I purchased the Bose cinemate several years ago and have been very impressed with the product so I decided to upgrade I purchased the Bose 500 bar and bass module very pricey. After setting this up and adjusting the sound to the room I was very disappointed, my much less expensive cinemate out...

Would recommend to friends.

Bose’s Soundbar 700 might replace your smart speaker, but it’s no substitute for a properly cinematic audio system

ADAPTiQ audio calibration; Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant; Excellent app integration

Fails to deliver an engaging sound; Doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or DTX:S; Oversized remote control

Big sound from a slim form ; Good smarts; Compact size;

Expensive ; Firmware issue renders smarts inaccessible ; Better-sounding models available;

The Bose Soundbar 500 gets high marks for Alexa integration, a great app, and rich, clear audio, but it lacks the bass rumble you might be after.

Rich lows and crisp, detailed highs; Can be controlled with Alexa; Top-notch app and user experience

DSP limits deep bass; Expensive for what it delivers

The slim line Bose Soundbar 500 sounds as good as it looks, but only after you spend some time tweaking its tone controls.

Proof that clarity and warmth can comfortably coexist in a modest sized soundbar; Well-done dialog-boost circuitry for late-night listening (and for...

You'll need to spend some time tweaking the overwrought factory-default EQ settings to get the best sound; Enabling voice enhancement should be doable...

Bose's sleek and slim Soundbar 500 is the minimalist way to liven up TV sound

Clear and balanced sound; Choice of Google Assistant or Alexa; Intuitive; rock-solid app; AirPlay 2 included

No subwoofer leads to a lack of punch; No spare HDMI inputs

This classy soundbar looks smart, acts smart and generally sounds smart. However, some design flaws, a lack of Atmos/DTS:X support, and limited bass make it hard to recommend at this price.

Solid front soundstage; Effective remote app; Attractive design; ADAPTiQ audio calibration; EARC support; Built-in Alexa/Google Assistant

No additional HDMI inputs; No Atmos/DTS:X support; Top is too reflective; Annoying remote control; Lacking in bass

Smart looks, smart assistants, not-so-smart features

Bose is known for getting big sound out of small packages, and its $549.95 Soundbar 500 is strikingly thin. It delivers rich lows, detailed highs, and laudable balance, with built-in Amazon Alexa voice control for good measure. Switching from Bluetooth to Alexa-based streaming or listening to audio from your TV is a snap. For the price, however, you might find sounds like explosions and other deep bass elements lacking through the soundbar. Bose offers a separate subwoofer and satellites for surround, but all that adds significantly to the price. While the Soundbar 500 is still strong on its own, there are similarly priced options out there that deliver more of a complete audio experience, sub-bass included. Design Measuring in at approximately 1.8 by 31.5 by 4.0 inches (HWD) and 7 pounds, the black Soundbar 500 is thin and sleek. It's designed to blend in, like most soundbars, but subtle details like glowing LEDs (that pulse in various colors depending on the mode) are a nice tou...

The Bose Soundbar 500 gets high marks for Alexa integration, a great app, and rich, clear audio, but it lacks the bass rumble you might be after.

Rich lows and crisp, detailed highs; Can be controlled with Alexa; Top-notch app and user experience

DSP limits deep bass; Expensive for what it delivers