Bose Soundbar 550 vs 600: Which Bose Soundbar is Better for You?
By Elisabeth Christ
Updated July 2024
When it comes to enhancing your home entertainment experience, Bose has long been a trusted name in audio technology. The Soundbar 550 and Soundbar 600 are two standout options in their lineup, each designed to deliver exceptional sound quality and smart features. But how do they stack up against each other? In this comparison, we’ll explore their unique capabilities, helping you make an informed choice based on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you're a movie buff, a music lover, or someone who just wants better TV sound, we’ve got you covered.
Key Takeaways
The Bose Soundbar 600, priced at $499, features a 3.0.2 channel setup with Dolby Atmos and TrueSpace technology, providing a 56 x 694 x 104 mm dimension and weighing 3.13 kg. It offers extensive connectivity options, including HDMI eARC, optical audio input, USB port, Bluetooth 4.2, Apple AirPlay 2, and Chromecast. The Bose Soundbar 550, slightly cheaper at $449, delivers high-fidelity audio with a 3.0 channel setup, supporting Dolby Digital and DTS, and measures 58 x 690 x 104 mm with a weight of 3.2 kg. Both models integrate with the Bose Music app for sound customization and support Alexa for voice control, ensuring a seamless and immersive audio experience.
Bose Soundbar 550
Soundbar Suitable for Home Theater Experience
✓ Dolby Digital and DTS support
✓ ADAPTiQ Audio Calibration
✓ Multiple connectivity options
✓ Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
Bose Soundbar 600
High-Performance Soundbar with Advanced Features
✓ Enhanced Dolby Atmos experience
✓ TruSpace spatial processing
✓ Built-in Wi-Fi and bluetooth connectivity
✓ Sleek design with touch controls
#1 Price and Design
Bose Soundbar 550
The Bose Soundbar 600, priced at $499, features a compact, all-black, single-unit design that seamlessly blends into any living space. Measuring 56 x 694 x 104 mm and weighing 3.13 kg, it boasts two upward-firing speakers, two side-firing racetrack-shaped transducers, and a center speaker. This five-transducer system, made of high-quality plastic, uses a 3.0.2 channel setup, ensuring a sleek look and easy setup. Despite its modest size, it stands at just 2.2 inches tall, making it TV IR-friendly and comes with an eight-button remote for those who prefer not to use the Bose Music app.
On the other hand, the Bose Soundbar 550, at a slightly lower price of $449, offers a similarly elegant and streamlined design. It measures 58 x 690 x 104 mm and weighs 3.2 kg. The soundbar's black matte finish and minimalist aesthetic ensure it complements any modern home theater setup. Like the 600, the 550 is designed for easy integration into your living room, providing a balanced blend of style and functionality.
#2 Sound Quality
Bose Soundbar 600
The Bose Soundbar 600 delivers an impressive soundscape, powered by Dolby Atmos and Bose’s proprietary TrueSpace technology, which intelligently upmixes non-Atmos content to create an immersive audio experience. The result is an enveloping sound that enhances any viewing experience with a clear, wide image and crisp dialogue. TrueSpace technology ensures that even stereo or 5.1 audio content is upscaled, providing an Atmos-like experience regardless of the source. The soundbar also supports a Dialogue Mode through the Bose Music app, which further enhances vocal clarity for an exceptional audio experience.
Bose Soundbar 550
Meanwhile, the Bose Soundbar 550 excels in delivering high-fidelity audio with its finely tuned drivers. The soundbar supports Dolby Digital and DTS, providing a broad soundstage with crisp, clear dialogue and robust bass. The center tweeter enhances vocal clarity, ensuring dialogue is always prominent and easy to hear. The inclusion of Bose’s QuietPort technology in the 550 ensures distortion-free bass, making it ideal for both movies and music. Additionally, its ability to handle various audio formats ensures versatile performance across different media types.
#3 Compatibility and Connectivity
Bose Soundbar 600
Connectivity options on the Bose Soundbar 600 are comprehensive, including HDMI eARC, optical audio input, USB port, and an optional wired IR blaster connection. It also features Bluetooth 4.2, Apple AirPlay 2, and Chromecast support, along with Bose’s SimpleSync technology for seamless connection with other Bose headphones and multiroom network support. The soundbar’s compatibility with voice assistants like Alexa allows for hands-free control, while the Bose Music app provides extensive customization options for treble, bass, and sync/delay settings.
Bose Soundbar 550
The Bose Soundbar 550 is equally versatile, featuring HDMI ARC, optical audio input, and a USB port for easy connection to various devices. It also supports Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Chromecast, ensuring seamless wireless streaming from multiple sources. Like the 600, the 550 integrates with the Bose Music app for detailed sound customization and supports Alexa for voice-controlled operation. The soundbar’s multiroom capabilities make it a flexible addition to any home audio setup, allowing you to sync it with other Bose speakers for a cohesive audio experience throughout your home.
Bose Soundbar 550 vs 600
Final Thoughts
Bose Soundbar 550 vs 600
In comparing the Bose Soundbar 600 and Soundbar 550, both models offer exceptional sound quality, stylish designs, and robust connectivity options. The Soundbar 600, with its advanced TrueSpace technology and Dolby Atmos support, is perfect for those seeking a highly immersive audio experience in a compact form. Meanwhile, the Soundbar 550 provides versatile audio performance with enhanced bass and vocal clarity, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of media. Both soundbars cater to different preferences and needs, ensuring there's a Bose option suitable for any home theater enthusiast.
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