Bose Ultra Open Earbuds can work as rear speakers for new Smart Soundbar

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Last week, Bose introduced its latest Smart Soundbar, showcasing an innovative take on surround sound. This new feature allows users to pair their Bose Ultra Open Earbuds as rear speakers in their home theatre setup, providing an immersive surround sound experience without the need for extra hardware.

Unlike Apple’s AirPods or Sonos Ace headphones, which serve as a complete sound system when used with a soundbar, Bose’s approach is different. With Bose, the soundbar remains responsible for primary audio output such as dialogue, bass, and dynamic sounds, while the earbuds handle the ambient rear-channel audio. The design of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which allows outside audio to flow in, makes them suitable for this task. Rather than isolating the user, these earbuds enhance the sense of surround sound by letting external noises blend with the audio coming from the soundbar.

The integration of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds as rear speakers is exclusive to these earbuds due to their unique design. They don’t block outside noise but rather complement the soundbar’s output, adding depth and dimension to the sound. Users can experience sounds like bullets whizzing past or footsteps behind them with more clarity and realism.

This innovative feature brings a new level of convenience to home theatre setups. Traditional surround sound systems require extensive wiring and precise speaker placement, which can be a hassle. With Bose’s solution, users simply wear the earbuds to enhance their sound environment, eliminating the need for complex installations.

The new Bose Smart Soundbar is an update to the existing Smart Soundbar 600, maintaining its compact design while introducing advanced features like AI Dialogue Mode. This feature, first introduced in the Smart Ultra Soundbar, uses machine learning to adjust sound balance for improved clarity during speech-heavy scenes. The soundbar will be available for purchase in the UK for £499.95 starting October 10th, with pre-orders now open. Pricing in other regions is yet to be confirmed, but it’s expected to be around $665 or AU$975.