Bose Takes on Sonos With Latest Smart Speakers and Home-Theater Gear

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The smart home audio space has long been dominated by Sonos, whose speakers have been the go-to for fans of multiroom audio. But the competition has been heating up recently, with legacy brands like Denon, newcomers like WiiM, and tech brands like Apple and Google all offering their own takes on multiroom speakers. The latest player to get in the game is Bose, which unveiled its Lifestyle collection today.

The collection is anchored by the $299 Lifestyle Ultra speaker, a wired Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled speaker that lets you play multiroom or stereo sound. Bose has been associated with noise-canceling headphones for the better part of three decades, but the brand got its start in home audio with a line of quirky, pyramid-shaped loudspeakers in the 1960s, so it’s not new to the home audio space. But it has been a while since Bose has released a non-battery-powered speaker for home use.

In addition to the Ultra speaker, the line includes the Ultra Soundbar ($1,099) and Ultra Subwoofer ($899), which join Bose’s already solid home theater lineup. The collection is available on May 15, and can be preordered starting today at Bose.com.

Bose Lifestyle Ultra speaker

$299.00

Buy Now at bose

Available May 15

The Lifestyle Ultra speaker comes in black, white smoke, and driftwood sand, with each speaker featuring a fabric speaker grille wrapped around the plastic exterior. The look is stylish, without mimicking other smart speakers already on the market.

As for connectivity, the speakers feature Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect, although it would have been nice to see support for services like Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and others. The speakers are set up and controlled through the Bose app, and you also get support for Amazon’s Alexa+ smart assistant. Bose claims this is the first third-party speaker to go to market to feature Alexa+.

I got to hear Bose’s latest speakers and soundbars at Bose’s temporary showroom in New York, and the bass coming out of such a small speaker was impressive. A representative for the brand explained that they were able to achieve deep bass without distortion thanks to what they call their “QuietPort.” It’s a rear port that snakes through the inside of the speaker, reducing vibrations while enhancing the bass.

The emphasis on bass did occasionally lead the midrange and highs to sound bright, but there was little else to complain about in the (admittedly controlled) environment I heard these speakers in. It’s bold Bose sound in a package that’s smaller than most. One speaker could easily fill a bedroom or small living room, while a pair is well-suited to a bigger space.

While the smart speaker is targeted toward everyday use and small spaces, the Ultra Soundbar and Ultra Subwoofer feel more intended for the home theater enthusiast. At 43” wide, the Ultra Subwoofer would likely be best-suited for TVs that are at least 60”, so those in cramped city apartments may instead opt for Bose’s more compact Smart Soundbar. The speakers can also be used as rears when paired with the soundbar and subwoofer for a multichannel setup, so everything in the Lifestyle line is designed to play well together.

Bose Lifestyle Soundbar Ultra

$1,099

Buy Now at bose

It’s hard to predict whether the latest speakers will be a game-changer, but they’re certainly a shot across the bow at the smart home audio market. And while there are only three products in the line so far, the brand coyly promised that there’s more to come.

The smart speaker, soundbar, and subwoofer are all up for preorder now and will be released on May 15.