Soundbars have become an essential addition to home entertainment systems, providing a significant audio upgrade over built-in TV speakers. When it comes to premium soundbars, Bose and Sonos are two well-respected names in the audio industry. In this comprehensive article, we’ll compare the Bose Soundbar 700 and the Sonos Arc, helping you decide which one is the ideal choice to enhance your home audio experience. We’ll explore their design, features, sound quality, and compatibility, providing you with all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Bose Soundbar 700
Let’s begin with the Bose Soundbar 700, a soundbar renowned for its sleek design and impressive sound quality. Here are the key features of the Bose Soundbar 700:
Design and Build
- Premium Aesthetics: The Soundbar 700 boasts a minimalist and premium design with a tempered glass top and metal grille, making it an elegant addition to any room.
- Compact Size: With dimensions of approximately 38.5 inches in width, 2.25 inches in height, and 4.25 inches in depth, the Soundbar 700 is compact and can be easily mounted on a wall or placed on a TV stand.
- LED Display: The front-facing LED display provides essential information and adds to the soundbar’s modern aesthetics.
Sound Performance
- Bose’s Audio Expertise: Bose is well-known for its sound quality, and the Soundbar 700 is no exception. It delivers clear dialogue, impactful bass, and a wide soundstage.
- Custom Drivers: The soundbar features custom-designed drivers to ensure impressive sound quality across various genres.
- Bass Performance: Bose’s commitment to delivering deep and resonant bass is evident in the Soundbar 700. It adds depth and richness to your audio.
- Voice Clarity: Clear dialogue is crucial in movies and TV shows, and the Soundbar 700 excels in this aspect, ensuring you won’t miss a word.
Connectivity and Compatibility
- HDMI eARC: The Soundbar 700 supports HDMI eARC, ensuring high-quality audio transmission from your TV and connected devices.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: It offers both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options, providing versatility in connecting your devices wirelessly.
- Voice Assistants: The Soundbar 700 is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for hands-free control of your audio and smart home devices.
- Bose Music App: The Bose Music app makes it easy to control your soundbar, manage settings, and stream music from popular services.
Sonos Arc
Now, let’s turn our attention to the Sonos Arc, a soundbar that’s part of the Sonos ecosystem, known for its emphasis on multi-room audio and wireless connectivity. Here are the key features of the Sonos Arc:
Design and Build
- Modern Aesthetics: The Sonos Arc features a modern and unobtrusive design, with a fabric grille that’s available in both black and white color options.
- Larger Size: In terms of dimensions, the Sonos Arc is approximately 45 inches wide, 3.4 inches high, and 4.5 inches deep, making it slightly larger than the Bose Soundbar 700.
Sound Performance
- Immersive Sound: The Sonos Arc takes pride in offering an immersive audio experience. It supports Dolby Atmos and creates a three-dimensional soundstage for a truly cinematic experience.
- Ample Drivers: With multiple drivers, including upward-firing drivers, the Sonos Arc delivers impressive sound quality, ensuring that audio fills the room.
- Speech Enhancement: Similar to the Bose Soundbar 700, the Sonos Arc focuses on enhancing speech clarity, making it perfect for dialogues in movies and TV shows.
Connectivity and Compatibility
- HDMI eARC: The Sonos Arc, like the Soundbar 700, supports HDMI eARC for high-quality audio transmission from your TV.
- Wi-Fi and Ethernet: Sonos relies heavily on Wi-Fi and offers an Ethernet port for wired connectivity, which can be a strong point for those seeking a stable network connection.
- Voice Assistants: The Sonos Arc supports voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, ensuring hands-free control and compatibility with smart home devices.
- Sonos S2 App: The Sonos S2 app allows you to control the Arc and manage settings, as well as access an array of streaming services.
A Side-by-Side Comparison
To help you decide between the Bose Soundbar 700 and the Sonos Arc, let’s compare them based on specific criteria:
Design and Aesthetics
Both soundbars offer sleek and modern designs, but the Bose Soundbar 700’s premium aesthetics and compact size might appeal to those who prioritize aesthetics and space-saving.
Winner: Bose Soundbar 700
Sound Quality and Immersion
The Sonos Arc’s support for Dolby Atmos and its larger size make it the winner when it comes to creating an immersive audio experience.
Winner: Sonos Arc
Connectivity and Compatibility
Both soundbars offer HDMI eARC and support for voice assistants. The Sonos Arc’s reliance on Wi-Fi and Ethernet provides a stable network connection, while the Bose Soundbar 700 offers versatility with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Winner: Draw
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Bose Soundbar 700 and the Sonos Arc are excellent choices, each with its unique strengths. The Bose Soundbar 700 stands out for its premium aesthetics and compact size, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize design and space-saving. Its sound quality and voice clarity are exceptional, offering a great audio experience.
On the other hand, the Sonos Arc excels in creating an immersive audio experience, thanks to its support for Dolby Atmos and its array of drivers. If you’re looking for a soundbar that delivers a cinematic audio experience, the Sonos Arc is an excellent choice.
Ultimately, the choice between these two soundbars depends on your specific preferences and priorities. Consider factors like design, sound quality, and connectivity when making your decision. Both soundbars promise to elevate your home audio experience, so you can’t go wrong with either choice.
