For many, wireless headphones or earbuds paired with a soundbar offer the perfect solution for private listening without disturbing others. However, these setups often present a choice: either listen to the soundbar or use headphones. Bose’s new Personal Surround Sound technology challenges this paradigm by offering a unique way to combine the best of both worlds.
This innovative feature integrates the company’s Ultra Open Earbuds with its new entry-level Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Bose Smart Soundbar. The earbuds function as virtual surround speakers, augmenting the soundbar’s audio output and creating an immersive experience. The open-ear design of the earbuds allows for ambient sound awareness, making the surround sound effect feel natural and unobtrusive.
While the effectiveness of Personal Surround Sound varies depending on the source material, it noticeably elevates 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos content. Movies like “Mad Max: Fury Road”, packed with surround channel action, are ideal for this technology, as are shows like Netflix’s “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” with its dynamic engine sounds. Music also benefits, providing a wider and deeper soundstage, particularly for tracks with Dolby Atmos Music encoding.
One unexpected advantage is the Ultra Open Earbuds’ bass-enhancing capability. Despite their open-ear design, known for allowing ambient noise, they deliver a surprising level of low-end frequency response. This enhances the Bose Smart Soundbar’s output, even at its maximum bass setting, creating a richer and more immersive audio experience.
While the earbuds follow your head movements, a head-tracking feature like the one used in Bose’s Immersive Audio could have maintained fixed virtual surround speakers, offering a more consistent experience. Nonetheless, Personal Surround Sound offers a compelling alternative for those seeking a personalized and budget-friendly surround sound experience.
Connecting the soundbar and earbuds is effortless, requiring only a few simple steps in the Bose Music app. Once paired, the app provides separate volume sliders for the soundbar and earbuds, allowing for customization and control. The app also enables Personal Surround Sound, offering further settings for volume, center channel, and height/surround levels.
The decision to opt for the Ultra Open Earbuds instead of dedicated Bose Surround speakers depends on individual preferences and circumstances. For those already owning the Ultra Open Earbuds who primarily watch TV alone, Personal Surround Sound provides an affordable and effective way to enhance their viewing experience. It’s also a compelling option for those limited by space or seeking an alternative to physical surround speakers.
Ultimately, if true surround sound is desired, and space and budget allow, dedicated speakers offer the best overall experience. However, Bose’s Personal Surround Sound presents a unique and innovative solution for those seeking a personalized and budget-friendly way to elevate their home theater experience.
