A Serious Voice Command Sound Speaker
Bose Soundbar 500 is another soundbar from the Bose family of speakers that offers good connectivity, solid performance, and ease of use that make it suitable for a large number of users. This is a sleek-looking device, with voice controls and good streaming capabilities that will help you stay tuned to your favorite services. In other words, everything needed for a pleasant user experience is there.
Specifications:
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Apple AirPlay
Controller Type: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
Control Method: Voice
Inputs: HDMI-ARC, Optical, USB
Output power: 45W
Weight: 3175 grams
Dimensions: Length 102 mm, Height 45 mm, Width 800 mm
Features
Like its other siblings, Bose Soundbar 500 doesn’t come on the cheap side, and it requires that you go deep into your pocket to acquire it; however, it has a lot to offer if you are willing to make such an investment. To begin with, there are the voice controls and the support for both Alexa and Google Assistant. Also, there is a custom, noise rejecting, 8-mic array, and good connectivity that involves Ethernet connection, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay that will help you play the services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, Deezer, and many others, with ease.
In addition, this soundbar also comes with the accompanying Bose music app that offers an intuitive interface and ease of use, as well as the HDMI port with an ARC compatibility.
Bose Soundbar 500 is a slim speaker device, with support for DTS and Dolby Digital, and the upgradeability that allows its pairing with speakers, wireless subwoofers, and satellites, preferably from the Bose offerings that are giving the best possible results when combined with it.
Usage
When talking about the usage of the Soundbar 500, you should know that this device brings a well-balanced, neutral sound and that it is fitted with a dialogue enhancement feature that makes the dialogues very clear and accurate, making this soundbar an ideal option for voice-oriented content such as audiobooks, podcasts, sitcoms, etc.
Although small, this soundbar sounds good and offers a decent bass punch, which is surprising since it comes without a subwoofer. Its sound is pretty wide, it doesn’t lack the low ends, and can get pretty loud.
Of course, the lack of the subwoofer doesn’t come without consequences, and is the most noticeable with the bass-heavy content that certainly doesn’t bring the best out of the Soundbar 500, forcing a lot of audio compressions.
Where the Soundbar 500 shines and is neck and neck with the best soundbars out there, is the ease of use and the ability to control the system in three different ways: with the help of the remote, over the voice controls, or through the highly intuitive Bose Music app. In other words, whatever you want to do with this app, you will be able to do it in a matter of moments.
Design
In the design department, Soundbar 500 brings a minimalistic approach, with simple lines, and only two buttons on it (microphone mute button and voice assistance on/off button). The overall build is solid, and it presents a combination of metal grills on the sides and the front, and plastic on other sides, including the matt-finish top.
When it comes to the inputs, there is one HDMI port with ARC support, Optical input, USB and Ethernet port, as well as a connection for additional speakers.
The accompanying remote has a matt rubber finish; it is run by two AAA batteries and it offers a plenty of functions that should make the overall use as sleek as possible. There are buttons for Power, Volume, Music, Bluetooth, TV, forward, backward, and even six buttons for memorizing your favorite radio stations or streaming services.
Good
Everything needed for a pleasant user experience is here: sleek look and good build quality. Audio is well-balanced, with rich lows and detailed highs, while the dialogues are clear and accurate.
In addition, there is also the support for voice controls (Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa), good connectivity that includes, among others, Apple AirPlay, good upgradeable capabilities, and excellent streaming support. Altogether, there is a pretty good combination of features and positives, as should be the case with one of the best soundbars available on the market.
Bad
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that Soundbar 500 has no flaws, because it does. To begin with, it is expensive.
Also, it has only one HDMI input; it has no Atmos support, and it lacks sub-bass, which certainly isn’t appreciated at this price level. In other words, it has its drawbacks that you can live with; however, the question remains: is it worth it?
Final Thoughts
Soundbar 500 has a lot to offer. There is the Alexa and Google Assistant integration, excellent app, pretty good, clear audio. All the important pieces are there.
Yes, the fact remains that the bass needs a bit more push, but let’s be honest, a device like this one is usually bought in a combination with additional speakers, subwoofers, and other equipment. This means that the overall performance depends on the other components as well, and if you choose to pair it with the complementary pieces from the Bose portfolio, you may be sure you are getting some serious stuff – a system that is neck and neck with the systems such as Samsung HW-N950, Sonos Playbar, as well as Sony HT-Z9F with satellites.
In other words, if you are seeking just a soundbar that will upgrade your multimedia experience, you may be sure that the Soundbar 500 will manage it. However, have in mind that other devices simply offer more for the price.
On the other hand, if this soundbar is just a part of a larger system, you may be sure you will get the best performance possible and a respectable system that will fulfill your every need.
