In the ever-evolving world of home theater audio, soundbars have become the go-to solution for better TV sound without the complexity of traditional speaker systems. Today, we'll compare two compelling options: the recently released Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($899) and the Samsung HW-S700D ($397.99). Both promise to elevate your viewing experience, but they take notably different approaches.
Before diving into specifics, it's worth noting how far soundbar technology has come. Modern soundbars now incorporate sophisticated audio processing, room calibration, and upward-firing speakers for height effects - features previously only found in high-end home theater systems. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos, which creates a three-dimensional sound field, has become a game-changer for immersive audio.
The Bose Smart Ultra, released in October 2023, showcases the latest in soundbar technology. Its standout feature is the sophisticated implementation of Dolby Atmos through custom-designed upward-firing speakers. These speakers bounce sound off your ceiling to create genuine height effects - imagine hearing a helicopter seemingly flying overhead during a movie scene.
In contrast, the Samsung HW-S700D, part of Samsung's 2024 lineup, takes a different approach. It uses virtual processing to simulate height effects without physical upward-firing speakers. While this approach works surprisingly well, especially in rooms with standard-height ceilings, it doesn't quite match the Bose's ability to place sounds precisely in three-dimensional space.
Both soundbars tackle the common complaint of unclear dialog in modern content, but through different methods. The Bose employs AI-powered dialogue enhancement that actually learns from millions of audio samples to identify and enhance speech without affecting other sounds. This technology is particularly effective during complex action scenes where dialogue might otherwise get lost.
Samsung's approach utilizes a dedicated center channel speaker (that's what the ".1" in 3.1 means) combined with their Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) technology. This system actively monitors ambient room noise and adjusts dialogue levels accordingly. In practice, both systems work well, though the Bose's AI-driven approach seems more sophisticated in maintaining natural sound while improving clarity.
Here's where things get interesting. The Bose Smart Ultra uses their ADAPTiQ room calibration system, which uses a special microphone to measure how sound reflects off your walls and furniture. It then adjusts the audio output to compensate for your room's acoustic properties. This process takes about 10 minutes but makes a noticeable difference in sound quality.
Samsung's SpaceFit Sound Pro works similarly but requires less user intervention. It continuously monitors the room using built-in microphones and adjusts automatically. While convenient, this automated approach sometimes misses the fine-tuning that Bose's more detailed calibration provides.
Both soundbars offer impressive smart features, but their approaches differ significantly:
Both support major voice assistants and streaming protocols, but Samsung edges ahead with additional SmartThings integration, offering more comprehensive smart home control options.
At nearly $500 less, the Samsung HW-S700D presents compelling value. Its slim design and strong feature set make it an attractive option, especially for Samsung TV owners. The money saved could go toward a compatible subwoofer or rear speakers for a more complete surround sound setup.
However, the Bose Smart Ultra justifies its premium price through superior audio performance, particularly in these areas:
In actual use, both soundbars excel at their primary task - improving TV audio. The Bose creates a wider, more immersive soundstage with better vertical effects, making it ideal for movie enthusiasts who want the most cinema-like experience. The Samsung delivers impressive performance for its price point, with particularly strong dialogue reproduction thanks to its dedicated center channel.
For gaming, Samsung's Game Mode Pro provides specialized audio processing that emphasizes directional sounds, while Bose relies on its general excellence in spatial audio reproduction. Both perform well, but gamers might appreciate Samsung's dedicated gaming features.
Choose the Bose Smart Ultra if:
Choose the Samsung HW-S700D if:
Both soundbars represent excellent choices in their respective price categories. The Bose Smart Ultra stands as the superior audio performer, while the Samsung HW-S700D offers remarkable value and features, especially for Samsung TV owners. Your choice ultimately depends on your priorities between absolute performance and value, along with considerations like your TV brand and space constraints.
Remember, both options represent significant upgrades over built-in TV speakers, and either will dramatically improve your viewing experience. The key is matching the features and performance to your specific needs and budget.
| Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($899) | Samsung HW-S700D ($397.99) |
|---|---|
| Price Point - Consider total value vs. performance needs | |
| Premium pricing, positioned as high-end solution | Mid-range pricing, strong value proposition |
| Dolby Atmos Implementation - Critical for immersive sound | |
| Physical upward-firing speakers for true Atmos | Virtual Atmos processing without dedicated height speakers |
| Channel Configuration - Impacts sound separation and clarity | |
| 5.1.2 channels with dedicated height speakers | 3.1 channels with dedicated center channel |
| Room Calibration - Affects real-world performance | |
| ADAPTiQ with external microphone for precise tuning | SpaceFit Sound Pro with automatic adjustment |
| Dialog Enhancement - Key for clear speech in movies/TV | |
| AI-powered dialogue mode with machine learning | Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) with dedicated center channel |
| Design Profile - Consider space and mounting needs | |
| Standard profile: 4.5" height | Ultra-slim design: significantly thinner profile |
| Smart Features - Important for integration | |
| Universal compatibility, Alexa/Google built-in | Enhanced Samsung TV features, SmartThings, Alexa/Google |
| Audio Processing - Impacts overall sound quality | |
| Bose TrueSpace, PhaseGuide technology | Q-Symphony, Adaptive Sound technology |
| Connectivity Options - Affects system flexibility | |
| HDMI eARC, optical, WiFi, Bluetooth | HDMI eARC, optical, WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 |
| Gaming Features - Consider if gaming is important | |
| Standard audio processing | Game Mode Pro with enhanced directional audio |
| Expandability - Future upgrade potential | |
| Compatible with Bose speakers and subwoofers | Compatible with Samsung wireless rear speakers |
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($899) offers superior movie performance with true upward-firing Atmos speakers and better sound separation. While the Samsung HW-S700D ($397.99) performs well, the Bose creates a more immersive cinematic experience.
The Samsung HW-S700D offers better value at less than half the price of the Bose Smart Ultra. While the Bose provides superior audio, the Samsung delivers impressive performance for its price point.
If audio quality is your top priority, the Bose Smart Ultra justifies its higher price with better sound staging and more convincing Atmos effects. However, the Samsung HW-S700D offers excellent performance for most users at a more accessible price point.
Both perform well, but through different approaches. The Bose Smart Ultra uses AI-powered dialogue enhancement, while the Samsung HW-S700D uses a dedicated center channel. Both solutions effectively improve dialogue clarity.
The Samsung HW-S700D offers simpler setup with automatic room calibration, while the Bose Smart Ultra requires manual calibration using the ADAPTiQ system. Both are relatively straightforward compared to traditional speaker systems.
The Samsung HW-S700D has a dedicated Game Mode Pro feature for enhanced gaming audio, making it the better choice for gamers compared to the Bose Smart Ultra.
No, the Samsung HW-S700D works with any TV, but you get additional features like Q-Symphony when paired with a Samsung TV. The Bose Smart Ultra offers consistent performance across all TV brands.
The Samsung HW-S700D offers more smart features, especially within the Samsung ecosystem, while the Bose Smart Ultra focuses on universal compatibility and core audio performance.
Yes, both the Bose Smart Ultra and Samsung HW-S700D can be wall-mounted, but the Samsung's slimmer profile may be more aesthetically pleasing in wall-mounted setups.
The Bose Smart Ultra generally delivers superior music performance with better clarity and sound separation compared to the Samsung HW-S700D.
The Samsung HW-S700D includes a wireless subwoofer, while the Bose Smart Ultra can be purchased with an optional subwoofer for enhanced bass performance.
The Samsung HW-S700D is better suited for small rooms due to its slim design and space-efficient profile, while the Bose Smart Ultra may be better for medium to large rooms where its superior sound staging can be fully appreciated.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: techradar.com - bose.com - bestbuy.com - tomsguide.com - pcrichard.com - rtings.com - bose.com - boselatam.com - avsforum.com - bose.com - crutchfield.com - samsung.com - bestbuy.com - walts.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - pcrichard.com
