The Bose TV Speaker soundbar addresses the biggest problem with built-in TV speakers: dialogue. If you’ve had to rely on a flatscreen’s audio, you’ll know that even the most expensive models have absolutely horrible separation between ambient sound and conversation, which isn’t helped by the fact that most recent movies have questionable mixing. However, not everyone wants a full AV system just to be able to hear the talking in a film. Fortunately, the Bose TV Speaker solves this problem for a fraction of the price of a 5.1 surround system.
You can get the Bose TV Speaker on Amazon for $199, down from $279, which is $80 or 29% off.
A great-sounding speaker that you can attach to your TV for better audio
Dialogue mode is the feature that defines the Bose TV Speaker. A button on the remote lifts voices forward in the mix so speech stays intelligible during loud action scenes or music-heavy moments, without forcing you to ride the volume up and down. For anyone who keeps subtitles on because TV speakers mumble, this is the function that addresses the actual cause.
Two angled drivers inside the bar spread sound wider than a flat TV speaker can, giving the audio more presence across a room rather than firing straight ahead in a narrow band. A built-in bass port adds enough low-end weight that explosions and music have body, though Bose keeps the cabinet small, so deep bass is where an optional separate bass module would come in for anyone who wants it later.
The soundbar connects to your TV through HDMI. Just connect it to your ARC input (usually #2), and make sure your TV is set to passthrough audio. Your TV remote controls the volume on the Bose TV Speaker, so you don’t even need the included remote. Additionally, even if you’re using an older set without ARC, you can still use the soundbar since it also has an optical out port.
You can also use the soundbar as a standalone speaker via Bluetooth. Just pair a phone, tablet, or computer, and you’re good to go. After that, anything you play on your device is sent to the Bose TV Speaker. The bar measures just under two feet wide and sits low enough to slide in front of most TVs without blocking the screen. It can also be wall-mounted under a TV with a bracket sold separately.
At $199 on Amazon, down from $279, the Bose TV Speaker is one of the more affordable ways into Bose audio. It won’t replace a multi-speaker surround setup, and it is not trying to. Instead, it tries to fix the worst issues people have with built-in TV speakers. It’s a simple, effective way to finally hear what actors are saying without blasting your eardrums whenever there’s action on screen.
