Do you love Bose? Are you trying to decide between two of its top-quality soundbars, the Bose Soundbar 700 and the Bose SoundTouch 300? Both are well-designed and highly rated, so it's easy to see why these are two of your top picks. But how are they different?
The Bose Soundbar 700 is the newer version of the SoundTouch 300. The Soundbar 700 is double the price of the SoundTouch 300, and it has a few extra features, such as Alexa and Google Assistant, Airplay 2 compatibility, and an advanced microphone array.
The Bose Soundbar 700 and the SoundTouch 300 are very similar as far as build and design are concerned. Both include Bose's main technology features, but there are a few feature differences that may make a world of difference to you. Let's dive into them and see which one is the right fit for your needs.
Features: What Makes These Soundbars Stand Out?
Bose is one of the top manufacturers in the soundbar market, and both of these soundbars have a lot of features that help them to stand out from one another and from the competition.
Bose has designed both of these soundbars with a wide range of sought-after features. Both of these soundbars Dolby Digital and DTS audio formats, and they also have adapted audio room calibration to create the perfect sound for your room.
They both provide HDMI and optical connectivity, and they also both allow you to easily upgrade to a better sound system with the addition of Bose surround speakers and a subwoofer. Lastly, Bose's Quiet Port and PhaseGuide technology help to eliminate distortion and create a true surround sound coming from both of these soundbars, which is unique to Bose soundbars.
They both sound great on paper, but ow let's look at the individual soundbars in a little more detail to find out if the differences are things that will make you want to pick one of these over the other.
Soundbar 700
Contrary to the SoundTouch 300 and many other soundbars available on the market, the Bose Soundbar 700 (on Amazon) stands out with its built-in voice assistants: Google Assistant and Alexa. Since it has this technology built-in, it also includes the impressive eight microphone array to provide the best voice pickup possible, so that using those assistants is a smooth and easy process.
In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth integrations, you can also use Apple AirPlay 2 with the Soundbar 700. This soundbar also includes Bose's SimpleSync technology to give you the ability to pair your Soundbar 700 with the matching Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 (on Amazon). This is a really neat feature that allows better wireless audio than Bluetooth.
The addition of a universal remote makes it easy to control your soundbar and your other devices with only a single remote needed, and you can also control it with the Bose Music app. This minimization of remotes will help maintain your sanity if you have a big setup.
SoundTouch 300
The Bose SoundTouch 300 (on Amazon) has a ton of great features at half the cost of the Soundbar 700. You will enjoy Bluetooth with NFC pairing and Wi-Fi technology integrations for wireless streaming, and you can utilize HDMI connectivity with 4K pass-through.
It is also Alexa-enabled, so you can enjoy hands-free voice controls when you pair it with an Alexa device like the Echo Dot (on Amazon). In addition, you can easily control your SoundTouch 300 from your smartphone or tablet with the SoundTouch app.
Now that we have a good baseline for what makes these units fundamentally different, let's look at the details starting with the specifications and major features.
Comparing Specifications
Here's a spec sheet we made that easily compares both of these units.
Pros and Cons of the Bose Soundbar 700
The Bose Soundbar 700 is twice as expensive as the SoundTouch 300, and it was meant to be the upgraded version of the SoundTouch 300. It includes a wide array of added features, which make this it one of the best soundbars available right now.
Pros
- Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built-in, with an advanced 8-mic array to make using them seemless
- Proprietary, custom-designed drivers, including four midrange cones and one tweeter
- QuietPort and PhaseGuide for minimal distortion and true sound rings for best sound quality possible
- Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility
- Ability to easily upgrade to a 5.1 channel surround system with Bose Bass Module 700 & Bose Surround Speakers
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and App controlling available via Bose Music app
- Universal remote control available with voice control compatibility
- Stylish, slim design with tempered glass top
- HDMI ARC connectivity available, as well as USB input
- Bose SimpleSync™ technology for personal listening with Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Lightbar to show when your voice assistant hears you
- ADAPTiQ audio calibration to help you get the best listening experience possible in your room
- Supports Dolby and DTS technology
Cons
- The large soundstage can cause some sound diffusion
- Lacks bass internally and doesn't include a subwoofer
- Full HDMI input ports are not included
- High price, especially with no subwoofer included
- No included mounting hardware
Pros and Cons of the Bose SoundTouch 300
The Bose SoundTouch 300 is a long-standing favorite in the Bose soundbar line, and it puts up a big fight against its more expensive counterpart, the Soundbar 700. At half the price, but with many of the same features included, it might just be a better option for you.
Pros
- Speakers include four full-range drivers and a center tweeter
- Easily pairable with any Alexa-enabled device to add voice assistant functionality
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with NFC pairing technology
- ADAPTiQ audio calibration included
- HDMI connectivity with 4k pass-through
- Sleek and slim design with tempered glass top
- Controls through SoundTouch app
- Quiet Port and PhaseGuide technology to almost fully eliminate distortion and achieve better surround sound
- Mid-range price allows you to add-on subwoofer or surround sound speakers without breaking the budget
- Supports Dolby Digital and DTS
- Optional wall bracket included
Cons
- Alexa is not built-in, just compatible with an external Alexa device
- Comes with a tandard dedicated remote, not a universal remote
- No internal or external bass included with soundbar — external sub can be purchased separately
- Only one HDMI input included, which hinders the ability to connect home theater components to soundbar directly
Differences in Design
The Soundbar 700 and the SoundTouch 300 are very similar in design. If you didn't look very closely, you'd think they look the exact same.
They each come with a slim, sophisticated, and stylish design that will look great in any room. They are compact but still provide a great sound with several custom-designed internal speakers, plus external speakers as an optional add-on.
They each come with a reflective glass top and a metal grill surrounding the custom-designed compact speakers. They are also both able to be mounted, but you have to purchase the mounting materials separately with the Soundbar 700.
They have the exact same measurements at 2.25″ H x 38.5″ W x 4.25″ D. The SoundTouch 300 weighs 12.6 lbs and the Soundbar 700 weighs 10.5 lbs.
Differences in Setup Capabilities
These soundbars have similar setups, and both are simple and straightforward. You'll need to plug in your cords, download the corresponding apps, connect your compatible devices, and run the ADAPTiQ calibration. You should have a look at our article on connecting Bose soundbars to TVs if you need it later, but for now here are the key connection differences:
Cords
Once you've unboxed your soundbar, you'll connect your TV to the soundbar via the HDMI ARC connection and HDMI cable. The AC power cord needs to plug into the wall outlet and into the soundbar's power outlet.
Make sure to turn off your TV's speakers and enable the soundbar speakers to provide your sound. This is located within your TV's sound settings. And if you're using an HDMI-ARC connection on the Soundbar 700, you'll need to enable that in the setting on your TV as well. We have some more direction on using HDMI-ARC correctly if you're interested.
Apps & Integrations
Once connections are made, you'll want to download the corresponding app — Bose Music app for the Soundbar 700 and the SoundTouch app for the SoundTouch 300. Use your Bose account to login, then add the soundbar to your account. In your app, you can set up Wi-Fi and other integrations.
For the Soundbar 700, you can also program your universal remote to control your other devices, and we recommend taking the added setup time to do this as soon as you set up the device. Simplifying your home theater setups by reducing the controllers you have to manage is critical for a great (not just good) experience.
ADAPTiQ
After this, you'll want to run your Bose ADAPTiQ audio calibration to program the perfect sound for your unique room. For both, you'll need to plug your ADAPTiQ headset into the soundbar–don't worry, this comes in the box with the soundbar. Each will take 10 minutes of a quiet room.
You can use your remote to start the calibration process for the SoundTouch by pressing the SoundTouch button, then pressing and holding 8 until the TV & Bluetooth icon both turn green.
To start the calibration process for the Soundbar 700, you'll want to click the soundbar image on the screen, then click Settings > ADAPTiQ > Run ADAPTiQ.
Then, the process is as simple as moving around your room a few times, sitting in different listening positions, to let the headsets microphones map the room. You'll want all other sounds off for this–turn off any other TVs or music that might be playing.
Audio Quality: Which is Superior?
Both of these soundbars have great sound quality, and they are even better with the addition of the external subwoofer and surround sound speakers. When compared, the Soundbar 700 is loud, low, and more spacious, and the SoundTouch 300 brings a crisp, deep sound.
The internal speakers are very similar, so it is really hard to say which one is better on its own. It really depends on which external speakers you pair with them. The Soundbar 700 with the Bass Module 700 and the Bose Surround Speakers 700 take the sound of this soundbar above and beyond.
However, the SoundTouch 300 is actually compatible with the Acoustimass 300 Bass Module, the Bass Module 500, and the Bass Module 700. You can use the Virtually Invisible 300 Surround Speakers, the Bose Surround Speakers, or the Bose Surround Speakers 700. You can even pair the Soundbar 700 with any of these.
On their own, the audio quality is similar, and either of them can provide great surround sound with the addition of the Bass Module 700 and Bose Surround Speakers 700, which are the best quality external speakers that Bose offers.
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to it, these two soundbars are very similar. The one you choose will ultimately depend on the feature differences, as well as the price. The Soundbar 700 has a few more built-in features, but if they are not must-have for you, then the SoundTouch 300 is the better deal.
They both come with great add-on speakers and both are raved about for their sound. But if you value a more simplified, streamlined setup, then the universal remote and HDMI-ARC support of the Bose 700 are for you.
And if you're in an environment where you might want to go quiet, using the paired Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, then that's also a good reason to opt for the Soundbar 700. But if you're willing to spend this much, you may be interested in our comparison of the Bose Soundbar 700 with the Sonos Playbar.
But, you can pair wireless headphones with the SoundTouch 300, and if you don't mind fussing a bit more with cords and remotes, it may be worth saving the money to go with the SoundTouch 300 or, better yet, spending the difference on wireless surround speakers.
