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Bose Solo Soundbar Series II Review
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True Score
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Mixed Reviews
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This Bose Solo Soundbar will work best for users who don’t mind basic yet well-performing audio reproduction at a pocket-friendly price. However, it doesn’t have great wireless connectivity or many ports, and its surround sound performance is below par.
Product Snapshot
Overview
The Bose Solo Soundbar Series II is an entry-level speaker that was first launched in 2021. It has a 2.0 channel setup for a soundstage that is slightly wider than the bar itself.
The speaker ships with a Digital Optical Cable, and supports Bluetooth connectivity. It also includes a remote for convenient operation and supports the Dolby Digital surround sound format.
Like many of the best speakers, it has a dialogue enhancement feature to ensure clear vocals. Its lack of WiFi, Chromecast, and AirPlay support makes it miss out on our list of the best soundbars, and while it doesn’t quite live up to the best Sonos soundbar, its build quality is great.
In terms of wired inputs, the Series II has an AUX port, a Coaxial port, and an Optical Audio In, but unfortunately, it doesn’t have any HDMI ports.
Consensus
our Verdict
The Bose Solo Soundbar Series II has a well-balanced sound profile and accurately produces vocals for listening to dialogue-focused TV shows, but its soundstage isn’t wide enough for complete immersion when gaming or watching movies.
Also, its missing support for Dolby Atmos or Dolby Digital isn’t enough to deliver an immersive listening experience. Check out our Bose Soundbar 500 review if you can’t do without Atmos.
Still, the audio quality is clear even at high volumes, and its ultra-low 5ms optical latency is great for in-sync content.
If you want bass, check out our Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module review. Unfortunately, connectivity is also limited to Bluetooth, and port selection is poor, with only an Optical In port and a 3.5mm AUX.
ReasonS to Buy
- Accurate vocals for dialogue-focussed content
- Compact size for easy placement
- Easy to set up
- Decent surround sound performance
- Clear audio at max volume
Reason to Avoid
- No Dolby Atmos support
- No support for Wi-Fi connectivity
Bose Solo Soundbar Series II Specs
 | Bluetooth Enabled | Yes |
 | Depth | 3.4" |
 | Dialogue Enhancement Feature | Yes |
 | Energy Star Certified | No |
 | HDMI ARC | Yes |
 | Height | 2.8" |
 | Number of Audio Channels | 2.0 |
 | Subwoofer | Build-in |
 | Surround Sound Supported | Dolby Digital |
 | Voice Assistant | No |
 | Wall Mountable | Yes |
 | Weight | 3.7 lbs, 5.9 lbs |
 | Width | 21.6" |
 | Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth |
 | Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity | Yes |
 | Works With | Bluetooth, Remote Control |
All Specs
Design
The Bose Solo Soundbar Series II embraces a minimalist design, characteristic of Bose products. With a matte-black finish, soft rounded edges, and a compact, rectangular profile, it blends seamlessly into modern home entertainment setups. The build quality feels premium for its price range, and it won’t overpower your TV stand or media center.
A subtle LED indicator on the front panel signals power, input mode, and voice enhancement activation, keeping the interface simple without sacrificing usability.
It’s designed for plug-and-play simplicity, with minimal buttons (power and Bluetooth pairing) located on the top panel and a compact remote for volume, bass control, and dialogue mode toggling.
Dimensions and Build
- Width: 21.6 inches (548 mm)
- Height: 2.8 inches (71 mm)
- Depth: 3.4 inches (86 mm)
- Weight: Approximately 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg)
Its compact size makes it perfect for small to medium-sized rooms, and it’s ideal for setups where space is limited — such as bedrooms, dorm rooms, or kitchen TVs. It can be wall-mounted using optional brackets or simply placed on a TV stand.
Sound Quality and Performance
Dialogue Mode
One of the standout features of the Bose Solo Series II is the Dialogue Mode. When activated, it enhances vocal frequencies, making it easier to hear spoken words clearly — especially useful for TV shows, news, or movies with complex sound mixing. Users who have trouble with muffled speech on regular TV speakers will find this a significant improvement.
Bass and Treble
There is no separate subwoofer, but the internal speakers do a decent job at reproducing midrange clarity and balanced bass, given the soundbar’s size. While it won’t shake the room, it’s a noticeable step up from most built-in TV speakers. Bass can be adjusted via the remote to better suit your preferences.
Volume Output
Despite its small footprint, the Solo II delivers respectable volume levels suitable for most living rooms without noticeable distortion at high volumes.
Connectivity Options
- Bluetooth 4.2 – Easily pair your phone, tablet, or laptop to stream music wirelessly.
- Optical Audio Input – Main connection method to your TV.
- 3.5mm Aux Input – Compatible with older devices.
- Coaxial Input – Another alternative for non-HDMI devices.
- No HDMI ARC – This may be a downside for users looking for seamless TV remote integration or CEC support.
The absence of HDMI ARC is arguably the biggest limitation, as it lacks features like volume syncing with your TV remote or support for more advanced audio formats.
Ease of Use
The setup is intuitive: just connect the optical cable (included), plug in the power, and you’re good to go. The remote is compact but functional, giving you control over:
- Power
- Volume
- Bluetooth pairing
- Dialogue mode on/off
- Bass level control
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Product Comparison
 Bose Solo Soundbar Series II Review | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
True Score | 77 | 81 | NR | 85 |
Ranking | # 103 / 151 | # 57 / 151 | # / | # 17 / 151 |
Bluetooth Enabled | Yes | Yes | – | No |
Depth | 3.4" | 4.02" | – | 3.9" |
Dialogue Enhancement Feature | Yes | Yes | – | Yes |
Energy Star Certified | No | No | – | No |
HDMI ARC | Yes | Yes | – | Yes |
Height | 2.8" | 2.21" | – | 2.7" |
Number of Audio Channels | 2.0 | 3 | – | 3 |
Subwoofer | Build-in | Optional (sold separately) | – | No |
Dig Deeper |
How it Compares
Bose TV Speaker: The Bose Solo Soundbar Series II has a small compact design that might appeal to buyers who are limited in terms of space. It is pretty similar in design to the Bose TV Speaker, but the Bose Speaker has a HDMI ARC port while the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II does not. The Bose TV Speaker also supports the Dolby Digital surround format while the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II does not. Feel free to check out our Bose TV Speaker review to see what to expect.
Sonos Beam: The Bose Solo Soundbar Series II has a room correction feature and a treble adjustment feature while the Sonos Beam does not, but the Sonos Beam supports DTS audio format while the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II does not. In terms of connectivity, the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II supports Bluetooth connectivity but the Sonos Beam does not, but the Sonos Beam supports Wi-Fi connectivity while the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II does not.
WHO SHOULD BUY It
Dummy text: The Bose Solo Soundbar Series II has a small compact design that might appeal to buyers who are limited in terms of space. It is pretty similar in design to the Bose TV Speaker, but the Bose Speaker has a HDMI ARC port while the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II does not. The Bose TV Speaker also supports the Dolby Digital surround format while the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II does not. Feel free to check out our Bose TV Speaker review to see what to expect.
WHO SHOULDN’t Buy it
The Bose Solo Soundbar Series II has a small compact design that might appeal to buyers who are limited in terms of space. It is pretty similar in design to the Bose TV Speaker, but the Bose Speaker has a HDMI ARC port while the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II does not. The Bose TV Speaker also supports the Dolby Digital surround format while the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II does not. Feel free to check out our Bose TV Speaker review to see what to expect.
Score Card
E
Expert Score
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews
Expert Scores
Publications with higher Trust Ratings are given more weight.
101.4Category Trust Rating
67The Bose Solo Soundbar Series II is okay for mixed usage. It’s a simple 2.0… Read MoreBy:
John Panoryios
Customer Scores
Real Amazon User Reviews – What Are Customers Saying?
Here’s what everyday users had to say about the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II, gathered from reviews on Amazon:
⭐ Positive Reviews (Pros)
- Clarity for Dialogue (7 reviews)
“This soundbar has significantly improved my ability to hear dialogue on movies. I no longer need subtitles!”
– ★★★★★ Verified Purchase - Simplicity Wins (3 reviews)
“I didn’t want a complicated system with tons of speakers and wires. This was easy to set up and just works. Huge improvement over my TV’s sound.”
– ★★★★☆ Verified Purchase - Good Value (5 reviews)
“For under $200, it’s a great buy. The dialogue enhancement is a game-changer for older folks or anyone hard of hearing.”
– ★★★★☆ Verified Purchase
⚠️ Critical Reviews (Cons)
- Lack of HDMI ARC (5 reviews)
“I wish it had HDMI ARC. Using optical means I need to use the Bose remote separately to control volume.”
– ★★★☆☆ Verified Purchase - Not Great for Music (4 reviews)
“While it’s good for movies and speech, it doesn’t deliver deep bass or dynamic sound for music lovers.”
– ★★★☆☆ Verified Purchase - No Subwoofer (2 reviews)
“Would’ve been perfect with a small sub. You do feel the lack of low-end punch.”
– ★★★☆☆ Verified Purchase
