Soundbars / Bose Smart Soundbar vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)
Bose Smart Soundbar vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)
Bose Smart Soundbar
The best streaming integration under $600 — but budget for the bass module.
Wins overall by 1.1 points
Quick Verdict
The Bose Smart Soundbar takes this by a clear 1.1 points. The best streaming integration under $600 — but budget for the bass module. The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) only makes sense if it wins on a category you care about more than the total.
The Bose Smart Soundbar and Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) are both closely matched soundbar models, and the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is $199 cheaper than the Bose Smart Soundbar ($349.99 vs $549). On Connectivity, the Bose Smart Soundbar leads (9.0 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Features, the Bose Smart Soundbar leads (8.0 vs 5.0/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. On Surround & Height, the Bose Smart Soundbar leads (7.0 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. Overall, the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 7.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.3/10 for the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bose Smart Soundbar | Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $349.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2026 |
| Channels | 3.0.2 as measured independently; Bose publishes only a transducer count, not a channel spec | 3.1 |
| Total Power (W) | Bose does not publish power ratings for any soundbar | Sony publishes power consumption only (bar 30W, subwoofer 20W), not system output |
| Subwoofer | Optional add-on — Bose Bass Module 500 or 700; there is no built-in subwoofer | Included (wireless), model SA-WB500 |
| Rear Speakers | Optional add-on — Bose Surround Speakers, or Bose Ultra Open Earbuds | None — Sony has published no compatible wireless rear kit for this model |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | No | Yes |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI Passthrough | None — eARC output only | None — there is no HDMI input, only eARC out |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Yes — AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and Spotify Connect all supported | None — no AirPlay, Chromecast or Spotify Connect |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa built in; also works with Google Home | None |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 5.5 — a 1.0-point margin on low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose Smart Soundbar does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Surround & Height
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.5 — a 1.5-point margin on dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 9.0 against 4.5 — a 4.5-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 8.0 against 5.0 — a 3.0-point margin on room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose Smart Soundbar does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Bose Smart Soundbar if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 9.0/10 here (HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support).
- • Features matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 8.0/10 here (room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability).
- • Surround & Height matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 7.0/10 here (dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio).
- • Dialogue Clarity matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 8.5/10 here (how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack).
- • Your main use case is home-theater.
Choose the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) if…
- • Bass matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) scores 6.5/10 here (low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer).
- • You want to spend less — it's $199 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is tv-upgrade.
Pros & Cons
Bose Smart Soundbar
Pros
- +Best streaming and smart-home integration in this price band — AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect together
- +A.I. Dialogue Mode is one of the better dialogue enhancers on the market
- +Alexa built in with a mic on the bar itself
- +Compact and well finished
Cons
- −Bass is weak without the separate Bass Module, which costs $500 to $800 more
- −A complete Bose system runs close to $1,400
- −No DTS:X
- −Reviewers describe the Atmos performance as inconsistent
- −Only power and mic-mute buttons on the bar itself
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)
Pros
- +A genuine 2026 model rather than old stock
- +Dedicated centre channel makes dialogue noticeably clearer than a 2.1 bar
- +Slim profile designed to fit under a BRAVIA without blocking the screen
- +Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Cons
- −Reviewers report almost no sense of overhead height despite the Atmos badge
- −No room calibration
- −No Wi-Fi streaming of any kind
- −No HDMI input
- −Only a power button on the unit itself, so you depend entirely on the remote
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose Smart Soundbar or Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Bose Smart Soundbar comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Connectivity (9.0/10 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Features, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Features (8.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability.
Which is better for Surround & Height, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Surround & Height (7.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio.
Which is better for Bass, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) scores higher on Bass (6.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer.
Is the Bose Smart Soundbar worth the price difference over the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is the cheaper option at $349.99 versus $549. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Connectivity.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar is the better fit if you mainly care about home-theater. The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is the better fit for tv-upgrade.
What's the warranty on the Bose Smart Soundbar vs the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar ships with a 12-month warranty; the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
TCL S55H — $139.00
Premium Option
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) — $869.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.