When the Bose SoundTouch got here out in 2016, the world was a really totally different place. Certain, Sonos had developed its spectacular Sonos Playbar and Samsung started its path to aural dominance with the Samsung HW-MS650 – however, by and enormous, the soundbar house was owned by Bose.
Today, nevertheless, Bose is not the driving pressure in soundbars that it as soon as was and whereas that is disappointing in some respects, at the least it went out on a excessive be aware: Boasting high-end design, this slim soundbar seems to be very good, and sounds above common. It is restricted by a single HDMI-out however the SoundTouch 300 does sufficient to justify its place as a premium soundbar providing, with a broad, dynamic and articulate efficiency with each music and flicks. …it additionally does not harm which you can choose up the SoundTouch 300 lately for round $200/£200 lower than when it first got here out.
Design
Build high quality is commensurate with the worth. Bose’s flagship bar sports activities a tempered black glass prime plate (which admittedly is a little bit of a fingerprint magnet) complemented by a wraparound aluminium grille. It is also price mentioning that, as this isn’t a 2.1 package deal, there’s no subwoofer equipped, though Bose will promote you a wi-fi Acoustimas sub for an extra $700/£600. Flip it the wrong way up and the bottom of the bar has two non-slip rubber pads.
Connections, recessed on the again, comprise an HDMI with ARC (Audio Return Channel), plus HDMI loop-through, optical digital audio enter, Ethernet, Acoustimas jack, Adaptiq microphone enter and micro USB connection. HDMIs are v2.0 and help 4K HDCP 2.2 sources, similar to Sky Q 4K or the Roku four. There’s not a lot room to maneuver again there although and issues do get a bit of fiddly once you attempt to lace the factor up. The ST300 comes with a big, generic Bose distant, sophisticated by buttons for options not on the ST300 in any respect (DVR, Channel +/-).
Setup
Key to the preliminary setup is the Acoustiq room calibration system, which tunes the output to your listening room. It is just like the Audyssey and YPAO techniques seen on AV receivers. Nevertheless, whereas they have a tendency to return with small standalone microphones which awkwardly must be positioned at listening peak (Denon and Marantz helpfully embody a cardboard tripod with their receivers), the Bose mic is constructed right into a plastic headband.
This quite brilliantly permits the ST300 to measure at precisely the appropriate listening peak. Inevitably, there’s additionally a SoundTouch app (out there for iOS and Android). That is designed for music streaming (companies and NAS) from a smartphone, quite than full system management. It does supply presets, nevertheless, which might be assigned to totally different sources.Don’t suppose it’s important to obtain the app, although. It’s simple sufficient to wirelessly stream over Bluetooth (there’s fast contact NFC for these with appropriate smartphones) or use Spotify Join.
That mentioned, connecting the ST300 through HDMI over ARC is the really helpful approach to make use of the bar. The SoundTouch will seamlessly relay no matter audio is being output from the TV, whereas that HDMI loopthrough accommodates one other supply circuitously linked to the TV (simply choose the HDMI ARC enter to view). Issues get quite extra convoluted should you go for an optical audio enter as a substitute (in case your TV doesn’t help ARC). We tried setting the ST300 up utilizing simply such a TV and will get nothing out of the ST300 in any respect. We’ve arrange quite a few soundbars and soundbases this manner, however the Bose was having none of it. After a number of hours of getting perplexed and vexed we gave up. Frankly, in case your TV doesn’t help HDMI with ARC, you’re higher off wanting elsewhere.
Performance
Get there ultimately, although, and efficiency is nice; there’s an terrible lot to love concerning the ST300. It does a superb job with dialogue, preserving centre-placed vocals crisp and clear. On the flip facet of that, some content material dialogue can sound a bit of sharp, however at the least there’s no hint of sibilance. Whereas the soundbar doesn’t create any fake encompass, it does paint a particularly large and atmospheric soundscape. This proves notably efficient with stay sports activities – protection of Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title protection actually did place me within the Manchester Area. This immersive presentation works properly on films, too. When Watney drives throughout the Martian floor listening to Donna Summer time’s Sizzling Stuff (The Martian), there’s simply the correct amount of membership atmosphere in his futuristic dune buggy.
That mentioned, dispersion is tuned for the horizontal airplane. The ST300 doesn’t picture (sonically) as excessive because it does large. For one of the best integration, strive and make sure the soundbar sits near the display screen – Bose sells an elective wall-mount, if required. Should you do need a full encompass sound system, the ST300 might be partnered with the model’s Nearly Invisible (i.e. small at 10cm) 300 encompass audio system (priced at £250 a pair).
The system can be appropriate with the Bose SoundTouch wi-fi multiroom system which incorporates smaller Bluetooth audio system. One space the place soundbars usually are inclined to lose out to a number of enclosure sound techniques is unpicking sophisticated soundtracks. However the ST300 fares properly on this regard. Throughout The First Order Stormtrooper raid which opens Star Wars The Drive Awakens, the clumping landers and ensuing firefight finds room to breathe amid John William’s symphonic rating. Strings and brass sit again and away from the motion.
Whereas the SoundTouch doesn’t do deep bass, we by no means actually felt the absence of a sub-woofer. Poe Dameron’s X-Wing is disabled with a satisfyingly visceral ka-blam. Musically, the ST300 holds its personal. The Hans Zimmer/Junkie XL Marvel Girl Theme (from the Batman Vs Superman soundtrack) has a deep, triumphant riff that’s delivered with gusto. On the debit facet, there’s no show past some mode LEDs, so you actually don’t know the place you’re by way of quantity or modes.
Boasting high-end design, this slim soundbar seems to be very good, and sounds above common. At 97.9cm large, it’s finest partnered with bigger display screen sizes (50-inch+) and this width additionally has the advantage of making a convincing stereo unfold. Plus, 4K HDMI help means you’ll don’t have any issues connecting next-gen AV elements and will theoretically give the SoundTouch an extended lifespan.
If you’re not the proprietor of a TV with HDMI ARC help, simply don’t hassle. And with just one HDMI loopthrough enter, there’s not a lot room for system enlargement both. The ST300 doesn’t do deep bass, and that elective sub is a pricey funding.
Verdict
If you’ve already purchased into Bose’s SoundTouch multiroom system, and have an HDMI ARC-enabled TV, then the SoundTouch 300 would appear a no brainer. It’s a powerful performer, able to large, detailed audio (though these hoping for gut-rumbling LFE shall be disenchanted). There are caveats concerning usability and value, however general it warrants a cautious two thumbs up.