REASONS TO BUY
Compact footprint
Simple setup
Versatile physical inputs
REASONS TO AVOID
No smart features
Minimal EQ customization
Bose TV Speaker Review
This soundbar sounds great for its size, but can't hold a candle to higher-end models
Credit: Bose
By Michelle Powell ⋅ Senior Review Analyst ⋅ November 11, 2021
Contributions From: Matt Bento
RELATED: The Best Sound Bar
Our Verdict
For those looking to improve their home theater setup but don't have a lot of space or a lot of patience for a complicated setup, the Bose TV Speaker offers solid sonic performance in a small package. All the crisps highs and punchy mids we've come to expect from Bose are here, plus this model has the smallest footprint of any soundbar in our review. Set up involves plugging in the power cord and connecting to your TV via an HDMI or optical cable, then you're ready to go.
This model is very easy to set up and operate, but it also lacks smart speaker support and WiFi connectivity, and while it sounds good, the competition is very close, and its sound quality is eclipsed by several more expensive models.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Bose TV Speaker has an optical connection, an HDMI connection (cable sold separately), and Bluetooth 4.2 capabilities. It supports Dolby Digital, but no other surround sound formats. This very simple speaker sounds excellent for its small size. Unfortunately, its lack of bells and whistles isn't reflected in its price.
The TV speaker is a slick unit with nothing but 2 touch-sensitive buttons on the bar for control.
Credit: Laura Casner
Sound Quality
Bose is well known for producing great sounds from small speakers, and while the TV Speaker sounds great, the competition is getting fierce for its price point. This model beats out similarly priced soundbars from Polk Audio, Samsung, and Yamaha, but only by a narrow margin.
This soundbar sounds bigger than it looks.
Credit: Laura Casner
This little soundbar produces a fairly immersive soundstage, despite its diminutive size and its lack of support for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. Immersiveness is a lot to expect from a small speaker, and it can't hold a candle to higher-end models from Sonos and Bose.
In terms of low-end, the Bose TV Speaker produces a superior rumble for its price and size, but it still sounds comparatively thin compared to higher-end models. Mids and highs are delightfully crisp and clear, however, the enhanced dialogue setting gives the entire sound profile a somewhat harsh treble boost, affecting all higher-pitched sounds, not just the dialogue.
Ease of Use
Simplicity is a double-edged sword, and while this soundbar is perhaps the most Luddite-friendly model we've tested, it lacks many useful features found in similarly priced models.
Setup
The TV Speaker is a plug-and-play device, and you merely need to hook it up to your tv via the HDMI or optical connection plug it into an AC outlet, and you're ready to binge-watch all seasons of the Great British Baking Show. There's no lengthy setup or app to download, and it doesn't connect to WiFi. A small remote is included that controls the volume, dialogue and bass settings, and the Bluetooth connection. Don't lose the remote, because there are no controls on the soundbar.
All functions and presets require the remote and this model can't be controlled by the Bose app.
Credit: Laura Casner
Connectivity
The Bluetooth and an aux port do allow you to connect to a projector or a Bluetooth-enabled device, but the lack of WiFi and voice assistant support limit the Bose TV speaker to being “just a tv speaker”, where its main competitors are a bit more versatile.
Sound Customization
There is a button on the remote to give the TV Speaker a bass boost, along with a button to toggle the dialogue enhancement. Folks who desire deeper levels of customization should look elsewhere.
The Aux-in port allows you to connect a projector.
Credit: Laura Casner
Volume
While not the loudest of the pack, this soundbar can hit respectably high volumes (91 decibels by our measurement). This is plenty loud to bring the additional power and emotion of the soundtracks and soundscapes of your favorite films into your living room. For reference, the loudest soundbar in our review tops out at 102 dBa.
Design/Style
We love the compact and sleek design of this model. It is a great option for folks looking to get the most sound from the smallest soundbar, plus it's the only model in its price range that has a plastic shell. This design is more durable and much easier to clean than traditional cloth-mesh speaker coverings.
This soundbar is a good option for small apartments or other living situations where space is a premium.
Credit: Laura Casner
Value
In the case of the TV Speaker, value depends on your priorities. If you're looking for the best sound in the smallest available package, this soundbar is a decent choice. If you want modern smart speaker support and in-depth customization parameters, there are better options for a better price.
We love the easy-to-clean protective metal grill.
Credit: Laura Casner
Conclusion
The Bose TV Speaker delivers a great home theater experience for its price, and it's a very appealing option if space is a premium in your home. It's very easy to set up and is a great choice for those weary tangled cables, but there are other options that are just as easy to set up and have WiFi and smart speaker capabilities.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Bose TV Speaker versus top competing products:
—Michelle Powell and Matt Bento
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