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
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.
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Bass and treble adjustment features.
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Room correction feature.
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Dedicated surround speakers.
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Some compression when played at max volume.
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No Atmos support.
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.
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Room correction feature.
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Dialogue enhancement feature.
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Some compression when played at max volume.
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.
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Bass and treble adjustment features.
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Room correction feature.
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Some compression when played at max volume.
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.
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Bass and treble adjustment features.
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Dedicated surround speakers.
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No Atmos support.
- 7.8 Mixed Usage
- 8.0 Dialogue/TV Shows
- 8.6 Music
- 7.3 Movies
- 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.
- 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.
- Updated Sep 25, 2023: Added cable lengths to In the Box and app information to the Remote box.
- 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.
- Updated Sep 20, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.1. With this update, we've added a Mounting test and added information aboutSubwoofer Output, Spotify Connect, and Microphone Mute.
- Updated Dec 12, 2022: Updated 5.1 PCM (eARC only) from undetermined to yes.
- Updated Nov 22, 2022: Added the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers as a market comparison in the Height (Atmos) box.
- Updated Mar 15, 2022: Firmware update adds Chromecast built-in support.
- Updated Mar 23, 2021: Updated latency measurements with new methodology.
- Updated Mar 04, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Mar 01, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Feb 26, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Feb 24, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Feb 23, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
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.
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.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Bose is better built, with a more neutral sound profile and a more extended low bass, thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. It also has a better soundstage performance. However, the Sonos supports Atmos content, and you can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 900. The 700 full setup has a dedicated sub, which helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also comes with satellites and has better soundstage and surround performances. That said, only the 900 supports Dolby Atmos content. You can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites for better performance.
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.
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.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Bose is a 5.1 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low bass, and its surround and soundstage performances are better. Also, it offers more wireless playback options, including Bluetooth. However, some users may prefer the Sonos' smaller, more compact design. Unlike the Bose, the Sonos also supports Dolby Atmos content.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a better soundbar than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. The Soundbar 700 is better built, and it comes with a dedicated sub and satellite speakers. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. Also, it comes with a room correction feature.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Bose is a better choice for dialogue and music, as it has a more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box with a more extended low-bass. It's also better built and has a better soundstage performance. However, the JBL is better for movies, as it supports Atmos content. It also offers some EQ presets, and has a Full HDMI In that supports 4k passthrough, too.
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.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Bose is better built, and its discrete satellites help create a better surround performance. It has a better soundstage and built-in voice assistant support. Some listeners may also prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, only the JBL has Chromecast built-in support.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Bose Soundbar 500. The 700 is better built, and it comes with a dedicated sub and satellites. Its sub helps reproduce a more extended low-bass, and its satellites help create a better surround performance. It also has a better stereo soundstage.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The Bose is better built, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. It also comes with built-in voice assistant support and a room correction feature, unlike the Polk Audio.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sonos Beam. The Bose has a subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass and has discrete satellites for a better surround performance. It's also better built and has a better stereo soundstage. It even supports more wireless playback options. That said, some users may prefer the Sonos' more compact design.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sony HT-G700 for most uses. The Bose is a better-built setup with discrete satellites. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. That said, unlike the Sony, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Bose TV Speaker. The Soundbar 700 is better built, and its dedicated sub helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also comes with discrete satellites that help improve its surround performance. It has better center and soundstage performances, and it supports more wireless playback options. Unlike the TV Speaker, it has room correction and built-in voice assistant capabilities.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage. The Bose is a 5.1 setup that's better built and comes with a dedicated sub and satellites. It has better soundstage and surround performances, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. Unlike the B&O, it also has built-in voice assistant support. That said, only the B&O supports Dolby Atmos content and a graphic EQ for sound customization.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module or the Sony HT-A7000 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Bose is a 5.1 setup with better soundstage and center channel performances. It can get louder than the Sony, and it also reproduces a more extended low-bass. Some users may also prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. However, only the Sony supports Dolby Atmos content. Unlike the Bose, it also has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX is slightly better for mixed usage than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Sennheiser supports Dolby Atmos content, and it gets louder. It comes with a graphic EQ and presets as well as a Full HDMI In port. Some users may prefer its standalone design compared to the Bose, which comes with a dedicated sub and satellites. That said, the Bose's sub helps reproduce a more extended low-bass, and its satellites help improve its surround performance. The Bose is also better built and has a better stereo soundstage.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sony HT-Z9F. The Bose is a 5.1 setup with discrete satellites that's better-built. It has better soundstage and surround performances, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. Also, unlike the Sony, it has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. That said, the 3.1 Sony supports Dolby Atmos content and has EQ presets, unlike the Bose.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module or the Klipsch Cinema 800. The Bose is a 5.1 setup that's better built. It comes with discrete satellites, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it also has built-in voice assistant support. However, only the Klipsch supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough, unlike the Bose.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Samsung HW-Q70T. The Bose is better built with discrete satellite speakers. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the Samsung, it also has built-in voice assistant support. That said, only the Samsung supports Atmos content and comes with a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Bose is better-built, and its discrete satellites help create a better surround performance. It also has a better stereo soundstage, and its default sound profile is more neutral. It even comes with a room correction feature. However, only the Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content. It also comes with a graphic EQ and presets as well as a Full HDMI In port.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Samsung HW-Q600A. The Bose is better built, and it comes with discrete satellites. It reproduces a more extended low-bass and offers better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the Samsung, it has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. That said, only the Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content and a graphic EQ.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a bit better for mixed usage than the Sony HT-ST5000. The Bose comes with discrete satellites that help offer a better surrounds performance. Unlike the Sony, it also comes with built-in voice assistant support. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it has a better stereo soundstage. That said, only the Sony supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with a Full HDMI In port.
The LG SP11RA is marginally better for mixed usage than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The LG has a better surrounds performance, and it supports Dolby Atmos content, so it's a better choice for movies. It also comes with EQ presets and more wireless playback support. That said, the Bose is better for music. It's better built and it has a better stereo soundstage performance. It even comes with built-in voice assistant support, unlike the LG.
The Samsung HW-Q900A is a better soundbar than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content, and it comes with a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Bose. It gets louder, and it comes with more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ, presets, and an auto-volume mode. However, the Bose is better built and offers better soundstage and surround performances.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. It also gets louder with less compression and comes with a Full HDMI In port. However, the Bose is better built and offers a better soundstage performance.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the LG SP9YA or the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Bose is better built with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it has built-in voice assistant support. That said, only the LG supports Dolby Atmos content. It has more wireless playback options and a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is a bit better for mixed usage than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content and it comes with a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Bose. It also has a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. That said, the Bose is better built with better soundstage and surround performances. It also comes with a room correction feature, unlike the Samsung.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch or the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Bose is better built, with a better soundstage and more wireless playback options. It also supports voice assistants, unlike the Nakamichi. However, the Nakamichi is a 9.2.4 setup with a unique design that includes two subs and four satellites. It's better for movies, since it supports Atmos content and offers a better surround performance.
The Samsung HW-Q90R is a better soundbar for mixed usage than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Bose. It also gets louder and has a better surrounds performance. It's more customizable, too, thanks to its graphic EQ and presets. That said, the Bose is better built with a better soundstage performance. It also comes with a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support, unlike the Samsung.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Vizio Elevate for most uses. The Vizio supports Dolby Atmos content and features a full HDMI In port, as well as some EQ presets to help you customize its sound. That said, the Bose is better built and performs better when it comes to sound. Its default frequency response is more balanced, with better soundstage, center channel, and surround performances. Unlike the Vizio, the Bose has built-in voice assistant support, too.
The 9.1.4 Samsung HW-Q950T is a better soundbar than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Samsung gets louder, and it has a better surrounds performance. It supports Dolby Atmos content, and it comes with a graphic EQ and presets, as well as a Full HDMI In port that supports 4k passthrough. However, the Bose is better built, and it has a better soundstage performance.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is slightly better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q800T. The Bose is a 5.1 setup that's better-built and has discrete satellites to help improve its surround performance. It also has a better soundstage and a room correction feature. However, only the 3.1.2 Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content. It also comes with a graphic EQ and presets as well as a Full HDMI In port.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module or the Samsung HW-Q900T. The Bose is better built and comes with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage and surround performances, as well as a room correction feature. However, only the Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content. It also comes with a graphic EQ and presets as well as a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a better soundbar for most uses than the Klipsch Cinema 600. The Bose is better built and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It supports more wireless playback options, and unlike the Klipsch, it has a room correction feature and voice assistant support built into the bar. The Klipsch is better for dialogue since it comes with an auto-volume mode, unlike the Bose.
Test Results
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Bose Surround Speakers 700 are tall, but they still have a small footprint. Note that we obtained these measurements without the power brick.
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.
- 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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This soundbar doesn't have a Full HDMI In, so it can't relay a video signal from an external source.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.