supported Audio Format (Full HDMI In' port ):
Dolby Atmos :
N/A
N/A
DTS:X :
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital :
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus:
N/A
N/A
DTS :
N/A
N/A
Dolby TrueHD :
N/A
N/A
DTS-HD MA :
N/A
N/A
5.1 PCM
N/A
N/A
Audio Format Support ( Optical Port ):
Dolby Digital :
Yes
Yes
DTS :
N/A
N/A
Build Material
Enclosure
Bass Reflex
Bass Reflex
Finish
The Bose tv Speaker has a great build quality with made of plastic, it feels solid.
Soundbar is made of high-quality plastic, side bar is protected by metal grilles. There's a rubber feet on the bottom and a glass plate on top. It gives you premium feel.
Color
Black
Black
Soundbar Width
23.5" (59.6 cm)
41.1
Soundbar Height
2.2" (5.7 cm)
2.2
Soundbar Depth
4.1" (10.4 cm)
4.3
Subwoofer Width
N/A
N/A
Subwoofer Depth
N/A
N/A
Drivers Specs
Tweeter Size and Type :
Dome
Dome (1)
Midrange Size & Types:
None
Cone (4)
Woofer Size & Type :
Cone (2)
Cone (4)
Subwoofer Driver
Not Given
None
Other

Comparatives Review


Design and build:

Comparing Bose TV speaker vs Soundbar 900, the TV speaker is smaller in size. It is shorter in width and is suitable for small TVs like 55” sizes. The Bose 900 bar is more suitable for 65 to 75” TVs. They have the option of wall mounting that will save some space. Both the soundbars are made of plastic and covered with metal grilles. Bose 900 has a glass top and overall, both these bars have great build.  

Performance:

Comparing Bose TV speaker vs Soundbar 900, the Bose TV speaker is a 2.0 channel bar whereas the 900 model has a 5.1.2 channel configuration. The TV speaker has a compact soundbar that produces great sound quality specially if you compare it to the TV sound. Low ends are average and this is quite expected. Bose TV speaker does not shine in terms of surround sound and we do not expect it either from a 2.0 bar.

It has a satisfying yet average soundstage. It is suitable to place the bar in small rooms. It uses Dialogue mode to make sure users can listen to clear vocals and pronunciation. Unlike the Bose 900, the TV speaker can be connected to surround speakers.

If you compare Bose TV speaker vs soundbar 900, you will see the 900 model can get louder. With an SPL of more than 90 dB, the Bose 900 is suitable for large spaces although we do not suggest this. Placing a standalone bar in large room will make it sound ‘tinny’.

Bose 900 has a total of 9 drivers. It uses some features like PhaseGuide for engulfing soundfield and TrueSpace to add height effects to non-Atmos contents. It uses side-firing drivers to deliver decent surrounds. It has a broad soundstage that is room-filling. Low ends are deep and tight. To improve it further, Bose uses QuietPort feature that minimizes turbulence.

With independent center channel, you do not have to worry about dialogues. Be it a low volume speech or a whisper, you can hear it all.

Feature:

Comparing Bose TV speaker vs Soundbar 900, you can not build multiroom system with Bose TV speaker. Bose 900 can be a part of Bose multiroom system where you can make a total of 4 zones. With Apple Airplay 2 and Chromecast in Bose 900 will allow user to create multiroom audio system. In this case the Airplay 2 will work with Airplay compatible speakers and Chromecast with Chromecast supported speakers.

Bose soundbar 900 vs TV speaker comparison also shows that the TV speaker is limited to Bluetooth contents. With the 900 model, you are free to stream from any place online. Internet radio and popular apps like pandora, Spotify Connect, Deezer, etc. are available.

Bose TV speaker has only dialogue and bass level options. On the other hand, the 900 soundbar has bass and treble adjustments along with options for dialogue and height effects. This means if you like to tweak sound as per your choice, then the 900 model will serve your purpose.

Connectivity:

The TV speaker has HDMI ARC, optical, 3.5mm port, sub out. Bose 900 bar has HDMI eARC, optical, Ethernet and sub out port. Comparing Bose TV speaker vs Soundbar 900, the TV speaker does not support Wi-Fi, nor does it have Chromecast or Airplay 2. It only works with Bluetooth for streaming. Bose 900 is more advanced in this case and has all these options for streaming and multiroom system.

Multiple speaker pairing:

Both the soundbars can connect to another device from the Bose Home Speaker Family with Bose SimpleSync feature. While you can connect both surround (Bose surround speaker/Bose surround speaker 700) and subwoofer (Bose Bass Module 500/700) with the Bose 900, the TV speaker can connect only with the subwoofers.

Control options:

The TV speaker does not have any physical controls. On the Bose 900 bar there is a mic and Action button. They are designed to be controlled by the remote control. Sleek and slim remote with few buttons are included. Both the bars support HDMI-CEC which means users can use the TV remote to control the basic controls of the bar.

Bose Music app is only available in the 900 model and not with the TV speaker. Comparing Bose soundbar 900 vs TV speaker, the TV speaker does not have any built-in voice assistants. The 900 model can be controlled with both Alexa and Google Assistant. Bose Voice4Video will use Alexa to control bar and other devices like satellite boxes.

Cost:

Comparing Bose TV speaker vs Soundbar 900, the TV speaker is more affordable. It is available under $200 whereas the Bose 900 model is found in the marker under $900. For users with tight budget, the TV speaker is the best option.

 

 FAQ:

Which Bose speakers can the Bose TV speaker connect to?

Bose TV speaker is compatible with the following speakers: Bose Home Speaker 500, Home Speaker 300, Bose Portable Home Speaker, Bose Soundbar 900/700/600/500/300.

How to improve bass in Bose 900?

Even without adding a subwoofer, you can adjust the bass level in the Bose 900 soundbar. To enhance the low ends dramatically, an additional subwoofer can always be added.

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