The Bose Solo 5 is a compact soundbar with a balanced and clear mid-range sound, Bluetooth compatibility, and an integrated subwoofer.
Sound Review Hub’s Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Hey there! Are you in the market for a new soundbar for your TV setup? Look no further than the Bose Solo 5. This compact and sleek soundbar is perfect for those who don’t want to take up too much space in their existing setup.
One of the standout features of the Bose Solo 5 is its balanced and neutral sound profile, which makes voices and lead instruments sound crystal clear, especially in the mid-range. However, it’s worth noting that the integrated subwoofer may struggle with reproducing low bass and the soundbar doesn’t get very loud.
But don’t worry, there are still plenty of reasons to consider the Bose Solo 5. For example, its Bluetooth compatibility makes it easy to stream audio wirelessly from your phone or tablet. Plus, this soundbar’s dialogue mode ensures that every word is clear and distinct, enhancing your overall TV-watching experience.
Design and Build Quality
- Sleek and compact design
- Sturdy and durable build
- No wall mount included
The Bose Solo 5 soundbar is sleek and compact, measuring only 21.6 inches in length, 3.4 inches in height, and 2.8 inches in depth. It’s designed to fit neatly in front of your TV, without obstructing the screen or taking up too much space. The soundbar has a matte black finish, which looks great in any setting and is easy to maintain.
The build quality of the Bose Solo 5 is top-notch. The soundbar feels sturdy and well-constructed, with a weight of 3.73 pounds. It’s made of durable materials that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use, and the buttons and connectors are well-placed and easy to access. The soundbar also comes with a universal remote control, which is simple and intuitive to use.
One thing to note is that the Bose Solo 5 doesn’t come with a wall mount, so if you want to mount it on the wall, you’ll need to purchase a separate bracket. However, the soundbar does come with rubber feet, which provide a good grip and prevent it from sliding around in your entertainment center.
Controls, Connectivity, And Inputs
- Bose Solo 5 lacks subwoofers
- Remote control for TV and soundbar
- Limited connectivity options but good audio
The Bose Solo 5 Soundbar is a 2.0 model, which means getting that surround sound effect is challenging since there are no subwoofers. The first number (2) refers to how many speakers are on the soundbar, while the second number (0) represents how many subwoofers come with it. So, unfortunately, there’s no extra bass depth for those of us who like our music with more bass.
One thing I did like about the Bose Solo 5 is the remote control. You can use it as a universal controller for your TV and soundbar, which is pretty convenient. Plus, LED light flashes when you press the buttons, so you can see with the light is dimmed or off.
There are buttons on the remote control for almost everything, from adjusting the volume on all the speakers in your house to changing the settings on your TV, DVD, or Blu-ray player.
The only downside I found is that the connectivity options are limited to optical, coaxial, and auxiliary inputs. While it comes with optical cables, which is great for devices without HDMI ports, unfortunately, there’s no HDMI port, so some devices won’t be compatible with it.
Another thing to note is that although it supports Bluetooth, it doesn’t support lossy codecs like aptX. Plus, there’s no NFC for quick-pairing your device. Nevertheless, I still think it delivers fantastic audio quality and minimal data losses when transferring between compatible devices through Bluetooth connections.
Audio Performance
- Clear and balanced sound quality
- Enhances dialogue with “Dialogue Mode”
- Weak bass performance
Let’s talk about the audio performance of the Bose Solo 5. One of the best things about this soundbar is that it delivers clear and balanced sound quality, even at high volumes. I was really impressed with the way it enhances dialogue and delivers a rich and immersive sound for movies and music.
In addition to that, the Bose Solo 5 has a dialogue mode feature that really makes a difference in improving the clarity of speech in movies and TV shows. This is especially helpful for those with hearing impairments or those who struggle to hear dialogue over background music or sound effects.
However, one area where the Bose Solo 5 falls short is in its bass performance. While the sound quality is impressive overall, the bass lacks the deep and rumbling tones you might find in other high-end soundbars. This may not be a deal-breaker for some, but if you’re a bass enthusiast, you might want to consider other options.
Overall, the audio performance of the Bose Solo 5 is great for those who prioritize clear and balanced sound quality over deep bass. Its dialogue mode feature is also a game-changer for enhancing speech clarity. If you’re looking for a soundbar that can deliver an immersive sound experience without breaking the bank, then the Bose Solo 5 might be the perfect fit for you!
Should You Buy It?
So, should you buy the Bose Solo 5 soundbar? It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you have a small to a medium-sized room and want to upgrade the sound quality of your TV, then yes, the Bose Solo 5 is a great choice. It’s compact, easy to set up, and provides a noticeable improvement in sound quality compared to your TV’s built-in speakers.
However, if you’re an audiophile looking for deep, rich bass and a more immersive sound experience, the Bose Solo 5 might not be enough to satisfy your cravings. The bass is decent but not quite as strong as some other, more high-end soundbars on the market. In this case, you might want to consider investing in a higher-end soundbar with a subwoofer.
The Bose Solo 5 is a solid entry-level soundbar that offers great value for its price. If you want an upgrade from your TV’s built-in speakers and don’t need super strong bass, the Bose Solo 5 is a great choice. However, if you’re a serious audiophile looking for the best possible sound quality, you might want to consider a more expensive option.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to Set Up: The Bose Solo 5 is super easy to set up. You only need one cable to connect it to your TV, and it comes with a remote that allows you to control both the soundbar and your TV. This means you can say goodbye to the hassle of multiple cables and remotes.
- Dialogue Mode: The Bose Solo 5 has a special Dialogue Mode that enhances speech clarity in movies and TV shows. This is particularly useful if you struggle to hear dialogue over background noise or music. With Dialogue Mode, you can enjoy clear and crisp speech without turning up the volume.
- Sleek Design: The design of this soundbar is sleek and modern. It is compact and can easily fit under your TV without taking up too much space.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: The Bose Solo 5 comes with Bluetooth connectivity, which means you can easily connect your smartphone or tablet and play your favorite music. This feature makes it a versatile soundbar that can be used for different purposes.
- Affordable Price: Compared to other soundbars on the market, the Bose Solo 5 is reasonably priced. You get excellent sound quality and a sleek design without breaking the bank.
Cons
- Limited Inputs: The Bose Solo 5 only has one input, which means you can only connect it to one device at a time. This might be an issue if you have multiple devices that you want to connect to the soundbar.
- No HDMI Arc: The Bose Solo 5 does not have an HDMI ARC port, which means you can’t use it to control your TV. This can be inconvenient if you prefer using your soundbar to control your TV.
- Average Bass: While the sound quality of the Bose Solo 5 is excellent, the bass might not be enough for some people. If you’re a bass lover, this might be a deal-breaker for you.
- Limited Soundstage: The soundstage of the Bose Solo 5 is limited, which means the sound doesn’t feel as immersive as it could be. This might not be noticeable to everyone, but it’s something to keep in mind.
- No Wi-Fi Connectivity: The Bose Solo 5 does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, which means you can’t use it to stream music from online sources like Spotify or Apple Music. You can only play music through Bluetooth or the AUX port.
The Bose Solo 5 sound system is capable of decoding Dolby Digital audio through its optical port, but it converts the audio to a 2.0 channel format. This may be disappointing for some users, as many streaming services and Blu-ray discs feature audio encoded in the more immersive Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound format.
No, it is not possible to add additional speakers to the Bose Solo 5 sound system.
No, the Bose Solo 5 cannot be connected to an external subwoofer.
You have a few options, such as using an RCA, optical, or auxiliary cable to connect your Bose Solo 5 to your TV.
