The new Bose Smart Soundbar 600 features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Chromecast built-in for total streaming control, and Works with Google Assistant capabilities and Amazon Alexa built-in for voice control. Bose all added its new Voice4Video technology, which when used with Alexa allows for a single command to turn the TV, switch input and tune to any favorite channel, while Bose SimpleSync allows users to pair the soundbar with compatible Bose headphones or Bluetooth speakers to further extend the listening experience - again a smart brand-specific implementation to workaround existing Bluetooth limitations.
"When sound truly captivates you, it can transport you from simply watching TV and movies to being fully present with what's on screen. For those who want to feel enveloped by their audio, but don't have a lot of space for equipment, the Smart Soundbar 600 is the ideal solution," says Raza Haider, chief product officer for Bose.
When Dolby Atmos content is available, precisely tuned Bose digital signal processing and Atmos decoding combine with the 600's five transducers to produce sound all around the listening area. Working in conjunction with each other, two side-firing racetrack-shaped transducers project audio horizontally into the room, a center tweeter delivers crystal-clear dialogue, and two up-firing transducers not only help the horizontal soundscapes, but reflect sound upward off the ceiling to make it seem as though it's coming from overhead.
When users are not watching Dolby Atmos-enabled content, they can still experience immersive audio with support from the same five transducers. Thanks to Bose TrueSpace technology, which intelligently analyzes signals at the input, when a stereo or 5.1 format is detected, the soundbar upmixes the audio to produce sound just as effectively with similar spaciousness. For TV and music listening, the built-in Bose QuietPort technology adds deep bass performance with virtually no distortion at every volume.
The Soundbar 600 is artfully designed to be small and compact. Without adding height to the enclosure, it still fits all of the transducers required to deliver high-quality audio — so performance is not compromised for size. The soundbar is 2.2" tall, 4.1" deep, and just over 27" long giving the speaker a low profile to fit effortlessly under any TV without obstructing it. And it features a refined matte body with a sophisticated wraparound metal grille all in black.
Another fundamental aspect of the new Bose Smart Soundbar 600 design is the simplicity of its setup and control interfaces. Users just need to connect one cable — either an HDMI eARC or optical cable — from the soundbar to the TV, and the soundbar automatically configures itself for the provided source.
But Bose also knows that consumers who buy a soundbar also require to use it as another part of a wireless home audio systems. The 600 offers flexible Wi-Fi streaming options with Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, or Apple AirPlay 2, allowing instant access to favorite streaming music services. And Bluetooth lets users connect their smartphone or tablet to stream whatever is playing on the device - Bose apparently doesn't believe that to be an important feature because it just added an old Bluetooth 4.2 module.
Instead, Bose wants users to consider other Bose products to surround the new Soundbar 600 for expanded features. That includes connecting all other Bose smart speakers and soundbars for a multiroom audio system, or adding Bose subwoofers and rear surround speakers for an even more robust home theater experience. Using the Bose Music app, user can setup, operate, and personalize the Smart Soundbar 600, as well as access Bose SimpleSync and get the latest software updates. Just in case, a dedicated IR remote is included with controls for volume, play/pause, Bluetooth, and more.
The reason why Bose is not very concerned with Bluetooth is the fact that the Smart Soundbar 600 features Bose SimpleSync technology, which allows users to pair and connect certain Bose SoundLink Bluetooth speakers or Bose headphones to the soundbar, without the frustrations and unreliability of standard Bluetooth (as long as the user remains within a range of up to 30ft (9 meters) in line of sight). This includes support to connect Bose headphones to the soundbar and use independent volume controls on each product to lower or mute the soundbar while keeping the headphones louder. And users can also use Bose SoundLink Bluetooth to connect other speakers to the soundbar.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 is scheduled to be available from October 20 for $499.
www.bose.com
