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Bose Solo 5 vs Sonos Playbar
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Bose Solo 5
Sonos Playbar
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:19 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:26 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.0
Channels3.0
Variants
- Solo 5 (Black)
- Playbar
Our Verdict
Bose Solo 5
Sonos Playbar
The Sonos Playbar is a better option than the Bose Solo 5. The Sonos can get noticeably louder and is better built. The Sonos also has a room correction feature to optimize its audio reproduction. The soundstage of the Sonos is also wider. On the other hand, the Bose supports Bluetooth, while the Sonos soundbar is only Wi-Fi compatible.
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Black
Solo 5
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comBlack
Solo 5
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B&HStandard
Playbar
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BestBuy.comBlack
Solo 5
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BestBuy.comStandard
Playbar
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Walmart.comBlack
Solo 5
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Walmart.comStandard
Playbar
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B&HStandard
Playbar
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LG.comNotice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.2
7.2
Stereo Soundstage
6.0
8.0
Center
6.7
8.8
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
21.7" (55.0 cm)
35.5" (90.1 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.7 cm)
3.3" (8.5 cm)
Depth
3.2" (8.1 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.5
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
No Preset
No Preset
Slope
-0.31
0.48
Std. Err.
2.57 dB
2.21 dB
Channels
2.0
3.0
Low-Frequency Extension
56.6 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
15.6 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.3
7.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
-2
1
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
-3
Slope
-0.25
-0.11
Std. Err.
2.31 dB
2.04 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
57.4 Hz
51.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
3.23 dB
2.63 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.0
7.7
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
87.4 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
1.86 dB
2.41 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.4
7.6
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.64
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.06
1.96
Center
6.7
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Discrete
Slope
-0.43
0.44
Std. Err.
2.59 dB
1.99 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
87.2 dB SPL
96.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.56
0.67
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.06
1.83
Surround 5.1
3.0
4.5
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.59
0.12
Std. Err.
5.86 dB
2.51 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
86.0 dB SPL
94.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.63
1.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.00
2.53
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Not Supported
Slope
N/A
N/A
Std. Err.
N/A
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
2.1
6.2
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
No
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
No
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
No
No
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
No
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
2
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
0.0
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
No
DTS
Not Supported
No
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
No
DTS
Not Supported
No
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.5
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
8.8
8.8
Latency Video
ARC
N/A
N/A
Optical
-35 ms
36 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
N/A
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
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
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Wireless Playback
6.0
2.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi Playback
No
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Spotify Connect
No
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
No
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
Sonos Controller
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
No
Check Price
Black
Solo 5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Solo 5
SEE PRICE
B&HStandard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Solo 5
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comStandard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Solo 5
SEARCH
Walmart.comStandard
Playbar
SEARCH
B&HStandard
Playbar
SEARCH
LG.com
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Bose Solo 5
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Bose Solo 5 vs Sonos Playbar: Main Discussion
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