Design and build:

Comparing Panorama 3 vs Bose 900, the Bose 900 is shorter in width, and it has a better build than the Panorama 3. They are both suitable for large TVs of 65 to 75” sizes. With Bose, you can choose from the black and white color. Panorama 3 sticks with the basic black. The soundbars are wall mountable which is great if you want a clean look. Panorama 3 soundbar is made of plastic and covered with cloth-type grille. The build quality is good and feels durable.

Bose 900 is made of plastic as well but instead of fabric it has metal grilles. The top side of the bar is made of glass and on the bottom, there are rubbers to hold the bar in place. It feels sturdy and has an excellent build.

Performance:

Comparing Bower & Wilkins Panorama 3 vs Bose 900, the Bose 900 is a 5.1.2 channel soundbar whereas the Panorama 3 has 3.1.2 channel configuration. The Bose 900 has a better soundstage and surround performance.

Bose 900 has a 9-speaker array distributed on front left/right, center, surround and height channels. It tries to create multidimensional sound using PhaseGuide feature. It has clear and intelligible vocals. With two drivers on both sides, the bar has a broad soundstage. It reaches the side walls and has good accuracy. The bar has detailed highs and balanced mids. It produces an appropriate airiness that makes it sound more natural and realistic.

Another feature that Bose uses with non-Atmos contents is, using TrueSpace it adds a sense of height to it. With AdaptiQ room calibration feature, the sound improves adding weight and depth to it. Low ends are decent and tight. It is improved with QuietPort technology.

Bower & Wilkins Panorama 3 has 13 drivers. It has a good attack and sounds good with different contents. The bar has good tonal balance and details. It has a wide soundfield that sounds powerful but as long as you are within the sweetspot. With a higher SPL, the Panorama 3 is louder than Bose 900. However, we feel they are suitable for medium-sized rooms. Bass response is fast and deep. It handles explosions and other movie effects nicely. Surround sounds are good and present even if it is not immersive.

It is better than TV speakers and stereo soundbars. The bar produces voices with accuracy. They are crystal-clear and understandable at all volumes thanks to the independent center channel. With upward-firing drivers, the height effects are prominent even if it is not top notch. This Dolby Atmos soundbar delivers delicate sounds with good transparency. While it is a great single soundbar, it has few shortcomings.

Critical scenes may not sound up to the mark, and you need to compromise on that. With music, the soundbar shows an enjoyable performance. We played from different sources and genres. Drums and guitars in the mix sound accurate and warm.

Features: 

Comparing Bower & Wilkins Panorama 3 vs Bose 900, the Panorama 3 does not have Chromecast. Bose 900 has both Chromecast and Airplay. Apple users will love streaming from Apple devices and supported apps. Panorama 3 can be a part of multiroom audio with Formation & Zeppelin systems. A total of 6 speakers can become a single mesh network. Users can stream files from Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, etc. Bose also supports multiroom audio with Bose Smart Home speakers.

Users can create up to 4 zones and play content from internet radio, online streaming service and Bluetooth. Since it has Chromecast, you can also take advantage of multiroom audio through it. For that, you will need Chromecast supported speakers and then stream contents from Chromecast supported apps.

Unlike Panorama 3, the Bose 900 soundbar is expandable with subwoofer (Bose Bass Module 500 or 700) and surround speakers (Bose Surround speaker or Bose 700 surround speaker). It has SimpleSync feature with which you can add Bose SoundTouch Bluetooth speaker or noise cancelling headphone to the Soundbar 900. Bose has Voice4Video voice control which you can use to control the bar, TV or satellite box.

Connectivity:

The soundbars have HDMI and optical ports along with Ethernet port. None of them have HDMI In. They both have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless streaming. With Bluetooth Panorama 3 allows you to remember up to 8 device names.

Control options:

The top of the Panorama 3 has volume, play/pause, enable Alexa, and multifunction button. Bose 900 is limited to an Action button (activate voice assistant) and mic mute. Comparing Bose 900 vs Panorama 3, the Bose 900 comes with a remote control. It works with both Alexa and Google Assistant whereas Panorama 3 has only Alexa voice control.

Both these bars can be controlled with a mobile app. Panorama 3 has Bowers & Wilkins Music app and for Bose there is Bose Music app.

Settings:

Comparing Bose 900 vs Panorama 3, Panorama offers limited audio settings. You can only adjust the bass and treble settings. Along with these, Bose 900 has voice mode and height adjustment.

Cost:

Comparing Bower & Wilkins Panorama 3 vs Bose 900, the Bose 900 is less costly than the Panorama 3. The Bose 900 is available for under $700 whereas the Panorama 3 is found under $1000. If budget is an issue for you, then go for the Bose 900.

FAQ:

Why should I choose Bose 900 soundbar over Panorama 3?

Bose 900 soundbar has more number of channels resulting in a strong bubble of sound around the user. It is more engaging and livelier than the Panorama 3. Also, if you do not think, the single bar is powerful enough, then you have the change to add surrounds and subwoofer. It also have more audio settings that you can tweak.

Panorama 3 is a single bar, and you will remain stuck with it as it is not upgradable. The bar produces decent and enjoyable performance even if it is not top notch.