Bose has unveiled its Lifestyle Collection of audio products, which include a new soundbar, smart speaker and subwoofer that now use Google Cast or Apple AirPlay instead of a proprietary app.
The range includes the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker ($299), the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar ($1,099) and the “most powerful” Bose Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer ($899) and are available to preorder now.
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The range is not backward compatible with the company’s existing systems, though Bose says you can connect the company’s subs (or any other sub you choose) to the Sub Out port.
The Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar, which replaces the existing Smart Ultra Soundbar, features Dolby Atmos compatibility as well as the Alexa Plus virtual assistant. The speaker features two of the company’s proprietary PhaseGuides to fire sound out of the unit, in addition to six full-range drivers, two up-firing and four front-facing and a center tweeter. It features a glass-and-fabric look reminiscent of the previous soundbar.
The $299 Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is available in a choice of colors.
The “smart” Lifestyle Ultra speaker is a single-channel speaker with a height driver that uses the company’s “direct reflecting” technology to add presence, though it’s not an Atmos height channel on its own. If you use the Ultra as a rear speaker, though, the height driver will act as an Atmos channel. The Ultra includes a 3.5mm input so users can connect a source component like a turntable to it. If you have two Ultras, you can pair them as a stereo system.
Unlike previous Bose systems, the Bose Lifestyle system doesn’t have a proprietary control app, and the company expects users to use either Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect or Google Cast to manage speakers. The advantage is that you can now group non-Bose speakers, as well as not needing to control their music with a megalithic Sonos-style app. The Bose app is now used for setup only, while also replacing the clunky wired headset to calibrate the system with your phone’s onboard microphone.
Why would Bose ditch a music control app? Look to its competitor Sonos. Two years ago, Sonos owners complained of multiple issues with its all-in-one app — after the introduction of the Ace headphones — and this ultimately led to the departure of its longtime CEO, Patrick Spence. While Sonos and Bose helped invent the multiroom speaker systems we know today, the world has moved on from a single app that controls everything, and most people just use the streaming app they’re most comfortable with.
Ears on
I heard the three speakers playing music and with home theater content, and while Bose says the soundbar has the best bass the company has produced, it didn’t compare to my memories of the Sonos Arc Ultra — a speaker you can use without a subwoofer. Based on the demos I heard, the sub added much-needed bass to movies.
Bose’s Ultra speaker was fine, but I found the height effect subtle and would depend on your room’s layout. The Ultra didn’t have the punchiness I’ve heard in the (cheaper) Sonos Era 100, but I look forward to hearing it against its competition.
Sound quality aside, I think the lack of interoperability with existing Bose speakers will be of most concern to potential buyers. We shall see.
