Smart Soundbar (2024)

There’s a deal at Bose rn for a smart soundbar+bass module 500 for $750. I have this combo and I’ve been enjoying it. I am in a smaller living room though.

https://preview.redd.it/c77nq7srrbkg1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e6db222253e00cce5c6fbbb1ca40d7482a3a8e4 Small apartment living room. Went with the Bose Smart Soundbar + Bass module 500. Got them on sale for around $700. Beam + sub mini is also really good.

Just picked up a Bose smart soundbar for $300 on eBay. Wanted something compact for my apartment living room. Loving it so far, will def add a bass module though next year

Hey I just got a 75” QM6K pro from Costco as well last month! Got a Bose Smart Soundbar from Bose refurbished for $300. I’m also in an apartment and needed better vocal clarity for tv and movies. Been amazing so far. You can also get a Sonos Beam from their refurbished site for around the same price. Both are good options for your use case https://preview.redd.it/xes4nohpu28g1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eba4aa01503b57c39d634593dd984a68f73d4198

S60D, Sonos beam gen 2, Bose Smart Soundbar (have this and love it), JBL Bar 300mk2.

I’m in an apartment. Bought a Bose smart soundbar and Sonos beam gen 2, both refurbished (both were around $300). Ended up keeping the Bose as it sounded better to me, but you can’t really go wrong with either.

I love my Bose smart soundbar, but I also recently added the bass module 500. All in I paid $700. You can always add the bass module later too https://preview.redd.it/vhdh3iwvurhg1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1c40031ad2408fb3ceab502c4044bbf07bbef17

I tested out the beam gen 2 and Bose, preferred the Bose a little bit more. Can’t really go wrong with either

https://preview.redd.it/hyd0emad5dig1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ccd268c79479e93dd9b5abd463fd9eacd876c574 Bose Smart soundbar, got it for $350. Also added a bass module recently for $350. You could always get the soundbar first and add a sub later. Sonos beam is also a good choice

I got the Bose smart soundbar and I’m loving it. Feel like you can’t really go wrong with any of these options, although I haven’t heard the JBL.

I only tested the beam gen 2 and the Bose smart soundbar. I’ve heard really good things about the ambeo mini though, will def have to check it out next time I’m at the store

I live in an apartment and I picked up a Bose smart soundbar off Bose’s eBay store for $300 last month. It’s been great so far, crisp clear dialogue and quite immersive for its compact size. I think it’s $350 refurb rn and $399 new, but you can get coupon code for first time purchase on their site Other suggestions would be Sonos beam gen 2 (usually goes on sale for around $369) , JBL Bar 300MK2 at $350, and Samsung S60D. These are all good compact soundbars that’ll do good in apartments imo

I was between beam and Bose smart soundbar, ended up with the Bose but both sounded great to me.

Love my bose smart soundbar, going to add a bass module soon. I was between this and the beam, and like you thought the Bose sounded better. Never got to test the ambeo mini, kind of wished I did.

Just for reference, I got used Bose TV Speakers for my parents at $50 a pop with eARC support. These are bad. Minor upgrade to your TV at best. They are worth $40 itself. Yamaha ATS soundbars from eBay are $40 refurbished and they have better sound + subwoofer out. IMO better to get premium soundbars used since they hold value like copper infused gold.

I don’t really follow the market . But for compact speakers Samsungs/LGs do have speakers with center channels (3.0 or more) which help tremendously with dialogue, something that most TV speakers struggle with. I like to get Bose for my parents just purely because they are dead simple to use, well built, and go pretty loud without the risk of permanently damaging them. Hope that helps. eBay refurbs with 20% coupons, Amazon resale clearance when they run extra % off, if you’re not too keen on hitting up facebook marketplace. But you do pay a hefty fee for convenience.

Bose sells their top line refurbished 900 or IQ soundbars under that price point. Comes like new, 90 day no questions return policy, and full warranty. The bose can further run any external subwoofer, so you can get the bar and an external sub for under $700. Auto tunes to the room (including the sub) and sounds great on all content including music…no need to fiddle with different modes as content changes. Absolutely blows away the Samsung Q990, but is more expensive than $700 if you want to add the rears. I’ll upgrade to the rears at some point, but it sounds amazing with room filling effects even without them.

Yes, definitely E-arc. Arc has limited bandwidth so can impact sound quality and sync. I run a Bose IQ soundbar and it sounds incredible with Netflix Atmos or “spacial” sound. Maybe its compressed, but the bitrate is high and Bose does an excellent job of cleaning it up…arguably one of the best for dialog clarity which you are seeking. Very easy to use and while you can add the rears and a sub the bar itself is excellent. I’d also recommend the Klipsch Flexus core 200 at a lower pricepoint. Was not happy with music performance or Samsung, overpriced sub par products.

If you can't afford the BM700, then stick with the Sonos. However if you can afford the BM700, 10000% swap the Sonos setup for the Bose Smart Soundbar + BM700. That Smart soundbar is truly an incredible piece & is MILES ahead of the Beam 2.

If the rear speakers aren't a huge thing for you, definitely do the Bose as it will be better for music. I've heard that the Bose rears aren't the best, but I can't imagine they're "bad". The Bose has a much stronger subwoofer. I had a Q800C for awhile, and I had the Bose Smart Soundbar + BM700 as well and for music, the Bose blew the Samsung away despite the bar being half the size. The overall sound of the bar was much better for music.

Best choices would be the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Klipsch Flexus Core 200, or a used Sonos Arc (not ultra). If you value bass more than detail, go with the Flexus. If you value clarity and detail more than bass, go with the Bose Smart Soundbar. I'm not saying that the Flexus doesn't have a very detailed sound cause it still has very good clarity and detail, but not quite the level of the Bose. And I'm not saying that the Bose has absolutely no bass cause it does have some bass, but definitely not the same level that the Flexus has. And the Sonos Arc is somewhat of a middle ground between the Klipsch & Bose in the sense it'll have more bass than the Bose but not as much as the Klipsch. It may have slightly more detail than the Klipsch but still not as good as the Bose. Sit and think about what you value the most, bass or clarity & detail. I've had all 3 of those soundbars I've mentioned, currently using the Flexus. They're all fantastic systems and I'm honestly not sure which I would pick as my favorite by themselves as I haven't had the Bose or Sonos setup for a few years now. They're all awesome in their own way to be honest.

If I had someone offering me the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Sonos Arc both for 500, I'll take the Bose. Having the channel adjustments is a huge plus for me which the Sonos doesn't offer. Also if you plan to buy a subwoofer later on, the Bose Bass Module 700 is an absolute beast, possibly the best soundbar subwoofer on the market if you ask me. Plus despite the Bose being the smallest bar of the 3, I believe it's actually the loudest of the 3 if I'm not mistaken.

I'd be deciding between the Klipsch Flexus Core 200, & Bose Smart Soundbar. If you want top notch clarity but not really impressive bass, go with the Bose Smart Soundbar (can always add a sub later). If you value bass a little more than pure clarity, go with the Flexus 200. The dual 4" subs hit quite well and sound great.

I currently have the Klipsch Flexus Core 200. I've also had that Bose Smart Soundbar & the Sonos Beam 2. Unfortunately I haven't had experience with the JBL but I would most likely be the worst to my guess (have had 3 JBL soundbars). I'd say to skip the Beam 2 as well. It just doesn't have the same level of sound or power as the rest. Both the Bose Smart Soundbar and Flexus 200 sound much better than the Beam 2. Now between the Flexus Core 200 & Bose Smart Soundbar is a bit more based on preference. I personally feel the Bose has a more detailed sound and little better clarity than the Klipsch, but the Klipsch has a much fuller sound and stronger bass from the built in subs. So what matters more to you? Detail & clarity? Or fullness & more bass on hand?

I was in your situation just 2 days ago.. After comparing the Bose smart soundbar with the Sonos Beam Gen2 in-store , I went with the Bose sound bar. I thought it sounded a little bit cleaner than the Sonos, plus the upfiring speakers was a factor for me too. It sounds amazing when playing Dolby Atmos content! Ofcourse, that's just my opinion when comparing it to the sound from my tv speakers. Im happy with my purchase and have no plans of returning it. I'd suggest going to a Bestbuy and trying out both.