Bose Soundbar 500 vs Bose TV Speaker

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Votes 21 21
Rating 5 5

Soundbar 500 vs TV Speaker comparison chart

Overall
Bose Soundbar 500
7.4
Bose TV Speaker
5
8
4
Multichannel surround
4
4

Bose Soundbar 500 vs Bose TV Speaker review

Bose Soundbar 500
vs
Bose TV Speaker

Comparing Bose Soundbar 500 and Bose TV Speaker, all pros and cons of devices become clear. Advantages have shown that Soundbar 500 has advantages over TV Speaker mainly in terms of audio performance. According to the results of our comparison, Soundbar 500 received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and TV Speaker was rated 5 points.

Advantages Bose Soundbar 500 over Bose TV Speaker

  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • Stream music with Spotify
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi
  • Voice control supports
  • App for remote control
  • Built-in microphone

Advantages Bose TV Speaker over Bose Soundbar 500

  • Available the Apple Music service

Audio features

The Soundbar 500 is rated 6 of 10 against 5 for the TV Speaker according to the audio features rating.

Soundbar 500
6
TV Speaker
5

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 Soundbar 500 and the TV Speaker.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. The number of channels in the considered devices is the same - 3.0.

Soundbar 500 TV Speaker
Built-in channels3.03.0
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, WN/AN/A
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionswirelesswired

Subwoofers

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. Both are not equipped with an external subwoofer. Bose Soundbar 500 has the ability to handle wireless connections from an external subwoofer, while Bose TV Speaker only has wired connections.

Soundbar 500 TV Speaker
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswired

Multichannel surround

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 multichannel sound reproduction capabilities of the soundbars were rated 4 out of 10.

Soundbar 500
4
TV Speaker
4

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. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Bose Soundbar 500.

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. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is not implemented in any of the soundbars in this comparison.

Soundbar 500 TV Speaker
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)has nothas not

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

Soundbar 500
10
TV Speaker
0

The popular Spotify service is available on the Soundbar 500.

Soundbar 500 TV Speaker
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesPandora,Tuneln, Deezer, iHeart, SiriusXMhas not

Connectivity

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. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Bose Soundbar 500 was rated 8 out of 10, and Bose TV Speaker was rated 7 out of 10.

Soundbar 500
8
TV Speaker
7

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 competitors in this comparison has 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs.

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.

Soundbar 500 TV Speaker
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)10
NFC
HDMI input/output1/01/0
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/01/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output01

Features

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.

Soundbar 500 TV Speaker
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

Soundbar 500 TV Speaker
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in80 x 4.3 x 10.1/31.5 x 1.7 x 458.4 x 5 x 10.1/23.4 x 2.2 x 4
Weight, kg/pounds3.1/73.1/7.7
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