Bose Soundbar 300 vs. 500 - Which is worthwhile for whom?

Question 1

The US company Bose is one of the most renowned manufacturers of audio equipment. From smaller items like headphones to complete entertainment systems like soundbars, the company has been producing high-quality audio devices since 1964. Two top soundbars from Bose, the Bose Soundbar 500 and the smaller Bose 300 Soundbar are compared head-to-head below. You can find out which model is best suited for you here. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Question 2

[toc]

Dimensions and appearance of the Bose Soundbar 300 vs. 500

The [url="https://pvn.mediamarkt.de/trck/eclick/981118a0686aee08700dc979caa03855",name="Bose Soundbar 300",title=""] offers a compact and slim design with dimensions of 5.6 x 69.5 x 10.3 cm (HxWxD). The soundbar has a weight of 3.2 kg. The black color scheme makes the Bose 500 look very elegant and timelessly stylish.

The [url="https://pvn.mediamarkt.de/trck/eclick/981118a0686aee088930c610278cbdd0",name="Bose Soundbar 500",title=""] has a height of just 4.4cm and is thus somewhat flatter than the Soundbar 300. With a width of 80cm and 10cm depth, the Soundbar is significantly wider than the comparison model, but still fits perfectly under any TV and in the TV cabinet. The soundbar also weighs 3.2 kg and the color selection for this model is also limited to black.

In keeping with their elegant design, both soundbars do not have any large buttons for control directly on the box, but only have two plain controls on the top left to turn the speaker on and off and mute it. On the front and both sides, the soundbars have a metal cover grille. Both soundbars can also be mounted on the wall. For this you need the optionally available [url="https://https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07FFLVD8R?tag=frasch-21",name="Bose Soundbar Wall Mount",title=""], which is compatible for both models and available in black or white.

Sound

In the sound department, the Bose Soundbar 300 can really keep up well with the larger Soundbar 500.

Both Bose models are basically optimal for a small to medium-sized room and have an active amplifier type integrated. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in either of these models. However, both models have the option of expansions through subwoofers or wireless surround speaker setups. These ensure that the sound is fuller and more pleasant even in a larger room. Both the Bose Soundbar 300 and Soundbar 500 are supported by the Dolby Digital audio format.

The Bose Soundbar 300 features four full-range drivers facing left and right, as well as a center tweeter and two ports, providing room-filling sound with clear voice reproduction and powerful bass. The Smart Soundbar 300 analyzes played sound levels and amplifies both foreground and treble voices, so you can understand every word perfectly.

The sound from the Bose Soundbar 500 fills a small to medium sized room and remains balanced, clear, accurate and without outliers even at volume levels. For movies, there is a dialogue mode to improve the intelligibility of spoken words. Listen to music with the Bose 500, you can have your soundbar calibrate the optimal sound for each room individually through ADAPTiQ audio calibration. The adjustment requires wearing the included headset and connecting it to the box.[topdeals]

Connectivity and ports

Both Bose models can access both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants and have Airplay 2 integration, allowing you to link the Bose soundbars to your Iphone, tablet or MacBook. This allows for great flexibility when using the soundbar. A control can be performed by voice command, remote control or via the Bose Music App.

The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 further features the Bose Voice4Voice technology, which further extends the voice control function through Amazon Alexa. By means of this technology, you can no longer only control your soundbar, but also your TV and receiver via voice command.

The connection options for both soundbars are on the back. In addition to HDMI, there are jacks for optical cable, USB, a power port, and the ports for the subwoofer and bass box if purchased separately.
The Bose Soundbar 500 has added an additional ADAPTiQ port to the back for room-specific audio calibration, as well as an Ethernet port.

Thanks to compatibility with WLAN, Bluetooth (range up to 9 meters) and Apple AirPlay 2, you can also stream wirelessly at any time with both soundboxes and play content from Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music or TuneIn via your soundbar by linking it to your music services.

Both speakers can be connected to select Bose headphones via SimpleSync connection, for example, to watch TV without disturbing anyone.

Scope of delivery

In addition to the speaker itself, the Bose Soundbar 300 comes with a remote control including batteries, a power cord and optical cable, as well as the quick start guide.

The Bose Soundbar 500 comes with a remote control including batteries, the ADAPTiQ headset, a power cord, an optical and HDMI cable, and a quick start guide in addition to the speaker itself.

Price

In terms of price, the two Bose soundbars differ significantly from each other.
The [url="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08MQND49T?tag=frasch-21",name="Bose Soundbar 300",title=""] is currently available for 329.00€ on Amazon. The soundbar can additionally be supplemented with the Bass Module 500 as well as Bose Surround Speakers. In the online store of [url="https://www.bose.de/de_de/products/speakers/home_theater/bose-smart-soundbar-300.html#v=bose_smart_soundbar_300_black_eu",name="Bose",title=""], this home theater package can be found for just under 1250.00€.

[asin="B08MQND49T",type="standard"]

The [url="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07G8FWQSN?tag=frasch-21",name="Bose Soundbar 500",title=""] can be found from 484,16€ on Amazon or on [url="https://pvn.mediamarkt.de/trck/eclick/981118a0686aee088930c610278cbdd0",name="Media Markt",title=""] for a current price of 459.00€ (as of 06/24/2021). The total package of soundbar, bass modules and surround speakers is just under 1350,00€ for the Bose Soundbar 500.

[asin=nbsp;B07G8FWQSN",type="standard"]

Conclusion of the Bose 300 vs. 500 comparison

The Bose Soundbar 300 offers a sound that fills the room and clear dialogues. In addition, the soundbar is much more compact and narrower than the larger Soundbar 500. The model also offers the advantage of exclusive Bose Voice4Video technology.

The Bose Soundbar 500 is also a great soundbar and offers the highest sound quality. The model has ADAPTiQ audio calibration as an additional feature to optimally adjust the sound to your room.

It should be noted that Bose has launched great speakers with both the Soundbar 300 and the Bose Soundbar 500, and the two models are similar in many ways. In a direct comparison, the Bose Soundbar 300, however, as a price-performance winnerThe Bose Soundbar 500 is the best speaker for the lower price, especially in terms of sound, but also in all other categories, and it convinces with the additional feature of Voice4Video technology.

Answer 1

[toc]

Dimensions and appearance of the Bose Soundbar 300 vs. 500

The [url="https://pvn.mediamarkt.de/trck/eclick/981118a0686aee08700dc979caa03855",name="Bose Soundbar 300",title=""] offers a compact and slim design with dimensions of 5.6 x 69.5 x 10.3 cm (HxWxD). The soundbar has a weight of 3.2 kg. The black color scheme makes the Bose 500 look very elegant and timelessly stylish.

The [url="https://pvn.mediamarkt.de/trck/eclick/981118a0686aee088930c610278cbdd0",name="Bose Soundbar 500",title=""] has a height of just 4.4cm and is thus somewhat flatter than the Soundbar 300. With a width of 80cm and 10cm depth, the Soundbar is significantly wider than the comparison model, but still fits perfectly under any TV and in the TV cabinet. The soundbar also weighs 3.2 kg and the color selection for this model is also limited to black.

In keeping with their elegant design, both soundbars do not have any large buttons for control directly on the box, but only have two plain controls on the top left to turn the speaker on and off and mute it. On the front and both sides, the soundbars have a metal cover grille. Both soundbars can also be mounted on the wall. For this you need the optionally available [url="https://https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07FFLVD8R?tag=frasch-21",name="Bose Soundbar Wall Mount",title=""], which is compatible for both models and available in black or white.

Sound

In the sound department, the Bose Soundbar 300 can really keep up well with the larger Soundbar 500.

Both Bose models are basically optimal for a small to medium-sized room and have an active amplifier type integrated. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in either of these models. However, both models have the option of expansions through subwoofers or wireless surround speaker setups. These ensure that the sound is fuller and more pleasant even in a larger room. Both the Bose Soundbar 300 and Soundbar 500 are supported by the Dolby Digital audio format.

The Bose Soundbar 300 features four full-range drivers facing left and right, as well as a center tweeter and two ports, providing room-filling sound with clear voice reproduction and powerful bass. The Smart Soundbar 300 analyzes played sound levels and amplifies both foreground and treble voices, so you can understand every word perfectly.

The sound from the Bose Soundbar 500 fills a small to medium sized room and remains balanced, clear, accurate and without outliers even at volume levels. For movies, there is a dialogue mode to improve the intelligibility of spoken words. Listen to music with the Bose 500, you can have your soundbar calibrate the optimal sound for each room individually through ADAPTiQ audio calibration. The adjustment requires wearing the included headset and connecting it to the box.[topdeals]

Connectivity and ports

Both Bose models can access both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants and have Airplay 2 integration, allowing you to link the Bose soundbars to your Iphone, tablet or MacBook. This allows for great flexibility when using the soundbar. A control can be performed by voice command, remote control or via the Bose Music App.

The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 further features the Bose Voice4Voice technology, which further extends the voice control function through Amazon Alexa. By means of this technology, you can no longer only control your soundbar, but also your TV and receiver via voice command.

The connection options for both soundbars are on the back. In addition to HDMI, there are jacks for optical cable, USB, a power port, and the ports for the subwoofer and bass box if purchased separately.
The Bose Soundbar 500 has added an additional ADAPTiQ port to the back for room-specific audio calibration, as well as an Ethernet port.

Thanks to compatibility with WLAN, Bluetooth (range up to 9 meters) and Apple AirPlay 2, you can also stream wirelessly at any time with both soundboxes and play content from Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music or TuneIn via your soundbar by linking it to your music services.

Both speakers can be connected to select Bose headphones via SimpleSync connection, for example, to watch TV without disturbing anyone.

Scope of delivery

In addition to the speaker itself, the Bose Soundbar 300 comes with a remote control including batteries, a power cord and optical cable, as well as the quick start guide.

The Bose Soundbar 500 comes with a remote control including batteries, the ADAPTiQ headset, a power cord, an optical and HDMI cable, and a quick start guide in addition to the speaker itself.

Price

In terms of price, the two Bose soundbars differ significantly from each other.
The [url="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08MQND49T?tag=frasch-21",name="Bose Soundbar 300",title=""] is currently available for 329.00€ on Amazon. The soundbar can additionally be supplemented with the Bass Module 500 as well as Bose Surround Speakers. In the online store of [url="https://www.bose.de/de_de/products/speakers/home_theater/bose-smart-soundbar-300.html#v=bose_smart_soundbar_300_black_eu",name="Bose",title=""], this home theater package can be found for just under 1250.00€.

[asin="B08MQND49T",type="standard"]

The [url="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07G8FWQSN?tag=frasch-21",name="Bose Soundbar 500",title=""] can be found from 484,16€ on Amazon or on [url="https://pvn.mediamarkt.de/trck/eclick/981118a0686aee088930c610278cbdd0",name="Media Markt",title=""] for a current price of 459.00€ (as of 06/24/2021). The total package of soundbar, bass modules and surround speakers is just under 1350,00€ for the Bose Soundbar 500.

[asin=nbsp;B07G8FWQSN",type="standard"]

Conclusion of the Bose 300 vs. 500 comparison

The Bose Soundbar 300 offers a sound that fills the room and clear dialogues. In addition, the soundbar is much more compact and narrower than the larger Soundbar 500. The model also offers the advantage of exclusive Bose Voice4Video technology.

The Bose Soundbar 500 is also a great soundbar and offers the highest sound quality. The model has ADAPTiQ audio calibration as an additional feature to optimally adjust the sound to your room.

It should be noted that Bose has launched great speakers with both the Soundbar 300 and the Bose Soundbar 500, and the two models are similar in many ways. In a direct comparison, the Bose Soundbar 300, however, as a price-performance winnerThe Bose Soundbar 500 is the best speaker for the lower price, especially in terms of sound, but also in all other categories, and it convinces with the additional feature of Voice4Video technology.