Sonos Beam vs. Bose Soundbar 300: How Do They Compare?

When thinking about soundbars, the Bose Soundbar 300 easily comes to mind. Over the past few years, TVs have significantly reduced in size, and they now feature small speakers with reduced sound quality. This downsizing created the need for soundbars, which offer impeccable sound quality in a small, stylish design. 

As much as Bose has several good quality soundbars, other brands, such as Sonos, have created good soundbars that can match Bose’s quality, thus setting the stage for the Sonos Beam vs. Bose Soundbar 300 debate. If you’re stuck trying to decide whether to purchase the Bose Soundbar 300 or the Sonos Beam, then keep reading to find out which is right for you.

Sonos Beam vs. Bose Soundbar 300: Side-by-Side Comparison

Sonos Beam vs. Bose Soundbar 300: What’s the Difference?

As close as the Sonos Beam and Bose Soundbar 300 are, they have noticeable differences that will help you identify the best choice for you. Some people claim that the Sonos Beam is the ultimate winner, arguing that it has a better sound profile and surround performance than the Bose Sound 300. But is this true? You will find all the necessary information below. 

Price 

There is little to talk about regarding the prices of these powerful soundbars. Both models have almost the same price tag, Bose at $400 and Sonos at $450, making it tough to decide the best model based on the price alone.

But, on the positive side, the similar selling price will help you focus more on their more significant features. This way, you can make the best decision. 

Our Pick

Sonos Beam

$369.00

• You can control the Beam with your voice, remote, the Sonos app, and more.
• Class 10 for Full HD video recording and playback
• 25.6 inches
• Connects to other Sonos speakers 

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Keep in mind that the two models don’t come with subwoofers. Therefore, you should be careful about their prices if you plan to add a sub or a pair of surround speakers.

The Bose Soundbar 300 offers additional speakers at a fair price, and it would be the best option if you plan on spending less in the future. You will pay $400 for their bass module and $300 for surrounding speakers. 

On the other hand, Beam’s additional speakers are more expensive. You will spend almost twice as much for their bass module, which retails at $700. Their surrounding speakers will also cost you $350.

Performance and Sound

Both soundbars have the same number of in-built speakers, four full-range drivers, and one tweeter, producing ear-pleasing sound. But the Sonos Beam has gone the extra mile to include passive radiators to boost its bass effect. 

If you test the two models in your living room, you will find the Sonos is louder than the Beam. So, if you seek a soundbar primarily for entertainment, you might want to consider its max volume potential. Additionally, the Sonos has more bass than the Bose Soundbar 300, making it a plus for the Sonos, as many would pick a given soundbar based on its bass sound.

However, note that it’s difficult to know the difference between the max volume and the bass sound; they are literally on the same level. Therefore, keep reading to find more significant facts to help you make a solid decision. 

Features 

One of the most significant features, and potentially the deal breaker in this contest, is Bluetooth. If you want a Bluetooth soundbar, you can only pick the Bose Soundbar 300. Although Bluetooth may be considered odd in the 21st century, it has an impact in that your visitors can connect to the soundbar without necessarily having to download their apps. 

Although Bose wins with the Bluetooth feature, they don’t support audio formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS: X. On the other hand, Sonos Beam supports Atmos content, making it a modern soundbar and a pick for many buyers with devices that support Dolby Atmos content. Well, Bose Soundbar 300 should be heading in a similar direction as many TVs in this century support Dolby Atmos. 

Night Sound

Another plus for the Sonos is the Night Sound feature, which allows users to regulate the intensity of loud music at night. Therefore, you won’t have to disturb anyone at night as the Night Sound helps you control the loud volume while maintaining clear dialogue. 

While the Night Sound feature is something you will not get with the Bose Soundbar 300, it also has a way to ensure you don’t irritate your family and neighbors with loud sounds at night.

In this case, you will have to own Bose headphones. So, instead of stressing about how to regulate the soundbar volume to accommodate everyone, you can simply connect the Bose Soundbar to your Bose headphones.

Trueplay

Both models have impressive technology, although the Sonos has made significant advancements. Sonos Beam provides a Trueplay feature which is substantial for room corrections. The feature allows you to optimize the soundbar depending on how sound reflects on the surfaces of your room, ensuring the sound is excellent.

Real-Time Tuning

In contrast, the Bose doesn’t have the room optimization feature but offers real-time tuning. This feature automatically analyzes the content you are playing and fine-tunes the sound to improve your listening experience. 

Other similar features on the soundbars include support for Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, AirPlay 2, Spotify connect, and Wifi, which are significant features that shouldn’t be missing from a modern soundbar.

Design

Based on their design, you can spot the difference between the Sonos Beam and the Bose Soundbar 300. The Sonos has curved edges, while the Bose has rectangular ones. You get to choose either black or white if you go for the Sonos Beam, but the Bose Soundbar 300 only comes in black.

So, only get Sonos Beam if you are fixed on buying a white soundbar. The Bose Soundbar 300 incorporates metal and plastic. The front part is designed with a beautiful metal grille and premium plastic to give it a decent finish. On the other hand, the Sonos Beam has a perforated polycarbonate grille that is very versatile and resistant to dust.

Great Range

Bose Smart Soundbar 300

$399.99

• 5 full-range drivers
• Built-in Alexa
• Exclusive Bose Voice for Video technology expands Alexa's capabilities
• You can pair your device to the soundbar to stream your music and more via a Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi network, Apple AirPlay 2, or Spotify Connect

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04/07/2023 01:17 am GMT

The two models are almost the same in size; the noticeable difference is only ¼ inch high for the benefit of the Sonos Beam. The Sonos is 2.70 x 25.63 x 3.94 inches, while the Bose is 2.25 x 27.5 x 4 inches. Both models have touch buttons designed on top of the soundbar.

However, it’s disappointing that Bose only has the mute and action buttons on the soundbar; maybe that’s because they provide a remote, which the Sonos Beam doesn’t.

On the side of the Sonos Beam, there is almost every important control button. The touch buttons include the volume button, play and pause button, and a microphone mute button (also acts as an action button for the Smart Assistant).

Finally, the two models have similarly designed their speakers. You’ll find the single Tweeter in the middle of the soundbar and two drivers on both sides. You also get two additional speakers on the edges, placed at about 45 degrees angle. However, we can’t forget to point out the three radiators designed on the Sonos, two at the front and one at the back of your soundbar. 

Ease of Use

Firstly, keep in mind that the Sonos Beam doesn’t include a remote, and you will have to control your soundbar through the app or connect it to your home remote. Well, that might be an issue for many, but if you want a soundbar with a remote, you know where to place your money. 

Interestingly, both models have user-friendly apps, allowing you to make necessary adjustments to your soundbar within no time. The Bose and Sonos apps have almost all the entertainment services, including music, audiobooks, and radio podcasts.

Additionally, you can adjust your EQ to find the best sound for the content you are watching. For instance, you can control your bass by tapping on the Bass boost or Bass reducer icon using the Equalizer settings on the Bose app. The Equalizer settings allow you to customize your sound to project the sound you want. 

We can only finish by pointing out that both apps allow you to manage your system from anywhere in your house. You can adjust the volume, group the speakers to sync sound, and customize settings at any point. 

Connectivity

Both soundbars have HDMI (ARC) cable connectivity, which is better than an optical cord. Regarding connectivity, the two models have a lot in common. You can connect them to your TV using an HDMI or optical cable. However, it is worth noting that the Sonos Beam doesn’t have an optical port, so you need an adapter if your TV uses an optical cable. 

You also get the Ethernet port on the Sonos Beam which isn’t included on the Bose Soundbar 300. Although there is a wifi connection that will get the job done even without the Ethernet port, it’s a factor you should consider if you ever plan to use a network cable. 

Sonos Beam vs. Bose Soundbar 300: 10 Must-Know Facts 

1.  Sonos Beam comes in black and white, making the soundbar perfect for your living room. The Bose Soundbar 300, on the other hand, only comes in black.
2. Only the Bose Soundbar 300 includes a Bluetooth connection. You can alternatively use the cast function on Spotify or Apple Airplay to listen to music remotely using the Sonos Beam.
3. Both soundbars have 5 speakers, a single Tweeter, and 4 full-range drivers.
4. Both the Sonos Beam and Bose Soundbar 300 offer the ability to pair with other speakers for a multi-room audio experience. The Sonos Beam can be paired with other Sonos speakers, while the Bose Soundbar 300 can be paired with other Bose speakers to create an immersive audio experience throughout your home.
5. The Sonos Beam has three radiators for better sound performance. 
6. Both models feature AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Wifi, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.
7. The Sonos Beam includes an Ethernet port for better network connectivity.
8. The Sonos Beam supports some commonly used audio formats, including DTS and Dolby Digital, whereas the Bose Soundbar 300 only supports Dolby Digital. 
9. The Sonos Beam has a sleek, minimalist design that can easily blend in with any room decor. The Bose Soundbar 300 has a more traditional design with a slightly larger footprint.
10. Both the Sonos Beam and the Bose Soundbar 300 have a one-year warranty.

Sonos Beam vs. Bose Soundbar 300: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

The Sonos Beam and the Bose Soundbar 300 have very few differences. Both soundbars offer spectacular performance when used with your TV. Choosing a winner in this comparison can be challenging with their similar prices and designs. However, depending on your intended use, choosing one of the two is easy.

The Sonos Beam is perfect for you if you are a music listener. Its soundbar has impeccable sound quality and punchy bass, which is ideal for music listeners.

On the other hand, the Bose Soundbar 300 is a great option for movie and TV fanatics. Its vocal clarity is unmatched and offers the best dialogue and movie experience. However, both soundbars are excellent as they have no severe flaws, so choosing one over the other still guarantees excellent performance.