Soundbar advice please - Sonos vs Bose
Discussion
Hi all,
Having finally left my trusty 42" Panny plasma behind for a 55" LG OLED I'm realising that although I think the picture is superb, the sound isn't, so I've decided on a (decent) soundbar, or at least one that seems decent!
Trouble is which one! I can man-maths the budget to an extent, but don't want to go wild as this is the first foray into these new fangled wotsits
and have narrowed it to three choices. Room is a decent sized, but not capacious and not square. TV sits on a fairly large Atacama stand with 2 shelves - black smoked glass. Prices are Amazon, forgive me!
First, Sonos Arc - £748 - this would probably be on a standalone basis.
Second, Sonos Beam Gen 2, with a Sonos Sub Mini - total of £798
Third, Bose Smart 600, with a Bose Bass Module 500 - total of £798
I find it slightly amusing that both Sonos and Bose combos with Bass/Sub are priced identically
Anyone have any experience to share, recommendations or alternatives?
I would try and find somewhere to listen to both, but don't have anywhere particularly local, so thought the PH massive was a good alternative
Having finally left my trusty 42" Panny plasma behind for a 55" LG OLED I'm realising that although I think the picture is superb, the sound isn't, so I've decided on a (decent) soundbar, or at least one that seems decent!
Trouble is which one! I can man-maths the budget to an extent, but don't want to go wild as this is the first foray into these new fangled wotsits
and have narrowed it to three choices. Room is a decent sized, but not capacious and not square. TV sits on a fairly large Atacama stand with 2 shelves - black smoked glass. Prices are Amazon, forgive me!First, Sonos Arc - £748 - this would probably be on a standalone basis.
Second, Sonos Beam Gen 2, with a Sonos Sub Mini - total of £798
Third, Bose Smart 600, with a Bose Bass Module 500 - total of £798
I find it slightly amusing that both Sonos and Bose combos with Bass/Sub are priced identically
Anyone have any experience to share, recommendations or alternatives?
I would try and find somewhere to listen to both, but don't have anywhere particularly local, so thought the PH massive was a good alternative
I find I’m usually left wanting with Bose - I think the likes of Sonos have overtaken them now and where I’d be putting my money if I was buying a new one.
I have the original Sonos sound bar and have always been very impressed with it for clarity, dynamic range and clear volume. I’d suggest you consider holding of on buying the sub, as in my opinion the full size soundbars have more than enough bottom end. Or of course, if you can find somewhere you can trial with & without.
I have the original Sonos sound bar and have always been very impressed with it for clarity, dynamic range and clear volume. I’d suggest you consider holding of on buying the sub, as in my opinion the full size soundbars have more than enough bottom end. Or of course, if you can find somewhere you can trial with & without.
PR350 said:
Hi all,
I can man-maths the budget to an extent….
How well can you do this?I can man-maths the budget to an extent….
https://www.stereonet.com/uk/news/nakamichi-dragon...
beanoir78 said:
Have a Beam Gen2 for my office TV, it’s a definite improvement over the Gen1, quite noticeable particularly the dialogue.
I’m not sure it would be my first choice for a living room larger than 15sqm ish though.
I have the following in a 15sqm room:I’m not sure it would be my first choice for a living room larger than 15sqm ish though.
Beam Gen 1
Sub Gen 1
2 x One Gen 2 surround.
I am happy overall, I tweaked the surrounds to be slightly quieter but only by one or two clicks.
I find the sub is almost too powerful for TV and movies, great for audio though.
I have 2x One Gen 2 in the kitchen (wall mounted) and I am looking to pair them with a sub mini though actually I may move the sub to the kitchen and the a sub mini in the lounge, depending on how it sounds.
Thanks for the replies
Was out on Saturday in the M2 with my mate and we stopped at a big Curry's on the off chance.
They had a Sonos Beam gen2 and Bose 600 at opposite ends of the aisle.
Initially thought the Bose was way better before realising it was hooked up to the bass 500. When switched off and going back and forward between the 2 - the store loved me haha - it was close, but the Sonos just sounded better overall. Basically, we both agreed the Bose needed the bass to sound fuller, but the Sonos sounded really good even without a separate bass/sub. Can only believe the Sonos and sub-mini will therefore sound great.
Pulled the trigger on both the Beam gen2 and sub-mini from Amazon - arrives Tuesday.
Wonder how long it'll take me to get the surrounds too
Was out on Saturday in the M2 with my mate and we stopped at a big Curry's on the off chance.
They had a Sonos Beam gen2 and Bose 600 at opposite ends of the aisle.
Initially thought the Bose was way better before realising it was hooked up to the bass 500. When switched off and going back and forward between the 2 - the store loved me haha - it was close, but the Sonos just sounded better overall. Basically, we both agreed the Bose needed the bass to sound fuller, but the Sonos sounded really good even without a separate bass/sub. Can only believe the Sonos and sub-mini will therefore sound great.
Pulled the trigger on both the Beam gen2 and sub-mini from Amazon - arrives Tuesday.
Wonder how long it'll take me to get the surrounds too
I’ve got a years-old Samsung soundbar and SW and was looking at a Sonos recently - can’t remember which one but as a stand alone, it didn’t seem that good (and I have some Sonos Ones, so do like the brand) - the sound just felt a bit weedy. I think if I had heard it with the Sub as well, my opinion may have been quite different.
For now, I’m sticking with my £250 Samsung setup.
For now, I’m sticking with my £250 Samsung setup.
Just as a quick follow up
for those that suggested others, I guess I may be a bit weird in that with an LG OLED55C26LD TV I wouldn't for a second consider matching it with a soundbar from another manufacturer such as Samsung etc. and although I considered an LG soundbar the reviews seemed to point that they weren't quite there in the same way Sonos or Bose were.
The Sonos Beam gen2 and Sub mini arrived yesterday and after relatively easy set up - albeit I don't think I've truly got into this yet - the sound quality from a few test pieces was significantly and noticeably better. Well it should be, shouldn't it The vocals in particularly were crisper and, when called upon, the big sounds and kick in of the sub brought nothing but smiles
Very happy overall with the choice, although as always there's a back of mind nag about the Bose - bed, lay in it etc.
Only thing I wonder is whether the Sonos supplied cable for the eArc HDMI to Beam should be upgraded - would there be a noticeable uplift if I did, and if so what would be good? Again, a quick scan on Amazon led to numerous weird sounding cables I'd never heard of! Any expertise would be welcome with thanks for listening to the daft questions
for those that suggested others, I guess I may be a bit weird in that with an LG OLED55C26LD TV I wouldn't for a second consider matching it with a soundbar from another manufacturer such as Samsung etc. and although I considered an LG soundbar the reviews seemed to point that they weren't quite there in the same way Sonos or Bose were.
The Sonos Beam gen2 and Sub mini arrived yesterday and after relatively easy set up - albeit I don't think I've truly got into this yet - the sound quality from a few test pieces was significantly and noticeably better. Well it should be, shouldn't it
The vocals in particularly were crisper and, when called upon, the big sounds and kick in of the sub brought nothing but smiles Very happy overall with the choice, although as always there's a back of mind nag about the Bose - bed, lay in it etc.
Only thing I wonder is whether the Sonos supplied cable for the eArc HDMI to Beam should be upgraded - would there be a noticeable uplift if I did, and if so what would be good? Again, a quick scan on Amazon led to numerous weird sounding cables I'd never heard of! Any expertise would be welcome with thanks for listening to the daft questions
PR350 said:
for those that suggested others, I guess I may be a bit weird in that with an LG OLED55C26LD TV I wouldn't for a second consider matching it with a soundbar from another manufacturer such as Samsung etc. and although I considered an LG soundbar the reviews seemed to point that they weren't quite there in the same way Sonos or Bose were.
I have an LG OLED matched to a Samsung - it sounds fantastic!I also tried both the BOSE and SONOS at a demo in Richer Sounds, whilst good, they didn't sound as good as the Samsung to me.
Either way I'm sure you'll be happy
Q800A
Probably outdated already, but for the price point v sound at the time, it was a no brainer having listened to others.
https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/samsung/1414284/sa...
Probably outdated already, but for the price point v sound at the time, it was a no brainer having listened to others.
https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/samsung/1414284/sa...
Edited by Acorn1 on Wednesday 22 March 17:00
PR350 said:
Just as a quick follow up
for those that suggested others, I guess I may be a bit weird in that with an LG OLED55C26LD TV I wouldn't for a second consider matching it with a soundbar from another manufacturer such as Samsung etc. and although I considered an LG soundbar the reviews seemed to point that they weren't quite there in the same way Sonos or Bose were.
The Sonos Beam gen2 and Sub mini arrived yesterday and after relatively easy set up - albeit I don't think I've truly got into this yet - the sound quality from a few test pieces was significantly and noticeably better. Well it should be, shouldn't it The vocals in particularly were crisper and, when called upon, the big sounds and kick in of the sub brought nothing but smiles
Very happy overall with the choice, although as always there's a back of mind nag about the Bose - bed, lay in it etc.
Only thing I wonder is whether the Sonos supplied cable for the eArc HDMI to Beam should be upgraded - would there be a noticeable uplift if I did, and if so what would be good? Again, a quick scan on Amazon led to numerous weird sounding cables I'd never heard of! Any expertise would be welcome with thanks for listening to the daft questions
The supplied cable is just fine.for those that suggested others, I guess I may be a bit weird in that with an LG OLED55C26LD TV I wouldn't for a second consider matching it with a soundbar from another manufacturer such as Samsung etc. and although I considered an LG soundbar the reviews seemed to point that they weren't quite there in the same way Sonos or Bose were.
The Sonos Beam gen2 and Sub mini arrived yesterday and after relatively easy set up - albeit I don't think I've truly got into this yet - the sound quality from a few test pieces was significantly and noticeably better. Well it should be, shouldn't it
The vocals in particularly were crisper and, when called upon, the big sounds and kick in of the sub brought nothing but smiles Very happy overall with the choice, although as always there's a back of mind nag about the Bose - bed, lay in it etc.
Only thing I wonder is whether the Sonos supplied cable for the eArc HDMI to Beam should be upgraded - would there be a noticeable uplift if I did, and if so what would be good? Again, a quick scan on Amazon led to numerous weird sounding cables I'd never heard of! Any expertise would be welcome with thanks for listening to the daft questions
blingybongy said:
PR350 said:
Just as a quick follow up
for those that suggested others, I guess I may be a bit weird in that with an LG OLED55C26LD TV I wouldn't for a second consider matching it with a soundbar from another manufacturer such as Samsung etc. and although I considered an LG soundbar the reviews seemed to point that they weren't quite there in the same way Sonos or Bose were.
The Sonos Beam gen2 and Sub mini arrived yesterday and after relatively easy set up - albeit I don't think I've truly got into this yet - the sound quality from a few test pieces was significantly and noticeably better. Well it should be, shouldn't it The vocals in particularly were crisper and, when called upon, the big sounds and kick in of the sub brought nothing but smiles
Very happy overall with the choice, although as always there's a back of mind nag about the Bose - bed, lay in it etc.
Only thing I wonder is whether the Sonos supplied cable for the eArc HDMI to Beam should be upgraded - would there be a noticeable uplift if I did, and if so what would be good? Again, a quick scan on Amazon led to numerous weird sounding cables I'd never heard of! Any expertise would be welcome with thanks for listening to the daft questions
The supplied cable is just fine.for those that suggested others, I guess I may be a bit weird in that with an LG OLED55C26LD TV I wouldn't for a second consider matching it with a soundbar from another manufacturer such as Samsung etc. and although I considered an LG soundbar the reviews seemed to point that they weren't quite there in the same way Sonos or Bose were.
The Sonos Beam gen2 and Sub mini arrived yesterday and after relatively easy set up - albeit I don't think I've truly got into this yet - the sound quality from a few test pieces was significantly and noticeably better. Well it should be, shouldn't it
The vocals in particularly were crisper and, when called upon, the big sounds and kick in of the sub brought nothing but smiles Very happy overall with the choice, although as always there's a back of mind nag about the Bose - bed, lay in it etc.
Only thing I wonder is whether the Sonos supplied cable for the eArc HDMI to Beam should be upgraded - would there be a noticeable uplift if I did, and if so what would be good? Again, a quick scan on Amazon led to numerous weird sounding cables I'd never heard of! Any expertise would be welcome with thanks for listening to the daft questions
Dolby Atmos doesn’t require HDMI 2.1 though, so unless you’re streaming 24bit music, then a lower spec cable will be fine.
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