Soundbars have been steadily gaining popularity as a crucial component of home theater systems. They offer a more immersive audio experience compared to traditional TV speakers, and at a more affordable price point than full surround sound systems. With the market for soundbars growing, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your needs…especially when some options like the Bose soundbar 700 and 900 honestly seem so similar!
While the Bose 900 Soundbar offers Dolby Atmos and better sound quality overall, the Bose 700 Soundbar is slightly less expensive and excels at dialogue (but is also a great option for a home theater). Bose 700 equipment, like the bass module and surround speakers, can be used with the 900 soundbar.
So, let's start looking at the differences between the two soundbars, including their sound quality, design, features, and price. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of which soundbar is the right fit for your home theater system, and you may pick up some other home theater audio tips along the way. Let's dive in!
Bose Soundbar 700 vs. Soundbar 900 For Home Theaters
While these soundbars seem very similar, they have some key differences that can lead us to make a confident recommendation for most people trying to decide between these soundbars for their home theater:
Pro Tip: For more immersive Dolby-Atmos powered sound, choose the Bose Soundbar 900. If you're more concerned with dramas and dialogue, the Bose Soundbar 700 will do just fine.
We have a separate article you can use to connect your Bose soundbar to your TV after picking one, but for now let's dive into the differences in these systems so you can make an informed decision.
Key Differences – Bose 900 Has Better Audio Quality
When it comes to home theater sound, the Bose Soundbar 900 (on Amazon) has a clear spec. advantage over the Bose Soundbar 700 (also on Amazon). The Soundbar 900 has a total of 5.0.2 channels, which means it has five speakers and two up-firing speakers to create a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience. In contrast, the Soundbar 700 has only 3.0 channels, which means it has three speakers and no up-firing speakers.
In terms of overall sound quality and volume capabilities, the Soundbar 900 also has the edge. It has a larger body volume of 6418.51cm³ compared to the Soundbar 700's 5958.72cm³, which allows for a more powerful and dynamic sound. Additionally, the Soundbar 900 has a wider frequency response range of 40Hz to 20kHz, while the Soundbar 700 has a range of 55Hz to 20kHz.
So, what can we take form this? On pretty much any audio spec, the Bose 900 wins, so, we can confidently say it's a good choice. But is the Bose 700 simply enough?
Bose Soundbar 700
The Bose Soundbar 700 is a solid choice for a home theater sound system. It has a sleek design that looks great in any room and can be controlled with the Bose Music app, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant. The Soundbar 700 also has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can easily stream music from your phone or tablet.
One of the standout features of the Soundbar 700 is its Dialogue Mode, which enhances speech and makes it easier to hear conversations in movies and TV shows. The Soundbar 700 also has PhaseGuide technology, which delivers a more spacious and natural soundstage.
Bose Soundbar 900
The Bose Soundbar 900 takes home theater sound to the next level. With its 5.0.2 channel system and Dolby Atmos capabilities, the Soundbar 900 creates a truly immersive audio experience. The Soundbar 900 also has a sleek design that looks great in any room and can be controlled with the Bose Music app, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant.
One of the standout features of the Soundbar 900 is its up-firing speakers, which bounce sound off the ceiling to create a more three-dimensional soundstage. The Soundbar 900 also has ADAPTiQ technology, which automatically adjusts the sound to your room's unique acoustics for optimal performance. This is the “Dolby Atmos” capability we've mentioned a few times!
Can You Add a Sub to Either Soundbar?
Yes, you can add a subwoofer to both the Bose Soundbar 700 and Soundbar 900 for even more powerful bass. The Soundbar 700 is compatible with the Bose Bass Module 700 (on Amazon), while the Soundbar 900 is compatible with the Bose Bass Module 700 and the Bose Bass Module 500.
Adding a subwoofer to either soundbar will enhance your home theater experience and make movies and music sound even better.
Can You Use The Bose 700 Sub and Surround Speakers With The Soundbar 900?
If you already have the Bose 700 soundbar with its matching sub bass module and surround channel speakers (on Amazon), you may be wondering if you can use them with the 900 series soundbar. Fortunately, the answer is yes: if you already have this hardware on hand, you can upgrade just your soundbar to the 900 series to add Dolby atmos and keep the rest.
Comparing Other Features (Connectivity, Voice Control, Remotes)
When it comes to connectivity, both the Bose Soundbar 700 and 900 offer a variety of options. They both have HDMI ARC, eARC, and optical inputs, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. However, the 900 takes it a step further with the addition of an Ethernet port. This can be helpful for those who prefer a wired connection for more stable internet speeds.
In terms of voice control, both soundbars have built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This means you can control your soundbar with your voice, and even ask it to play music, set alarms, and control other smart devices in your home. However, the 900 has an additional feature of built-in voice assistants, which means you don't need a separate device to use voice control.
When it comes to remotes, the 700 and 900 have different designs. The 700 remote is more slender and has more buttons, while the 900 remote is smaller and sleeker with recessed buttons. Both remotes are made of soft-touch plastic and are easy to use. However, we recommend using the Bose Music App for better control over your soundbar.
Speaking of controllers, both soundbars can be controlled by the bose Music app, which is available on both the iOS and Android app stores. We recommend using this to have most control over your soundbar's performance.
And before we get too much further, just note that, while both of these soundbars are great, we also recommend you check out the more advanced Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 channel soundbar/sound system for home theaters. If interested, check out our review here. Now, back to the Bose 700 vs 900 discussion!
What Do Users Say?
Many users have praised both the Bose Soundbar 700 and 900 for their sleek design and easy setup. However, some users have reported connectivity issues with the Bose Soundbar 700. On the other hand, the Bose Soundbar 900 has received high marks for its immersive sound quality and powerful bass.
In our experience, users are happy with these pics, no matter which one they go with. Again, for action, movie-heavy usage, we really do prefer the Soundbar 900 for its Dolby Atmos sound, and some users have reported that the upgrade to the 900 is definitely worth it (reddit thread).
Have You Picked A Soundbar Yet?
This decision can be hard! Overall, users seem to be satisfied with both the Bose Soundbar 700 and 900. The choice between the two may come down to personal preference and specific needs.
Those looking for a sleek design and easy setup process may prefer the Soundbar 700, while those looking for the best sound quality may lean towards the Soundbar 900. But if you get either one of these, we think you'll be happy with it!
