Bose's new 23-inch TV Speaker costs $299 and, in one reviewer's tests, made dialogue clearer than the pricier Sonos Beam 2.
Bose has a new entry-level soundbar, the TV Speaker 2nd Gen, and a Tom's Guide reviewer found it sounds much bigger than it looks. It costs $299 in the US and £299 in the UK. The reviewer said it beat Sonos' Beam 2, which costs $480 or more, for dialogue in movies and Netflix shows. It scored 4 out of 5.
The size is the same as the original: 23 inches long. The new part is a center tweeter, a small speaker that handles high sounds. Bose says it improves dialogue and keeps high sounds distinct. The reviewer, who said spec-sheet claims often make them roll their eyes, found it really does help.
The reviewer used a TCL TV and watched three 4K Blu-ray movies: Top Gun: Maverick, Project Hail Mary and Obsession. They also tried basic stereo TV on Now TV and Netflix. Dialogue stayed clear in loud action scenes and noisy bar scenes. There is no Dolby Atmos, yet door sounds still seemed to come from behind the viewer.
The bar is meant for small rooms and TVs of 43 to 50 inches. It could work with a 55-inch TV, but anything larger would dwarf it. It is also light, and the reviewer set it up alone in seconds. For a 65-inch TV or bigger, the review points to the $225 Samsung B550F. It is 33 inches long and comes with a subwoofer, the separate speaker for deep bass.
The reviewer called $299 too expensive for an entry-level Bose, and gave the price 3 out of 5. In the UK, the 2021 Bose Solo Soundbar II is still sold for £179. The review also named the $129 Ultimea Nova S50 as a cheaper bar that can shake or peak with extra bass.
The review text provided ends partway through the price discussion. This is one reviewer's experience in one room with one TV, so results may differ at home. Comparing prices before buying is wise.
If voices get lost on your small TV, this Bose may fix it, but weigh the $299 price against cheaper bars first.
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