The circle is complete with this Smart Soundbar 600 which has just been officially unveiled by Bose. Having finally set foot in 3D audio reproduction with the Soundbar 900, the manufacturer is adding a humbler, smaller alternative to offer a solution for smaller spaces, and to some extent lighter purses.
Without complexity, the Smart Soundbar 600 roughly resumes the bases initiated by its predecessors. The bar therefore maintains a very sober and minimalist appearance with a large front metal grille and the very discreet light aid. No glass surface this time around, the soundbar is protected by a dense matte plastic that proved sturdy to say the least when we handled the product in preview.
Still no fuss in terms of audio connections, since the bar is only equipped with a Toslink input and an HDMI eARC port, with exclusively support for Dolby streams, including Atmos. Wireless connectivity has not been left out with the Bluetooth + wifi combo. Support for the AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect protocols, as well as the ability to interact directly with Google Assistant and Alexa voice assistants, are still relevant.
Small, but brave, the Smart Soundbar 600 also wants to provide a very immersive sound experience to its users. That said, its acoustic design is to say the least refined. The bar indeed includes “only” five loudspeakers: one for the central channel, two oblong side ones placed on the left and right sides of this one, the height channels being reproduced by two loudspeakers located towards the center from the upper part (behind the grid that can be seen on the visuals) and obviously oriented towards the ceiling. Bass extension is provided by two bass reflex ports located at the rear of the bar.
In addition, unlike its big sisters, the Smart Soundbar is deprived of AdaptiQ acoustic calibration, which leaves doubts about the precision of sound rendering and surround spatialization. The allocation of a single loudspeaker to the reproduction of a front left/right and side left/right channel is also a curious choice, which will very probably have the effect of making the positioning of certain sources particularly diffuse, in particular on the front part. The few moments of listening in the company of this bar have not – for the moment – really reassured us on this point, but we will not hesitate to check all this when we carry out an in-depth test.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 will hit the market on October 24, 2022 for €549.
Bose Smart Soundbar 900
Introductory price 1000 €
- Used Amazon Marketplace
788.56
- Amazon
789.98
- Fnac.com marketplace
795.99
- Back Market
799.00
- Rakuten
811.20
- Fnac.com
899.00
- baker.com
899.00
- Darty.com
899.00
- Son-Video.com
899.00
- Used Amazon Marketplace
788.56
- Back Market
799.00
- Amazon
834.98
- Fnac.com
899.00
- baker.com
899.00
- Darty.com
899.00
- Son-Video.com
899.00
- Fnac.com marketplace
1,001.39
- Rakuten
1,050.21
- Amazon
789.98
- Fnac.com marketplace
795.99
- Used Amazon Marketplace
796.79
- Rakuten
811.20
- Fnac.com
899.00
- baker.com
899.00
- Darty.com
899.00
- Son-Video.com
899.00
How the pricing table works