Overview
Take your favourite content to the next level with this immersive, easy-to-set-up home cinema system that combines a tech-packed soundbar, booming bass, and surround speakers for a cinematic experience right from your living room. The stylish Bose Soundbar 500 delivers ultra-high performance with an ultra-thin design. Meanwhile, the Bass Module 500 produces heart-stopping thunder, and the Surround Speakers provide clear audio from all directions, resulting in a powerful sound occasion for any occasion.
Sounds good, anywhere
ADAPTiQ audio room calibration will optimise its acoustic performance for the unique characteristics of your room – giving you the best possible listening experience.
Elegant lightbar
Not sure the soundbar heard you? An ingenious light bar helps indicate when your voice assistant is listening, thinking or speaking.
Clear voice pickup
Custom-designed microphones in both the front and the back of the soundbar deliver superior voice pickup, so the soundbar will still hear you even when the music is playing loud.
Proprietary drivers
Custom-designed transducers provide superior clarity while maintaining an incredibly slim design.
QuietPort technology
The soundbar’s recessed ports use a piece of resistant screen to reduce turbulent noise while getting more sound through a smaller opening. The result? Virtually distortion-free bass from a slim profile.
Want to watch TV but not disturb anyone else? Now, with Bose SimpleSync technology, you can group select Bose headphones with the Bose Soundbar 500 for a personal TV listening experience. With independent volume controls, you can lower or mute your soundbar while keeping your headphones as loud as you like.
With Google Assistant and Alexa built right into the Bose Soundbar 500, you can control your music, get information, and manage your day without lifting a finger.* Just choose your voice assistant to start listening. And with Alexa only (where available), you can even make or take calls to Bose smart products, Amazon Echo products, and anyone in your contacts list. Hands free, phone free, and free of charge.**
But what good is voice control if the soundbar can’t hear you? Experience superior voice pickup from a custom-designed eight-microphone array that will still hear you no matter how loud your music is. And an ingenious light bar will help visually indicate when your voice assistant is listening, thinking or speaking.
When it comes to what you want to hear, you have so many options. With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect compatibility, you can wirelessly stream whatever you want, however you want. Browse your favourite music services or play anything from your mobile devices. If you can get it on your devices, you can hear it through the Bose Soundbar 500. Music services may vary.
The Bose Music app walks you through setup, lets you choose your voice assistant, group compatible Wi-Fi-enabled products, and more. You can easily browse through all of your music in one place and seamlessly jump between stations, playlists, and services. And multiple users can personalise their experience and content.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 500 is a great start, adding the Bose Bass Module 500 takes your music, movies and more to a whole new level. This 25-cm cube with wireless connectivity makes it easy to hide. The Bose Surround Speakers gives you a fully immersive sound experience. Two wireless receivers accompany the speakers to facilitate a wireless connection to the soundbar.
Specs
FAQs
How does the Bose Soundbar 500 connect to my TV?
The simplest way to connect the Bose Soundbar 500 is via the supplied HDMI cable to your TV. If your TV has an HDMI-ARC or HDMI-eARC connection, you should use that connection. If your TV does not have an HDMI connection, then you should connect the Bose Soundbar 500 to the TV using an optical cable.
Can the Bose Soundbar 500 be mounted on the wall?
Yes. The optional, Bose Soundbar Wall Bracket lets you mount the soundbar to the wall.
How do I run the ADAPTiQ audio calibration system with the Bose Soundbar 500?
ADAPTiQ is part of the overall setup process and driven through the Bose Music app. You will be prompted to run ADAPTiQ after you download the Bose Music app and start the setup process. If you skip running ADAPTiQ during the initial setup process—or change your room significantly after initially running ADAPTiQ—you can go back into the app and do it again. Initiate ADAPTiQ and follow the prompts in the app.
How do I connect a Bluetooth® device to the Bose Soundbar 500?
Press and hold the Bluetooth® source button on the remote for several seconds. Ensure your mobile device is in pairing mode and select the Bose Soundbar 500 from the list. You can also pair your mobile device to the soundbar using the Bose Music app.
What type of remote is included with the Bose Soundbar 500?
The Bose Soundbar 500 comes with a basic IR remote control. Line of sight is required between the remote and the soundbar.
How do I control other devices with the Bose Soundbar remote control?
There are two ways to control other devices: HDMI-CEC and IR. The soundbars may be able to control connected devices (TV, Blu-ray Disc™ player, games console) over HDMI-CEC. This allows you to turn on other devices and operate them with the soundbar remote without any programming. It also enables one-touch access to entertainment, enabling you to turn on multiple devices and select an input with a single touch of a button. However, not all devices respond to these commands. In particular, cable and satellite boxes may not respond to HDMI commands. The customer still can control devices that do not respond to HDMI commands by programming the Bose Soundbar Universal Remote, which is an optional accessory for the Bose Soundbar 500.
What placement guidelines should be considered to ensure optimal audio performance from the Bose Soundbar 500?
The Bose Soundbar 500 uses the reflective surfaces of the room to deliver a spacious home cinema experience. To ensure optimal audio performance, the soundbar should be placed equidistant from each side wall and directly in the front-centre of the TV. No objects should be placed in front of the soundbar, and it should not be placed recessed inside a cabinet, as this will result in a limited soundstage. Also, nothing should be placed directly on either side of the Bose Soundbar 500, because there are side-firing transducers located on either side.
Can source devices, such as a cable box, iPod, gaming system etc., be connected directly to the Bose Soundbar 500?
No. All sources must be connected to the TV and then a single connection (via the HDMI or optical cable) must be made from the TV to the soundbar.
Can I make or take calls via the Bose Soundbar 500?
Yes. Using Alexa only, you can directly call other Bose smart products, Amazon Echo products and anyone in your contacts list. Simply say, “Alexa, call Mum”, to initiate a call. Or say “Alexa, answer”, to accept an incoming call. You do not need your phone to make or take a call, and it’s free of charge. However, when calling products, both parties are required to have this feature set up in order to use it, and must be on Wi-Fi.
Currently, Amazon Alexa works with QC Ultra Headphones, QC45 Headphones, QC35 Headphones II, Headphones 700, Home Speaker 300, Smart Speaker 500, Portable Smart Speaker, Smart Soundbar 300, Soundbar 500, Smart Soundbar 700. Smart Soundbar 600, and Smart Ultra Soundbar.
Can I use my streaming music presets from the Bose Music app with the Bose Soundbar 500?
Yes. The Bose Soundbar 500 uses presets via the Bose Music app and the remote control.
What music services can I access from the Bose Soundbar 500?
The Bose Soundbar 500 can play music directly over Wi-Fi from Spotify, Pandora®, TuneIn, iHeartRadio™, Amazon Music, SiriusXM and Deezer. Alexa access on the Bose Soundbar 500 allows voice control of Spotify, Pandora®, TuneIn, iHeartRadio™, Amazon Music, SiriusXM, Deezer and Audible. Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility allows access to Apple Music. Other services may be accessed by playing them from a device using a Bluetooth® connection. Music and voice services may vary.
What can I do with my voice assistant on the Bose Soundbar 500?
It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of supported features, because Google Assistant and Alexa are constantly evolving—but the integration of voice control with the new Bose family of smart products supports the vast majority of functionality, including music playback, control of smart home devices, setting timers and alarms, and general information requests. Give it a try; just say “Hey Google” or “Alexa”, and ask a question.
Can you mix and match the wireless bass modules and soundbars?
Yes. The Bose Soundbar 500, Bose Smart Soundbar 700, the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 and the Bose Bass Module 500 and Bose Bass Module 700 all use the same wireless protocols and can be mixed and matched (e.g. a Bose Smart Soundbar 700 wirelessly paired with a Bose Bass Module 500 or a Bose Soundbar 500 with a Bose Bass Module 700). However, the design language and materials of the Bose Soundbar 500 and the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 product lines were designed to complement the product in the same class (e.g. Bose Soundbar 500 products together and Bose Smart Soundbar 700 products together). So, the glass on the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 products looks more complementary together than if you mixed one Bose Soundbar 500 product with a Bose Smart Soundbar 700 product.
Can the Bose Bass Module 500 be wired?
Yes. If for some reason a wired connection is preferred, the Bose Bass Module 500 can be hardwired to select Bose soundbars using the Bose Bass Module Connection Cable.
What placement guidelines should be considered to ensure optimal audio performance of the Bose Bass Module 500?
For the best sound quality, the Bose Bass Module 500 should be placed on the floor against the same wall as the television and soundbar, with an electrical socket nearby for the power cord. The bass module should not be placed on a shelf or table. For more bass, the bass module should be placed closer to walls and corners. For less bass, the bass module should be pulled away from walls and corners.
Can the Bose Bass Module 500 be added to other one-piece Bose speakers, such as the Bose Smart Speaker 500 or SoundTouch 10 wireless speaker?
No. The Bose Bass Module 500 can only be added to the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, Bose Smart Soundbar 600, Bose Smart Soundbar 900, Bose Smart Soundbar 300, Bose TV Speaker, Bose Smart Soundbar 700, Bose Soundbar 500, and the SoundTouch 300 Soundbar.
Are the Bose Surround Speakers wireless?
Yes. The Bose Surround Speakers connect wirelessly to the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, Bose Smart Soundbar 900, Bose Smart Soundbar 700, Bose Smart Soundbar 600, Bose Soundbar 500, Bose Smart Soundbar 300, and the SoundTouch 300 Soundbar. However, these do require electrical power to power the wireless receivers and there is a wire connecting those receivers to the speaker itself.
Can the Bose Surround Speakers be wired to the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, Bose Smart Soundbar 900, Bose Smart Soundbar 700, Bose Smart Soundbar 600, Bose Soundbar 500, or the Bose Smart Soundbar 300?
No. The Bose Surround Speakers can only be connected wirelessly.
What is the range of the wireless link between the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, Bose Smart Soundbar 900, Bose Smart Soundbar 700, Bose Smart Soundbar 600, Bose Soundbar 500, Bose Smart Soundbar 300, or the SoundTouch 300 soundbar and the Bose Surround Speakers?
The Bose Surround Speakers have a range of about 30 ft.