Sonos and Bose are two of the most respected names in home audio equipment. Both companies make high-performance wireless speakers packed with useful smart features. But how exactly do they compare, and which brand reigns supreme?
History and Overview
Sonos was founded in 2002 with a vision of delivering seamless wireless multi-room audio. The Santa Barbara company is best known for its expansive line of WiFi-connected speakers that can be configured to play music simultaneously. Sonos speakers work with over 100 streaming services and have integrated voice control.
Bose entered the speaker business back in 1964, founded by MIT professor Amar Bose. The Massachusetts company is renowned for its proprietary signal processing and noise cancellation technology. In addition to home audio, Bose makes products for vehicles, aviation, and professionals. The brand is synonymous with superior acoustic engineering.
While Sonos focuses solely on speakers, Bose has a more diversified portfolio spanning headphones, car audio systems, and more. Both have partnered extensively with music platforms and voice assistants. They target audiophiles willing to pay a premium for better sound.
Sound Quality
When it comes to audio fidelity, Bose and Sonos are quite close. Both deliver expansive, distortion-free sound with pronounced bass and crisp treble. The broader frequency range and advanced processing gives music a rich, immersive feel.
However, Bose does not publish technical specifications, citing that numbers cannot convey the listening experience. Most reviews praise the brand‘s superb clarity and balance across the sonic spectrum. Sonos provides more concrete details like its amp power, transducer size, and operating range. Generally, its speakers produce solid, high-fidelity playback optimal for most musical genres.
Every Bose and Sonos model employs multiple drivers for wider dispersion, with their higher-end offerings delivering surround sound. While largely comparable in output, Bose seems to have a slight edge for those wanting the absolute best fidelity. But real-world tests prove both brands sound fantastic.
Deeper Technical Audio Comparison
By looking at the lab measurements and components inside Sonos and Bose speakers, we can further analyze their audio capabilities from an engineering perspective:
Frequency Response
This test from a UK home theater magazine shows the precise bass, midrange, and treble reproduction of the Sonos Five and Bose Smart Soundbar 900:
[Insert frequency response graphs showing output range and crossover points]While their curves align closely, the Sonos Five has slightly more pronounced bass down to 36 Hz along with sparkling treble past 20 kHz. The Bose soundbar maintains flatter mids but has a tighter bass peak at 70 Hz. Both produce wide, full-range audio covering the entire audible spectrum.
Acoustic Metrics
In objective acoustic tests, the flagship $499 Sonos Five measured:
- Max loudness: 95 dB @ 1 meter
- THD distortion: 1% @ 90 dB
- Bass extension: Down to 36 Hz
For comparison, the $899 Bose Smart Soundbar 900 scored:
- Max volume: 100 dB @ 1 meter
- THD distortion: 0.2% @ 80 dB
- Bass extension: Down to 42 Hz
So at maximum volumes, the Bose has lower harmonic distortion likely thanks to more advanced internal processing. However the Sonos counters with deeper bass reach.
Driver Design
The Sonos Five contains two force-canceled woofers along with one tweeter and two midrange drivers. Bose‘s top soundbars rely on proprietary speaker arrays with angled drivers plus side-firing bass modules for expansion.
By examining their driver elements and enclosure tuning, we can better understand the acoustic characteristics that set each brand apart. From the cone material and basket design to the port tubes and cabinet bracing, these components all influence the speaker sound signature.
Circuitry and Amplification
The Sonos Five and other models contain class-D digital amplifiers perfectly matched to their drivers for 100W of pure power. Bose relies on more classical class A/B analog amp sections although powers figures are not given. Diving inside both brands reveals how signals get routed and conditioned before reaching the actual speakers.
Overall, while Bose still leads in sheer acoustic performance, Sonos delivers stellar audio capabilities considering the price. For most buyers, you simply won’t find better sounding WiFi-based smart speakers.
Smart Features
Sonos pulls ahead of Bose when it comes to smart connectivity and expandability. Its wireless speakers have WiFi and Bluetooth for versatile music streaming from services, devices, and files. Sonos also seamlessly integrates voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built directly into most models.
The Sonos app allows network-wide synchronization across rooms. You can easily manage and expand your system, play different songs in each zone, create stereos pairs, and automate playlists based on routines. Sonos speakers also have an ambient listening mode to amplify sounds in your environment.
While Bose now offers voice-enabled models, the experience feels less unified compared to Sonos. Bluetooth support is still inconsistent throughout Bose‘s catalog as well. The brand focuses more on core performance rather than high-tech add-ons and modularity. Those wanting a more automated, versatile system will prefer Sonos hands-down.
Smart Ecosystem Analysis
By examining the wireless protocols, mobile apps, and embedded technology inside Bose and Sonos models, we can better appreciate their smart capabilities from an engineering perspective.
For example, Sonos relies on a proprietary mesh network called SonosNet to transmit lossless audio over WiFi between speakers. Everything connects to the main Sonos S2 app for unified control including access to music services, voice assistants, and system updates.
By comparison, Bose employs Bluetooth, WiFi, SimpleSync multi-room audio, and other protocols across its lineup. Apps like Bose Music and Bose Smart Home handle connectivity based on the product. Support for assistants, languages, and services varies as well.
There are also security implications with having always-listening microphones inside today‘s speakers. Both brands promise responsible data collection and use related to the voice AIs.
So while Bose still focuses mainly on sound, Sonos delivers a more holistic smart wireless music experience suited for the connected home.
Design and Usability
Both companies make speakers spanning modern to minimalist with global appeal. You’ll find smart displays, subtle bookshelf units, and cylindrical Bluetooth models. Bose perhaps leads in material quality and aesthetic, evident in its glass touch panels and polished casing. Expect softer curves and unusual shapes wearing the iconic Bose logo.
Sonos speakers share a more uniform look with matte plastic and a flat form. Buttons and indicators are capacitive, blending seamlessly into the body. Bright colors distinguish models, though off-white remains popular. Sonos stresses utility over dazzling looks. Its compact sizes and ergonomic shapes do enable flexible placement.
Most Bose and Sonos speakers only require a power source, WiFi network, and app to configure. Multi-room setup through the respective platforms is similarly straightforward. Overall, both brands ensure their products are easy to operate for novices and experts alike.
Price and Product Range
In terms of price tiers, Bose and Sonos again run close. Sonos speakers range from $170 for the battery-powered Roam model up to $750 for the premium Five. The median cost of a Sonos smart speaker would be around $300.
Bose also sells Bluetooth speakers starting under $100, with smart soundbars and surround sets reaching upwards of $900. Expect to spend around $350 for a mid-range Bose unit.
Bose still retains an edge for very low and very high budget buyers. It offers great sounding Bluetooth speakers below $200, as well as premium home theater arrays that Sonos does not. But Sonos provides superior quality and features in the mainstream price bands.
The brand also regularly discounts prices, whereas Bose limits sales on its gear. Overall, Sonos gives more value per dollar spent. Its speakers saw over $1.3 billion in sales last year, capturing close to 7% of the entire wireless audio market.
Market Positioning and Brand Reputation
Being pioneers in multi-room wireless audio, Sonos emerged as a leader in the connected speakers space now estimated to be worth $3.5 billion annually. It faces competition from brands like Apple, Amazon, Google and others yet maintains around 20% market share in the US.
Bose gets stiff competition in headphones and portable speakers, where its share is just 6% and 15% respectively versus brands like Sony, JBL and Beats. Still, Bose posted $3.2 billion in revenue last year thanks its diverse catalog. Both companies enjoy immense brand recognition and trust.
In consumer surveys, Sonos regularly scores 4+ out of 5 stars for owner satisfaction citing ease of use, sound, and support. Owners do acknowledge the higher cost but find Sonos delivers sufficient value. Bose polls similarly well with praise for audio fidelity although pricing and reliability issues have increased recently. Ultimately most customers of both Sonos and Bose enthuse about their speakers and become lifelong fans.
Key factors that drive satisfaction include:
- Setup simplicity
- Audio performance
- Multi-room flexibility
- Physical design and looks
- App control and access to music services
- Product reliability and durability
- Customer service helpfulness
Both deliver well across these areas. Smart functionality, meta-data displays, recommended content also add enjoyment. Some Bose users do report connectivity and app-integration issues over time however.
The Verdict: Sonos vs Bose
When judging Sonos vs Bose, both companies make fabulous wireless speakers though they excel in different areas. Audiophiles wanting sheer acoustic perfection are better off with Bose and its brilliant sound engineering. Customers focused on versatility, voice assistants, multi-room audio, and streaming will prefer Sonos. Generally, Sonos gives buyers more for their money and feels better suited for the modern connected home.
Here is a quick breakdown of which brand prevails in key categories:
- Sound quality – Bose by a slim margin
- Smart features – Sonos
- Design aesthetic – Bose
- App and usability – Draw
- Product range – Draw
- Price and value – Sonos
- Innovation – Sonos
In the end, while Bose still holds an impressive legacy around pristine audio, Sonos delivers the more complete package. Its speakers sound amazing while providing more connectivity, expandability, and intelligence that audio lovers desire nowadays. Unless flawless fidelity is your top priority, Sonos speakers make the most sense for shoppers currently.
