When it comes to high-quality soundbars, two names that often come to mind are Bose and Sonos. Both brands have their own unique features and advantages, making it difficult to decide which one is better. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc soundbars, comparing their features, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing you’ll notice about the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc is their sleek and modern designs. Both soundbars are designed to blend seamlessly into any living room setup, with a focus on minimalism and sophistication.
The Bose 700 features a stainless steel grille that wraps around the entire bar, giving it a premium look and feel. The soundbar itself is relatively slim, making it easy to place in front of your TV without obstructing the view. It’s available in two colors: Black and White.
On the other hand, the Sonos Arc features a more futuristic design, with a sleek, curved profile that’s designed to fit seamlessly under your TV. The soundbar is made of a durable polycarbonate material and is available in two colors: Black and White.
In terms of build quality, both soundbars are extremely well-built, with attention to detail and a focus on durability. However, if we had to give a slight edge to one, it would be the Bose 700, which feels more premium and solidly built.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is perhaps the most important aspect of any soundbar, and both the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc deliver in this regard. However, there are some key differences to note.
The Bose 700 features a unique design that employs six mid-range drivers and two tweeters, which work together to produce a wide, immersive soundstage. The soundbar also features a proprietary PhaseGuide technology, which helps to direct sound to specific areas of the room, creating a more engaging audio experience.
The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, features a more traditional design, with five Class-D digital amplifiers, three tweeters, and four woofers. The soundbar also features Sonos’s proprietary Trueplay technology, which uses the microphone on your smartphone to calibrate the soundbar’s audio output to your specific room.
In terms of sound quality, both soundbars are extremely capable, with clear, detailed audio and good bass response. However, if we had to give a slight edge to one, it would be the Sonos Arc, which produces a more cohesive, immersive soundstage.
Dialogue Clarity
One area where the Bose 700 really shines is dialogue clarity. The soundbar features a dedicated center channel, which helps to isolate and amplify dialogue, making it easier to understand what’s being said. This is especially useful for movies and TV shows with a lot of dialogue.
The Sonos Arc also features good dialogue clarity, but it’s not quite as pronounced as the Bose 700. However, the Arc’s Trueplay technology does help to improve dialogue clarity by optimizing the soundbar’s audio output for your specific room.
bass Response
Bass response is an area where both soundbars could improve. While they both produce good bass for their size, they’re not going to rattle the walls or shake the foundation of your house.
That being said, the Sonos Arc does produce slightly deeper bass than the Bose 700, thanks to its larger drivers and more powerful amplifiers.
Smart Features and Connectivity
Both the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc feature a range of smart features and connectivity options, making it easy to integrate them into your existing home theater setup.
The Bose 700 features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to stream music from your smartphone or tablet. The soundbar is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control it with your voice.
The Sonos Arc features built-in Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity, making it easy to stream music from your iPhone or iPad. The soundbar is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as Sonos’s own proprietary voice assistant.
In terms of smart features, both soundbars are extremely capable, with easy integration with popular streaming services and voice assistants.
Price and Value
Finally, let’s talk about price and value. Both the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc are premium soundbars that come with a premium price tag.
The Bose 700 typically retails for around $800, while the Sonos Arc typically retails for around $900.
In terms of value, both soundbars are extremely capable, but the Sonos Arc offers slightly more features and better sound quality for the price.
Conclusion
So, is the Bose 700 better than the Sonos Arc? The answer ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for a soundbar with a more premium design and better dialogue clarity, the Bose 700 may be the better choice.
If you’re looking for a soundbar with better sound quality, more features, and a more immersive audio experience, the Sonos Arc may be the better choice.
In the end, both soundbars are extremely capable and worth considering, but the Sonos Arc offers slightly more value for the price.
| Feature | Bose 700 | Sonos Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Stainless steel grille, premium build | Sleek, curved profile, durable polycarbonate material |
| Sound Quality | Wide, immersive soundstage, good bass response | Cohesive, immersive soundstage, slightly better bass response |
| Dialogue Clarity | Dedicated center channel, excellent dialogue clarity | Good dialogue clarity, optimized with Trueplay technology |
| Smart Features | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Sonos voice assistant |
| Price | $800 | $900 |
What are the key differences between Bose 700 and Sonos Arc?
The Bose 700 and Sonos Arc are both high-end soundbars designed to deliver exceptional sound quality, but they have distinct differences in design, features, and performance. One of the main differences is the design and build quality – the Bose 700 has a sleek and modern design with a glass top and a more compact footprint, while the Sonos Arc has a more angular and futuristic design with a larger footprint.
In terms of features, the Bose 700 supports HDMI eARC, has built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, and comes with a universal remote control. The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, supports eARC, has built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, and comes with a remote control, but it also has additional features like Dolby Atmos and Trueplay tuning. The Sonos Arc also has a more extensive range of compatible devices and a more robust app ecosystem.
Which soundbar has better sound quality?
The sound quality of both the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc is exceptional, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The Bose 700 is known for its clear and balanced sound with deep bass, making it ideal for music and dialogue-focused content. It also has a more immersive soundstage, thanks to its PhaseGuide technology. However, some users find the sound to be a bit bright and lacking in warmth.
The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, has a more detailed and nuanced sound with better dynamics and a wider soundstage. It also supports Dolby Atmos, which provides a more immersive audio experience. However, some users find the sound to be too bright and fatiguing, and the bass response to be less robust than the Bose 700. Ultimately, the choice of soundbar will depend on personal preferences and the type of content being played.
Can I use the Bose 700 or Sonos Arc with my TV?
Both the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc are designed to work seamlessly with TVs, but they have different connectivity options. The Bose 700 has one HDMI output, one HDMI input, and an Optical input, making it compatible with most modern TVs. It also supports HDMI eARC, which allows for more advanced audio features like Atmos and DTS:X.
The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, has one HDMI eARC output and no HDMI inputs, making it more suitable for TVs with eARC support. It also has an Optical input, but it’s limited to stereo audio. Both soundbars are easy to set up and pair with TVs, but the Bose 700 might be a better choice for older TVs without eARC support.
Do the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc support multi-room audio?
Both the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc support multi-room audio, but they have different approaches. The Bose 700 is part of the Bose Smart Home Family, which allows it to connect with other Bose smart speakers and soundbars for whole-home audio. However, the system is not as extensive as Sonos’, and the app ecosystem is not as robust.
The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, is part of the Sonos ecosystem, which allows it to seamlessly connect with other Sonos speakers and soundbars for whole-home audio. Sonos has a more extensive range of compatible devices and a more robust app ecosystem, making it a better choice for those who want a comprehensive multi-room audio system.
Which soundbar has better voice assistant integration?
Both the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc have built-in voice assistants – Alexa and Google Assistant – but they have different approaches to integration. The Bose 700 has a more seamless integration with Alexa, thanks to its built-in microphones and wake-word detection. However, the Google Assistant integration is more limited, and it requires users to press a button to activate.
The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, has a more equal integration of both Alexa and Google Assistant, thanks to its built-in microphones and wake-word detection. However, some users find the integration to be less seamless than the Bose 700, and the voice assistant features are not as comprehensive.
How much do the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc cost?
The prices of the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc vary depending on the region and retailer, but generally, the Bose 700 is priced around $800-$900, while the Sonos Arc is priced around $800-$1,000. It’s worth noting that the Sonos Arc often comes with additional features like Dolby Atmos and Trueplay tuning, which might justify the higher price.
It’s also worth considering the cost of additional accessories and peripherals, such as subwoofers, rear speakers, and mounting kits. Both soundbars have a range of optional accessories, but the Sonos Arc has a more extensive range of compatible devices.
Which soundbar is better for gaming?
Both the Bose 700 and Sonos Arc are suitable for gaming, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The Bose 700 has a more immersive soundstage and better dynamics, making it well-suited for gaming. It also has a lower latency and supports HDMI eARC, which allows for more advanced audio features like Atmos and DTS:X.
The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, has a more detailed and nuanced sound with better dialogue clarity, making it well-suited for gaming with a focus on dialogue and storytelling. It also supports Dolby Atmos, which provides a more immersive audio experience. However, some users find the sound to be too bright and fatiguing, and the bass response to be less robust than the Bose 700. Ultimately, the choice of soundbar will depend on personal preferences and the type of gaming experience.