Customer Ratings & Reviews

OVERALL SOUND QUALITY: When operational, this Bose Smart Soundbar provided an enhanced and digitally sounding immersive front beaming soundstage in a scaled down footprint. Movie dialogue is crisp and crystal clear, Bose got that right. And I was somewhat taken aback with the mid-to-upper-bass range that was emanating from a system without a dedicated subwoofer, just two small rear soundbar bass ports. Note that you will need to purchase the optional sub-woofer, and optional set of rear satellites, for a true 5.1.2 sound system. Nevertheless, very impressive for movies and more volume than I will ever require for our small finished attic. Larger rooms may not fair as well and you could be better served with Bose’s Ultra system. Now I was disappointed with DVD/Blu-Ray Concerts that had an overly digitally processed “ghost echo” soundstage unless I set the DVD players from 5.1 to 2.0 (stereo). Although streaming directly from “Music Services” (Sirius-XM) or Bose’s free TuneIn service sounded very good without any ghost-echoing artifacts. CONNECTIVITY ISSUES: From day one, I had nothing but intermittent connectivity issues. Specifically, both WiFi, along with HDMI, disconnecting. Add to that is an application that occasionally fails to find its soundbar and that renders the Bose setup features inaccessible. Seems to work during the day after resetting and reconfiguring, but the next day, if not latter the same day, there would be zero sound output and/or no network WiFi connectivity. Just to be clear, I use three competitor’s soundbars that do not exhibit these irregularities connected to our WiFi-7 mesh system. Even after working with Bose support three times, this system fails to provide a consistent soundbar solution without numerous restoration attention. FIRMWARE UPDATE: I manually had to update the original firmware from 8.0.16 to 9.0.11. Per the manual, the firmware was supposed to self-update at night OTA, but after two nights when it did not, I followed the Bose web-site instructions to manually download the current firmware update. (I am speculating it could not update at night because of the lost connectivity issues?) Note that this updated firmware did not resolve my soundbar’s current connectivity issues. SOUNDBAR BUTTONS: There are only two capacitive sensing buttons on the top of this soundbar. One will turn OFF/ON the microphone. While the other is the Alexa Action Options. Missing is a way to turn this soundbar on/off, control the volume, or select the source material from the soundbar. Not even a rear “reset” button. The miniature remote control can provide these functions, but is small will no doubt be misplaced or get lost between couch or chair cushions. If the Bose Application was consistently stable, that could be an acceptable backup. Note that I do not talk to my IoT devices, so Alexa is a non-option for me. BOSE SUPPORT: I must acknowledge that the Bose Support representatives I worked with were all top tiered professionals. And I am impressed at the very short phone hold time to reach an actual person. Each of the three techs knew this current model soundbar and were able to get it functional walking me through different procedures. Thank you! I will also admit the connectivity issues I experience may not be Bose’s fault. Could be my 2019 Insignia HDTV, could be my home WiFi-7 mesh system, could be my 2024 Android-14 phone. Or could be attributed to a combination of all of my collective technology. There are numerous other reviewers that express positive reviews without mentioning connection failures. Only a small percentage of users for Bose soundbars appear to experience similar issues. When I have time, I am considering setting up at my daughter’s townhome, a completely different environment with a new HDMI e/ARC HDTV, just to confirm or eliminate my home being the problem. Will update this review if/when I do with the outcome. NITPICK EQ: I wish there were Equalization (EQ) defaults, that are user configurable, with options that would allow different “presets” to accommodate different media. Examples: When listening to movies, a “MOVIE” preset, or listening to music, a “MUSIC” preset. Plus, a “NIGHT” preset to tone down the low end and raise the vocals at lower night-time bedroom volumes. Currently, users must open the application and tweak the numerous settings for each of these three examples. Then reverse those steps to return back. RATING: For overall sound quality in a small footprint for movie content, this system excels and would have earn a solid 4-Star Rating for it numerous features and better than average bass-response without a dedicated subwoofer. But due to its intermittent connectivity issues (HDMI & Application), it basically renders this system useless for my family (they will not be able to perform the required reset procedures) and this Bose Smart Soundbar earned itself a 2-Star Rating. Therefore, I cannot recommend this system to others at this time. Hopefully a future firmware upgrade can provide resolution.

Unboxing: This sound bar is well packed with the included remote, battery for the remote and includes an HDMI cable, and Optical cable and a flat power cord. I was able to unpack, plug in and start using this within 3 minutes. The included cord was about 5 feet in length which is appropriate for most below TV Installations but may fall short with an extremely large television or specific scenario so I would recommend checking that prior to any installation. The cord is a standard 2 pin power type. Performance: I am no stranger to Bose products and I feel that they deliver and last quite a long time. This sound bar delivers as advertised, very high quality sound with very clear output at low to mid volume ranges. Speech can be enhanced as a feature enablement through the app. This not only works well but is a welcome addition for anyone with minor hearing issues as watching movies or media with loud background sounds can make hearing dialog especially difficult. Music and other media sounds great. I tested this out in a large living room setup and it is able to provide a good stereo field as far as 20 feet from the sound bar. It also excels at close range - This sound bar is being used below a 43 Inch gaming monitor on a large desk. The audio is incredibly clear at close range ( sitting at the desk ) and there is still a wide field of stereo separation. Setup with HDMI pass through, Optical and Bluetooth - The default mode at power on is HDMI or Optical input. HDMI pass through is first. Bluetooth can be used by selecting the Bluetooth icon and pairing it with the remote. You can also power the unit up to Bluetooth by simply pressing the icon on the remote and it will start in that mode. I will also admit it took me a few days to realize the icons on the top of the sound bar can also be "touched". I am perpetually trying to use my devices without the remote as they tend to be misplaced and I'm always interested in operating a device without it. This can be powered up and mode switched without the remote. Overall - Another great product from Bose ! Clear room-filling sound at any volume range. Installation tips - Please note that the drivers in this sound bar do take advantage of reflection - it sounds best if placed with the drivers in front of a TV or monitor. if the upward facing drivers are directly below it will interfere with the overall sound. Things I love ! CLARITY OF SPEECH AT LOW TO MID VOLUME !!! Room filling sound Ability to use at close range as a gaming speaker Room for improvement: I needed a longer power cord - an extra foot would have been great !

I thought my smart TV was great- I mean it’s SMART- it had all the bells and whistles so why spend the extra on any audio speakers? This Bose SMART Soundbar with AI integration was released this week and I thought what a nice surprise for myself and my upcoming birthday….HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Easy setup although I did cheat by watching the Bose Youtube channel setup short video- made it MUCH easier- not that it was not easy without it but just quicker to get to the good stuff. Literally had it out of the box and setup in less than 5 minutes! The Bose app walks you thru it with setting up your apps. This gem had me pulling out all my old playlists and jamming along- drowning out how off pitch I am these days! My dog and cats were staring at the TV in amazement/horror as the words of Journey and Heart were scrolling on screen with the compatible music apps- no more just sitting in my car in the driveway enjoying my Bose car system- now I can submerge myself in rich sounds- clear vocals, soaring highs, solid mids and deep classy lows- 360 degrees with a minimal sized soundbar- with its light blinking Lionel Ritchie’s Hello at me. I started watching The Mandalorian again for the millionth time- did you know of all the sounds in the background that actually make you more engaged?? It is like I am falling for Pedro Pascal all over again! :D Thank you Bose- my pets thank you too!

The Bose Smart Soundbar is essentially the successor to the Bose Smart Soundbar 300, with its main upgrades being support for Dolby Atmos and upward-firing audio. These features can have a significant impact if you’re able to take full advantage of them. As a long-time Bose enthusiast with extensive experience using their products, I didn’t expect a dramatic difference in everyday sound quality compared to the Soundbar 300, and for the most part, I was right. There’s a bit more clarity and richness in dialogue, but the real standout improvements only shine when Dolby Atmos is engaged. For its size, the sound quality of the Bose Smart Soundbar is exceptional, offering clear dynamics and a well-rounded listening experience. However, to truly appreciate its capabilities, I highly recommend adding the rear speakers and subwoofer. If you have to choose, prioritize the subwoofer, as it really enhances the overall depth of the audio. Together, the full setup delivers incredible sound, comparable to or even superior to other systems in this price range. I also have a soundbar in my master bedroom that costs twice as much, but honestly, the Bose holds its own, especially considering its price point. Bose has clearly invested significant effort into improving their app experience in recent years. When I first bought the original Bose Smart Soundbar, I was disappointed by the clunky and unintuitive app. Thankfully, Bose has since released several new apps with much better functionality. Setting up this soundbar was a breeze, and I was able to seamlessly switch my subwoofer and rear speakers from my Soundbar 300 to this new model with minimal effort. The addition of EQ capabilities is another welcome improvement, showing Bose’s willingness to adapt to customer preferences. While Bose has traditionally marketed their products as perfectly balanced right out of the box, the option to fine-tune the sound is a nice touch for those who want more control. One area where Bose really shines now is their app’s multi-room functionality. I can view all of my previous Bose smart soundbars (except for the original model from over five years ago) and link them together. This allows me to play music throughout my entire house, a fantastic feature that adds longevity to these high-end devices. Given that quality audio equipment can be a significant investment, it's reassuring to know that Bose is committed to ensuring their products don’t become obsolete anytime soon. As someone who owns four Bose soundbars—including the original Smart Soundbar, as well as other Bose products like the Solo 500 TV stand speakers and several Bose earbuds—I can confidently say that Bose has always delivered on both reliability and support. Of all the Bose products I own, only one has ever broken, and that was due to a power surge. Bose replaced it without any hassle, further solidifying their commitment to customer satisfaction. In the photos, I’ve included a comparison between this new model and the Soundbar 300. I appreciate the more prominent placement of the Bose logo on the new Smart Soundbar, as it was a bit hard to spot on the Soundbar 300 due to its odd positioning. Overall, I’m very pleased with this purchase. The sound quality is excellent, but I suspect the step up to the Ultra model will be even more substantial, particularly in terms of mid-range performance. In short, this soundbar is perfect for a bedroom setup, but if you're looking to fill a larger space like a living room, I’d recommend opting for a higher-end model.

Got this for my father for Christmas and he absolutely loves it. Loves the sound, the base, and how simple it was to set up for his tv in the living room. He was extremely pleased with the gift so that made happy with the purchase.

Great sound. Easy installation. Used optical hookup as ARC HDMI already used on TV. Liked the size of this soundbar for placement. Bluetooth connection a nice feature to play music off your phone.

I used the Bose smart soundbar for a medium sized room. The setup was easy, you can connect it to TV with HDMI or Optical. It comes with a remote, but you will need to download the Bose app on your mobile to set it up. Basically, setup is a breeze. I also have two other sound setup in my house; a 5.1 channel in a bigger room for TV and a dedicated stereo system for music and the Bose smart soundbar doesn’t come close to both of them in terms of sound quality. Don’t expect the soundbar to replace dedicated multi channel setup, but it did do an excellent job for what I intend to use it for. The sound is way better than what comes out of your flat screen TV speakers. Movies and shows come to life, and the music was very good. I did notice minor issues with lip syncs from time to time. If the slightest out of sync bothers you then maybe research the issue before you buy it. Giving this 4 stars because I noticed lip sync issues, and I am not really a fan of having apps for setup and control

Excellent soundbar I loved the sound strong and the bass

Easy to setup, sound is enhanced from TV speakers haven't setup the voice control yet but that's a nice feature

Loving our new Bose Soundbar. We bought this one as our old five speaker system was getting long in the tooth and it was hard to hear the voices at times. This new Bose soundbar is amazing and the voices are nice and clear now. We love it and it is a nice addition to our Samsung TV. It was easy to hookup, and the app is easy to use as well. Plus, the benefit of space saving is also a nice touch. Amazing sound and bass, we highly recommend this one. It is a little bit pricey, but we waited for the Black Friday sale at Best Buy and it was so worth it. A+++ Bose, thank you.

Excellent sound, fairly easy to get set up. Would've loved to get printed readable instructions. Adds quality and clarity to all programs!

Good sound, good quality, easy to set up but, too expensive. In order to get the best sound, you will need to get the subwoofer and surround speakers.

The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 delivers impressive sound in a compact and sleek design. Right out of the box, the setup was straightforward, and it integrated seamlessly with my TV and smart home devices. The build quality feels premium, as you’d expect from Bose. What really stands out is the Dolby Atmos support — it creates a surprisingly immersive sound experience for a soundbar of this size. Dialogue is crisp and clear, and the surround effects are noticeable even without additional speakers. It really enhances movie nights and even casual TV watching. The Bose Music app adds convenience for adjusting settings, connecting to streaming services, and managing multi-room audio. However, the app can sometimes be a bit slow or glitchy, especially during updates. Voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant works well, and the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options make it easy to stream music from a phone or tablet. The only thing I would improve is the bass — it’s good on its own, but pairing with the Bose Bass Module would really complete the experience. Overall, the Smart Soundbar 600 is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a compact soundbar with big sound, smart features, and easy integration.

The soundbar is very easy to connect to the TV - an eARC HDMI cable and a power cable and that's it. The TV detects the soundbar and all is setup. The sound produced is a definite improvement on the Samsung TV speakers - better depth, tone and clarity but it's not a huge difference. Overall I am pleased to have found an easy remedy to get very reasonable TV sound.

Great sound. Doesn’t take up much space. Exactly what I was looking for. It sometimes disconnects from the tv and needs to reset with the remote which is a little annoying.

We initially purchased a Sonos soundbar only to discover that it was not compatible with our T-Mobile 5G internet router. The Bose soundbar setup was easy and is easily paired with our LG remote for our TV. There were no issues with the setup and our Internet. Bose customer service was extremely helpful and informative in advising us to disconnect our mesh extender when we did dthe initial setup. The bass will be better with the addition of a subwoofer but the sound clarity from this bar is great, even when voices are almost at a whisper.

Great sound from a compact system! Works great for our setup and really makes the movies come alive. This is our 3rd Bose soundbar and we couldn't be more pleased!

It fills our sound with music and the dialogue from show is so much clearer than we had before. We love it! I was thinking to add a subwoofer but I honestly don't think we need to.

I love my new soubdbar, the sound is crisp and i can hear all the details in my movies and games all the voices and sounds it’s amazing how good the atmos is on this sound bar its truly immersive. Dont have to turn the sound bar up a whole lot either i have it set to 15 and thats plenty loud. The app works very good also i can adjust the equalizer settings the height ect, having alexa built in is a plus also.

Easy installation, app is very easy to use and naviagte, great sound for the price. Recommend for anyone wanting a great soundbar