Bose has introduced the latest addition to its soundbar lineup, the Bose Smart Soundbar, designed to deliver an enhanced audio experience with a compact form factor. This new product replaces the previous Bose Smart Soundbar 600 model and offers a suite of new features, including advanced dialogue clarity, immersive surround sound, and integration with a unique set of earbuds for personalized surround audio.

One of the main features of the new Bose Smart Soundbar is the AI Dialogue Mode, which uses machine learning algorithms to enhance the clarity of speech. This technology was first introduced with the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar (priced at $899 at Crutchfield) and has now been integrated into the new Smart Soundbar to make dialogue in movies, TV shows, and other content clearer.

The soundbar detects when speech is present in an audio stream and automatically adjusts its tonal balance in real-time, ensuring dialogue remains clear even when background effects or soundtracks are present. The goal is to address the common issue of muddled or drowned-out dialogue in modern content. With this feature, viewers can enjoy their favorite shows without needing to constantly adjust the volume.

A key innovation in the new soundbar is its Bose Personal Surround Sound capability, designed to enhance the immersive experience for individual users. By pairing the soundbar with Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, listeners can transform the earbuds into rear surround speakers. The unique open-ear design allows the user to hear both the sound from the soundbar and the personalized surround effects created by the earbuds, effectively enveloping the listener in sound from all directions.

This feature could redefine how personal audio is experienced in a shared living space, allowing one person to have a full surround experience without impacting others. The immersive audio provided by Bose Personal Surround Sound is powered by Bose's proprietary Immersive Audio technology, which makes it possible to blend sound from both the soundbar and the earbuds seamlessly.

The Bose Smart Soundbar is equipped with Dolby Atmos technology, delivering sound that seems to come from all around the room, including overhead, when playing compatible content. Dolby Atmos is paired with Bose's own TrueSpace technology, ensuring immersive audio performance even when Dolby Atmos content is not available.

The soundbar achieves this through its five built-in transducers, including two side-firing units that project sound horizontally across the room, and two upfiring transducers that reflect sound off the ceiling for a spatial audio effect.

A central tweeter handles dialogue, while Bose's QuietPort technology enhances bass performance without distortion, even at higher volumes. This combination of technologies allows users to experience high-quality audio across a range of content types, from stereo music to full 5.1 surround sound.

At just 2.2 inches tall and 27 inches long, the Bose Smart Soundbar maintains a slim profile, ensuring it can fit neatly under most televisions without obstructing the screen. Despite its compact size, the soundbar houses five transducers, which are crucial in delivering immersive sound across various frequencies.

The design of the soundbar is minimalist and functional, featuring a matte finish and a wraparound metal grille for a sleek look that complements modern home entertainment setups.

Setting up the Bose Smart Soundbar is designed to be simple, requiring only one connection to the TV — either via HDMI eARC to enable Dolby Atmos, or an optical cable for standard use. 

The soundbar also supports a wide range of streaming options, including Wi-Fi, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth, offering flexibility for users to stream music and other audio content from their preferred services. The Smart Soundbar is Roku TV ready, further integrating into home entertainment systems for streamlined use.

The Smart Soundbar integrates with popular voice assistants, featuring built-in Amazon Alexa and Works with Google Assistant functionality. The Bose Voice4Video technology allows Alexa to control the TV, turn it on, and switch inputs, enhancing the convenience for users who prefer voice-operated devices. This makes it easier to start watching shows or movies with minimal manual input.

Additionally, the soundbar is compatible with other Bose smart speakers and soundbars, allowing users to create a multi-room audio system. This integration is made possible through Bose SimpleSync, which connects devices in different rooms for synchronized audio playback, enhancing the flexibility and functionality of the soundbar within a connected home.

The Bose Smart Soundbar is available for purchase starting today through the official Bose website, retailing for $499.