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Bose and Sonos are two leading names in the world of audio, so it’s no surprise that they’re both making their mark with intelligent soundbars.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is a premium device with exceptional sound quality. At the same time, the Sonos Arc is a slightly more expensive option with better bass depth.
The Bose Soundbar 700 and Sonos Arc offer excellent audio quality and have received plenty of praise. But which is the best option? We’ve taken an in-depth look at both soundbars to see how they compare on features, design, and performance so you can decide which is right for you.
Let’s dive right in!
Bose Smart Soundbar 700 vs. Sonos Arc: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bose Smart Soundbar 700 | Sonos Arc | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.72 cm H x 97.8 cm W x 10.8 cm D | 8.7 cm H x 11.42 cm W x 11.6 cm D |
| Weight | 4.76 kg | 6.25 kg |
| Material | Premium glass, metal grille | Matte |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Compatible App | Bose Music app | Sonos app |
| Colors | Black, Arctic White | Black, White |
| Price | $999 | $1099 |
Bose Smart Soundbar 700 vs. Sonos Arc: What’s the Difference?
Design
The first thing you will notice about these two soundbars is their design. The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 has a rectangular design with no buttons or knobs on its front panel. It has a sleek, minimalist design that fits into most TV setups without sticking out. It measures just over 6cm high and 1m wide. The central unit uses metal grille panels on each side to help hide its speakers and inputs, while the top panel is glass and houses touch buttons for volume control.
The Sonos Arc has a more futuristic design than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with a cylindrical shape. The Sonos Arc is similarly well-designed, with a clean black finish on the front panel that hides all of its buttons behind it.
The Bose weighs 4.7 kg while the Sonos is 6.2 kg, so the Sonos is significantly heavier. However, this should not be a concern as the weight difference does not compromise on sound quality or durability.
Connectivity
We have to give it to Bose when it comes to connectivity. The Sonos Arc does not have built-in Bluetooth connectivity, even though it can use Wi-Fi. The Bose 700, on the other hand, is equipped with both.
Both speakers offer Siri and Google Assistant, except that Sonos does not support Android apps despite having Google Assistant.
Controller
The Sonos Arc doesn’t come with a remote controller, meaning you will have to operate through the soundbar’s buttons or use the iOS and Android apps.
The Bose 700 includes a remote for controlling your device and has six presets available for you to choose from. The Boss 700 wins this round.
Sound Quality
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 delivers a full range of sound from the center channel and two side speakers. The two rear speakers deliver high-quality audio for movies without needing separate subwoofers or additional equipment.
The Sonos Arc has three front speakers with dedicated tweeters, making it an excellent choice for music lovers. It also supports Dolby Atmos, which is great for a more immersive listening experience and deep bass sounds.
If sound quality is a priority for you, then the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is the better option. If you like deep bass for a great music experience, you will probably like the Sonos Arc better.
Bose Smart Soundbar 700 Features
- Built-in voice assistants
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Universal remote included
- ADAPTiQ audio calibration
- Personalized Bose music app
Sonos Arc Features
- Dolby Atmos
- Voice assistant-enabled
- Touch controls
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Personalized Sonos app
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Bose Smart Soundbar 700 vs. Sonos Arc: 5 Must-Know Facts
- You can control your music, get information, and manage your day with Google Assistant and Alexa built right into the Bose Smart Soundbar 700.
- With the Bose Soundbar Universal Remote, you can manage all of your entertainment at the touch of a button.
- All your music is accessible in one place with the Bose Music app and seamless switching between services, stations, and playlists.
- For Sonos, Trueplay tuning technology adjusts the sound to the room’s acoustics and calibrates the height channels.
- When you use Apple Airplay 2, you can send sound directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then ask Siri to turn it on your Sonos system.
Pros and Cons of Bose Smart Soundbar 700 vs. Sonos Arc
Bose Smart Soundbar 700
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sleek design with exceptional sound quality | Limited features |
| Universal remote | No Dolby Atmos |
| Voice assistant built-in |
Sonos Arc
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sonos app can adjust bass, treble, and loudness | No Bluetooth |
| More woofers and drivers | Limited Android compatibility |
| Great bass | No controller |
Bose Smart Soundbar 700 vs. Sonos Arc: Which One is Better?
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 and Sonos Arc are two of the best soundbars you can buy now. They offer excellent sound quality and some of the best features on the market, making them perfect for your living room. But which one is better?
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 offers several features that make it stand out from other soundbars. It comes with Alexa integration, voice control, and Google Assistant compatibility. The Bose SoundTouch Music app allows you to listen to music from Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and more on your home theater system without grabbing your phone or tablet. It also comes with a universal remote with six presets to choose from.
The Sonos Arc offers many of the same features as the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 — including Google Assistant support — but it doesn’t come with a remote controller. Instead, you will have to operate through the soundbars buttons or use the iOS and Android apps.
Where to Buy
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 and Sonos Arc are available on the Bose and Sonos websites, respectively, as well as Amazon, here and here.
- The best performing sound bar from Bose, featuring an unmatched combination of sophisticated design and exceptional sound
- With alexa built in, just Ask to play music, get Answers to questions, and control smart home devices. An eight-microphone Array ensures superior voice pickup
- Play integrated WiFi music services like Spotify and music or use a Bluetooth Connection to play anything from your phone or tablet
- Designed for the Bose sound bar 500, the Bose sound bar 700, and sound touch 300
- Made of Premium steel for easy wall mounting
- Features Dolby Atmos
- Enhanced Trueplay tuning technology
- Class 10 for Full HD video recording and playback (Full HD (1920x1080) video support
You Should Buy the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 If…
- You’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use soundbar. You’ll get great sound and a simple setup process with this soundbar. It also comes with a dedicated remote for an effortless audio experience.
- You’re upgrading from an older Bose system. If you’re upgrading from an older Bose system, you might find this upgrade worth it because of how much more powerful it is. The 700 has more bass than its predecessor and more robust drivers that can handle louder volumes without distorting as quickly.
You Should Buy the Sonos Arc If…
- You have room for it. The Sonos Arc is a prominent speaker, so you’ll need to make room for it in your home or office. It weighs over 6kg, so make sure you know where to put it before buying one.
- You want something that sounds great. If you want one speaker that can fill an entire room with sound, then the Arc is probably your best bet.
Wrapping Up
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 and the Sonos Arc are excellent soundbars. They’re both great choices if you’re looking for a simple way to improve your TV’s audio.
But, if you want something a little more advanced, the Bose 700 has some extra features that may be worth the extra cost.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a simple way to improve their TV’s audio without having to deal with wires or complex setups. It offers solid sound quality and an intuitive control system that makes it easy to set up and use.
The Sonos Arc is also a top-notch soundbar that delivers solid performance at a reasonable price point — but it’s not quite as user-friendly as its closest competitor, Bose.
