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Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module  Soundbar Review

Reviewed Mar 04, 2021 at 09:17am
Writing modified Sep 25, 2024 at 01:40pm
Tested using methodology v1.3 
Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module
7.8
Mixed Usage 
8.0
Dialogue/TV Shows 
8.6
Music 
7.3
Movies 
 2
Notice: This soundbars was replaced by Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a very versatile 5.1 setup. It's the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 700 that's been upgraded with speakers and a subwoofer. It has a neutral, balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and its room correction feature helps you optimize its sound based on the acoustic characteristics of your room. It also has built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and you can wirelessly stream audio to the bar. Unfortunately, while it gets loud, there's some compression present when played at max volume.

Our Verdict

7.8
Mixed Usage 

The Bose Smart Soundbar with Surround Speakers 700 + Bass Module is very good for mixed usage. Out-of-the-box, it has a very neutral, balanced sound profile suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content. There's also a room correction feature as well as bass and treble adjustments to optimize its sound. Thanks to its dedicated surround speakers, it's a good choice for surround content, but unfortunately, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos.

Pros
  • Bass and treble adjustment features.
  • Room correction feature.
  • Dedicated surround speakers.
Cons
  • Some compression when played at max volume.
  • No Atmos support.
8.0
Dialogue/TV Shows 

The Bose Smart Soundbar with Surround Speakers 700 + Bass Module is great for dialogue and TV shows. Thanks to its dedicated center channel and its balanced mid-range, it reproduces clear and accurate dialogue. It even has a dialogue enhancement feature to make voices more clear and crisp. You can also stream podcasts and audiobooks to the bar wirelessly, which is nice.

Pros
  • Room correction feature.
  • Dialogue enhancement feature.
Cons
  • Some compression when played at max volume.
8.6
Music 

The Bose Smart Soundbar with Surround Speakers 700 + Bass Module is excellent for music. Out-of-the-box, it has a pretty neutral, though slightly bright sound profile suitable for listening to lots of different music genres. There are also bass and treble adjustments to help you customize its sound, as well as a room correction feature that optimizes audio reproduction based on the room you're listening in.

Pros
  • Bass and treble adjustment features.
  • Room correction feature.
Cons
  • Some compression when played at max volume.
7.3
Movies 

The Bose Smart Soundbar with Surround Speakers 700 + Bass Module is satisfactory for movies. Its balanced sound profile can reproduce clear and accurate dialogue as well as the deep rumbles in action-packed scenes. Thanks to its dedicated surround speakers, it offers a good surround performance, too. However, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content.

Pros
  • Bass and treble adjustment features.
  • Dedicated surround speakers.
Cons
  • No Atmos support.
  • 7.8
    Mixed Usage
  • 8.0
    Dialogue/TV Shows
  • 8.6
    Music
  • 7.3
    Movies
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Sep 25, 2024: Updated the Stereo Dynamics results with new methodology from Test Bench 1.3. Added text to the Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical boxes.
    2.  Updated Sep 19, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench Update 1.3. If applicable, we've retested stereo sound based on the manufacturer's recommendations. Additionally, we've expanded our audio latency tests to the following boxes: Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical. You can see the full changelog here.
    3.  Updated Sep 25, 2023: Added cable lengths to In the Box and app information to the Remote box.
    4.  Updated Sep 25, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 is available in both 'Bose Black' and 'Arctic White'. We tested the 'Bose Black' variant, but we expect the other color variants to perform similarly. You can see the label for the soundbar we tested here, as well as the label for the subwoofer and the speakers.

    The soundbar, the speakers, and the bass module can all be purchased separately and paired together for a more immersive sound. We've also tested the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 700.

    If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.

    Compared To Other Soundbars

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers and Bass Module 700 is a 5.1 setup that offers a more immersive listening experience than the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 700. It has a very neutral, balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and it also offers a room correction feature. However, unlike some of the other 5.1 soundbars we've tested, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content. It also lacks a Full HDMI In port, which can be disappointing if you want to use your bar as a hub between different devices.

    See also our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best 5.1 soundbars, and the best Bose soundbars.

    Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

    The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The 900 supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the 700. The manufacturer even says that its Voice4Video feature lets you control the bar and your TV with your voice. However, only the 700 offers DTS support.

    Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers

    The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers is a more versatile pick than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. While they're both standout bars, only the Sonos supports Dolby Atmos content, which is increasingly common on many different streaming platforms. It also supports DTS content, unlike the Bose, which you're likely to find on Blu-ray discs.

    Bose Smart Soundbar 700

    The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 700. Adding the subwoofer to the setup helps create a more extended low bass, resulting in a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. The surround speakers also create a better surround performance and a wider soundstage.

    Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

    Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers or the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Sonos is better for movies, as it has a better surround performance and supports Atmos content. However, the Bose is better suited for music, as it has a better soundstage performance and a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. Also, unlike the Sonos, the Bose supports Bluetooth.

    Show more 

    Test Results

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    Design
    Style - Bar

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Surround Speakers 700 is a sleek, premium-looking soundbar. It has a unique design, with a glass top and a metal grille covering the front and the sides of the bar. You can purchase it in 'Arctic White' or 'Bose Black' variants.

    Style - Subwoofer
    Sub Wireless
    Yes
    Enclosure
    Ported

    The Bose Bass Module 700 is made of robust-feeling plastic with a glass plate on top. It can also be purchased in either all-black or all-white variants.

    Style - Satellites
    Satellite Wireless
    Yes

    The Bose Surround Speakers 700 are meant to sit vertically, and they have a durable feel. They're mostly made of metal with small grilles to help protect the drivers. You can buy them in all-black or all-white color variants.

    Dimensions - Bar
    Width38.4" (97.5 cm)
    Height2.2" (5.7 cm)
    Depth4.2" (10.7 cm)

    The bar is large and likely won't fit between the legs of a 55" TV stand. On the upside, it isn't very tall, so it shouldn't block your TV screen unless your TV sits flush on the table.

    Dimensions - Subwoofer
    Width11.6" (29.5 cm)
    Height12.7" (32.3 cm)
    Depth11.6" (29.5 cm)

    The Bose Bass Module 700 is about as large as a typical desktop PC. It's wireless, which is handy, and you just have to plug it into an outlet for it to work.

    Dimensions - Satellites
    Width1.9" (4.8 cm)
    Height5.6" (14.3 cm)
    Depth1.9" (4.8 cm)

    The Bose Surround Speakers 700 are tall, but they still have a small footprint. Note that we obtained these measurements without the power brick.

    Mounting
    Mountable Bar
    Yes
    Bar Brackets Included
    No
    Mountable Satellites
    Yes
    Satellite Brackets Included
    No
    8.5
    Build Quality

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 has an amazing build quality. The bar has a glass top with metal grilles on the sides, and the subwoofer is mainly made of plastic. The satellites also have metal grilles to help protect the drivers. All of the materials feel solid and durable. However, the reflective surface on top of the sub and the bar can get dirty easily.

    In The Box

    • Manuals
    • Remote with 4x AA batteries
    • HDMI cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
    • Optical Cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
    • 4x power cables (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
    • 2x power bricks for satellites
    • Screwdriver for satellites
    • Cleaning cloth
    • Bose ADAPTiQ headset for room calibration (23 ft / 7m)

    Sound
    8.5
    Stereo Frequency Response
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Channels
    5.1
    Tested Preset
    No Preset
    Slope
    0.33
    Standard Error
    2.47 dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    25.9 Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    19.9 kHz

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 has an excellent stereo frequency response out-of-the-box. It has a very neutral sound profile suitable for listening to lots of different audio content, though it can sound a bit bright on some tracks. There are also bass and treble adjustment features to help you adjust its sound more to your liking.

    8.6
    Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    See details on graph tool
    Suggested Preset
    No Preset
    Suggested Bass Setting
    20
    Suggested Treble Setting
    -30
    Slope
    -0.08
    Standard Error
    2.32 dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    25.6 Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    19.3 kHz

    With calibration, this soundbar has an amazing stereo frequency response. Using its bass and treble adjustments, we set the Bass to '20' and the Treble to '-30', resulting in a very neutral, balanced sound profile. It's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content.

    8.5
    Stereo Soundstage
    See details on graph tool
    Crosstalk Error
    2.03 dB

    The stereo soundstage is amazing. The soundstage is perceived to be much wider than the bar itself. Also, the focus is good, so sound seems to come from a more accurate, pinpoint location rather than a general area.

    8.2
    Stereo Dynamics
    See details on graph tool
    SPL @ Max Volume
    96.0 dB SPL
    DRC @ 90dB
    0.60 dB
    DRC @ Max Volume
    2.17 dB

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 has great stereo dynamics. It can get pretty loud without compressing too much, even as you approach max volume.

    7.9
    Center
    See details on graph tool
    Localization
    Discrete
    Slope
    0.41
    Std. Err.
    2.51 dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    76.0 dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    0.40
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    1.59

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 has a very good center channel performance. Due to its configuration, it has a dedicated center channel, resulting in clearer and more accurate reproduction of dialogue and vocal-centric content.

    7.1
    Surround 5.1
    See details on graph tool
    Localization
    Discrete
    Slope
    -0.31
    Std. Err.
    3.27 dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    73.2 dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    0.34
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    0.89
    7.1 Rears
    No

    This soundbar has a decent surrounds performance. Thanks to its dedicated Bose Surround Speakers 700, surround objects like voices and footsteps are clearly and accurately represented, helping to immerse you in your favorite movies.

    0.0
    Height (Atmos)
    Localization
    Not Supported
    Slope
    N/A
    Std. Err.
    N/A
    SPL @ Max Volume
    N/A
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    N/A
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    N/A

    This soundbar doesn't support Atmos content. Check out the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module or the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers if you want a soundbar with height channels.

    6.0
    Sound Enhancement Features
    Room Correction
    Yes
    Dialogue Enhancement
    Yes
    Auto-Volume/Night Mode
    No
    Subwoofer Level Adjustment
    Yes
    Bass Adjustment
    Yes
    Treble Adjustment
    Yes
    EQ
    No
    Surround Level Adjustment
    No
    Rear Level Adjustment
    Yes
    Height Level Adjustment
    No
    Virtual Surround
    No

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 has a passable selection of sound enhancement features. Though it lacks a full graphic EQ compared to the Samsung HW-Q950A, you still have some control over its sound thanks to the bass and treble adjustment features. Also, in the app, there are sub level and rear adjustments. There's a room correction feature that you can set up using the included Bose ADAPTiQ headset, which automatically adjusts audio reproduction based on the unique acoustic characteristics of the room you're listening in.

    Connectivity
    Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    Optical Audio In
    1
    HDMI Out
    No
    HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
    No
    Full HDMI In
    No
    Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
    No
    RCA In
    No
    USB for Files
    No
    Ethernet
    1
    Subwoofer Output
    Yes

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 has few wired connectivity options. There isn't a Full HDMI In port, so you can't use it as a hub between different devices, and there isn't an AUX port for connecting older smartphones. However, there's a 'DATA' port for firmware upgrades and the 'ADAPTiQ' port for the headset that's included to help with room calibration.

    6.6
    Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    Dolby Atmos
    Not Supported
    Dolby Digital
    Supported
    Dolby Digital Plus
    Not Supported
    Dolby TrueHD
    Not Supported
    DTS
    Supported
    DTS:X
    Not Supported
    DTS-HD MA
    Not Supported
    PCM Channels
    Up To 7.1

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 supports some of the most common audio formats, including Dolby Digital and DTS, which are commonly found on streaming platforms and Blu-ray discs. However, it doesn't support more premium formats like Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby Atmos.

    0.0
    Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    Dolby Atmos
    Not Supported
    Dolby Digital
    Not Supported
    Dolby Digital Plus
    Not Supported
    Dolby TrueHD
    Not Supported
    DTS
    Not Supported
    DTS:X
    Not Supported
    DTS-HD MA
    Not Supported
    PCM Channels
    Not Supported
    10
    Audio Format Support: Optical
    Dolby Digital
    Supported
    DTS
    Supported
    PCM Channels
    2.0

    The Bose Samart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 has incredible audio format support via Optical. It supports both Dolby Digital and DTS content, which are commonly found on streaming platforms and Blu-ray discs.

    8.5
    Audio Latency: ARC
    PCM-2.0 ch
    62 ms
    PCM-5.1 ch
    63 ms
    Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
    N/A
    Dolby Digital
    90 ms
    Dolby Digital Plus
    N/A
    Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
    N/A

    Audio latency via ARC is excellent. Latency is very low over both Dolby Digital and PCM formats, so you're unlikely to notice any lip sync issues between your audio and video.

    0.0
    Audio Latency: HDMI In
    PCM-2.0 ch
    N/A
    PCM-5.1 ch
    N/A
    Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
    N/A
    Dolby Digital
    N/A
    Dolby Digital Plus
    N/A
    Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
    N/A
    7.1
    Audio Latency: Optical
    PCM-2.0 ch
    140 ms
    Dolby Digital
    199 ms

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Surround Speakers 700 + Bass Module has a decent latency performance using an optical connection. You're unlikely to experience any sync issues between your audio and video when using this connection type.

    0.0
    Video Passthrough To TV
    1080p Max Refresh Rate
    Not Supported
    1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
    Not Supported
    4k Max Refresh Rate
    Not Supported
    4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
    Not Supported
    4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
    Not Supported
    8k Max Refresh Rate
    Not Supported
    HDR10 Passthrough
    No
    HDR10+ Passthrough
    No
    Dolby Vision Passthrough
    No
    HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
    No
    FreeSync Passthrough
    No
    G-SYNC Passthrough
    No
    ALLM Passthrough
    No

    This soundbar doesn't have a Full HDMI In, so it can't relay a video signal from an external source.

    10
    Wireless Playback
    Bluetooth
    Yes
    Wi-Fi Playback
    Yes
    Chromecast built-in
    Yes
    Apple AirPlay
    Yes
    Spotify Connect
    Yes

    Update 03/15/2022: Firmware update adds Chromecast built-in support. You can hold down the Music button for ten seconds to update the firmware. Then, you just need to enable Chromecast in the Bose Music app and follow the steps provided by the manufacturer here.

    This soundbar has remarkable wireless playback capabilities. You can stream audio to the bar wirelessly from your phone or tablet.

    Additional Features
    Interface
    Display
    No

    There's a strip of light on the bar that lights up in different ways based on the inputs you select. However, the patterns aren't very intuitive, so you may need to look at the manual to understand how they work. There's also a light that turns red when you press the mic mute button.

    Bar Controls

    The Bose Smart Soundbar with Speakers + Bass Module 700 has two buttons. The mic mute button disables the voice assistants completely, and the 'Action Button' lets you manually activate the voice assistant.

    Remote

    The remote can control all of the bar's functions. It can also act as a universal remote to control other devices in your household. You can also download the Bose Music app to control the bar from your phone.

    Voice Assistants Support
    Amazon Alexa
    Yes (Built-in)
    Google Assistant
    Yes (Built-in)
    Apple Siri
    No
    Microphone Mute
    Yes

    Unlike the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR, this soundbar has built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also use the mic mute button if you don't want the voice assistant to listen to you.

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