Home theater audio has come a long way from the basic TV speakers of the past. Today's premium soundbars pack incredible technology into sleek packages, aiming to recreate the immersive experience of a multi-speaker setup without filling your room with boxes and wires. The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($699) and Sennheiser AMBEO Plus ($1,499) represent two different approaches to this challenge.
Before diving into the comparison, it's worth understanding what makes modern soundbars special. They use advanced audio processing and carefully positioned drivers (speakers) to create virtual surround sound. When done well, this can trick your brain into hearing sounds from places where there aren't actually any speakers.
Both of these soundbars support Dolby Atmos, which adds height channels to create a three-dimensional sound field. Imagine hearing a helicopter not just moving left to right, but actually seeming to fly overhead. It's pretty incredible when it works well.
The AMBEO Plus takes the lead here with its 7.1.4 channel virtualization. This means it can simulate seven surround speakers, one subwoofer, and four height channels. The technology creates a more precise and expansive sound field than the Bose Smart Ultra's 5.1.2 setup.
In practical terms, when watching movies, the AMBEO Plus creates a more convincing illusion of sounds coming from specific points in space. During testing of similar scenes, the AMBEO consistently placed sounds more precisely and maintained that precision over a wider listening area.
Bass handling is one of the biggest differentiators between these systems. The AMBEO Plus includes dual 4-inch subwoofers built into the bar itself, delivering impressive low-end performance without additional hardware. It can reproduce frequencies down to 38Hz, which means you'll feel the rumble in action movies.
The Bose Smart Ultra, while competent, doesn't match this low-end performance. It's designed to pair with an optional subwoofer, which adds to the total cost if deep bass is important to you. However, for dialogue and music, many users find the built-in bass adequate.
Here's where the Bose pulls ahead. Its AI-powered dialogue enhancement analyzes audio in real-time to improve speech clarity without compromising other sounds. This technology has been trained on millions of audio samples, and it shows - dialogue remains crystal clear even during complex action scenes.
The AMBEO Plus uses a more traditional center channel approach, which works well but doesn't quite match the Bose's intelligence in this specific area.
The AMBEO Plus supports virtually every modern audio format, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MPEG-H. This broader format support means you're less likely to run into compatibility issues with different content sources.
The Bose Smart Ultra focuses on Dolby Atmos support but skips DTS formats. While this won't affect streaming services like Netflix (which uses Dolby), it could matter if you watch a lot of Blu-ray movies, where DTS is common.
Both soundbars offer impressive smart features, including:
The Bose edges ahead in smart home integration with its Voice4Video feature, which can control your TV and cable box through voice commands. The AMBEO Plus offers more extensive physical connectivity options, including multiple HDMI inputs and an RCA connection.
The size and shape of your room significantly impact soundbar performance. The AMBEO Plus's more powerful processing and additional channels make it better suited for larger spaces (up to about 400 square feet). It maintains its immersive effect more consistently across different seating positions.
The Bose Smart Ultra performs best in small to medium-sized rooms (up to about 300 square feet) and is more forgiving of less-than-ideal placement. Its more compact size also makes it easier to position in smaller spaces.
At $1,499, the AMBEO Plus represents a significant investment. However, it's important to consider that it includes capable built-in subwoofers and more advanced processing. For many users, it can truly replace a traditional home theater setup.
The Bose's $699 price point makes it more accessible, though adding a subwoofer would bring the total closer to $1,100. Still, it represents excellent value for users who prioritize dialogue clarity and smart features over ultimate audio performance.
Both manufacturers continue to update their soundbars' capabilities through firmware updates. The Bose has received several AI improvements since its release, while Sennheiser has expanded the AMBEO's streaming service compatibility.
The choice between these excellent soundbars ultimately comes down to your priorities and budget. The AMBEO Plus offers superior technical performance and fuller sound, while the Bose Smart Ultra provides excellent value and class-leading dialogue enhancement. Both represent the cutting edge of what's possible in single-unit home theater audio, just with different approaches to achieving that goal.
| Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar | Sennheiser AMBEO Plus |
|---|---|
| Price - Base investment required | |
| $699 | $1,499 |
| Channel Configuration - Determines surround sound capability | |
| 5.1.2 channels (more basic setup) | 7.1.4 channels (fuller surround experience) |
| Bass Response - Impact of built-in low frequency performance | |
| Limited bass, likely needs subwoofer add-on | Dual 4" built-in subwoofers, extends to 38Hz |
| Audio Format Support - Affects content compatibility | |
| Dolby Atmos only | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, MPEG-H |
| Size & Weight - Consider your space constraints | |
| 34.5" x 4.5" x 3.5", 7.5 lbs | 41.1" x 2.2" x 4", 12 lbs |
| Room Size Suitability - Maximum recommended space | |
| Up to 300 sq ft | Up to 400 sq ft |
| Special Features - Key differentiating technology | |
| AI-powered dialogue enhancement, Voice4Video | AMBEO 3D virtualization, room calibration |
| Wireless Connectivity - Streaming options | |
| WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Chromecast | WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay 2, Chromecast |
| Voice Assistant Support - Smart home integration | |
| Amazon Alexa built-in, Works with Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri built-in |
| Power Output - Audio performance potential | |
| 120W | 400W |
| Recommended Use Case - Best suited for | |
| Dialogue-focused content, smaller rooms | Home theater, music, larger spaces |
The Sennheiser AMBEO Plus provides better movie performance with its 7.1.4 channel configuration and superior bass response. However, the Bose Smart Ultra still delivers excellent movie sound and clearer dialogue at nearly half the price.
The Sennheiser AMBEO Plus includes built-in dual subwoofers and doesn't require an additional sub. The Bose Smart Ultra may need an external subwoofer for deeper bass, adding about $400-500 to the total cost.
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is more suitable for smaller spaces, performing well in rooms up to 300 sq ft. It's also more compact and lighter than the AMBEO Plus.
Both soundbars offer smart home integration. The Bose Smart Ultra features Alexa built-in and works with Google Assistant, while the AMBEO Plus supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
The Bose Smart Ultra leads in dialogue clarity thanks to its AI-powered dialogue enhancement. This makes it particularly good for TV shows and movies where clear speech is important.
The Bose Smart Ultra costs $699, while the Sennheiser AMBEO Plus is $1,499 - a $800 difference. However, adding a subwoofer to the Bose would reduce this gap.
Yes, both support Dolby Atmos, but the AMBEO Plus also supports DTS:X and MPEG-H, while the Bose Smart Ultra only supports Dolby formats.
The Bose Smart Ultra is generally easier to set up with a more straightforward calibration process. The AMBEO Plus offers more detailed calibration but requires more time and attention.
Both soundbars support WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast streaming, making them equally capable for music streaming from phones and other devices.
The Sennheiser AMBEO Plus creates more convincing surround sound with its 7.1.4 channel configuration compared to the Bose's 5.1.2 setup.
Neither requires professional installation. Both can be wall-mounted or placed on a TV stand and include guided setup processes through their respective apps.
Both soundbars are premium products built to last, with similar one-year warranties. The AMBEO Plus has more robust construction, while the Bose Smart Ultra has a proven track record of reliability.
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 - techradar.com - pocket-lint.com - moon-audio.com - stereonet.com - rtings.com - abt.com - projectorscreen.com - youtube.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - crutchfield.com - sennheiser-hearing.com - newsroom.sennheiser.com
