This is the soundbar I recommend if you have limited space at home (and it’s $100 off)

Key points of ZDNET

• The new Bose Smart Soundbar costs $499
• This soundbar offers premium features like AirPlay, Dolby Atmos, and unique integration with Bose headphones
• Its outstanding software features may be missing.

More purchasing options

These days, soundbars are an important component of your home TV setup. If your TV speakers aren’t working but investing in a sound system is too much of a cost or commitment, you might be looking to buy a soundbar.

While soundbars are an alternative for home theater enthusiasts on a budget, potential buyers may assume that the larger the soundbar, the better the audio experience. But that’s not always true, and Bose proves it. Bose’s latest Smart sound bar Launched with a compact design, many high-quality audio features and a dedicated feature Bose Ultra Open Headphoneswhich I will mention later.

Also: The best soundbars of 2024: Tested and recommended by experts

The new Smart Soundbar is a refreshed version of the Bose Smart Soundbar 600. It has the same size, connectivity, and speakers as the 600. Two software features differentiate the new Smart Soundbar from the old Smart Soundbar 600.

The first software feature, AI Dialogue Mode, uses machine learning to adjust your audio balance. As a result, the soundbar will enhance or attenuate lower or higher frequency sounds in real time to help you hear conversations more clearly.

The AI’s dialogue didn’t affect the noise or intensity of the explosions or blaring music while I watched curly. And while the high winds of the movie’s tornadoes tore through the town, I could still hear what Glen Powell was saying through his character’s thick country accent.

Also: I changed these 5 soundbar settings for a better TV viewing (and sound) experience

During Monday Night Football broadcasts, the AI ​​dialogue feature causes the announcer’s voice to sound strange, forced, and unnatural unless fans in the stadium drown out their voices . This feature is useful, but only if you’re really having trouble hearing the speaker’s voice.

In the past, soundbar software features were reserved for the TV you connected it to, but companies are looking for new ways to draw users’ headphones into their home audio experience beyond simply connect the two via Bluetooth.

Earlier this year, Sonos released Sonos Ace Headphoneslaunched with a feature called TV Sound Swap. This feature is compatible with select Sonos soundbars and converts audio from the soundbar to headphones to give the wearer a private, immersive viewing experience.

Also: One of the best cheap soundbars I’ve tested that performs as well as a model twice the price

Bose responded with a similar idea, integrating the Bose Ultra Open headphones into the user experience of the new Smart Soundbar. Ultra Open are open-back earbuds that give users an unobstructed listening experience, so their integration with soundbars is unique.

Bose’s new Personal Surround Sound feature incorporates Ultra Open that acts as the rear surround speakers when using the Smart Soundbar. You can toggle this feature in the Bose app, and I used it while streaming Can’t get enough by J. Cole on the soundbar via AirPlay.

Unlike Sonos’ TV Sound Swap, Bose Personal Surround doesn’t mute the soundbar once the headphones join the conversation. You can still hear the soundbar’s audio clearly thanks to the earpiece’s open design, and the earpiece subtly enhances the soundbar’s audio output. And it’s very subtle.

On the other hand, the new Smart Soundbar is equipped with AirPlay, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect as well as built-in Chromecast and Roku TV. Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s voice assistant are compatible with the soundbar and are available with Dolby Atmos.

Also: One of the best soundbars I tested that isn’t made by Bose or Sony (and it’s $500 off)

If your TV doesn’t have an eARC port to encode audio in Dolby Atmos format, Bose’s new soundbar is equipped with a Bose TrueSpace processor. This feature processes non-Atmos audio and adds height and depth to the sound through the stereo speakers, enhancing the immersive experience. You can plug the included optical audio cable into your TV and download the Bose app to adjust the audio channel’s pitch.

ZDNET Buying Tips

new one Bose smart sound bar is a great way to upgrade your home audio setup in a more compact and affordable way. Bose’s latest soundbar offers some of the same audio features as the Sonos Arc and Sennheiser Ambeo soundbars for at least $400 less.

If you have a small space or want a new, high-quality soundbar at a lower price, Bose has you covered. The Smart Soundbar is smaller than you think and has a beautiful, simple design that fits any home decor style.

That said, you don’t have to buy it Super open headphones to get the most out of this soundbar. The Personal Surround Sound feature is interesting if you already have the Ultra Open and are considering this soundbar. However, this feature adds so little to the overall user and listening experience that it’s not worth spending an extra $300 on earbuds. For an extra $100, you can buy a pair Bose surround sound speakers.