RANKING

Rank 51 out of 55 Summarized in this category Rankings based on: • Pros-to-cons ratio • Number of reviews • Category average

Bose

Smart Soundbar 500 (2023)

Name: Smart Soundbar 500 (2023)
Brand: Bose

around $399

All prices are estimates and may vary from actual prices.

176 Pros

71%
15 reviews (2h 29m)

73 Cons

The Bose Smart Soundbar 500 offers a sleek, premium aesthetic and impressive audio performance in a compact package. Enjoy clear dialogue and a decent bass response, further enhanced by Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace technologies for an immersive listening experience. Set up is a breeze thanks to the intuitive Bose Music app and wireless connecti...

Summary of pros and cons from human reviewers, put together by AI

68%

53 vs 25

Sound Quality

81%

29 vs 7

Features

70%

16 vs 7

Connectivity

77%

10 vs 3

Ease of Use

86%

31 vs 5

Design

Reviewer verdict

Across 15 YouTube reviews, the Bose Smart Soundbar 500 (2023) earns an Index score of 3.8/5, ranking #51 among Soundbars. Reviewers most often praise its sound quality, design, features, while the most common criticisms concern sound quality, bass performance.

The Smart Soundbar 500 (2023) earns consistent praise for its strong sound quality and immersive spatial audio, with many reviewers (53 mentions) highlighting clear dialogue, wide soundstage, and convincing Dolby Atmos/TrueSpace up‑mixing. Reviewers also frequently note its compact, sleek design and discreet footprint (31 mentions), making it easy to place under most TVs. Built‑in smart features and voice assistants, plus convenient connectivity options like Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay/Chromecast, are regularly mentioned (29–16 mentions) as useful additions. A number of reviewers additionally compliment the wireless subwoofer option and easy setup through the app, reinforcing its appeal as an all‑in‑one home theater upgrade.

Critics most often point to inconsistent or limited sound performance (25 mentions), noting issues like weakness at high volumes, odd tonal dips, and underwhelming Atmos effects despite marketing. Bass and low‑end performance draw repeated complaints (10 mentions) — reviewers describe compression, suppressed low end, or a sub that can feel soft or limited unless you add compatible Bose modules. Price/value and ecosystem lock‑in are recurring concerns (8 mentions), with several reviewers calling the cost high for the returns and warning about being pushed into proprietary add‑ons. Additional negatives include some feature and connectivity limitations (7 mentions each), such as older Bluetooth versions, missing HDMI in some packages, and reliance on software/AI processing that doesn’t always perform reliably.

Analysis based on 15 YouTube reviews (2h 29m of video) with 176 pros and 73 cons extracted.

Pros (176)

Sound Quality (53)

adding more bass to the 600 is really going to complement it's already very impressive instrument separation ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 8:51
These Technologies separate instruments dialogue and effects placing them in different parts of a room for a truly immersive spatial audio experience ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 1:19
it sounds pretty good ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 0:06
sound quality since that's what it's all about with any speaker and let me tell you the ball smart Ultra does not disappoint ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 0:46
very good ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 with Bass Module & Surround speakers- Unbo @ 9:34
this Powerhouse Soundbar is packing some serious audio technology ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 0:58
the Bose smart Ultra also featur an aii dialogue mode which automatically balances voice and surround sound for Ultra crisp vocal Clarity ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 1:29
absolutely good enough for someone who just wants to hear what people are freaking saying. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 5:01
even at high volumes the sound stays clean without any Distortion or muddiness ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 1:43
when it comes to music listening the Bose smart ultrasound bar shines bright ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 8:51
they love how much of an upgrade it is over their TV speakers. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 6:57
the Bose smart Ultra Soundbar delivers incredibly Dynamic vibrant sound that fills the room ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 2:08
if you're still having trouble hearing, the dialogue enhancer definitely works doing even more to, well, enhanced dialogue. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 4:45
the sound quality is good. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 7:09
Bose smart ultrasound Bar's absolutely mindblowing performance for movies and TV shows ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 7:53
how well the dialogue enhancer works, especially for seniors or those who are hard of hearing ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 6:52
Bose quiet Port T technology provides exceptional Bas performance and virtually no Distortion at any volume ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 1:49
it bumps up the perceived volume ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 7:03
clean sound at decent volume levels ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 10:06
Bose smart Ultra transforms your gaming experience ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 6:59
you want to watch TV but not disturb anyone ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 8:30
speakers on the top…shoot and bounce off the walls…sound reflecting…bouncing ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 1:51
sound coming from all different directions…immersive feel ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 2:05
MultiBeam up mixes non-Atmos signals for a multi-channel surround sound experience. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 1:20
Immersive surround sound thanks to the outward-facing tweeters. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 3:00
Total peak output power of 590 watts. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 4:09
Dialogue is super easy to understand due to the built-in PureVoice technology. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 2:56
excellent audio fidelity and an impressive amount of bass in addition to some pretty convincing Dolby Atmos surround effects ▶ Best Soundbars to Buy in Early 2025 | TV Audio Upgrades for @ 5:13
nice high during sports sporting events…sounds like you're in the crowd ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 9:10
dialogue was nice ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 11:56
AI dialogue mode…boost…enhance ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 3:07
this Sandbar deserves your attention it's quiet loud and clear ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 8:20
volume is really loud ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 12:38
sound quality…really good ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 11:54
very very good sounding ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 5:19
More immersive sound than the Bose 600, even without the sub. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 3:41
really great base ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 7:06
Bose true space…immerse you ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 2:11
the distortion is really well maintained ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 7:12
speakers shooting out of the sides ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 2:00
within about half a db probably not going to hear it when you've been listening that long ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 7:44
The Bose smart Soundbar 900 stands well on its own as a notable home theater upgrade ▶ Best Soundbars 2025 - Don't Choose Wrong! (I did at first) @ 3:35
the sound bar uses proprietary processing to analyze audio and up mixes it to achieve immersive virtual 7 Channel speaker surround sound ▶ Best Soundbars 2025 - Don't Choose Wrong! (I did at first) @ 4:05
fills a room easily ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 5:24
truespace elevates it all no matter what you're watching Bose truespace technology intelligently analyzes signals other than Dolby Atmos like stereo or 5.1 and up mixes them to create an immersive multi-channel sound experience ▶ Best Soundbars 2023 | Top 5 Picks (Soundbar) @ 3:29
smart Soundbar 600 is a Dolby Atmos sound bar that also features proprietary true space technology and two upward firing transducers to deliver shockingly immersive sound for all your movies TV shows and music ▶ Best Soundbars 2023 | Top 5 Picks (Soundbar) @ 3:17
this one's quite good ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 8:19
very wide Sound Stage ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 5:21
Bose is just better ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 2:26
Bose sound ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 5:47
full immersion for all entertainment ▶ Best Soundbars 2023 | Top 5 Picks (Soundbar) @ 3:16
sound is very room filling ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 6:38
sound much better than the Amazon Alexa counterparts ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 2:19

Design (31)

does all of this in a very compact package ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 8:48
very small and is very inconspicuous ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 10:44
3.1 kg ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 2:02
the Bose smart ultrasound bar keeps things classy with an elegant minimalist style ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 3:32
nice and compact ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 2:00
693 mm wide it fits a lot of TV entertainment centers ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 2:12
compact piece of kit ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 10:06
the height it's 56 mm tall it clears most uh stock TV stands ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 2:05
It has a slim 2.3 in tall profile that sits discreetly under your TV ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 3:38
Bose has a pretty established look at this point. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 5:50
The finish on the plastic feels nice though. The whole device is small and sleek ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 5:58
comes in white ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 0:14
is profile fit discretely under your TV screen so you won't even notice it ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 8:02
looks sleek ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 1:22
no detachable speakers no extra speakers ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 2:48
ultra high performance with an ultra thin Design ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 7:36
look really modern in any setup ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 1:35
this is very slim ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 5:20
this one can actually go underneath your TV you won't notice it much ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 10:00
very thin designed with powerful sand ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 7:02
compact and wireless surround sound system that delivers impressive sound quality without taking up too much space ▶ Best Bose Soundbar For 2023 | Top 5 Bose Soundbars Review @ 3:00
The bar has four front firing full range drivers a front firing Center Tweeter and dual up firing full range drivers ▶ Best Soundbars 2025 - Don't Choose Wrong! (I did at first) @ 3:57
looks very good ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 with Bass Module & Surround speakers- Unbo @ 10:10
really very tiny ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 with Bass Module & Surround speakers- Unbo @ 10:09
nicely sized 10 inch by 10 inch by 10 inch ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 0:59
very nice stealthy design just black matte and out of the way ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 1:15
not too heavy ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 0:19
screen showing volume, song name, and album art ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 1:19
made of a really nice aluminum Grille ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 0:53
slick looking speaker ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 1:13
relatively small ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 1:16

Features (29)

interesting features like two space technology ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 0:08
Bose smart Ultra is packing some seriously smart features under the hood ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 2:17
the magic of Dolby Atmos R and Bose true space technology comes in ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 1:13
what truly sets the Bose smart Ultra apart is its adapt IQ audio calibration ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 3:09
something called personal surround sound where you can pair this thing with your earbuds to create a surround environment ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 0:09
this heavy-hitting Soundbar doubles as the brains for controlling your entire home entertainment space ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 2:21
it has built-in Amazon Alexa ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 2:26
a decent amount of mod cons that some of you may find appealing ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 10:14
built-in voice control music anywhere ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 8:59
smart in that it has an onboard microphone for talking to the Amazon Uno smart assistant as well as Google Assistant. So, it functions as both a smart speaker ▶ Best Soundbars to Buy in Early 2025 | TV Audio Upgrades for @ 5:41
EQ…boost up everything ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 6:45
simple sync technology you can group your business counseling ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 8:35
with Google assist with Google assistance ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 1:50
without additional components the smart Soundbar 900 lives up to its smart name with built-in Amazon Alexa and Google assistant voice controls ▶ Best Soundbars 2025 - Don't Choose Wrong! (I did at first) @ 3:50
Excellent calibration feature that automatically adjusts sound based on room acoustics. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 5:29
The JBL Bar 500 is a 5.1 Channel Soundbar with MultiBeam and Dolby Atmos built-in. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 1:12
the sound bar also supports native Dolby Atmos spatial audio ▶ Best Soundbars 2025 - Don't Choose Wrong! (I did at first) @ 4:15
supports Dolby Digital and DTS audio formats ▶ Best Bose Soundbar For 2023 | Top 5 Bose Soundbars Review @ 3:24
can be paired with Bose surround speakers and bass module for an even more immersive sound experience ▶ Best Bose Soundbar For 2023 | Top 5 Bose Soundbars Review @ 3:29
Dolby Atmos ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 2:13
total control Amazon Alexa voice control is built in or you can access works with Google Assistant capabilities with a compatible Google device. There's also the included remote control and the Bose music app for quick access to your music ▶ Best Soundbars 2023 | Top 5 Picks (Soundbar) @ 4:06
Voice Assistant built-in ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 7:17
like other Standalone sound bars you can add speakers and a subwoofer to create a true 5.1 surround sound system ▶ Best Soundbars 2025 - Don't Choose Wrong! (I did at first) @ 3:43
noise rejecting 8 microphone array that picks up your voice commands even from a distance ▶ Best Bose Soundbar For 2023 | Top 5 Bose Soundbars Review @ 3:11
equipped with built-in voice assistance like Alexa and the Google Assistant ▶ Best Bose Soundbar For 2023 | Top 5 Bose Soundbars Review @ 3:06
voice control sound bar exclusive voice for video technology expands your Alexa voice capabilities like only a Bose soundbar can. In addition to your Bose smart sound bar you can control your TV and cable satellite box with just your voice ▶ Best Soundbars 2023 | Top 5 Picks (Soundbar) @ 4:22
you could actually connect multiple sets of these base modules in your setup if you want ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 3:09
makes use of Bose’s eight microphone setup ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 0:45
works with Alexa and Google Assistant ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 0:37

Connectivity (16)

this Soundbar also features HDMI EC connectivity ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 2:44
when it comes to streaming music the Bose smart Ultra has got you covered with Wi-Fi Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify connect ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 2:53
having both arc and optical connections is nice ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 7:06
with apple AirPlay too ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 7:10
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 5:13
Alexa built-in worked with apple AirPlay ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 1:55
HDMI ARC…control the volume with your controller ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 4:19
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 7:07
Wireless Soundbar for streaming Wi-Fi Bluetooth Apple AirPlay 2 Spotify connect and Chromecast built-in compatibility let you stream content any way you want ▶ Best Soundbars 2023 | Top 5 Picks (Soundbar) @ 3:56
You also get AirPlay and Chromecast audio capability ▶ Best Soundbars to Buy in Early 2025 | TV Audio Upgrades for @ 6:02
Bluetooth ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 4:16
stream your favorite music wirelessly via Wi-Fi Bluetooth or apple AirPlay 2 ▶ Best Bose Soundbar For 2023 | Top 5 Bose Soundbars Review @ 3:14
Apple play ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 5:27
connects Wi-Fi ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 4:12
Spotify ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 5:28
when not watching your favorite TV shows or movies you can wirelessly stream audio music audiobooks or podcast from your smartphone tablet or computer via Bluetooth Apple AirPlay or Spotify connect ▶ Best Soundbars 2025 - Don't Choose Wrong! (I did at first) @ 4:20

Subwoofer Performance (10)

you can place this base module anywhere in the room ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 1:24
can use this base module wirelessly ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 0:41
you can have up to two base modules wirelessly connected to your smart soundboard and get them to work together ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 2:34
overall Wireless connectivity performance I've never had any issues the sound bar and the subword offer are always in sync they always get paired up and I haven't had any connection Dropout issues ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 2:58
The subwoofer takes the experience to another level. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 4:03
Includes a 10-inch subwoofer. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 3:14
Wireless subwoofer for flexible placement. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 5:07
wireless connection so there's no cables you have to run under rugs across the ceiling through walls or any of that mess ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 3:49
very good sounding sub with some great bass that's a great Wireless addition ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 4:06
you can put it literally anywhere you want in your room ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 0:47

Ease of Use (10)

this subwoofer plugs in Via a universal AC port and there's no external power brick ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 1:56
you're also not going to have to hide any cables under the carpet ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 1:28
cables point inwards at this angle so they create less tension for cables especially in tight spots ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 1:39
plug andplay ability ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 4:52
setting up the Bose smart ultrasound barar is an absolute Breeze thanks to the intuitive step-by-step Bose music app ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 4:44
easy it is to set up ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 6:48
initial setup of this base module is very easy ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 2:04
very easy to use ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 3:47
very easy to use solution to get that extra base because you can connect it wirelessly ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 0:34
one app for setup and more HDMI e-arc ARC and optical audio cables are included connect one to your TV and the app walks you through setup. The app also lets you manage voice control both Wi-Fi enabled products update software and more ▶ Best Soundbars 2023 | Top 5 Picks (Soundbar) @ 4:37

Bass Performance (9)

delivers a decent amount of bass all on its own and in a very compact package ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 11:37
has a decent amount of bass all on its own ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 8:36
heavy…a good thing…base ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 1:07
lowend base a little bit of Rumble ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 11:02
might be one of the better speakers with the low-end base ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 11:24
more boom when it comes to your movie watching experience at home ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 0:18
it just rocks it windows starts shattering the center table and so far starts to vibrate when i take the sound level to say more than 60 ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 with Bass Module & Surround speakers- Unbo @ 9:23
quite Bassy as well relatively for the size ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 6:40
extra added bass ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 3:04

Build Quality (7)

done a really good job with it ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 6:37
heavy sound bar…one of the heaviest sound bars…tested ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 0:55
very light ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 9:43
Zero problems after 3 months of ownership. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 7:33
premium product ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 with Bass Module & Surround speakers- Unbo @ 9:35
Bose quality ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 3:02
very simplistic looking device looks very good feels very solid very heavy definitely quality ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 @ 1:24

Price/Value (6)

Retail price of $599, but available for $379 at the time of the video. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 7:16
it's really not as bad as I thought it was going to be ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 2:44
for for what this speaker is overall not bad ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 6:00
maximum sound experience for the minimum investment ▶ Best Soundbars to Buy in Early 2025 | TV Audio Upgrades for @ 6:13
overall in my opinion it's really not that bad ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 6:05
retails for 330 pound here in the UK ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 0:14

Remote Control (5)

initialization speed they're just a tick or two quicker to launch than others ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 4:02
nice and sensitive ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 2:29
for 500 bucks you get a really nice remote ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 2:37
short tone and boom you can press play pretty much immediately ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 4:36
I like that kind of responsiveness ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 4:44

Cons (73)

Sound Quality (25)

sound signature like between the two is way too different ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 9:42
Soundbar physically overpowers the earbuds so much of the time all I hear is audio from the main speaker ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 9:47
your home theater setup is still going to lean towards a more balanced or neutral sound signature as in the mid or going to be more pronounced and the bass isn't going to be super in your face ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 9:19
outro opens are so horribly mismatched in comparison with the Soundbar ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 9:38
out of the box it is going to be a little taint ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 11:53
with AI dialogue more often than not the system struggles to quickly identify sections of dialogue to boost and even when it works the effect isn't contrasting enough from other background sounds ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 9:04
too low you can't hear much too high it falls apart really quickly ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 10:10
it's easy to set up, but the sound is mediocre. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 7:20
the poor performance at high volumes and the lack of bass. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 7:51
Atmos looks good in the marketing Graphics but in actuality the effects are weak ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 8:31
When the bass finally manages to hit the rest of the sound ducks or kind of sounds like it's being suppressed. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 3:52
Pretty good for music at low or medium volumes, bad at high volumes. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 4:04
not going to wow anyone over with its audio prowess anytime soon ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 5:05
it is all over the place ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 2:41
a five decibel drop between the high and the mid lower mid range that just seems very counterintuitive to me ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 3:53
very strong resonance ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 2:47
it's uh it's all bunched up right through here ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 4:23
you have no energy between about 20 to 40 degrees in the mid range ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 5:32
the high frequency being above the mid that strikes me as odd ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 3:17
the response going below the speaker the dashed lines are different than the response going above the speaker that seems odd to me ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 4:49
look at that big suck out right there really odd ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 5:50
if i wanted to reach 102 db i'm just basically just not going to happen ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 7:33
50 watt output, not a lot ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 2:31
there's a whole lot of limiting going on here ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 7:16
doesn't necessarily sound like there's actually two speakers ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 2:08

Bass Performance (10)

We also found that there was a lot of compression at high volume on bass heavy songs. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 3:59
Bose, yes. Bass, no ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 3:40
subbase is non-existent ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 5:25
it does cost you in other areas, particularly the little bit of bass that there already was gets suppressed even further. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 4:52
I'm pretty sure there's supposed to be bass here. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 3:29
low to mid base has decent push out the rare wolfers and only really come to four when volume is above 35% ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 5:30
Bass can be overpowering if dialed in too high. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 4:11
distortion high on the low end ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 5:54
on the low end yeah you can see it just chopping the response down ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 6:30
base adjustment settings which are just weird ▶ $250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective @ 7:51

Price/Value (8)

this just comes down to milking you for more money once you're locked into their ecosystem. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 5:33
at $500 it's really hard to see the smart Soundbar as a good buy ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 10:20
take your money and run ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 0:19
$900…steeper side ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 0:14
449 Palm here in UK so this price is 449 pound sandbar ▶ Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soun @ 6:57
normally paying for the name more than the speaker itself with Bose ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 8:15
not getting 330 pound worth of sound ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 6:44
330 pounds, not outrageously cheap ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 5:02

Features (7)

relying on software and AI to proactively process audio data requires more processing power than this device can provide ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 8:52
biggest beef with this thing is with these special features like true space and AI dialogue and PSS they're all AI assisted software ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 8:44
AI at any given time has a hard time deciding what to push to each device ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 9:59
the Bose smart Ultra Soundbar doesn't come with a wireless subwoofer ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buyi @ 4:21
Alexa only there's no Google Assistant ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 1:19
the 600, which is a slightly older version that’s still great, is just missing a couple of the newer features like AI dialogue enhancement and compatibility with Bose’s open earbuds. ▶ Best Soundbars to Buy in Early 2025 | TV Audio Upgrades for @ 5:20
Limited in-app music streaming service selection, notably missing Spotify. ▶ BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 @ 5:48

Connectivity (7)

It's Bluetooth 4.2 though, which means limited range compared to more modern implementations. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 3:21
There's an included optical cable, but not HDMI ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 7:17
the box for the Bose TV speaker contains only an optical cable to connect to your TV. So, we saw some complaints from people who were upset that they couldn't use E Arc without a trip to the local Walmart. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 2:42
you cannot have more than one Ultra open paired with the system ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 3:22
this unit doesn't have wifi, meaning that you can't connect to the Bose app ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 3:15
Bluetooth 4.2, not the newest version ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 0:26
has to be plugged in ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 0:21

Subwoofer Performance (5)

you need to have two Bose based modules 500s unfortunately you cannot mix and match base modules ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 2:43
this subwoofer is going to be better suited for a medium sized living room because if you've got a larger size of a room then the 500 could still have a little bit of a problem adequately filling your large living room with sound ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 11:56
the subwoofer is still going to be better suited for a medium-sized room because if you have a larger living room with a larger TV then the base on this subwoofer can still feel a little soft ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 10:10
sub is unfortunately only meant for Bose subwoofers ▶ BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 @ 1:50
Bose locks down their soundbars to prevent you from using a third party powered sub. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 5:17

Design (5)

the Bose base module 500 only comes in Black ▶ Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose @ 10:30
glass…get smudgy ▶ Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! @ 1:25
most people are going to use Bluetooth so screen won't show much ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 1:52
screen a bit of a gimmick ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 5:51
screen surprisingly bright at night ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 6:20

Ease of Use (3)

the lack of EQ settings other than dialogue ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 7:47
day to day basically a waste ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 6:18
if connecting through raw Bluetooth, only shows the name ▶ Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! @ 1:32

Build Quality (2)

overheating ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 8:02
mention it being too hot to touch, smelling like burnt plastic and leaving marks on things. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 8:10

Remote Control (1)

We saw critiques of the lackluster remote. ▶ Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker @ 7:55

Review sources

BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR (2024 MY) // Sorry, I'll pass 😫 by GearUP with Aaron — 17 pros, 17 cons
Bose Smart Speaker 500 Review - Stereo Sound! by HammoTech Reviews — 18 pros, 12 cons
Why Is EVERYONE Buying This Soundbar??? - Bose TV Speaker by Linus Tech Tips — 10 pros, 18 cons
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review - THIS SOUNDBAR HAS IT ALL! 🔥 by Wanna Buy It — 25 pros, 2 cons
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In-Depth Review - Is It Worth Buying? by Best Choice Review — 20 pros, 1 cons
Bose Bass Module 500 Review - A Solid Pick Up For Your Bose SB 600 by GYMCADDY — 12 pros, 6 cons
$250 Bose TV Soundbar. What's the fuss? || QUICK Objective Review by Erin's Audio Corner — 5 pros, 13 cons
Bose Soundbar 500 Overview |True Cinema-Like Experience Soundbar, Looks Great and Sounds Perfect? by Vinnel TV — 15 pros, 1 cons
BEST Soundbar UNDER $400 | 2024 | JBL BAR 500 by Full Transparency — 13 pros, 2 cons
Bose Bass Module 500 by RodrickViews — 12 pros, 0 cons
Best Soundbars 2023 | Top 5 Picks (Soundbar) by Everyday Gadgets Review — 7 pros, 0 cons
Best Soundbars 2025 - Don't Choose Wrong! (I did at first) by Valid Consumer — 7 pros, 0 cons
Best Bose Soundbar For 2023 | Top 5 Bose Soundbars Review by Tech Goods — 6 pros, 0 cons
Bose Soundbar 500 with Bass Module & Surround speakers- Unboxing & Review | Sound Test | by Aspire Vlogging — 5 pros, 0 cons
Best Soundbars to Buy in Early 2025 | TV Audio Upgrades for Every Budget by Digital Trends — 4 pros, 1 cons

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bose Smart Soundbar 500 (2023) worth buying?

Based on 15 independent YouTube reviews, the Bose Smart Soundbar 500 (2023) scores 3.8/5 with 176 positive and 73 negative points mentioned by reviewers, placing it #51 in the Soundbars category.

What do reviewers like most about the Bose Smart Soundbar 500 (2023)?

The most praised aspects are sound quality, design, features — Sound Quality (53 mentions), Design (31 mentions), Features (29 mentions).

What are the most common complaints about the Bose Smart Soundbar 500 (2023)?

Reviewers most frequently criticize sound quality, bass performance — Sound Quality (25 mentions), Bass Performance (10 mentions).

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