Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs 900: Which Soundbar Reigns Supreme?
By Elisabeth Christ
Updated July 2024
In the ever-evolving world of home entertainment, soundbars have become essential for transforming ordinary TV audio into an extraordinary experience. Bose, a leader in audio technology, has introduced two remarkable contenders: the Smart Ultra Soundbar and the Smart Soundbar 900. While both models promise superior sound quality and advanced features, they cater to different preferences and budgets. This comparison will dive deep into their specifications, performance, and unique offerings, helping you decide which soundbar deserves a spot in your living room.
Key Takeaways
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, with its nine speakers including two upward-firing ones, TrueSpace technology, and support for 5.1.2 channels, delivers a 3D immersive sound experience enhanced by AI Dialogue Mode and Dolby Atmos. Its connectivity options include HDMI eARC, optical input, Ethernet, and wireless options like AirPlay 2 and Chromecast. On the other hand, the Bose Soundbar 900 features nine transducers, including up-firing speakers, and uses PhaseGuide Technology to create a wide soundstage with Dolby Atmos support. It also offers HDMI eARC, optical input, and Bluetooth 4.2, along with Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility, making it a versatile addition to any home theater.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
High-end Soundbar with Immersive Sound Profile
✓ Advanced Dolby Atmos support
✓ ADAPTiQ room calibration
✓ AI dialogue mode for enhanced vocal clarity
✓ Extensive and vaious connectivity options
Bose Soundbar 900
Premium Wireless Soundbar with Versatile Usage
✓ Wide and detailed soundstage
✓ PhaseGuide Technology for sound placement enhancement
✓ Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
✓ Polished glass top design and elegant build
#1 Price and Design
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
In the realm of premium soundbars, the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar and the Bose Soundbar 900 each command attention with their sleek designs and robust feature sets, both priced at $899. The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar measures 41.1 x 4.2 x 2.3 inches and weighs 12.68 pounds, making it a substantial yet streamlined addition to any home theater setup. Designed with a minimalist aesthetic, it features a glass top and a metal grille that wraps around the front and sides, giving it a modern and sophisticated look. This soundbar is ideal for televisions 50 inches and larger, ensuring a perfect visual match for bigger screens. Its two touch-sensitive buttons located on the top left side—one for voice assistants and the other for muting the microphone—add to its user-friendly design, while the mirrored surface lends an elegant touch, albeit one prone to attracting dust and fingerprints.
Bose Soundbar 900
The Bose Soundbar 900, available in both black and white, offers a similarly sleek and minimalist design. It measures 58.1 x 104.5 x 10.7 mm and weighs 5.75 kg, fitting seamlessly into modern home decor. The design includes nine transducers: two tweeters, four racetrack transducers, a center tweeter, and two dipole (up-firing) transducers dedicated to Dolby Atmos. This configuration not only enhances the sound quality but also complements the aesthetic appeal of the device. The Soundbar 900 also pairs well with televisions 50 inches and above, making it a versatile choice for various home theater setups. Despite its compact size, the soundbar is equipped with a robust feature set, ensuring it delivers an immersive audio experience.
#2 Sound Quality
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar sets itself apart with its proprietary TrueSpace technology, which, combined with Dolby Atmos, delivers an expansive and immersive audio experience. With nine speakers, including two upward-firing ones, this soundbar creates a rich and layered soundstage that envelops the listener. The AI Dialogue Mode ensures balanced sound and ultra-crisp vocal clarity, making dialogue-heavy content a pleasure to listen to. The spatial audio feature provides 3D immersive surround sound, enhancing the viewing experience by creating a wide soundstage with clear dialogue and impressive virtual surround sound effects. The absence of a dedicated subwoofer is mitigated by the soundbar's ability to produce deep bass and clarity, although users seeking even greater bass performance can opt for the Bose Bass Module 700.
Bose Soundbar 900
The Bose Soundbar 900 also excels in delivering exceptional sound quality. With Dolby Atmos support and Adaptiq room calibration, this soundbar adjusts to the acoustics of your room, ensuring optimal sound performance regardless of the space. The nine transducers, including the up-firing speakers, create a wide and immersive soundstage with impressive 3D effect sound. PhaseGuide Technology enhances the audio experience by directing sound to different areas of the room, making it feel as though the sound is coming from all around you. The Soundbar 900 also includes subtle modifications in the Bose Music app, allowing users to adjust the height of the up-firing speakers, the balance of the center speaker, and basic treble and bass EQ balance. The clear dialogue function ensures that voices are natural and easy to decipher, making this soundbar an excellent choice for both music and movies.
#3 Compatibility and Connectivity
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Connectivity and compatibility are crucial factors in determining the overall usability of a soundbar, and both the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar and the Bose Soundbar 900 excel in these areas. The Smart Ultra Soundbar offers a range of connectivity options, including HDMI eARC and an optical audio input, with both cables provided for convenience. It also features an Ethernet port for networking, ensuring a stable connection for streaming content. Wireless connectivity options include AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect, allowing users to stream music from their favorite services with ease. The Bose SimpleSync feature enables users to connect the soundbar to Bose wireless headphones for private listening, while Bluetooth connectivity allows for playback from various devices. Additionally, the soundbar supports multiroom network functionality, making it easy to integrate into a larger home audio system.
Bose Soundbar 900
The Bose Soundbar 900 is similarly equipped with a robust array of connectivity options. It includes an HDMI eARC and an optical audio input, as well as a subwoofer output (3.5mm) for those who wish to enhance their bass experience with an external subwoofer. Wireless connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices and streaming services. The soundbar also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, providing seamless integration with popular streaming platforms. The SimpleSync feature allows users to connect the soundbar to other Bose headphones, ensuring a cohesive audio experience throughout the home. The Adaptiq room calibration feature tunes the speakers for your seating positions, ensuring optimal sound performance regardless of the room's layout. These comprehensive connectivity options make the Soundbar 900 a versatile and user-friendly addition to any home theater setup.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs 900
Final Thoughts
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs 900
Choosing between the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar and the Bose Soundbar 900 ultimately depends on your audio needs and budget. The Smart Ultra is perfect for audiophiles seeking the ultimate immersive experience, especially for movie nights, while the Soundbar 900 offers exceptional value for those who want great sound quality without breaking the bank. Whether you prioritize advanced features or a more budget-friendly option, both soundbars provide a fantastic audio upgrade for your home entertainment setup.
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