Alexa and Google Assistant Built-in; Multi-room Ready
The 2019 Bose smart speaker line-up includes three wireless speakers and two sound bars. They’re all Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled with built-in microphones for accepting voice commands via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Each delivers robust audio performance for their size and they all work alone or together as a multi-room system.
Bose Portable Home Speaker
The latest speaker to join the line-up is rugged and battery powered, simply called the Bose Portable Home Speaker ($349). At 7.5” high and just over 4” across, the speaker is wrapped in a seamless, anodized aluminum enclosure shaped precisely to enable its audio performance. Inside, three passive radiators, a high-excursion driver, and a proprietary deflector distribute clear, lifelike sound evenly in every direction — including size-defying bass. Unlike conventional speakers, Bose claims there’s no sweet-spot for placement or listening. And while the left and right channels in standard one-piece systems can cancel each other out — leaving audible gaps in music — the company says Portable speaker won’t and Bose mono-signal technology makes corrections in real time.
There are buttons on top for basic functionality, including Bose’s proprietary mic-off feature — which cuts power to the microphones, eliminating any possibility you can be listened to or recorded — along with power, volume, play/pause and skip tracks, wake or dismiss virtual assistants, and Bluetooth source. Take it outdoors and enjoy 12 hour battery life along with worry-free IPX4 rated durability for splashes or drops.
Bose Home Speaker 500
The Bose Home Speaker 500 ($399.95) has a non-touch LCD screen to see what’s playing or show the time. It’s wrapped in seamless anodized aluminum, is a mere 8″ high x 6″ wide x 4″ deep, and uses two custom drivers pointed in opposite directions — so sound reflects off surrounding walls, separating instruments to the far left and right, and placing vocals where the artist did. With such acoustic technology, Bose asserts the widest soundstage of any smart speaker available today. And when touch control is preferred, or the phone is out of reach, there are buttons for basic functionality located right on top.
Bose Home Speaker 300
The Bose Home Speaker 300 is the lowest priced at $259.95 and the smallest of the group at 6.3″ high x 5.6″ wide x 4″ deep. It forgoes the screen and implements a 360-degree speaker configuration that produces deeper bass than the similarly sized SoundTouch 10. Just like the rest of the smart speaker family it can play music directly from streaming music services over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and accepts voice commands via Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Additionally, it can play music via Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 as well as with the Bose Music app. It also has standard 3.5 mm aux line-in jack. Plus, future software updates will add new features.
Bose Soundbar 700
The Bose Soundbar 700 was engineered to outperform every other product in its category, matching its stunning performance with equally stunning design. At just over 2″ high by 4″ deep and 38″ long, it has curved clean lines, a wraparound metal grille, and a gorgeous tempered glass top. Inside, it’s packed with proprietary technology. Bose PhaseGuides have to be heard to be believed, sending multiple channels of a soundtrack or song throughout a space, placing discrete sound in places where there are no speakers. Bose DSP, custom low-profile transducers, and QuietPort technology deliver exceptional detail and depth for your favorite tracks, crystal clear dialogue for Netflix, and dramatic realism for sports. To manage the TV or other connected equipment, the Bose Soundbar 700 also comes with an intelligent universal remote.
Bose Soundbar 500
Like the Soundbar 700, the Soundbar 500 switches seamlessly from audio for video to music. At 1.75″ high x 4″ deep and just over 31″ long, it’s smaller, thinner, and features a subtle matte finish to fit neatly under a television screen, virtually invisible — until you turn it on.
Both new soundbars use proprietary ADAPTiQ — a technology pioneered by Bose and refined over several years — to acoustically adjust to their surroundings, and HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) for compatibility with future technology. They also can be wall-mounted or expanded with a wireless bass module and rear speakers for a full 5.1 experience.
Bose Music app
The Bose Music app offers additional functionality, making set up and updates easy and intuitive. Browse content, switch music services, create a multi-room system with other Bose smart speakers and soundbars, and download software for new features: coming this year, pair the Portable with a Bose SoundLink speaker for synchronized, voice-controlled audio — a welcome advancement for the millions of SoundLink Micro, Color, Mini, and Revolve owners around the world; and next year, pair two Portables for incredible 360-degree stereo performance.
Price and Availability
- Bose Portable Home Speaker – $349 (Sept 19, 2019)
- Bose Home Speaker 300 – $259.95 (June 20, 2019)
- Bose Home Speaker 500 – $399.95 (Aug 28, 2018)
- Bose Soundbar 500 – $549.95 (Aug 28, 2018)
- Bose Soundbar 700 – $799.95 (Aug 28, 2018)
Click links above to check current pricing from Amazon.com.
