Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar vs JBL Bar 1000MK2 Soundbar
The JBL Bar 1000MK2 is the better buy for most people. It includes detachable wireless surround speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer, and its low has been $727.91 at Amazon as of November 3 versus $899.00 for the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar as of November 5. Choose the Bose only if you want a single sleek bar with a built-in display and Alexa and will pay roughly $170 more for it.
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Choose the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar if you want one clean wall-mounted bar with a display screen, built-in Alexa, and no separate rear speakers or subwoofer to place.
- Single wall-mounted bar, no rear speakers or subwoofer to place
- Built-in display screen shows status at a glance
- Alexa built in for voice control without another device
- Comes in black, white, and white smoke to match a room
What separates them
| Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar | JBL Bar 1000MK2 Soundbar | |
|---|---|---|
| Surround speakers | Surround sound support, but no detachable rear speakers included | Two detachable wireless speakers you place behind the seating |
| Subwoofer | Not included in the listed specs | 10-inch wireless subwoofer included |
| Height effects | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos and DTS:X |
| Power | Not published in the listed specs | 960 W max |
| Voice assistants | Amazon Alexa built in | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri |
| Display | Built-in display screen | No display screen listed |
| Inputs | HDMI, optical absent, RCA and AUX present | HDMI, optical, USB, Ethernet, AUX |
Price history
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar: lowest $899.00 on Nov 5 at Amazon.
- JBL Bar 1000MK2 Soundbar: lowest $727.91 on Nov 3 at Greentoe; $799.00 on Nov 5.
Prices at every store
JBL Bar 1000MK2 Soundbar
- Home DepotCheck price at Home Depot
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
- TargetCheck price at Target
Specs compared
| Spec | Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar | JBL Bar 1000MK2 Soundbar |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless | Yes | Yes |
| Color | Black, White, White Smoke | Black |
| Style | Wall Mount | Wall Mount |
| Assistant Support | Amazon Alexa | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri |
| Dolby Atmos Enabled | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI, Ethernet, AUX, RCA | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI, Ethernet, AUX, Opt… |
| With Surround Sound | Yes | — |
| Special Purpose | Soundbar | — |
| Smart Functions | Display Screen, Voice Control | — |
| Max Wattage | — |
What reviewers say
Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar
Owners of Bose's premium bars generally praise the room-filling sound, clear dialogue and easy app setup, while some find the price steep and the bass short of a separate subwoofer.
- Sound qualityPraisedOwners say dialogue is clear and the bar fills a mid-size room.
- BassMixedSome find bass adequate for TV, others want the separate bass module.
- SetupPraisedThe Bose app guides pairing and calibration without much fuss.
- Voice controlPraisedAlexa responds reliably for music, volume and input changes.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for movies?
- The JBL Bar 1000MK2. Its detachable rear speakers and 10-inch subwoofer produce real surround and deeper bass, while the Bose relies on a single bar.
- Is the Bose worth the extra money?
- Only if you value the built-in display and Alexa and want one bar with no extra speakers. The JBL costs less at recent lows and includes more hardware.
- Which has better bass?
- The JBL, because it ships with a 10-inch subwoofer. The Bose listing shows no subwoofer.
- Do both support Dolby Atmos?
- Yes. The JBL also supports DTS:X, which the Bose listing does not mention.
- Which is easier to set up?
- The Bose, since it is a single bar. The JBL needs its two rear speakers and subwoofer placed and powered.
- Which works with more voice assistants?
- The JBL lists Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri. The Bose lists Alexa only.