When it comes to looking for a soundbar, Bose is often one of the first names that come to mind. Bose has a relatively extensive range, so settling on one can be a rather cumbersome task. To make your life easier, here’s a look at the Bose 300 compared to the Bose 700.
Bose 300 Specifications
- Price: £449.95
- Dimensions: 2.25 inches x 27.5 inches x 4 inches
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Colours: Bose Black
- Speakers/drivers: 3.0 system, four full-range drivers
- Wireless connection: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
- Wired connection: HDMI ARC, IR port, optical input, bass module
- Smart technology: Bose Music app, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
- Sound formats: Dolby Digital
- Video support: No 4K/HDR pass-thru
Bose 700 Specifications
- Price: £799.95
- Dimensions: 2.25 inches x 38.5 inches x 4.25 inches
- Weight: 10.5 pounds
- Colours: Black, Arctic White
- Speakers/drivers: 3.0 system, four mid-range drivers
- Wireless connection: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2
- Inputs: HDMI ARC input, optical, wired bass module connection, Wired IR blaster, Consumer Electronics Control, Ethernet, ADAPTiQ input
- Smart technology: Bose Music app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Sound formats: Dolby Digital, DTS
- Video support: No 4K/HDR pass-thru
What Are The Main Differences Between Them?
The Bose Soundbar is the successor of the Bose SoundTouch which most notably used the Soundtouch app to control the rear speakers. The Soundbar 700 is simply a bigger version of the Soundbar 300, so there aren’t that many differences between the two.
Both soundbars come with what you’d expect in the box, such as an AC power cord and optical cable, however, the Bose Soundbar 700 comes with a few extras. For instance, you can expect a remote control with either model but the 700’s one is a universal remote. The Soundbar 700 also allows you to program your own universal remote to use it.
Additionally, the 700 comes with a cleaning cloth, an ADAPTiQ headset, and an HDMI cable, which also explains why it costs more.
This brings us to the first big difference: the price. At £449.95, the Soundbar 300 is almost half the cost of the 700 priced at £799.95. This is not to say that the price makes it a less or more attractive option.
They don’t differ that much in terms of their design but the 700 is physically bigger, has an alternative colour option, and comes with more input options.
Pros and Cons of the 300
Pros
- Rich sound
- Premium build and design
- Good wireless connectivity options
- Bass adjustment feature
- Private headphone listening
- Can get to a high volume with minimal compression artefacts
Cons
- No EQ or room correction
- Lacks low bass
- Difficult setup
- No Dolby Atmos support
- Doesn’t support all music services such as Apple Music and TIDAL
- Expensive considering size
Pros and Cons of the 700
Pros
- Sleek design
- Wide sound field
- Good app integration
- Room correction
- Superior voice pickup
- Useful multifunctional remote control
- Private listening option
Cons
- No video passthrough
- No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
- Relatively light on bass
- Overpriced considering the feature set
- Lack of music service support
Which is better, Bose 300 or Bose 700?
The Bose 700 can easily be described as a larger Bose 300 with extra trimmings. Considering that they both retail at significantly different prices, labelling one as better than the other can be a bit unfair in some senses. However, deciding on which one is “better” can come down to three criteria: audio quality, design, and the features they offer.
Sound quality
Bose soundbars are designed to offer high-quality audio and neither of these soundbars disappoints in that regard. They have similar integrations as far as the technology they use is concerned but in terms of overall audio performance, the 700 will easily outperform the 300.
Bose tends to be very secretive when it comes to the exact audio specifications but the absence of ADAPTIQ audio room calibration on the 300 is one of the reasons why the 700 is better in this regard. ADAPTIQ can be particularly useful when switching between music genres.
The Soundbar 300 will certainly outperform your TV speakers but it won’t beat the 700 which can produce deep sound that is loud and more spacious; really filling up even the largest room.
Both could benefit from having a separate subwoofer and surround speakers to produce better surround sound and further complement what they bring to the table.
Design
Both speakers have a near-identical design, with the 700 being the bigger of the two. While both feature a durable metal grille, the signature light bar, and a premium plastic body, the Bose 700 has an extra colour option, arctic white, and a tempered glass top.
Although some may view this as a minuscule point, having a colour option that isn’t “Bose Black,” can often be the difference between someone investing in a product or going for another option. The tempered glass top on the 700 also helps to give it a classier feel, so it also wins this section.
Features
Compared to other smart speakers produced by competitor brands, many argue that both Bose models lack in terms of the features they offer, however, both models have a fair amount to offer and more than likely won’t leave you longing for more, regardless of the one you pick.
Both have built-in voice assistants, can be set up and controlled via the Bose app, have HDMI ARC connectivity, and can be connected to other Bose devices.
The Bose Soundbar 700 edges out the 300 in this area as it comes with a few extra features, as one would expect. With the 700, you’ll get extras such as a universal remote, improved voice pickup, and ADAPTIQ audio calibration, the latter of which is particularly useful in terms of enhancing your audio experience.
FAQs
Does the Bose Soundbar 300 have a headphone output?
The Soundbar 300 doesn’t have a headphone output, so those who want to engage in private listening have to use Bose SimpleSync to connect select Bose headphones. Connection is restricted to one pair of headphones per sound system.
Can the Soundbar 700 be mounted?
Both the Bose Soundbar 700 and 300 can be wall mounted, however, doing so requires the purchase of a £34.95 wall mounting bracket.
Can you mix and match wireless bass modules and soundbars?
So long as they use the same wireless protocols, most Bose products can be used and paired interchangeably.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of which Bose smart soundbar you settle on, you can expect to lose in some regards and win in many others.
The 700 essentially carries over the same problems users experience with the 300 but the 700 is noticeably the better Bose soundbar. Both soundbars are beautifully constructed but the 700 is constructed slightly better than the 300, supports eARC, and features room correction.
Most importantly, the 700 can get louder, has fewer compression artefacts at the highest volume, and has better surround sound performance, so you won’t have to fork out extra for Bose surround speakers.
Ultimately, choosing between the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 and 700 may be a matter of how much you’re willing to pay. There aren’t many stark differences between the two soundbars, however, if you want a fully immersive listening experience and a few extra features, then the 700 is the soundbar for you. If you want solid audio for half the price, then the 300 is for you.
