If you are in a hurry! here is a quick comparison of Bose Soundbar 700 vs Sonos Playbar.
|
Model |
Sonos Playbar |
Bose Soundbar 700 |
|---|---|---|
|
Audio output channels |
3.0 |
3.0 |
|
Bluetooth |
No |
Yes |
|
Wi-Fi |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Dimensions |
35.43 x 3.35 x 5.51 in |
38.5 x 2.25 x 4.25 in |
|
Weight |
11.9 pounds |
10.5 pounds |
|
External subwoofer |
No |
No |
|
Color options |
Black |
Black / White |
|
Remote control |
No |
Yes (Universal) |
|
Midrange Drivers |
6 |
4 |
|
Tweeter |
3 |
1 |
|
HDMI cable |
No |
Yes |
|
Voice assistant |
Yes (optional) |
Yes |
|
Dolby Digital |
Yes |
Yes |
|
DTS |
No |
Yes |
|
Wall Mountable |
Yes |
No |
|
Rating |
||
|
Price |
Soundbars have become a must-have for your home entertainment area. Most TV’s nowadays come with mediocre sound quality, which is why so many people want to buy soundbars so that they can improve their overall home-theater experience.
When it comes to soundbars, there are many options on the market, making the decision even harder for buyers. However, if you want a reliable and high-quality soundbar, you should go with Bose Soundbar 700 or Sonos Playbar.
Even though the Playbar was released back in 2013, it still packs a punch, and it is excellent even for modern standards. On the other hand, the Soundbar 700 is released in 2018, and it is one of the best products from Bose for your entertainment area.
Let’s jump into details and find out which is better, Bose Soundbar 700 vs Sonos Playbar.
Bose Soundbar 700
Bose Soundbar 700 is a premium home-speaker designed and built to the highest standards up-to-date. The Soundbar 700 went through many improvements over the lower version model (soundbar 500) and now has improved sound quality, more features, and incredible surround sound.
As you would expect from Bose, the Soundbar 700 looks and feels like a premium soundbar. It is 38.5 inches long and 2.25 inches tall, so it is a decent size for any living space. The only issue with the design is the glossy finish, which can be a nightmare to clean since all dust particles or fingerprints are visible.
The Bose Soundbar 700 comes in black or white, and they both look amazing. There are two hardly noticeable touch-sensitive buttons on the top in terms of controls. As an added functionality, there is also a universal remote control.
The best thing about the Bose Soundbar 700 is the audio quality. Its impeccable sound can extend to the furthest sound notes providing rich and vibrant sound. The 700 also has a surround sound feature that will impress you.
Pros
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- QuietPort and PhaseGuide Technologies
- Upgradable from 3.0 to 5.1 sound system
- Great sound quality
Cons
- Does not come with a subwoofer
Sonos Playbar
The Sonos Playbar, on the other hand, has been the obvious choice for a soundbar for years. Since it is an older model, you cannot expect impressive aesthetics, but it still delivers incredible sound quality without visually distracting the audience.
If you already have Sonos products, you’d probably know that they avoid using Bluetooth technology for streaming music. The only way to stream music is by connecting to the same Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi streaming is more reliable and lets you stream large files with better quality.
In terms of controllability, the Sonos Playbar has side panel buttons that let you control the music or volume without using your phone or remote. Unfortunately, the Sonos Playbar doesn’t come with HDMI input ports, but it has two ethernet ports.
Measuring 35.43-inches wide, 3.35-inches high, and 5.51-inches deep, it is just the right size for your home entertainment center.
Another great feature about the Sonos Playbar is the “Speech Enhancement,” which will ensure a crystal clear sound no matter the room’s size or things in the background.
Pros
- Well-built
- Balanced sound profile
- Clear dialogue
- Great “Speech Enhancement” feature
Cons
- Does not include a subwoofer
- The design might feel outdated
Bose Soundbar 700 vs Sonos Playbar – Face-to-Face
Design
In terms of design, the Bose Soundbar 700 has a more simplistic and eye-catching design. With its metal grille and glossy finish on the top, it’s one of the best-looking soundbars on the market.
Clearly, Bose wanted to create a minimalistic design, which is why there are only two touch-sensitive buttons on the top. One of the buttons is for Voice Assistants, and the other one can be optimized as an action button with custom navigation through the app.
The only thing that will catch your eye is the LED indicator on the Soundbar 700, which will flash when you use the voice assistant features.
They also have a different shape. The Soundbar 700 is wider than the Sonos Playbar, coming at 38.5 inches compared to the 35.5 inches on the Playbar. However, the Playbar is higher and thinner, coming at 5.6 inches tall and 3.4 deep, compared to 2.25 inches tall and 4.25 deep on the Soundbar 700.
Since the Soundbar 700 has a more compact design, it can fit perfectly underneath your TV.
When it comes to weight, they are almost identical, with Sonos Playbar coming a bit heavier at 11.9 lbs compared to the 10.5 lbs on the Soundbar 700.
Overall, the design of the Bose Soundbar 700 is sleek and modern and can fit perfectly into any living space. The Sonos Playbar looks great, but it feels outdated when you put them side-by-side with the Bose Soundbar 700.
Winner: Bose Soundbar 700
More: Bose Soundbar 500 vs 700: Which Is Better?
Sound Quality
The most significant deciding factor when you are buying your soundbar is the sound quality. However, Bose and Sonos are considered industry leaders in the audio industry, and their products are one of the best on the market. So, you cannot go wrong, choosing either one of these products.
The Bose Soundbar 700 comes with four mid-range drivers and one central channel driver. The drivers are designed in a way to include low-profile transducers, just to reach that extraordinary clarity.
Additionally, Bose incorporated QuietPort Technology with the recessed ports, which reduce distortion and provide clear sound no matter the volume level.
Furthermore, they’ve hit the home run with their PhaseGuide Technology, which directs multi-directional sound, creating a feeling like a full surround system.
In comparison, the Sonos Playbar comes with nine class D amplifiers responsible for dispersing sound in every room section. Six of those drivers are focused on mid-range tones, while the remaining 3 are tweeters.
Both of these soundbars have excellent audio performance, but the Bose Soundbar 700 has a slightly more accurate response and less compression when played on maximum volume. Overall, the Bose Soundbar 700 has superior audio quality.
Winner: Bose Soundbar 700
More: Bose Bass Module 700 vs 500: Home Woofer Comparison
Connectivity and Controls
The most significant difference between these soundbars is that the Sonos Playbar uses Wi-Fi for streaming music, while the Bose Soundbar 700 streams music using Bluetooth.
This doesn’t make a significant difference to the overall quality. The only advantage of using Wi-Fi for streaming is the controllability, which allows you to answer calls while playing music.
The Bose Soundbar 700 comes with built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, alongside an 8-microphone array capable of catching voice commands even when there is a lot of ambient noise.
Additionally, the 700 supports Apple Airplay 2, and there is a USB 2.0 for your external storage unit.
In comparison, the Sonos Playbar has no Bluetooth, USB, or built-in voice control. At the back, there are only two Ethernet ports, optical audio input, and the power socket. You can modify the Sonos to have voice assistance, but you have to separately purchase the Echo device.
For added controllability, the Bose Soundbar 700 comes with programmable universal control that can be used for controlling your TV or soundbar. The Sonos Playbar doesn’t come with a universal remote control.
Winner: Bose Soundbar 700
Setup
Setting up the Bose Soundbar 700 is a very easy and straightforward process, and it only takes 10-15 minutes to finish. The first thing to do is connect the soundbar to your TV, and you will be asked to download the Bose Music app.
This will walk you through the entire setup and calibration process. It is highly recommended that you go through the ADAPTiQ setup to get the best audio performance optimized for your room.
Connecting Wi-FI and enabling Alexa is also very simple. You just have to log into Amazon, and all of that can be done through the universal remote control.
In comparison, the Sonos Playbar is just as simple, but it requires an extra step. You have to plug the Playbar to your router or connect it with your Wi-Fi and download the Sonos app. This will tell you how to communicate IR signals to your TV.
Winner: Tie
More: Jabra 75t vs Sony WF-1000XM3: Which Truly Wireless Earbuds are Better?
Stand Out Features Of Bose Soundbar 700
Phase Guide Transducers
This revolutionary technology pushes sounds in every direction of the room, achieving the ultimate surround sound with only one speaker. The Phase Guide technology from Bose is excellent for creating the ultimate theater experience in your home.
It is not as great as setting a 5.1 channel surround system. Still, it uses the ADAPTiQ technology to analyze the room and optimize the sound so that it bounces off walls creating the ultimate surround sound experience.
Voice Assistance
Voice assistance is not the first thing that pops into mind when you think about getting a soundbar. However, the added functionality of having your home surround system and, at the same time, a smart speaker is very handy.
The Bose Soundbar 700 has an array of 8 microphones spread across its length. This means that it can pick up voice commands from anywhere in the room. The system functions perfectly even when you play music at a high volume.
You can use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to change through songs, open playlists, start music streaming, or check for online information like weather reports.
More: Bose Solo 5 vs Sonos Beam: Which Soundbar is Best?
Multiroom Usability
The multiroom usability feature allows you to sync more than one Bose soundbar in your home. This allows you to play music simultaneously in all rooms, or you can choose different music for each room all through the user-friendly app from Bose.
Universal Remote Control
Even though the Bose Soundbar 700 can be controlled through an app, it is nice to have a remote control that saves you the trouble of connecting your phone to the same network as the soundbar.
Bose’s universal control is premium quality and has various features that will let you control your soundbar or even your TV.
Stand Out Features Of Sonos Playbar
Many Drivers
To ensure the best sound quality, Sonos has nine drivers spread across its length. Six of them are mid-range drivers, and three tweeters. The Tweeters on each side are positioned at a 45-degree angle to deliver audio as wide as possible.
This setup lets the Sonos Playbar produce highly detailed sound, and both dialogue and music sound clear and precise.
More: Check our detailed review of Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Studio 6 Here
Deep Sound
Although the Sonos Playbar doesn’t come with a subwoofer, the sound quality coming from it is full-bodied enough that you don’t really need a subwoofer. Most soundbars have trouble creating punchy sounds, but the Sonos Playbar is great for music or watching movies.
Which Soundbar is Better: Bose Soundbar 700 or Sonos Playbar?
Choose the Sonos Playbar if:
- You want a less expensive soundbar.
- You want full-bodied sound.
- You want Wi-Fi streaming.
- You want the best value for money.
Choose the Bose Soundbar 700 if:
- You want a more vibrant sound.
- You want the latest surround sound technology with PhaseGuide.
- You want the ultimate movie experience.
- You want a breathtaking sound quality.
Both soundbars have outstanding sound performance and are built with the highest standards in the audio industry. In other words, you cannot go wrong by choosing either one of them.
After this comparison, it is evident that Bose Soundbar 700 has more modern technology and a lot more features to offer. Even the sound quality is superior on the Soundbar 700 despite that it has fewer drivers.
However, if you want a more affordable soundbar but still get a premium sound, the Sonos Playbar should be the obvious choice for you.
