Ask Alexa with Bose's latest smart speaker and soundbars

Bose announced its new line of soundbars and a Bose smart speaker, all of which include integrated Amazon Alexa control. According to the press release, Bose has committed to “other voice assistants to follow,” and AirPlay 2 support by early 2019.

Doug Cunningham, category manager for the Bose Consumer Electronics Division, stated that each product — the Bose Speaker 500, Soundbar 700, and Soundbar 500 — combines “Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for unbeatable ease of use…”

Universally outfitted with an eight-microphone array, the Bose smart speaker and soundbars are equipped for near- and far-field voice registration, meaning you won’t have to endlessly repeat, “Alexa.” Bose claims that the microphones will perform adeptly in quiet and noisy environments.

Bose’s Home Speaker 500 houses two opposite-facing drivers to reproduce a more realistic sound. In fact, the company asserts that the Home Speaker 500 has the “widest soundstage of any smart speaker available today.” Ouch. Did it just get dark with all of that shade thrown?

Being 38 inches long, the Soundbar 700 rests comfortably under a 50-inch TV. It’s encased by a metal grille and tempered glass on top. Media playback from both soundbars benefits from the Bose PhaseGuides, which sends multiple channels of a soundtrack throughout a given space.

What’s more, both use ADAPTiQ® which allows the soundbars to adjust the acoustics according to the environment. You can connect either soundbar to a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers for 5.1. listening. Unlike the Soundbar 500, the Soundbar 700 includes a universal remote.

All three products will be available at the beginning of October with the Bose Home Speaker 500 retailing for $399.95, and the Soundbar 500 and 700 will retail for $549.95 and $799.95, respectively.