Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review
A standalone review of the Smart Ultra Soundbar's sound and features.
Bose · 2023
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
A slim, well-built Dolby Atmos bar with clear dialogue and easy setup, but modest bass and height.
Where to buy
List $899
Also check
Prices change. Each shows when it was last checked. We may earn a commission when you buy through these links; it never affects what we recommend. Amazon prices are not displayed.
The verdict
Reviewers like the build, soundstage and dialogue, and the bar is notably smaller than some rivals. TechRadar and Tom's Guide both found bass and height effects less impressive, so it is best considered alongside the Sonos Arc Ultra and, if you add the Bass Module, as part of a larger Bose system.
The Smart Ultra Soundbar is Bose's top soundbar, with nine drivers arranged as 5.1.2 and upward-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos. It uses ADAPTiQ room calibration, an AI Dialogue Mode, and supports AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect. It suits people who want a compact single bar with strong dialogue. The main caveats are limited bass without the separate Bass Module, one HDMI port with no passthrough and no DTS:X.
Strengths
- Reviewers praise the wide, detailed soundstage and clear dialogue.
- Compact for a flagship Atmos bar at about 1.05 m wide and 58 mm tall.
- Quick automatic ADAPTiQ room calibration and a well-regarded app.
- Supports AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa and Bluetooth.
- Expandable with the Bose Bass Module and surround speakers.
Weak spots
- TechRadar finds the bass lacks weight and the height effect is modest.
- Tom's Guide found the AI Dialogue mode can sound harsh and bass quality uneven.
- Single HDMI eARC port with no passthrough.
- No DTS:X support.
Great for
- Small to mid-size rooms where a slim, tidy bar matters
- Viewers who prioritise dialogue and a wide soundstage
Skip if
- Bass-heavy listeners who do not want to add the Bass Module
- Anyone needing HDMI passthrough or DTS:X
Full specifications
From the manufacturer unless noted. Shown for this model.
Sound
- ChannelsWritten as bar.sub.height, or total channels. 5.1.2 means five main channels, a subwoofer and two overhead “height” channels.
- 5.1.2source
- Subwoofer included
- No
- Rear speakers included
- No
- Room correction
- ADAPTiQsource
- Dialogue enhancementA setting that lifts voices above music and effects, useful if dialogue is hard to follow.
- AI Dialogue Modesource
Connections
Wireless
Size & placement
Warranty
- Warranty
- 1 yearssource
Primary source: tomsguide.com
Setup notes
- One HDMI eARC output to the TV plus an optical input; there is no HDMI input for sources.
- Supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD, but not DTS:X.
- Bose's TrueSpace processing upmixes non-Atmos content and is always active, per TechRadar.
Video reviews
Each video was checked to exist and to be about the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar - Full System Review
A look at the bar as part of a fuller Bose system with extra speakers.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review: Is It Better Than The Sonos Arc?
Compares the Bose bar with the Sonos Arc to see which one sounds better.
What reviewers found
Summaries in our own words. Follow the link to read each review in full.
Likes the build quality, quick calibration, wide soundstage and clear dialogue, and its smaller size versus the Sonos Arc. Marks it down for modest bass punch, a limited sense of height and TrueSpace processing that cannot be turned off.
Read the originalFinds a slim design, balanced sound with most content and automatic room correction as strengths. Complaints are an AI dialogue mode that can be harsh, uneven bass and weaker results with music.
Read the original
Questions
Does the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar support DTS:X?
No. Both TechRadar and Tom's Guide report Dolby Atmos support without DTS:X.
Does it have HDMI passthrough?
No. It has a single HDMI eARC port to the TV, plus an optical input, so other devices connect to the TV.
Do I need a subwoofer?
Not required, but reviewers note the bass is on the light side. Bose sells wireless Bass Modules that pair with the bar.
Can it be wall mounted?
Yes. Tom's Guide lists it as wall mountable.
More soundbars
Sources for this page
Last reviewed Nov 9, 2026. Released October 2023. Spotted an error? Tell us.