BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 is a well-built, high-quality soundbar, with exceptional audio performance that makes it an optimal choice for die-hard audiophiles. It is packed with features and offers plenty of options that should satisfy even the most demanding users. This device brings premium materials, great connectivity, and ultimately belongs to the sheer top of the offerings and presents one of the best soundbars available.
Specifications:
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, 2.4GHz, and 5GHz Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay 2
Controller Type: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
Control Method: Voice
Weight: 4762 grams
Dimensions: Length 108 mm, Height 57 mm, Width 978 mm
Features
If there is a field in which BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 shines, it is certainly the number and the variety of features that it offers. This soundbar comes with amazing connectivity (there is the 2.4GHz and 5 GHz WI-Fi connection, Bluetooth 4.2, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect), and Bose Voice4Video technology that allows for the expansion of the Amazon Alexa functions and voice command over your soundbar, TV, satellite box, etc., making the use of this device much easier.
Also, there is the support for Google Assistant and the inclusion of the PhaseGuide (creates wider front sound) and QuietPort (delivers deeper bass) technology that ultimately brings a better sound experience.
BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 also comes with a noise-rejecting mic system, 5.1 Dolby Digital, and DTS support, as well as a universal remote. On top of that, there is the HDMI-ARC connectivity, a very good Bose Music app that offers an easy setup, as well as the support for four music services: Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, and TuneIn Radio.
In addition, this soundbar also has an ADAPTiQ audio calibration, SimpleSync connectivity, and overall, it offers quite a lot for its price.
Usage
BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 delivers very good audio quality and its best side shows in the music reproduction, where it produces a well-balanced sound in a variety of music genres. However, there is a lack of low-bass that can, on the other hand, be easily fixed with the acquisition of a separate subwoofer.
Dialogue reproduction is neutral, clear and accurate, and on top of that, very loud, which makes this soundbar an excellent choice for audiobook and podcast devotees. However, because of the limited surround sound capabilities, as well as not that great low-bass, BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 lacks the deep rumble in action sequences, which may be an issue for serious movie lovers.
BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 also comes with a universal remote that is multifunctional and easy to use, while one of the best things about this soundbar comes in the form of the Bose Music App that is intuitive, and offers all sorts of fine-tuning that should bring the user experience to the highest possible level.
Design
When talking about the design, BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 offers a sleek look, with a top made of premium tempered glass, aluminum metal grills on the sides and the front of the device, and a variety of connectors on the back, that include an Ethernet port, USB port, HDMI output with Audio Return Channel, Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), Optical TOSLink, and so on.
BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 comes in black and arctic white and offers excellent build quality, as it should be the case with one of the best soundbars out there. This device has a minimalistic design and has only two controls on the device itself (on its tempered glass top), while its remote offers many more functions and brings a bit larger, metal design, with a motion-activated backlight. Unfortunately, its rubber buttons are very good at attracting dust, and are almost impossible to see with the backlight turned off, which isn’t really something you would expect from a device of this caliber.
Good
Altogether, BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 isn’t a perfect device; however, it has a lot to offer. There is a neutral sound profile, wide sound stage, excellent remote app, and much more.
More importantly, its sound quality is of the highest level, while the existence of the voice controls and support for the Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant makes its use much easier. Also, there is the ADAPTiQ audio calibration, excellent build quality, and the highly practical and intuitive Bose Music App that will help you perfectly adapt the BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 device to your needs.
On top of that, this soundbar also supports 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS, has great connectivity, and altogether brings high-end performance, comparable with the best Hi-Fi systems and soundbars available on the market.
Bad
Unfortunately, the list of the BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 downsides isn’t that short, although it mostly includes minor things that are acceptable, such as the fingerprint-prone reflective top. However, there are also some serious issues, such as the lack of HDMI inputs, and no support for the Atmos and DTS:X. Also, its low bass needs a bit more push, while its audio may sound a bit diffused because of the large soundstage.
In other words, BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 isn’t all beer and skittles, and it comes with quite a few issues that may or may not present a problem for you. However, you should be aware that they exist.
Final Thoughts
All in all, BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 is a pretty good product and one of the best soundbars available, with a ton of features that rightfully position its neck and neck with the devices such as Sonos Arc, which is its main competitor. Both of these devices offer similar characteristics and excellent sound quality. However, they have a few differences, such as the existence of the Atmos support in the case of the Sonos Arc, and the presence of the better, more neutral sound and Bluetooth playability, in the case of the Soundbar 700, which ultimately makes the closest possible competition between the two.
When compared to some other models, it is clear that the BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 has more to offer as opposed to, for example, Sonos Beam, yet in the close encounter with the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300, the advantage goes to Harman, which brings a better surround sound and a bit more features, such as the existence of three Full HDMI In ports.
In other words, BOSE Smart Soundbar 700 is a pretty good matchup, yet not the perfect one. However, what is certain is that it has a lot to offer and that you may be sure that it won’t disappoint you no matter your personal preferences and needs.
