Sheesh, this Bose Soundbar 300 versus 900 article could be the most one sided match up I have done so far! I am a huge fan of the entire Bose Smart Soundbar range. I put together a really fun Bose Soundbar 300 Vs 500 Vs 700 Which Is Better? article a while back and now I am putting the entire Smart Soundbar range from Bose up against their latest soundbar the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 which I am in love with right now! The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 was and is a great lower priced soundbar offering from Bose. I think we all know how this is going to go down, but I still think that it is going to be very interesting to see how the 300 stands its ground against the much more powerful 900.
The Price
One of the more interesting categories in this Bose Soundbar 300 and 900 showdown is the price. These are at very different ends of the pricing spectrum and that is something that can throw people off during these vs articles. You may think that as the 900 is like double the price of the 300, it is automatically out of the question. However, you do also have to factor in what that extra money gets you and you yourself then have to decide if it is worth the extra money or not.
Bose Smart Soundbar 300:
Due to the Bose Soundbar 300 not being exactly fresh off the production line, it can be tough to find a regular price for this. You were looking at between $399.99 to $449.99 when this was at its peak. Right now on Amazon, there are only third party sellers selling the 300 and they do not just have it on their own, they are packaged with stuff like an HDMI cable and you are looking at around the $450 range for this. There are more than a few of these on eBay right now and I have seen a new one go for as low as 300 bucks is a great price for a soundbar of this quality. It is worth noting that also on eBay are many used and refurbished 300’s, but that is entirely up to you if you want to take a gamble on one.
Bose Smart Soundbar 900:
The fact that the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is priced at $899.99 is something that I am very happy about. The previous model the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is priced at just 100 bucks less than the 900. When I heard about the 900, I thought for sure it was going to be over a grand so the fact they were able to keep it under that I was very happy with. For a Dolby Atmos capable soundbar of this quality, I think that 900 bucks is more than fair. I have actually used soundbars that cost more than this and they are not as good as the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. Yes, this is expensive, but it is in no way overpriced. As it is relatively new (as I write this) there are not many deals for this floating around at all right now. Given how the 700 kept its price for so long, I do not see that changing any time soon either.
The Verdict:
Even though the RRP of the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 is half the price of the 900, I do think that you are getting way more bang for your buck with the 900. The 300 is a great soundbar, it truly is. However, I just feel that the 900 is going to serve you far better in the long run. I know that an extra 400 to 450 bucks is a lot of money, but I honestly would advise that you consider saving up a bit longer and getting the 900 over the 300.
The Design
Next up in this rather unfair contest of Bose Soundbar 300 and 900 we are taking a look at the design. I would probably put Bose at the top of the list when it comes to who makes the best looking soundbars.
Bose Smart Soundbar 300:
I do like the overall design of the Bose Soundbar 300 and think that it has that Bose style and quality about it. Bose themselves have this Bose Smart Soundbar 300 – Unboxing + Setup YouTube video that is worth checking out if you want to see the soundbar from different angles and get a better idea of what it is like. The size of the Bose Soundbar 300 could be what makes it ideal for many people. The dimensions of this are 26.5” x 4.2” x 2.21” so it does not take up much space at all. While we are putting it up against the 900, size wise it is probably more of a match for something like the Sonos Beam Gen 2. Even though it is not a very large soundbar, it has a very solid and impressive build quality about it.
One part of the soundbar that I am a massive fan of is the grille. You may think that Bose would have gone for plastic or fabric here as it is much lower priced than some of the other Bose soundbars on the market. However, they have the same kind of metal grille here that they do on their more expensive and larger soundbars which was very impressive to see. It does not just cover the front, it wraps around the sides too which is a style that I really do like. The top of the bar is plastic, but it still looks great, but this kind of plastic can be a real magnet for dust so that is something to keep on top of.
Around the back of the Bose Smart Soundbar 300, you have your connections. As well as the obvious power cable, you also have a USB port that is there for updating the firmware if that is ever something that needs to be done. You have an HDMI port and an optical cable port as well. They also have a small port (standard jack) that is there with the idea of connecting a subwoofer to the soundbar. Bose has their own line of very high end subwoofer such as the Bose Acoustimass 300 Wireless Bass Module.
Bose Smart Soundbar 900:
I thought that the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 was already a great looking soundbar, but I do actually prefer the design of the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. It is very similar, but it has a couple of changes that I think make it overall better. Have a look at this Bose 900 Soundbar Review: A Dolby Atmos Beast? video as they do a great job when it comes to showing off the design. This is a pretty big soundbar coming in at 41,14” W x 2,29” H x 4,21. It is a little longer than the 700, but it is considerably longer than the 300. You will need a good-sized TV if you want this to sit between its legs. Also, make sure your TV unit is going to be able to have this sit on the top too. Bose has done a great job with this and it is every bit as well built as the Bose Smart Soundbar 700. It is the kind of thing that as soon as you hold it, you know you are holding a premium product.
The front and the sides of the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 are protected by a metal grille. Not only does this make sure the speakers are well protected from the environment, the kids, the pets, and possibly even the Decepticons too! It also looks freaking awesome; I would pick a metal grille every time if I was designing my own soundbar! The way it wraps around the side is something that is just so cool! On the top of the soundbar, we have a glass covering which is very stylish and something they took from the Bose Smart Soundbar 700. However, there is a pretty big difference here. As this is a Dolby Atmos soundbar, it has up-firing speakers, and where these are, the glass is open and there is a metal grille. It is a very cool design and something I am a huge fan of.
The front and up top are very appealing, but what about the rear of the Bose Soundbar 900? On the back, we have our hookups. You have an HDMI Arc and another full HDMI port as well. Even though you will need to have this hooked up via HMDI if you want that sweet Dolby Atmos, there is also an optical port on here too. There is also a port for a subwoofer like the epic, Bose Bass Module 700. Also, there is a USB port that is there for any kind of updates that the soundbar may need.
The Verdict:
Do not get me wrong, the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 was a great looking soundbar and even now it has a real charm about it that I love. However, there is no comparison between these two. With its impressive size and that glass top, the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is the clear winner here.
The Sound
If there is a category in this comparison of Bose Soundbar 300 and 900 that is really unfair it is this one here! The sound is the most important part of what a soundbar is going to offer you and there is a huge difference between what these two soundbars are offering when it comes to the sound.
Bose Smart Soundbar 300:
While the Bose Soundbar 300 is not the largest soundbar in the world, it still packs a fair punch. You may think that it might struggle to fill a room with sound, but if you were watching a big action movie like Independence Day for example, which has aged like a fine wine if you ask me. You can really appreciate what Bose has done with the 300. Be sure to have a look at this, Bose Smart Soundbar 300 | Everything You Need To Know! PLUS Audio Demo if you want to get a better idea of how the 300 manages to work wonders, despite it having a small stature. While I am all about getting the cinema experience at home. The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 was more aimed at those who want great sound, but are not as picky and anal about sound quality as I am.
That is not to say the sound is lacking! Anyone who goes from their TV speakers to the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 is going to be blown away by what they are hearing. I love the two new Stephen King’s It and think that they are the kind of movies that can really shine when played through the 300. You get that very clear dialogue thanks to the clear voice functionality, but even when Pennywise is going nuts and making a load of racket, you do not miss out on any of the dialogue. Bose did a great job with making sure the 300 produces a nice and balanced sound.
On its own merit, I think that the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 is fantastic. I think at this size, you are getting way more power than it has any right to be offering you. One movie I have a great memory of watching with the 300 is Creed. Specifically the epic final fight of the movie. It really did sound like you were in the stadium and I have to say it was far better than I imagined a soundbar of this size would be. Of course, we are not just looking at this on its own merit, we do have to compare it directly to the 900 and that is where things start to go very downhill for the poor little Bose Smart Soundbar 300!
Bose Smart Soundbar 900:
The fact that I have the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 in my home theatre tells you that I hold this in very high regard. If you want to go really in-depth with the soundbar have a look at this Bose Smart Sound Bar 900 Detailed Review video which is fantastic. I would have to rank the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 close to the top of the list when it comes to Dolby Atmos for under a grand. Just last night I managed to get the wife to watch Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City with me and it has a very immersive Dolby Atmos track, that in all honesty was probably the best thing about the movie as it really was not that great. Not as bad as many people say, but still not great. I am all about Dolby Atmos these days and this soundbar packs in some real power with those up-firing speakers and in my home theatre (I do have a full surround sound setup) I get what I feel is as close to cinema sound as possible in the comfort of my home.
I have had the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 for under a year at this point, but I have watched a ton of movies and TV shows with this. For Christmas, I got the 4K release of The Fifth Element and I was very impressed with the visuals and the new Dolby Atmos sound mix. A movie like this is great for showing off a soundbar like the 900 as it has a lot of loud action, but it also does a great job of showcasing how clear the dialogue is. No matter what else is happening in a scene, you can hear what people are saying nice and clear. Zootopia is actually a movie that is one of the best examples of this.
For years I have been trying to get the cinema experience at home and this soundbar is meeting my needs in that regard. Even movies that I have seen a million times such as Back to the Future: The Ultimate Trilogy I am being blown away with by what this soundbar is offering me. While it does not have a built in subwoofer, I still think that the level of bass and raw power that this has is more than enough. Still, if you can afford it, adding a subwoofer to this thing really does kick things up several notches.
The Verdict:
At the risk of sounding like Chandler Bing, could this round have been any more unfair? The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is the winner in every regard here! The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 is a solid little soundbar, but it does not even come close to matching what the 900 can do. To be fair, the 900 is way more expensive and it came out more than a few years after the 300. The 900 absolutely smashes the 300 in this category.
The Remote Control
We have a real personal favorite category of mine next as we look at the remote control that these are offering. This comparison of Bose Soundbar 300 and 900 is just like all the other comparison articles I do where I like to spend some time looking at how you can control the soundbar. Thankfully, both of these do come with a remote control and here we are going to see which one is best.
Bose Smart Soundbar 300:
I am pretty sure that each time I have talked about the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 here on the site I make the comparison of its remote control to a Fire Stick remote! It is a small and thin remote and I know this may sound harsh, but it feels like one of those cheap remotes you get when you buy a strip of LED lights. I am sure that some people will like the small size of it, but I am not a fan if I am being honest. I could deal with the design of the remote if it functioned well, but this is as basic a remote as Bose could have included with the 300! It only gives you the basic control over the soundbar. If you want full access to all of the features this soundbar has, you will need to have the Bose app on your phone or tablet. Bose would go on to make my all time favorite soundbar remote control with the Bose Smart Soundbar 700!
Bose Smart Soundbar 900:
Before the was released I would have put money on them using the same awesome remote control that they used with the Bose Smart Soundbar 700. I mean that remote was perfect why would they not use that? Well, turns out Bose did not want to use that awesome remote control and what they gave us was a huge downgrade. This is a very basic remote control and you cannot even get access to all of the features! You will need to use the Bose app if you want that. I was hopeful that I could just use my remote from the 700 with this, but that is not the case. The remote is not horrible, but a real bummer in comparison to what came before it.
The Verdict:
Even though the remote that came with the 900 was a disappointment it is still much better than the remote that comes with the 300. At the end of the day, neither of these remote controls are amazing as you will have to make sure you have the Bose app on your phone or tablet to get all of the features of the soundbars.
What Is In The Box?
We are finishing this Bose Soundbar 300 and 900 contest by looking at what you can expect to find in the box for each soundbar. I always like to know what I am getting for my money and that is why I like to make sure that you guys know what you are going to get for your hard-earned money.
Bose Smart Soundbar 300: Bose, Bose, Bose! What were they thinking when they were packaging up the Bose Smart Soundbar 300? Inside the box, you get your soundbar, power cable, and instructions as you would expect. They also give you the remote control and its batteries. Then there is a decent quality optical cable as well. If you are waiting for me to tell you that there is also an HDMI cable, you will be waiting a while! I think it is very lame that they did not throw in an HDMI cable as well as an optical cable in the box. I have checked out soundbars that are as much as half the price of this that come with both. HMDI cables are cheap enough and most people have spares in their house. However, that is not the point, a company the size of Bose could have included one here.
Bose Soundbar 900: Bose are really looking after their customers in regards to what is in the box for the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. You get the soundbar and the power cable to make sure it actually works! You also get both an HDMI and an optical cable which is a very nice touch. Speaking of a nice touch, Bose also throws in a set of batteries for the remote control. This also comes with the Bose ADAPTiQ Headset which is fun to play around with as it can let you get the sound calibrated just right for your room. The only thing missing here is the little cleaning cloth that the 700 came with. Just make sure you have a pack of cleaning wipes and you will be ok.
The Verdict: Even after all this time, I am still pretty mad that the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 does not come with both an HDMI and optical cable. It is crazy to me that the 300 does not come with a 300. The 900 on the other hand comes with everything that you need to make sure that it is ready to rock and roll right out of the box. It is expensive, but the 900 makes sure you have all you need.
What Is The Best?
We have come to the end of this very one sided Bose Soundbar 300 and 900 comparison. I am having a hard time thinking of another one of these things that was as one sided as this one was. Look, the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is the winner here. I like the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 as it is a solid soundbar and ideal if you do not have a lot of space or if the price of the 900 is just more than you are comfortable spending on a soundbar. However, in a direct comparison, there really is no contest here as the 900 wins every round and wins it pretty easily I might add. If you do want a more compact soundbar like the Bose Smart Soundbar 300, I highly recommend you look at the Sonos Beam Gen 2 which is currently priced at around the same price as the 300 often goes for! It is nice and compact, but it also sounds amazing thanks to it being Dolby Atmos compatible too.