The Bose Soundbar 500 and 700 are two of the most popular soundbars today. Both models offer high-quality sound and sleek designs, but which one is best for your needs? This blog post will compare the Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700 to help you decide which soundbar is better.
Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700: Design
Bose Soundbar 500 Design
The Bose Soundbar 500 is designed to deliver impressive sound quality while blending in with the existing entertainment system. The speaker component of the soundbar is made out of perforated aluminum and runs along the front of the soundbar, and wraps around each side, creating a sleek and modern look. The top of the soundbar has a matte black finish that does not collect fingerprints easily, making it easy to maintain its luxurious design. There are two touch-sensitive buttons on top, one for power and one for action, which doesn’t detract from its aesthetic. It also comes with an HDMI cable for easy setup with other devices.
Bose Soundbar 700 Design
The Bose Soundbar 700 is designed with premium materials that give it a sleek, modern look. It has a one-piece perforated aluminum grill that extends the entire width and wraps around the edges and a glass piece that stretches across the top. The device also comes with a cleaning cloth to help keep it looking its best. With two different color options to choose from, you can find the ideal soundbar for your home entertainment system. Its large size means it can fill any room with clear and accurate audio, making it an excellent choice for those looking for superior-quality sound.
The Design Verdict
We love the design of both these soundbars, but the Bose Soundbar 500 has a more practical design than the 700. The top of the 500 is a matte black finish, which does not require frequent cleaning or maintenance as opposed to the glass top of the 700.
This might not matter to people who do a lot of cleaning around the house and will probably be wiping down their soundbars regularly. Still, from a practical point of view, the Bose soundbar 500 would be the better option as it would likely require less maintenance over time.
Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700: Size
Bose Soundbar 500 Size
At 31.5 inches long and 1.75 inches tall, and 4 inches in depth, making it relatively compact and suitable for smaller spaces, it’s the perfect size for small to medium-sized rooms and won’t look out of place in larger areas. This mid-range size is adequate for most needs, giving you excellent sound quality without taking up too much room in your living space. The Bose soundbar 500 is also relatively light, weighing only about 7 lbs. This is light for a soundbar and can easily be carried around.
Bose Soundbar 700 Size
The Bose Soundbar 700 is larger than the Bose Soundbar 500, measuring 38.5 inches long and 2.25 inches tall. The Bose 700 soundbar is also considerably heavier and weighs about 10.5 lbs. That’s over 3 lbs heavier than the Bose soundbar 500. The size of this soundbar is ideal for medium to large rooms, allowing it to fill the space with premium sound quality without taking up too much space. It’s also perfect for those who want a more impressive look to their home entertainment setup and want something bigger than the 500 model can provide. This size also allows it to fit comfortably on most flat-screen TVs without blocking any of the screen or overwhelming the setup.
The Size Verdict
The Bose Soundbar 500 wins the size contest as it stands at 1.75 inches tall and 4 inches deep, compared to the Soundbar 700, which is 2.25 inches tall and 4 inches deep. This makes it an ideal choice for those with limited space, such as in an apartment or dorm. Additionally, the 500 is 3.5 pounds lighter than its 700 counterpart, making it easier to transport if you need to move it from room to room or take it along on trips.
However, if you have a larger room with more space available, then the Bose soundbar 700 would be a better choice as it is bigger and has a slightly more dominating presence over the 500. Also, consider that the 700 has better sound quality to go along with the bigger presence. Ultimately, your personal preference will decide which soundbar is more suitable for your home.
Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700: Sound Quality
Bose Soundbar 500 Sound Quality
The Bose Soundbar 500 offers excellent sound quality out of the box, with a high-end sound that is clear and accurate whether the volume is high or low. The sound produced by this Bose soundbar is high-quality, with clear vocals and sharp mids and highs.
This soundbar is designed with a balanced mid and high range for clear, crisp audio. It also has a strong bass response that helps bring out the best in your favorite movies and music. The 500 also uses its built-in microphone to ensure that dialogue is always heard clearly in any room. Additionally, it features Dolby Digital technology for an immersive surround sound experience. The 500’s advanced audio processing allows you to enjoy life-like audio without distortion or interference.
Bose Soundbar 700 Sound Quality
The Bose Soundbar 700 listening experience is unparalleled in sound quality. With its deep and punchy bass, wall-to-wall soundstage, and rich highs and mids, the 700 provides an immersive and captivating audio experience. It can also decode Dolby Digital and DTS for a cinematic listening experience.
Despite the Bose Soundbar 700 not having a subwoofer, it is still incredibly powerful and can comfortably fill a room compared to the 500, which can sometimes be lacking in a larger space. There is the option of upgrading to the Bose bass module 700 for an additional cost, but this is costly.
Overall, the Bose Soundbar 700 offers excellent sound quality, packs quite a punch, and gives you a complete surround sound experience. You can always upgrade to the Bose bass module if you ever feel like you need that extra bit of bass.
The Sound Quality Verdict
The Bose Soundbar 700 offers better audio quality than the 500 due to its richer and more wall-to-wall sound. The 700 also produces deep, punchy low notes, perfect for larger rooms. Additionally, the 700 can decode both Dolby Digital and DTS, whereas the 500 is only compatible with Dolby Digital. Therefore, the Bose Soundbar 700 provides superior audio quality compared to the 500.
If you have a smaller room and are on a budget, then the Bose soundbar 500 is a great choice.
Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700: Setup & Connectivity
Bose Soundbar 500: Setup & Connectivity
Several extras are included with the Bose Soundbar 500 to help you get the most out of your listening experience. It comes with eight built-in microphones for use with the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant/voice control, as well as a remote for convenient control over all other functions.
The Bose Soundbar 500 has a straightforward setup and connectivity process. It has an IR remote that is simple to use and lets you easily control the soundbar’s settings. You can also wirelessly connect the soundbar to your TV or other devices via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.
Additionally, it is compatible with the Bose Music App, making connecting and controlling the soundbar easier. This app offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it perfect for beginners who may not be familiar with soundbars. Furthermore, you can also connect the soundbar to your TV via HDMI ARC for better audio quality. All in all, the Bose Soundbar 500 offers a reliable and easy setup process that will make it easy for most ordinary users to get started.
Bose Soundbar 700: Setup & Connectivity
The Bose Soundbar 700 comes with several extras. It includes an HDMI cable, an optical audio cable, and a universal remote that can control your entire entertainment system setup. Additionally, it has eight built-in microphones that support Amazon Alexa voice assistant/voice control and can be integrated with Apple Airplay 2 and Google Assistant in the future.
The Bose Soundbar 700 Universal Remote is an excellent choice for those who want to declutter their coffee table. It controls up to six devices and is compatible with the Bose Soundbar 500 and 700. It also controls most TVs, cable boxes, DVD players, and streaming media players.
The ADAPTiQ headset uses acoustic measurements to optimize sound performance for your room’s unique shape and size. It does this by using an algorithm that compares the test tones heard by the microphone to the tones heard by your ears to make adjustments for acoustical accuracy. With this headset, you can enjoy an improved audio experience from your soundbar system.
The Setup & Connectivity Verdict
Now it’s time to pick a winner in this section, and we have to give this again to the Bose 700 soundbar simply because the Bose 500 soundbar doesn’t include an optical audio cable.
Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700: Pricing
Bose Soundbar 500 Pricing
The Bose Soundbar 500 comes with a price tag of $550, which may seem expensive, but it is worth it for the quality you get. The Soundbar 500 is slim and delivers rich, powerful sound, and with its Bose Smart Soundbar 700 companion, it can be purchased at an even lower price of just under $500 from certain other marketplaces like eBay.
Bose Soundbar 700 Pricing
The Bose 700 Soundbar usually goes for around $800, but if you shop around, you can typically find it for cheaper than that. It is considerably more expensive than the Bose 500; however, you are getting a lot more value for your money with this soundbar.
The Pricing Verdict
The Bose Soundbar 700 is slightly more expensive than the 500, with a retail price of around $800. The 500 is more affordable at $550. Though the 700 comes with features not present in the 500, such as a universal remote and keypad lights, it may not be worth it to some users if they are on a budget. However, if they want better sound quality and an immersive experience, the 700 may be worth the extra money. If you don’t need all the fancy features and additional extras that are included with the Bose 700, then the Bose 500 is still an excellent choice for those on a budget.
Bose Soundbar 500 vs. 700: Final Verdict
Both soundbars are excellent and offer great value for money, but they have their use cases over the other. If you have more money to spend on your soundbar purchase and want an immersive audio experience in a large room, go for the Bose Soundbar 700. The Bose 700 is a premium soundbar offering excellent sound quality, but it does come at a price.
If you’re on a budget or don’t need such an immersive audio experience, opt for the cheaper option, which would be the Bose Soundbar 500. The Bose Soundbar 500 is easier to maintain and stays cleaner than the Bose 700. The thing we like about the Bose soundbar 500 is that it’s a great balance between being cost-effective and providing high performance, and Bose gives you the option of upgrading your soundbar by adding the Bose bass module 500 if needed.
Conclusion
When it comes to soundbars, there is a lot of competition. The Bose Soundbar 500 and 700 are great soundbars for your home theater system. While the Bose Soundbar 500 has a sleek design and packs plenty of power, the Bose Soundbar 700 offers more advanced features and better sound quality. The decision between the two will ultimately come down to preference. If you’re looking for an all-in-one soundbar with high-end features and unbeatable audio quality, then the Bose Soundbar 700 is a perfect choice. However, if you’re on a budget and don’t need all the bells and whistles, the Bose Soundbar 500 is still an excellent option. Whichever soundbar you decide on, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting excellent sound quality from either option.
FAQ’s
What Is The Main Difference Between The Bose Soundbar 500 And 700?
The size is the primary distinction between the Bose Soundbar 500 and 700. The Bose 700 is physically larger, making it better suited for larger rooms and providing a more cinematic sound experience. The Bose 700 also boasts improved sound quality and can reach maximum volume with less compression. It also supports more audio formats and has a more premium design with a glass finish. The Bose soundbar 500 is more compact and doesn’t have the same quality of sound as the Bose 700 can provide. The Bose 500 is also more suited to smaller rooms that have less space and don’t require as much power.
Is The Bose Soundbar 700 Worth The Additional Cost Over The Bose Soundbar 500?
The Bose Soundbar 700 is worth the additional cost over the Bose Soundbar 500 for several reasons. Firstly, the audio quality of the 700 is superior, with less compression at maximum volume. The 700 also supports more audio formats and is louder than the 500. In addition, it comes with an all-in-one remote control that can control music, TV, cable, and other devices all at once. Finally, it has Alexa built in so you can access your favorite music and control your home with voice commands. All these features make the Soundbar 700 an excellent choice for a top-of-the-line soundbar.
Is The Bose Bass Module 700 Worth The Extra Cost?
The Bose Bass Module 700 is worth the extra cost if you’re looking for a powerful subwoofer and want to place it in a bigger room. Its 10″ woofer offers excellent value for money, with QuietPort technology eliminating sound distortions. This means you’ll get more than just loud audio but also an immersive and realistic experience when watching movies and listening to music. With the Bose Smart Soundbar with Surround Speakers 700 + Bass Module, you can enjoy stereo content with added layers of immersion. The Bose Bass Module 700 is the best option if sound quality is your top priority.
Does The Bose Soundbar 500 Need A Subwoofer?
The Bose Soundbar 500 does not come with a subwoofer, but it can easily be upgraded to include one. The bass is still excellent, even without a subwoofer. Still, if you want to take your movie and music experience to the next level, you can purchase the Bose Bass Module 500 separately to get the whole experience. The Bose Bass Module 500 is designed specifically for the Bose Soundbar 500 and adds thunderous bass and immersive sound that will make you feel like you’re at a live event.