The Sonos Playbar and the Bose SoundTouch 300 are two popular soundbars that have similar features and a similar price-point. With that said, which one should you buy?
Bose SoundTouch 300 Vs Sonos Playbar
The Bose SoundTouch 300 is an advanced piece of kit that excels when used with other products from Bose. For the best results, use the unit with the matching speakers and subs. It is able to connect with devices over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which is a great feature that makes it easy to integrate with your devices quickly and efficiently. The SoundTouch 300 has HDMI ARC support, which means it can integrate with 4K TVs. It has a wide sound stage, but it could do with deeper base.
The Sonos Playbar requires that you use only Sonos products. This is great for getting the best sound, but it’s a weakness for those who value versatility. The unit has Wifi, but it lacks the Bluetooth feature, which is a shame. Directly opposing the SoundTouch, the Sonos Playbar is built with impressive bass, but a thinner sound stage.
Now, you can clearly see the differences between these two units. It will come down to personal preference, but you can likely already see that the Bose SoundTouch 300 is our favorite.
What is the Difference Between the SoundTouch 300 and Sonos Playbar?
There is no escaping the fact that these are two similar units. The similarly-priced units are able to add wireless surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer. They also both have WiFi functionality, which allows users to stream their favorite tunes. With that said, the two units do have many differences. Let’s dive in!
Sound Quality
The best way to compare two soundbars is to look at their sound quality. The Bose SoundTouch 300 has a wide sound stage that vibrates every corner of your room, which means it is great for creating atmosphere during sporting events and movies.
The Sonos Playbar has nine class-D speakers that have been digitally-amplified. But that’s not all, the unit also has six speakers and three tweets, which are designed to deliver deep base tones.
The main difference between the SoundTouch 300 and the Playbar is the bass. Athough the Bose SoundTouch 300 has better surround sound, it lacks deep base. It would be a good idea to add a sub if you value deep base from your sounds.
Design
The Bose SoundTouch 300 certainly looks the part with its ultra-sleek design. However, with such an aesthetic build, Bose couldn’t put any buttons on the soundbar, which means you’ll be relying on the remote.
On the other hand, the Sonos Playbar has full controls on the unit. You can still play/pause music, skip a track, and control volume – even if you lose the control!
Compatibility
These two playbars differ greater in how they integrate with speakers and TVs. The Bose SoundTouch 300 is the clear winner in this category. Most impressive is the HDMI ARC support, which allows for Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, along with the opportunity to use it with 4K TVs. For an increase in bass, the SoundTouch 300 can be wirelessly connected to surround sound speakers. There is also a 3.5mm jack, which allows you to hardwire a bass module.
The Sonos Playbar has an optical audio output to hook-up to the TV. This is a Dolby Digital playbar that is only compatible with non-amplified and amplified Sonos products.
Bose SoundTouch 300 Review
The Bose SoundTouch 300 is the older version of the SoundTouch 700. With that said, it is still the more popular soundbar, mainly due to the price and dependable build. The soundbar has a sleek build that is capable of outputting a clear, high-quality sound. There are a range of Bose products that can be used with the SoundTouch 300, with a special mention for the SoundTouch Multi-Room System.
Features
We first need to talk about the SoundTouch’s sleek design. With a tempered glass top and input LEDs in the top corner, there aren’t many soundbars that look as good as this one. You can choose to position it on a flat surface of mount it to your wall.
The best feature of the SoundTouch 300 is the PhaseGuide technology that allows for a very wide soundstage. You can use the QuietPort to add a bit of base, but the real base-lovers will want to add a subwoofer.
For those who like to stream music, you’ll make good use of the SoundTouch Wi-Fi music system. This system allows users to stream from Spotify, Apple Music, and other similar music services. Being able to stream directly from the soundbar allows for maximum sound quality. Bluetooth functionality allows the soundbar to connect to any speaker you want to use.
Finally, the SoundTouch 300 has HDMI ARC technology to provide 4k pass-through, which means the unit can be used with the latest 4K TVs.
Pros
- There are few soundbars that look as good as the SoundTouch 300. It has a sleek build that adds to the aesthetic appeal of any room
- It supports 4K HDMI, which allows you to use the soundbar with 4K technology. Even if you don’t have a 4K TV now, the chances are that you will in the future
- Bluetooth functionality allows you to connect to other devices that are not from the Bose range of products
- The SoundTouch 300 gives a clear, high-quality sound. It is expansive, which makes it great for creating atmosphere in the room, whether you’re watching a movie or s special sporting event
Cons
- The core complaint we have with the Bose SoundTouch 300 is the weakness of deep base. For those that need extra base, you’ll need to add a Bose subwoofer
- There are no controls on the machine itself, which can be a problem if you lose the control
Specification
- Dimensions: 4.2 x 38.5 x 2.2 in
- Weight: 12.6 lb
- Network: Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC) and Wi-Fi
- Connections: HDMI input, HDMI output with ARC, SPDIF input, USB, network, subwoofer output
- Supported Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, DTS decoder
- Video Source Compatibility: HDMI and 4K pass-through
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Inside the box: SoundTouch 300 soundbar, universal remote, 2 AAA batteries, ADAPTiQ headset, power cord, HDMI cable, and optical cable
Sonos Playbar Review
If you want a great sound, you should pay attention to the Sonos Playbar. Its main advantage is the beautiful sound output, especially the base. We wish it was compatible with third-party speakers, but fans of Sonos will have no problem with the lack of Bluetooth.
Features
The Sonos Playbar comes with an impressive away of speaker technology. You get nine digital amplifier speakers, with six mid-range speakers and three tweeters. This technology gives a great cinematic experience, with a great base.
We appreciate that the Playbar can be connected to Alexa, Echo, or Dot for hands-free enjoyment. Thanks to wireless technology, the Sonos Playbar can be controlled in a number of cool ways. You can use your TV remote, or the Sonos phone app, or another smart device. It also has touch controls on the machine itself, which allow users to play/pause, volume control, and skip track.
Like the SoundTech, the Playbar can be mounted on your wall or positioned on a flat stand. The machine comes with a power cord and an optical input cord for TV connection. For the best sound, you can pair the Playbar with two surround speakers and a subwoofer.Here’s where we were really impressed – The Sonos Playbar has software known as Trueplay software. Found on the Sonos app, this feature allows users to tune their speaker to perfection. Essentially, Trueplay is able to take a blueprint of the room, and then fine-tune the sound to match the environment. Another feature worth mentioning is the compatibility with Dolby Digital and stereo.
Pros
- The best feature of the Sonos Playbar is the amount of high-quality speakers it has. In fact, you get a total of nine class-D digital amplifier speakers. Together, these speakers are good enough to provide a clear sound, although with deep base. When comparing the Bose Soundtouch Vs Sonos sound quality, the Sonos just wins, thanks to the better base. With that said, the Bose SoundTouch gives a wider sound
- The app is a great way to both set-up and control the Playbar. In fact, it allows for complete control of music, gaming consoles, Blu-Ray, and more
Cons
- We wish that the Sonos Playbar had HDMI ARC support, which you’ll want if you own a 4K TV
- The machine also doesn’t come with Bluetooth compatibility, which means you are forced to use only Sonos speakers. This is fine for true fans of the company, but for us this is a negative feature that we can’t forget
Specification
- Dimensions: 35 x 35.43 x 5.51 in
- Weight:9 lb
- Power: supply AC 100-240V, 50-60 Hz
- Network: Wi-Fi
- Connections: Optical input
- Supported Audio Formats: Dolby Digital and stereo
- Video Source Compatibility: HDMI
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- In the box: Sonos Playbar, AC power cord, optical audio cable, warranty and regulatory booklet, quickstart guide
FAQ
Does the Bose SoundTouch 300 support Dolby Atmos?
No. Unfortunately, both the Bose SoundTouch 300 and Sonos Playbar do not support Dolby Atmos. With that said, you can still use Dolby Digital and DTS.
Does the Sonos Playbar work with other speakers?
No. Unfortunately, the Sonos Playbar can only be used with Sonos speakers and subwoofer. This is in direct contrast with Bose SoundTouch 300, which allows you to use any speaker that has Bluetooth.
Sonos Playbar Vs Bose Soundtouch 300 – Who Wins?
The Bose SoundTouch 300 and Sonos Playbar are both highly-rated in the industry, but there are differences between the two. When trying to find which soundbar to buy, you should take your personal circumstances into account. You need to make sure the unit has the wattage you need, the features you need, be compliant with your TV system, and it should be within your budget.
Do you have a 4K TV that is HDMI ARC-enabled? Then you’ll benefit from the Bose SoundTouch 300’s HDMI ARC compatibility. You’ll also need to look at the equipment you already own. Those with Sonos speakers may want to buy the matching Sonos Playbar.
Personally, we love the SoundTouch 300. It allows you to connect to other devices, is compatible with 4K, and gives a wide sound.