Design and build:

Comparing Bose 600 vs 900 Smart Soundbar, the 900 model is larger and sturdier. It has a good plastic body that is covered with metal grille. The top panel is made of glass and overall, the bar feels premium. With a longer width, the bar is suitable for larger TVs like 75 to 85” sized. Bose 600 is also made of plastic and has metal grilles. It is suitable for 55” TVs.

When you place them on tables, the rubber feet will ensure they sit firmly in one position. They come with wall mounting options and have very good build quality. You have the option to easily mount them on walls.

Performance:

Comparing Bose soundbar 600 vs 900, the 600 model is a 3.0.2 bar whereas the channel configuration in the 900 is 5.1.2. Bose 900 has a room calibration feature named ADAPTiQ which optimizes the sound based on room layout and size.

Bose 600 has TrueSpace feature that adds height effects to non-Atmos contents. It tries to create a surround sound and the result is average. That said, we expect this from a single standalone bar. Low ends show decent ‘punch’ instead of being room shaking. Bose 900 uses side-firing and up-firing drivers to create an illusion of surround sound space around you. However, when you add dedicated surround speakers, the result is pure and prominent.

It is a rich and full sounding bar. Comparing Bose 600 vs 900, the 900 model has a broader and more powerful soundstage. With independent center channel, the vocals and dialogues are clear but if you compare, it is crystal clear with the Bose 900. It is also a better option in terms of height effects. Bose 900 produces more detailed and captivating overheads than the Bose 600.

They can be very loud and are suitable for large rooms. Bose 900 will sound rich in any room size. They use PhaseGuide technology to create spacious sound field. For cleaner bass, the QuietPort technology helps by minimizing turbulence.

Features:

Bose 600 and 900 are smart soundbars that support smart features including Apple Airplay 2 and Chromecast. With Bose SimpleSync, you can connect Bose 600 or 900 with another speaker from Bose Home Speaker. Create multiroom audio with Bose 600 and 900 bars. A total of 4 zones can be created. Streaming from online music services or internet radio.

The Airplay 2 allows streaming from Apple devices and apps to the bar. They have Chromecast built-in so streaming from Chromecast supported apps is easy. They come with similar sound settings except the lack the room correction tool in the Bose 600.

Connectivity:

These soundbars have similar connection ports: HDMI eARC, optical and a bass port. Bose 900 includes an Ethernet port as well. They are versatile and compatible with both older and newer TV models. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are supported for wireless connectivity.

Compatible device:

Like other Bose soundbars, the 600 and 900 are compatible with Bose Surround speakers/Bose 700 Surround speakers. It will work with Bose Bass Module 500 or 700. Setup and connection is simple and straightforward with Bose Music app or the remote control.

Control options:

They have touch sensitive physical controls for mic and Action button. Remote control is included that includes basic options like play/pause, volume up/down, Bluetooth, TV, etc. Google Assistant and Alexa are available to control the bars. For Bose 600, you may need 3^rd party devices to talk to Google Assistant. The soundbars have noise cancelling mics that can pick up your natural tone easily.

With Alexa and Voice4Video technology, you can talk to other devices like satellite box or TV. Bose Music app is another way to control the bars from mobile devices. It is simple and straightforward. Along with controlling playback, it helps you during setup and adjust other settings like bass and treble. There are different ways to use the remote like with HDMI CEC, the bar remote can be used for other devices like TV.  There is option to purchase additional Bose Universal Remote in case there are devices that do not work with HDMI CEC.

Cost:

Comparing Bose soundbar 600 vs 900, the Bose 600 is less costly. So instead of investing on an expensive bar like Bose 900, you can choose the cheaper 600 model, then add surround speaker and subwoofer with it. On the other hand, if you have space limitation, then a single and powerful standalone Bose 900 bar is a suitable option.

FAQ:

Is a standalone soundbar powerful enough?

Standalone soundbar like a 5.1.2 Bose 900 model is quite powerful. It makes movies and music enjoyable. With Dolby Atmos effects, the sound feels even more powerful. Instead of having bookshelf speakers, the soundbar is an all-in-one solution.

Which soundbar is a better alternative to Bose Smart Soundbar 900?

You can check the JBL 9.1 soundbar, it is the best alternative to the Bose 900 soundbar. It is a 5.1.4 channel soundbar that comes with two separate satellite speakers and a dedicated subwoofer. Compared to the Bose 900, the JBL 9.1 bar has immersive surrounds and punchier bass.