The new Ultra soundbar replaces the 900 model as Bose's flagship model. It has a fresh design in black or white with a glass top and a new 'AI Dialogue' mode to make voices easier to hear.
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, which is the official name, will compete with soundbars like the Sonos Arc. Like Sonos, Bose's Ultra can stand alone but you can also add extra Bose speakers to the setup including rear speakers and subwoofers.
The soundbar has a tempered glass top. Photo: Bose
At 5.8 centimeters in height, 10.7 centimeters in depth, and 104.5 centimeters in length, it is designed for 50-inch TVs and larger. The new tempered glass top is a unique detail and Bose says that it is made to be resistant to most impact damage.
- "The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar put you in the center of your music or movies in an entirely new way. By combining custom arrays, dipole transducers, and low-profile transducers with Bose spatial technologies, it produces a layer of realism no other speaker can duplicate," the company said.
Dolby Atmos and eARC
It is designed as a Dolby Atmos soundbar for movies and music, and also features eARC, WiFi, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa.
It lacks support for DTS audio.
The company did not specify the speakers units inside but you can see an exploded view in the specifications table.
It also comes in white. Photo: Bose
AI dialogue mode
The most significant new feature as compared to the 900 predecessor is the addition of an AI Dialogue mode.
Something similar was introduced earlier this week in Apple TV 4K when paired with HomePods (2nd Gen). AI-powered dialog enhancement is most likely something we can expect to see in many more soundbars in the coming years.
- "A.I. Dialogue Mode debuts in the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. Using machine learning to listen to millions of content clips, the soundbar automatically adjusts tonal balance, making spoken words easier to hear without losing any impact of immersive sound effects," explained Bose.
FlatpanelsHD has not had a chance to listen to it yet so we cannot comment on sound quality of the effectiveness or the new dialog mode.
Bose's Ultra soundbar is available starting today in black or white for $900 / £900 / €1000 from bose.com.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar – specifications
Stream
With Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, Apple AirPlay 2®, Spotify® Connect, and Chromecast, you can wirelessly stream whatever you love, however you want.
ADAPTiQ Calibration
ADAPTiQ optimises the sound of your system for the acoustics of your room. The calibration process measures the properties of your room and adjusts the sound of your system accordingly.
What’s in the box
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
HDMI eARC cable
Optical cable
ADAPTiQ headset
Power cord
Remote control (battery included)
Quick start guide
Dimensions/weight
Soundbar: 5.8 cm H x 104.5 cm W x 10.7 cm D (5.8 kg)
Materials
Top: Premium glass
Front: Metal grille
Battery
Remote control: 1 CR2032 3-volt lithium battery
Bluetooth
Bluetooth range: up to 9 m (30 ft)
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Inputs
HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel)
Optical input
Power
ADAPTiQ
USB (for service only)
Wired bass module (optional)
Wired IR blaster (optional)
Microphones
Built-in microphone array for voice detection
Control
Remote: power, volume, mute, source buttons (TV, Bluetooth), AI Dialogue Mode, play/pause
Compatible app
Bose Music app
Additional information
Supported audio format: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus
Video source compatibility: HDMI
Voice4Video technology
SimpleSync connectivity
A.I. Dialogue Mode |
FlatpanelsHD
