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The premium-looking Bose Soundbar is a stand-alone 5.0.2 system. Contrary to the Bose Smart Soundbar 700, it supports Dolby Atmos content, which is frequently available on various streaming services. You may upgrade it to the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module for an even more immersive experience. We’re here with our Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review.
This soundbar employs the manufacturer’s PhaseGuide technology to beam sound throughout the room to create a broad, immersive soundstage. Like the majority of high-end bars, Bose’s ADAPTiQ room correction technology allows audio to be optimized based on the particular acoustics of your environment.
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review: Design and Features
The soundbar, which comes in black or white, has a glass top and a metal grill that surrounds the front and sides. The unit has virtually little ornamentation. It contains two touch-sensitive buttons in addition to the Bose logo on the front, one of which activates the voice assistant and the other of which mutes the microphone. The buttons, which are located in the top left, are so undetectable that you won’t see them unless you look really closely. Additionally, there is a tiny LED indicator next to the buttons. Depending on the function you’re using, it lights in a variety of colours and patterns.
One HDMI input and one optical digital audio input are located on the Smart Soundbar 900’s back. For wireless sources, it also supports Bluetooth and AirPlay 2. You can use the Ethernet port to make a physical connection to your network or the built-in Wi-Fi to connect wirelessly. Additionally, there is a 3.5mm input marked “Bass” and “IR” allowing wired connections to those devices, as well as a connector for the Adaptiq microphone (used for automatic room adjustment).
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review: Setup
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is a portable and adaptable Dolby Atmos bar that can fill your room with rich sound and look good while doing it (available at Amazon for $899.00). This is a single-piece solution, like many recent bars of this type, but Bose is glad to update it with wireless surround speakers (for a considerable cost).
Bose’s top bar isn’t as strong or cinematic on its own as competitors in its class, especially when it comes to the bass. However, those looking for a minimal Atmos setup could find it to be a perfect alternative because to its sleek form and simple functioning.
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review: Connectivity
The Soundbar 900 has disappointingly few connectivity options for its pricing. One HDMI (eARC) port, one optical digital input, one Ethernet port, and one USB port designated for service are all present. Additionally, there are 3.5mm ports for an IR blaster, an ADAPTiQ headset, and a wired subwoofer. With support for Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2, in addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2, wireless connectivity is pretty extensive.
There are numerous control options, but only touch-sensitive power and microphone on/off buttons are located on the soundbar itself. The latter’s inclusion offers some voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant, and Bose’s Voice4Video technology expands this capabilities so that you can also control other connected devices like your TV. You can purchase this game from its official website.
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review: Sound quality
Instead of having a lengthy manual, the Smart Soundbar 900 instructs you to turn on the speaker and download the Bose Music app. The setup procedure is guided by the app, which is convenient. It can take longer, but you won’t wind up tearing out your hair trying to figure it out. Additionally, you’ll need to give your data to the app, which you already know if you’re interested in the features of a smart assistant.
The app will prompt you to connect the Adaptiq headset toward the end of the configuration process. You will go to five of the most popular seating areas while the Smart Soundbar 900 calibrates the primary and upfiring “height” speaker for the characteristics of the room by delivering blippy noises for the headset to hear. The sound that the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 generates is generally rather good. How it adapts to oddly shaped rooms is very fascinating.
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review: Price
The imposing Sony A7000 is more over 51 inches wide. Regardless of how you manipulate the sound waves, there are physical restrictions at work here, but this bar is one of the slimmest and least intrusive individual Atmos systems I’ve tested.
The 900’s glass top sparkles lightly in the light, allowing you to enjoy the design or forget it’s there depending on your focal point, while its all-black facade subtly blends into my black-topped TV console. I’d even argue this one may have a visual advantage over most, if not all bars I’ve auditioned. Like Sonos and Apple, Bose knows how to design a box that seems as expensive as its price point promises.
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review: Final words
Overall, the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is an excellent soundbar. It includes all the features you could possibly desire in a high-end soundbar, including support for Atmos, multiroom functionality, and a tonne of additional features. However, the Sonos Arc, another $899 soundbar, has better audio quality. It does have a few benefits over the Arc. It looks more elegant and is smaller than the Arc. The Arc is a better option if sound quality is important to you and you aren’t locked into the Bose ecosystem. It makes sense to stick with a Bose soundbar if you already own other Bose speakers.