We can say that bose smart speaker is one of the popular brands to provide smart speaker for many things such as bose soundbar, bose home speeaker, and others. Now, it sounds incomplete if we do not talk about Bose smart speaker 500.
The Bose Home Speaker 500 offers impressive audio quality and a range of smart features, making it a robust smart speaker. While it comes with a higher price tag, its exceptional design and the Bose Music app greatly enhance the speaker’s usability. Whether you’re using it for everyday listening or hosting a party, this speaker is an excellent option.
Bose Smart Speaker Pros and Cons
We like this smart speaker, because:
- Exceptional sound quality, maintaining clarity even at elevated volumes.
- Integration of both Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
- Seamless integration with various streaming services.
- Attractive and well-thought-out design.
- Convenient microphone mute feature.
As for our concerns:
- The relatively high price point may not be suitable for budget-conscious consumers.
- The setup process can be unnecessarily complicated.
- Updates can be time-consuming and occasionally fail.
- Like many smart speakers, there are privacy concerns associated with its use.
The presence of smart speakers continues to grow, with the Bose Home Speaker 500 being just one of many offerings from Bose. Within Bose’s extensive lineup of smart speakers, the Home Speaker 500 carves out its place as a device that strikes a balance between its moderate size and impressive audio output. The question that remains is whether this balance is sufficient to distinguish it from the competition.
Bose Home Speaker 500 Prices and Features
Priced at $379 USD / $479 CAD / £359 / €399, the Bose Home Speaker 500 is a smart speaker that connects wirelessly through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth 4.2. Also, it supports SBC and AAC audio codecs, as well as having a 3.5mm aux input. The speaker requires a wall outlet for power, and the Bose Music app, available on iOS and Android, is necessary for Wi-Fi functions, which include Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast capabilities. Additionally, the speaker has integrated Alexa and Google Assistant features, offering users the choice of which virtual assistant to utilize.
Capacitive touch controls located on the top of the speaker. This allows users to adjust the volume, play and pause music, activate Bluetooth, turn the microphone on or off, and select presets. Furthermore, the Bose Music app allows users to control the speaker remotely. The front of the speaker features an LCD display. It shows information on the music being played, including album art.
Bose Speaker 500 Sound Quality
Bose has advertised good stereo separation for the speaker. It provides two 2.5-inch full-range drivers, one on either side of the speaker.
When it comes to evaluating a speaker, the two most important factors are typically how loud it can get and how good it sounds. Luckily, the Bose Home Speaker 500 excels in both areas. Even when the volume is set at only half way, the speaker can get quite loud. Moreover, it produces a high-quality sound, with strong bass and pleasant treble. For instance, when playing Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” through the speaker, the bass is punchy and loud without overpowering the oscillating synth, and Swift’s vocals remain crystal clear throughout the track. While some may find the default bass level to be a bit too loud, the Bose Music app enables users to adjust it, along with the treble, which is useful to avoid disturbing your neighbors.
Design
You can integrate the Bose Home Speaker 500 with other Bose speakers. So, you can create a connected ecosystem within your home. This way, allows for voice assistant access and music playback in multiple rooms. The touch controls on the speaker are highly responsive. Also, the touch panel features six buttons for presets. This enables quick access to your favorite playlist or track.
Moreover, the speaker is visually attractive, with an aluminum exterior that complements various interior styles, making it an easy addition to any home. The light silver color I’m currently using matches well with other tech products in my home.
The touch controls on the Bose Home Speaker 500 are responsive, but some users may find them lacking in feedback. There is no sound or haptic feedback, and the touch panel may feel too cold and unresponsive for some. Physical buttons or a more tactile response would have been preferable. The screen does show a light strip to indicate that you have pressed a control. However, it may not be enough of an indicator for some users.
The Update Process
One potential drawback of the Bose Home Speaker 500 is the update process. It can take a while and cause frustration. Upon setting up the Bose Music app, your device requires an immediate update, taking 10 minutes to install.
Ongoing updates have been reported to be a known issue with the speaker. Sometimes it takes hours or fails to complete altogether. Unfortunately, there is no indication of the expected update duration from either the app or the speaker, leaving users to wonder when they can use the device. Additionally, the setup process is relatively lengthy and complex.
Furthermore, if you plan to use the speaker as part of an ecosystem with a Bose Soundtouch speaker, it can make you regret. These devices are incompatible due to the use of different apps. While you can connect the Home Speaker 500 with other Bose speakers that use the Bose Music app, the Soundtouch line uses a separate app.
Privacy Risk and Data Safety
That is a valid concern. It is important for users to be aware of the privacy implications when using smart speakers with voice assistants. Bose has stated that they take privacy seriously and provide options for users to control their data. For example, Bose allows users to delete voice recordings. However, it is ultimately up to the individual to decide if the convenience of a smart speaker outweighs the potential privacy risks.
Should You Buy Bose Home Speaker 500?
Additionally, for users concerned about data privacy, this speaker, and other smart speakers, may not be the best choice. It requires always-on microphone listening to operate and collects user data through the accompanying app.
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