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:
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.
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.
- 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
- 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:
- 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. You can connect up to three devices using the inputs (HDMI, Optical in and AUX in). The soundbar will automatically select the input it detects first (the first device that is powered on).
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- BOSE SMART SOUNDBAR 900: It’s the most immersive Bose voice control soundbar. Two custom-engineered upfiring dipole speakers work with Bose technologies to make it feel as if sound is coming from every direction — even overhead
- DOLBY ATMOS SOUNDBAR: This wireless Bluetooth soundbar lends an extra dimension of height to your sound. Proprietary Bose TrueSpace spatial processing analyzes and upmixes sounds for an enveloping listening experience in Dolby, stereo, and more
- SLEEK DESIGN: From material quality to construction and finishes to controls, Bose obsessed over every detail to produce a Bluetooth soundbar speaker that looks as astonishing as it sounds
- BUILT-IN VOICE ASSISTANT: Alexa and Google Assistant — Noise-rejecting microphones work together to listen in every direction for your commands, even when the music’s playing loudly. For times when you want privacy, just disable the microphones with the mic-off button
- VOICE CONTROL SOUNDBAR: Exclusive Bose Voice4Video technology expands your voice capabilities like no other smart soundbar can. In addition to controlling your Dolby Atmos soundbar, you can control your TV, cable and more with just your voice
- Bose Smart Soundbar 900 (Black) - Remote Control with AAA Batteries - Optical Cable - HDMI Cable - Power Cord - ADAPTiQ Headset - Quick Start Guide and Owners Guide (Online) - Bose 1 Year Limited Warranty - Bose Bass Module 700 for Soundbar, Bose Black
- Dolby Atmos
- TrueSpace spatial processing for content that is not Dolby Atmos encoded.
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay2 and Spotify Connect
- Built-in voice assistants - Alexa & Google Assistant
- Like no other: This elegant sound bar for TV, movies, music, and games delivers spacious sound, exceptional clarity, and rich bass, while finished in matte-Black with seamless metal grille.
- Acoustic performance: 5 full-range drivers deliver wide, clear sound, which makes it the perfect soundbar for TV, movies, games, and more.
- 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 Voice for Video technology expands your Alexa capabilities, allowing you to control this smart soundbar, your TV, and your cable,satellite box with 1 voice command.
- Connectivity: Pair your device to this wireless soundbar to stream your favorite music and more via a Bluetooth connection, your home Wi-Fi network, Apple AirPlay 2, or Spotify Connect.
- 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
- Bose Smart Soundbar 900 — It’s the most immersive Bose voice control soundbar. Two custom-engineered upfiring dipole speakers work with Bose technologies to make it feel as if sound is coming from every direction — even overhead
- Dolby Atmos soundbar — This wireless Bluetooth soundbar lends an extra dimension of height to your sound. Proprietary Bose TrueSpace spatial processing analyzes and upmixes sounds for an enveloping listening experience in Dolby, stereo, and more
- Sleek design — From material quality to construction and finishes to controls, Bose obsessed over every detail to produce a Bluetooth soundbar speaker that looks as astonishing as it sounds
- Built-in voice assistants (Alexa and Google Assistant) — Noise-rejecting microphones work together to listen in every direction for your commands, even when the music’s playing loudly. For times when you want privacy, just disable the microphones with the mic-off button
- Voice control soundbar — Exclusive Bose Voice4Video technology expands your voice capabilities like no other smart soundbar can. In addition to controlling your Dolby Atmos soundbar, you can control your TV, cable and more with just your voice
- Bose Smart Soundbar 600 (Black) - 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
- 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
-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.
Last update on 2023-05-23
