To get acquainted with the specs of the devices, we suggest you familiarize with the comparison of Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2 and Bose Soundbar 500. It shows us that the Shockwafe Elite 7.2 is a better choice as a home soundbar than the Soundbar 500. According to the results of our comparison, Shockwafe Elite 7.2 received 8 points out of 10 possible, and Soundbar 500 was rated 7.4 points.
The Shockwafe Elite 7.2 is rated 9 of 10 against 6 for the Soundbar 500 according to the audio features rating.
It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the Shockwafe Elite 7.2 and the Soundbar 500.
There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the Shockwafe Elite 7.2 has 7.2.4 channels, while the Soundbar 500 has 3.0 channels.
Shockwafe Elite 7.2 | Soundbar 500 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in channels | 7.2.4 | 3.0 |
Amplification type | active | active |
Output power, W | 800 (overall) | N/A |
Separate speaker (in package) | 2 | 0 |
Separate speaker connections | wired | wireless |
Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. The Shockwafe Elite 7.2 comes with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.
Shockwafe Elite 7.2 | Soundbar 500 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in subwoofer | ✖ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer (in package) | ✔ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer connections | wireless | wireless |
Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The Shockwafe Elite 7.2 received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Soundbar 500, in the same category, earned 4 out of 10 points.
The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. If we consider the models in terms of support for Dolby Atmos, then both soundbars can work with this technology.
DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in Shockwafe Elite 7.2.
Shockwafe Elite 7.2 | Soundbar 500 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital, Dolby TruHD | Dolby Digital |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS Digital Surround, DTS HD | has not |
The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. For the ability to work with streaming services, the Shockwafe Elite 7.2 received 9 points, and the Soundbar 500 - 10 on a 10-point scale.
The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.
Shockwafe Elite 7.2 | Soundbar 500 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Pandora, SoundCloud | Pandora,Tuneln, Deezer, iHeart, SiriusXM |
The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. Connectivity of competitors was rated 8 out of 10.
The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Soundbar 500.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The Shockwafe Elite 7.2 has 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Soundbar 500 got 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.
HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.
Shockwafe Elite 7.2 | Soundbar 500 | |
---|---|---|
WI-FI | ✖ | ✔ |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 0 | 1 |
NFC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI input/output | 3/1 | 1/0 |
HDMI ARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Optical digital input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Coaxial digital input/output | 1/0 | 0/0 |
Analog audio input/output (RCA) | 1/0 | 0/0 |
Headphone output | 0 | 0 |
Subwoofer output | 0 | 0 |
Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.
Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Soundbar 500 has its own remote control application. Only Bose Soundbar 500 has a built-in microphone.
Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.
Shockwafe Elite 7.2 | Soundbar 500 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
App control | ✖ | ✔ |
Microphone | ✖ | ✔ |
Remote control | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room | ✖ | ✖ |
Shockwafe Elite 7.2 | Soundbar 500 | |
---|---|---|
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in | 114.3 x 7.6 x 7.6/45.5 x 3 x 3.5 | 80 x 4.3 x 10.1/31.5 x 1.7 x 4 |
Weight, kg/pounds | 3.1/7.2 | 3.1/7 |