Bose Surround Speakers 700 Review: Stylish But Limited
The most striking contradiction about the Bose Surround Speakers 700 is that while marketing hails them as “our most premium surround sound,” a Reddit user bluntly called them “expensive, comes with a mess of wiring and a giant wifi/power brick transmitter… they sound meh on their best day.” Yet, across Best Buy, Trustpilot, and Bose’s own channels, thousands still rate them above 4.4/5 for design and sound clarity. After sifting through reports, they land at 8/10 for style and integration, but only 6/10 for rear-channel impact.
Quick Verdict: Conditional
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sleek, compact design matches Bose soundbars | Price considered steep for performance |
| Easy wireless setup via AC2 adapters | Limited volume output in movies without tweaks |
| Crisp, clear dialogue and effects with Dolby formats | No Atmos rear-channel support |
| Seamless integration with Bose sub and soundbars | Requires power bricks despite wireless |
| Strong aesthetics with OmniJewel stands | Large wireless receivers add clutter |
Claims vs Reality
Bose’s first major claim is “wireless, cinematic sound that puts you in the center of your entertainment.” Technically, yes—users confirmed quick pairing with compatible soundbars, often in “minutes” as promised. Coldgame on Best Buy said they were “very easy to set up, looks great with the OmniJewel stands, the sound is insane.” But for cinematic immersion, Atmos support is absent, frustrating some owners of newer Bose bars. A Reddit commenter noted: “They’re a mismatch for the high and wide sound stage… the soundstage becomes linear to the rear.”
The second claim, “less wires, more compliments,” didn’t fully land with those bothered by the bulky wireless receivers. While no front-to-back cabling exists, Reddit user complaints described the system as “a mess of wiring” involving power cords and short speaker cables to the receivers. The “wireless” tag felt misleading for those expecting battery-powered modules.
Thirdly, Bose touts “the most premium looking and sounding home cinema experience” when paired with their Bass Module 700. Here, consensus was stronger: Michael on Best Buy reported that adding the 700 surrounds to the 900 soundbar and sub “made the level of surround amazing… enhanced my older movies.” The aesthetic match between modules earned high marks across platforms.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised:
Design is the undisputed champ. Multiple Best Buy reviewers called them “super small but sleek” and “tiny but effective… the size of a 250ml can,” making them easy to hide in modern living spaces. Multipowers.com noted “sleek, modern design… placing them felt like adding a piece of high-end decor.” For style-conscious buyers or those with tight setups, they fill a niche.
Integration with other Bose products is smooth, making them ideal for owners of Smart Soundbar 900/700 setups. Trustpilot reviewers noted they “maintain Bose quality sound wirelessly,” while michael’s Best Buy review emphasised seamless Dolby integration that “actually enhanced my older movies.” Gamers likewise enjoyed the pairing, with Multipowers calling the bass module combo “pulse-pounding… felt like I was right in the middle of the action.”
Ease of setup won over technophobes. Helping on Best Buy described a “sock over the surround speakers” calibration trick using Bose’s Adaptiq headset to lift volumes—advice later echoed in other reviews.
Common Complaints:
Volume output was the main sore point, especially for movie use without calibration hacks. JP Guy summed it up: “The bulk of the job is done by the soundbar… the surround sound literally does 10% of the job.” Those expecting room-filling rear channels without tweaks were let down.
Lack of Atmos rear-channel capability was a recurring gripe on Reddit, particularly for Bose’s “current generation of soundbars.” The 700s were seen as an older 5.1-era product rebranded for modern bars, which narrowed immersion.
Price was another sticking point. The Reddit thread concluded “they should be well over 50% off by now,” and even satisfied buyers admitted $599 felt high unless paired with a sub and bought on sale.
Divisive Features:
Wireless functionality pleased some, annoyed others. While Bose avoided front-to-back cabling, the mandatory AC power and receiver-to-speaker cable created a mini jungle behind sofas. For owners prioritizing clean aesthetics, this was forgivable; for others, it undermined the “wireless” headline.
Sound character split opinions. Fast Eddie praised “crystal clear” effects for movies, while critics found them “ok… definitely not worth the price” without meaningful bass impact. This division often boiled down to content type—Dolby Atmos on new Blu-rays wowed, basic stereo TV did not.
Trust & Reliability
There’s no widespread scam narrative—buyers generally got what was advertised. But Reddit skepticism hovered around Bose’s slow adaptation to Atmos rear channels, raising concerns about future-proofing. Long-term durability earned quiet nods; dyzfnctional saw initial setup bugs (left/right channel swap) corrected by firmware updates, proving responsive support.
Owners over 6 months didn’t report physical failures. Compact build and robust materials impressed reviewers like Multipowers: “Materials feel sturdy… enough heft to feel durable without being cumbersome.”
Alternatives
Two frequent comparisons emerged: Sonos One SL and JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. Multipowers noted Sonos offers “more standalone functionality and voice assistant features” but loses integration niceties with Bose bars. JBL delivers budget friendliness and built-in subs, sacrificing Bose’s premium finish. For current Bose owners, switching is inconvenient; newcomers may weigh features like Atmos and DTS support before buying.
Price & Value
At $599 retail (Amazon Prime/Bose direct), these hold value aesthetically and via integration, but performance-based buyers push for sales. eBay listings hover around $349–$529 new, suggesting moderate resale retention. Community advice leans toward buying during seasonal discounts, especially if also adding the Bass Module 700 to unlock fuller sound.
FAQ
Q: Are the Bose Surround Speakers 700 fully wireless?
A: Wireless for signal, but they require AC power for receivers and a short cable to the speaker. No batteries are involved.
Q: Do they support Dolby Atmos rear channels?
A: No. Users report they provide 5.1-style rear audio, which may underwhelm with Atmos soundbars.
Q: Can volume be increased beyond factory calibration?
A: Yes, tricks like covering speakers during Adaptiq setup can boost output, as shared by multiple Best Buy users.
Q: Which soundbars are compatible?
A: Officially: Bose Smart 900, 700, 600, 500, 300, and SoundTouch 300.
Q: Are they worth buying without a subwoofer?
A: Owners say they shine brightest with the Bass Module 700; without it, bass impact is limited.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a Bose soundbar owner who values aesthetics, compact integration, and is willing to tweak calibration for movies. Avoid if you expect dramatic rear-channel immersion or Atmos support from out-of-the-box performance. Pro tip from community: wait for a sale and pair with the Bass Module 700 for the intended “premium cinema” effect.
