When it comes to improving your TV's audio, soundbars have become the go-to solution for most people. They're simpler than traditional home theater setups but can still deliver impressive sound. Let's compare two popular options: the $199 Bose TV Speaker and the $349 Klipsch Flexus Core 100.
The Bose TV Speaker was released in late 2020, bringing Bose's acoustic expertise to a more affordable price point. Meanwhile, the Klipsch Flexus Core 100 is brand new for 2024, representing Klipsch's latest technology and their collaboration with Onkyo, a respected name in home audio.
Both soundbars take different approaches to audio enhancement. The Bose focuses on clear dialogue through what they call "TrueSpace technology" - essentially digital processing that makes voices easier to understand. It's particularly effective for news shows, documentaries, and dialogue-heavy content.
The Klipsch takes a more comprehensive approach with its dual built-in subwoofers (these are speakers dedicated to producing low-frequency sounds like bass). In testing, the Klipsch produces noticeably fuller sound, especially in action scenes or when playing music. Its aluminum drivers (the parts that actually create sound) provide crisp highs without being harsh.
Your room size and layout matter significantly. The Bose works best in small to medium-sized rooms, particularly when you're sitting directly in front of it. The Klipsch, with its more powerful output and better bass response, can fill larger spaces more effectively.
Both soundbars offer HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel, which lets your TV send audio back to the soundbar through an HDMI cable) and optical connections. The Klipsch adds a USB-C port and more advanced Bluetooth, making it more versatile for different audio sources.
The Bose TV Speaker keeps things simple with basic remote control operation. The Klipsch offers an app for fine-tuning sound settings and regular firmware updates, which can improve performance over time.
This is where the differences become significant. The Bose can only add a wired subwoofer, while the Klipsch supports wireless surround speakers and subwoofers through their proprietary wireless system. If you might want a more immersive setup later, the Klipsch offers more flexibility.
For regular TV watching, both perform well above built-in TV speakers. The Bose excels at making dialogue clear and understandable - perfect for shows like "The Crown" where subtle conversation is important. The Klipsch handles action movies better, with more impact during explosive scenes and better overall dynamics (the difference between quiet and loud sounds).
While both can play music, the Klipsch is clearly superior here. Its built-in subwoofers and better frequency range make music sound more natural and engaging. The Bose handles music adequately but wasn't really designed with music as a priority.
For gaming, the Klipsch again has an advantage. Its better bass response and dynamic range make game explosions more impactful and background music more immersive. The Bose works fine for casual gaming but won't deliver the same level of excitement.
The $199 Bose represents good value if dialogue clarity is your primary concern. It's well-built and comes from a reputable brand. The $349 Klipsch justifies its higher price through better overall performance and expansion options.
Both soundbars are relatively easy to set up, requiring just a power cord and either an HDMI or optical cable connection to your TV. The Bose is slightly simpler due to fewer options, while the Klipsch requires a bit more setup if you want to use its app features.
The Bose has proven reliable over its years on the market, with few reported issues. The Klipsch is too new for long-term reliability data, but Klipsch has a good track record with their other products.
Consider these key factors:
The Bose TV Speaker is an excellent choice for those wanting better TV audio without complications. It does one job - making TV sound better, especially dialogue - and does it well.
The Klipsch Flexus Core 100 is the more capable device, offering better overall sound quality and the potential for expansion. While it costs more, it's worth the investment if you care about audio quality and want room to grow.
Remember, the best soundbar for you depends on your specific needs, room setup, and how you plan to use it. Both of these options represent solid choices in their respective price ranges, just with different priorities and capabilities.
| $199 Bose TV Speaker | $349 Klipsch Flexus Core 100 |
|---|---|
| Audio Channels - Determines how sound is distributed and overall immersion | |
| 2.0 channels (basic stereo) | 2.1 channels (stereo plus built-in subwoofers) |
| Power Output - Affects volume capability and room size suitability | |
| 50W (suitable for small-medium rooms) | 100W (handles larger rooms easily) |
| Bass Capability - Important for movies, music impact, and fullness of sound | |
| Limited built-in bass, optional external subwoofer | Dual 4" built-in subwoofers, can add wireless sub |
| Expandability - Matters if you might want surround sound later | |
| Only supports wired subwoofer addition | Supports wireless surrounds and subwoofer |
| Height x Width x Depth - Important for TV compatibility and placement | |
| 2.2" x 23.4" x 4" (very compact) | 3" x 28" x 5" (larger footprint) |
| Advanced Audio Processing - Affects how well it handles different content | |
| Basic Dolby processing, dialogue mode | Dolby Atmos processing, multiple sound modes |
| Control Options - Impacts ease of use and customization | |
| Basic remote only | App control, backlit remote, custom EQ |
| Connectivity - Determines what devices you can connect | |
| HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth 4.2 | HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C |
| Warranty - Reflects manufacturer confidence | |
| 1 year limited | 3 year limited |
The $349 Klipsch Flexus Core 100 is notably better for movies due to its built-in subwoofers and more powerful output. It provides deeper bass and better dynamic range compared to the $199 Bose TV Speaker, making action scenes and soundtracks more impactful.
The Klipsch Flexus Core 100 supports wireless surround speakers, while the Bose TV Speaker does not. Only Klipsch offers true expansion to a surround sound system.
Both perform well, but the Bose TV Speaker has a dedicated dialogue enhancement mode that makes it particularly effective for clear speech in TV shows and movies.
The Klipsch Flexus Core 100 can decode Dolby Atmos signals, though without height channels. The Bose TV Speaker doesn't support Dolby Atmos.
The Bose TV Speaker is more compact and ideal for small spaces, measuring just 23.4 inches wide compared to the Klipsch's 28 inches.
Yes, both the Bose TV Speaker and Klipsch Flexus Core 100 can be wall-mounted, with mounting hardware available.
The Klipsch Flexus Core 100 has built-in subwoofers that provide good bass without extras. The Bose TV Speaker may benefit from adding an optional subwoofer for better bass.
The Bose TV Speaker offers simpler setup with fewer options, while the Klipsch Flexus Core 100 requires additional app setup for advanced features.
Both support Bluetooth streaming, but the Klipsch Flexus Core 100 has newer Bluetooth technology for better connectivity and sound quality.
The Klipsch Flexus Core 100 provides better gaming performance with its superior bass response and dynamic range compared to the Bose TV Speaker.
The Bose TV Speaker offers good value at $199 for basic TV enhancement, while the Klipsch Flexus Core 100 at $349 justifies its higher price with better performance and expandability.
For home theater use, the Klipsch Flexus Core 100 is the better choice due to its superior audio performance, expandability options, and Dolby Atmos processing capabilities compared to the more basic Bose TV Speaker.
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: bestbuy.com - projectorscreen.com - forums.audioholics.com - digitaltrends.com - abt.com - crutchfield.com - staples.com - bestbuy.com - pcrichard.com - visions.ca - bose.com - assets.bose.com - cnet.com - klipsch.com - klipsch.com - bestbuy.com - sweetwater.com - assets.onkyo-av.com - youtube.com - worldwidestereo.com - avnirvana.com - target.com
