Bose - Bose Soundbar 500

I have both Sonos and Bose . I have Bose 900 Bose 500 and Sonos arc and playbar. Both have their pros and cons but based on Sonos edging out Bose on sound quality and the app I used to recommend them more based on software alone. I was close to upgrading my whole home to Sonos until the app update that caused all the headaches. To this day the app is terrible and the soundbars have so many issues connecting that I don’t even want to use it anymore . Say what you want about Bose but the app is basic and it just works.

I have the old Bose 500 and I’m actually very happy with it. Have you checked your dialogue volume in audio settings? 

Another perspective: I recently got rid of my Homepod gen 2s and instead got a Bose Soundbar 500 (im from UK and the price had dropped on sale from something like £550 to like £299 which was a bargain!) which sounds incredible by itself! The app is really good and lets you adjust the Bass and Treble (it gets very Bassy!) My next purchase is going to be the Bass Module 700 and then after that ill get the surround speakers for it too. But there is no rush to get those as, like i said, the Soundbar sounds incredible by itself! But it might be worth taking some time and building a decent sound system like this, rather than rushing to get a cheaper $600 system that wont be up to the job… worth thinking about! The added benefits is that this soundbar can be connected to the TV and via bluetooth for any devices which gives you so much more freedom than the Homepods which are so limited…

I recently added a Bose ultra soundbar with 500 subwoofer. It’s sooo much richer than the speakers alone in my LG B4. The Bass is too much and I’ve toned it down to the perfect mix for my ears. I use HDMI eARC. Some local news shows sound a bit tinny at times although everything else sounds great.

Just bought it. Definitely a sweet deal!

Is the 550 really not that good? Ive only used tv speakers before this so to me it feels like an upgrade and I really can’t compare.

You can connect your PS5/Computer via Bluetooth to the Bose. If your monitor supports HDMI ARC/eARC that is a good option too.

Sadly these bars really need a subwoofer to compliment them. The 900 (my main tv unit with the rear speakers) is awful without one, 550 oddly enough sounded fuller out of the box.

order it and try it out as it can always be returned if the deal's still going on, it does have up firing speakers but it looks to be more centered. The 700 doesn't seem to have them, but I dunno how much it really differs. I'm decently happy with mine for $200.

Get the 550 to test out, return the one you're not as pleased with :)

I suppose that’s how it should be.. D: even with the up-firing speakers I guess it’s just lower tier, period. Thanks for the reply!

 Our store had it in clearance for $199 and was reduced to $149.  I bought it. It took me awhile to figure how to set it up with the music app. I replaced my Bose 2.1s series 3 speakers (that were over 10 years old and distortion were creeping into the bass) with this soundbar. A bass module would go a long way in bringing this along. I didn't notice much of a change between the center, treble, and bass changes. For the money, I can't complain. 

It’s terrible

It still is.....and I juuust bought it! :D :D

I am worried about this too........if a subwoofer would be needed. The area this soundbar will be in IS rather small, so Ill wait and see. :D I just saw Wal Mart had it on sale for $199 so I jumped on it.

From my understanding, no it does not

Yes.....my order went through successfully! Sorry to hear you are/we're having problems.....😞

Sonos arc ultra butnit is over the budget. The old arc is another good option for the budget. Bose 550 is pretty good for music. Sennheiser ambeo are really good with music as well. Samsung has it in the tv department with atmos. But the music is ok.

Bose 550… they were recently on sale at walmart for $299 so I bought 2 (now $399). Incredible sound quality for such a compact design, and the bass is phenomenal, even without the “bass module” sub. Not sure how it compares to the Q990D, but it’s definitely a solid choice.

I have a bose smart ultra/700 bass/surrounds, a bose smart 900/500/surrounds and q990d q990d blows the bose always except in bass….bose wins bass easily but it’s bananas…all other audio comparisons the q990d waxes both bose systems… eventually, they’ll be replaced by Samsung models as they improve the base… The 990 F wasn’t what I was hoping for… Hopefully they’ll make one more. I can use two subs at some point. Anyhow, the Q990 D/F is bananas and the best sound bar on the market hands-down… No question…