Bose Solo 5 vs Bose Solo: Which One is Best for You?

The appropriate soundbar may enhance your listening experience, while the wrong soundbar may not provide much of an upgrade over your existing factory speakers in terms of sound quality.

Given that you’re unlikely to purchase both the Bose Solo 3 and the Solo 5, which is the best option? Both have been put through their paces, and the results can be seen in our Bose Solo VS Solo 5 headphone comparison.

OverView of Bose Solo vs Solo 5:

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Bose Solo TV Sound System
Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote Control, Black
Product
Bose Solo
Bose Solo 5
Features
Wide sound with Bose technology, Digital signal processing, Extremely easy setup, Simple four-button design, Flexible placement
Bluetooth connectivity, Dialogue mode, Single connection to TV, Universal remote control, Flexible placement
Image
Bose Solo TV Sound System
Product
Bose Solo
Features
Wide sound with Bose technology, Digital signal processing, Extremely easy setup, Simple four-button design, Flexible placement
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Image
Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote Control, Black
Product
Bose Solo 5
Features
Bluetooth connectivity, Dialogue mode, Single connection to TV, Universal remote control, Flexible placement
CHECK OUT

Design

In addition, since the Bose Solo is a pedestal-style soundbar, it can support the whole weight of your television set. The remote sensor for your television will remain open, ensuring that it does not interfere with the operation of the remote control. However, even though a stand-type soundbar would not need installation on the wall, it is possible to do so if you choose.

The Bose Solo 5 is a soundbar with a more classic style, which is shaped like a bar. When compared to the Solo, it is more compact and lighter.

The Bose Solo 5 offers more versatility in terms of placing possibilities, however, we don’t recommend using it as a TV stand since it is not built to sustain the weight of your television set.

Despite the fact that the Bose Solo is intended to be used as a stand, it can only support television sets weighing up to forty pounds. The Solo would be ideal to install if you have a bigger TV that weighs more than this amount of weight.

When you first pull the Solo and the Solo 5 out of the package, they have a premium feel about them. Each of them also has a matte brushed surface that is very robust and scratch-resistant. In any decor, the basic black design would look great.

Connection

You’ll find the connection ports for the two soundbars in the rear. The analog, optical, and coaxial inputs are the only ones available on the Bose Solo, which is a limited number of options. Even though the Solo and Solo 5 do not support HDMI, the optical connection is capable of delivering crystal-clear music to your ears.

Dolby Digital is supported by both the Bose Solo and the Bose Solo 5. This indicates that the soundbars are capable of decoding audio quality at that level. Dolby Digital is the industry standard for stunningly clear and spacious sound, which we’ll go over in further detail later.

The Bose Solo 5 features three inputs as well, one of which is different from the Solo’s input. Connecting through optical, coaxial, or auxiliary cables are all options. A feature that the Bose Solo is missing is Bluetooth.

The Solo 5 can stream content from a variety of mobile devices thanks to the built-in Bluetooth.

Bose Solo

Sound

As is typically the case when comparing soundbars, the sound quality of the Bose Solo VS Solo 5 comparison is a significant thing to consider. The sound quality of the Solo and the Solo 5 are almost identical.

Both the Solo 5 and the Bose Solo are devoid of any sound-adjustment options or sound modes. There is a crisp conversation mode pre-programmed within the Solo 5, and the Bose Solo is well-balanced in terms of overall sound quality.

To put it another way, you receive the settings straight out of the box with no space for customization or modification. There is a limit to how much sound they can make due to the fact that they are both rather small designs.

Again, the tiny size of the Bose Solo 5 may be a disadvantage in this situation, but it all depends on the size of your television. The manufacturer speakers are larger in proportion to the size of the television, which implies that a larger soundbar is required to meet and surpass the size of the factory speakers.

Bluetooth

The Bose Solo 5 is the only model with Bluetooth built-in, as we previously said. The option should be quite apparent for those of you who consider this to be a critical feature. This feature is not available on the Bose Solo headphones.

When you use the Solo 5, you’ll be able to stream music and enjoy any other entertainment from your mobile devices, thanks to the increased audio provided by the soundbar.

Bose Solo TV Sound System
  • Wide, even sound throughout the room from Bose speaker array technology
  • More effects, music and dialogue, clearly and naturally, with proprietary digital signal processing
  • Single speaker fits neatly under your HDTV, no additional equipment needed
  • Extremely easy setup, with one connection to your TV and one plug to the wall
  • Simple four-button remote with power, mute and volume

Sale
18,510 Reviews
Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote Control, Black
  • Single sound bar provides better sound quality compared to your TV.The Solo 5 TV sound system is an easy solution, with advanced technologies that deliver the clear audio your TV can’t.
  • Dialogue mode to make every word and detail stand out
  • Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly stream music from any of your devices
  • One connection to your TV. Optical audio input (digital); Coaxial audio input (digital); 3.5 mm aux input (analog)
  • Universal remote controls TV, bass, Bluetooth connections and more

Control

Both headphones come with remote controllers. However, the remote for the Bose Solo is smaller and more fragile in comparison to the universal remote that comes with the Bose Solo 5.

The remote control has a straightforward appearance that complements the basic design of the Bose Solo. All of the buttons are well labeled and there are just four of them in total. These are the most fundamental restrictions, and they are pretty much all that the majority of people need in the first place. You have the ability to adjust the volume up and down, as well as the power button and the mute button, on your device.

Because the Bose Solo remote is not a universal remote, it will only operate with the Bose Solo, which is a bummer. On the other hand, a different degree of convenience is provided with the Bose Solo 5.

All of your gadgets, including your television, may be controlled via its remote. The users will find it more convenient since they will no longer have to hunt for a separate remote control each time.

A display and control panel are not included on either the front or the rear of the Bose Solo and Solo 5. Both approaches will need a significant amount of reliance on the remote, as a result. If you don’t need a display screen, there are other excellent options, such as the Samsung HW-J450 soundbar.

Setup

There is no difficulty in configuring any of the soundbars. Both devices use a plug-and-play design. To get started, all you have to do is connect it to your television using the given wires and configure the appropriate parameters on your remote control.

Regardless of the soundbar you choose, you must make certain that the connections are compatible with your television. Be aware that none of the soundbars has an HDMI port. On the Solo 15, there is no such feature.

Conclusion: Bose Solo vs Bose Solo 5?

After a few weeks of testing, our specialists have concluded that the Bose Solo is sufficient for all of the essential functions. However, the Solo 5 is a great option if you want Bluetooth and a few extra features.

Not that the Bose Solo is a bad soundbar. Thanks to this device’s no-fuss design, setup and use are a breeze. When put immediately beneath your TV, it won’t interfere with your TV’s remote sensor.

Best Seller List of Bose Soundbars:

SaleBestseller No. 1
Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, Black, Includes Remote...
  • Hear your TV better: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is a small soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound
  • Wide, natural sound: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar
  • Enhanced dialogue: This TV speaker is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation
  • Bluetooth TV Speaker: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Connect up to 3 devices through the inputs (HDMI, Optical in, and AUX in); the first powered on device will automatically connect
  • Simple setup: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes
SaleBestseller No. 2
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar With Dolby Atmos Plus Alexa and Google Voice Control, Surround Sound...
  • YOUR FAVORITE CONTENT NEVER FELT THIS DEEP: Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Voice Control is top-of-the-line wireless speaker, surround sound system for TV and so much more
  • DOLBY ATMOS SOUNDBAR: TV soundbar features Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace technology which separates sounds and places them in different parts of a room for an immersive spatial audio experience
  • ULTRA-CRISP DIALOGUE CLARITY: A.I. Dialogue Mode balances voice and surround sound for ultra-crisp vocal clarity, so you never miss what your favorite characters say again with this surround sound speaker
  • YOU NEVER HEARD IT LIKE THIS: With six transducers, including two custom-engineered upward firing dipole speakers, it will feel like your space is filled with sound from every direction, even overhead
  • VOICE CONTROL AT YOUR COMMAND: Control your entertainment, daily tasks and access information using your voice with Amazon Alexa
SaleBestseller No. 3
Bose Smart Soundbar 600 with Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth Wireless Sound Bar for TV with Build-In...
  • FULL IMMERSION FOR ALL ENTERTAINMENT: Smart Soundbar 600 is a Dolby Atmos soundbar that also features proprietary TrueSpace technology and two upward firing transducers to deliver shockingly immersive sound for all your movies, TV shows, and music
  • TRUESPACE ELEVATES IT ALL: No matter what you’re watching, Bose TrueSpace technology intelligently analyzes signals other than Dolby Atmos, like stereo or 5.1, and upmixes them to create an immersive multi-channel sound experience
  • PACKED WITH TECHNOLOGY: The acoustic architecture squeezes 5 speakers (including 2 upward firing) into a small, 27.5” wide soundbar to spread sound across the room: horizontally left and right, forward, and overhead
  • WIRELESS SOUNDBAR FOR STREAMING: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast built-in compatibility let you stream content anyway you want
  • TOTAL CONTROL: Amazon Alexa voice control is built in. Or you can access Works With Google Assistant capabilities with a compatible Google device. There’s also the included remote control and the Bose Music app for quick access to your music
SaleBestseller No. 4
Bose Smart Soundbar 700: Premium Bluetooth Soundbar with Alexa Voice Control Built-in, Black
  • Best Bose soundbar: The best-performing soundbar from Bose, featuring immersive sound, deep bass, and easy access to your entertainment. Use the Bose Music app for guided setup
  • Built-in Alexa: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are built into this smart soundbar for hands-free voice control. And a noise-rejecting mic system listens in every direction for your voice
  • TV voice control: Exclusive Bose Voice4Video technology expands your Alexa capabilities, allowing you to control this smart soundbar, your TV, and your cable/satellite box with one voice command
  • Make or take calls: With Alexa only, make or take calls from this smart soundbar to Bose smart products, Amazon Echo products, and anyone in your contacts list. Hands free, phone free, and free of charge.
  • Connectivity: Stream your favorite music and more via a Bluetooth connection, your home Wi-Fi network, Apple AirPlay 2, or Spotify Connect
Bestseller No. 5
Bose Solo Soundbar Series II - Black - Model 845194-110 (Renewed)
  • Easy-To-Use And Compact Soundbar. Standing just under 3″ (7 cm) tall, this soundbar can fit under most TVs. A high-quality steel wall bracket is included to mount it flush to the wall. And small LED lights on the front indicate when certain features are enabled.
  • Designed For Voice Clarity. In Dialogue Mode, the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II makes every word easier to understand — without having to adjust the volume. Simply press the Dialogue Mode button on the included remote to enable. Plus, built-in Dolby decoding creates a richer, more satisfying listening experience with remarkable realism.
  • More Music — Bluetooth Soundbar. Music, podcasts, and more. Listen to what you want, when you want with a Bluetooth connection to your device. Press the “Bluetooth” button on the remote to pair a device to your soundbar.
  • One connection to your TV
  • Basic remote and wall bracket included
SaleBestseller No. 6
Bose Smart Soundbar 600, Black Bundle with Wireless Surround Speakers (Pair), Bass Module 500
  • Bose Smart Soundbar 600 (Black) - Wireless Surround Speakers (Bose Black) Pair - Bass Module 500 (Black) - Remote Control with Battery - Optical Cable - HDMI Cable - Power Cord - Quick Start Guide - Bose 1 Year Limited Warranty
  • Fully immersive sound
  • Bose Truespace
  • Control with voice, remote, or app
  • Dolby Atmos
SaleBestseller No. 7
Bose TV Speaker, Bluetooth Wireless Soundbar for TV with HDMI-ARC Connectivity (Renewed)
  • Hear your TV better: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is a small soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound.
  • Wide, natural sound: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar.
  • Enhanced dialogue: This TV speaker is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation.
  • Bluetooth TV speaker: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts.
  • Simple setup: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes.
Bestseller No. 8
10 Reviews
Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar, Black, Bundle with Bass Module 700 and 2X Surround Speakers...
  • Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar (Black) - HDMI eARC Cable - Optical Cable - ADAPTiQ Headset - Power Cord - Remote Control (Battery Included) - Quick Start Guide - Bose 1 Year Limited Warranty - Bundle Includes: - Bass Module 700 (Black) - 2x Surround Speakers 700 (Black) - H&A Brand 10' HDMI Cable
  • Supports Dolby Atmos and Atmos-encoded content
  • Enjoy multi-channel sound even from content not encoded with Dolby Atmos
  • A.I. Dialogue Mode balances voice and surround sound for ultra-crisp vocal clarity
  • Pair with select Bose headphones and Bluetooth speakers using SimpleSync technology
SaleBestseller No. 9
18,510 Reviews
Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote Control, Black
  • Single sound bar provides better sound quality compared to your TV.The Solo 5 TV sound system is an easy solution, with advanced technologies that deliver the clear audio your TV can’t.
  • Dialogue mode to make every word and detail stand out
  • Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly stream music from any of your devices
  • One connection to your TV. Optical audio input (digital); Coaxial audio input (digital); 3.5 mm aux input (analog)
  • Universal remote controls TV, bass, Bluetooth connections and more
Bestseller No. 10
Bose Smart Soundbar 700: Premium Bluetooth Soundbar with Alexa Voice Control Built-in, Black...
  • Best Bose soundbar: The best-performing soundbar from Bose, featuring immersive sound, deep bass, and easy access to your entertainment. Use the Bose Music app for guided setup
  • Built-in Alexa: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are built into this smart soundbar for hands-free voice control. And a noise-rejecting mic system listens in every direction for your voice
  • TV voice control: Exclusive Bose Voice4Video technology expands your Alexa capabilities, allowing you to control this smart soundbar, your TV, and your cable/satellite box with one voice command
  • Make or take calls: With Alexa only, make or take calls from this smart soundbar to Bose smart products, Amazon Echo products, and anyone in your contacts list. Hands free, phone free, and free of charge.
  • Connectivity: Stream your favorite music and more via a Bluetooth connection, your home Wi-Fi network, Apple AirPlay 2, or Spotify Connect

-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.

Last update on 2024-03-28

Lance Ulanoff is a renowned tech journalist, commentator, and on-air expert with over 36 years of experience. He has held esteemed positions including Editor in Chief of Lifewire and Mashable, where he delved into the impact of technology on daily life. Lance's expertise has been featured on major news programs globally, and he has made appearances on Fox News, CNBC, and the BBC.