The Bose Home Speaker 500 (795345-4100) arrived on my desk promising a premium audio experience wrapped in a sleek design. Having spent several weeks testing its capabilities, from streaming music to managing smart home functions, I’m ready to share my comprehensive review.

The Bose Home Speaker 500 boasts a compelling array of features. Its standout characteristic is undoubtedly the rich, full stereo sound it produces from a surprisingly compact unit. The aluminium body feels luxurious and adds to the premium aesthetic. The intuitive touch controls on top make playing, pausing, and skipping tracks a breeze. The Bose Music app offers seamless integration and control over your music library, presets, and more. Built-in Alexa voice control adds another layer of convenience, allowing hands-free control of music playback and other smart home devices. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2 ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices.

The eight-microphone array for voice pickup is surprisingly effective, accurately picking up commands even with background noise. Setting up presets for your favorite playlists or radio stations is quick and simple through the app. While I appreciated the microphone-off button for privacy concerns, its placement could be more intuitive.

The audio performance of the Bose Home Speaker 500 is exceptional. The sound is remarkably clear and well-balanced, with a noticeable depth and richness. Bass response is surprisingly robust for its size, without being overwhelming. I tested it with a variety of genres, from classical music to heavy metal, and it handled everything with grace. Even at higher volumes, the sound remains clean and distortion-free. The stereo separation is impressive, creating a wider soundstage than expected from a single speaker.

I also tested the voice assistant functionality extensively. Alexa responded accurately and swiftly to my requests. Setting up multiple timers and controlling smart lights through the speaker was seamless. However, in a particularly noisy environment, I did encounter occasional misinterpretations of my commands.

Pros

• Exceptional audio quality
• Sleek and premium design
• Easy-to-use touch controls
• Seamless integration with Bose Music app
• Effective voice pickup technology
• Versatile connectivity options

Cons

• Microphone-off button placement could be improved
• Occasional misinterpretations of voice commands in noisy environments
• Relatively high price point

The Bose Home Speaker 500 (795345-4100) delivers a premium audio experience that justifies its price tag, particularly for audiophiles who value clarity and rich sound. While a few minor drawbacks exist, the overall performance and sleek design make it a worthy addition to any home entertainment setup. I highly recommend it for those seeking a top-tier smart speaker with a focus on exceptional sound quality.