In This Article, We Explore Bose v Sonos Wireless Sound Systems And Determine, Which Is Best?
By Best We Mean Which Connects Your House Wirelessly And Effortlessly, which is what we are looking for from a wireless system after all.
The first thing to consider when looking at a wireless system is how easy it is to set it up, so let us start there.
This page contains affiliate links meaning totallyboaty earns a small commission if you make a purchase – this is at no additional cost to you. Please read the disclosure in the footer for more information.
Setting Up The Bose Wireless Sound System
For our test, we used the Bose Wireless Link Adapter.
We already had some nice Ruark audio systems in place, so wanted to continue to use the sound from them whilst connecting various rooms in the houe with the Bose Sound Tourch Wireless Link Adapter, which is designed to do just this.
As with everything these, the first thing to do was to download the app to get started, for which Bose has a specific set up app, then a separate one for the actual playing of music (a little unnecessary we felt).
It was relatively straightforward, but not incredibly easy but it worked.
Setting Up The Sonos Wireless System
In this set up, we were setting up the Sonos Arc surround sound system bar, with two Sonos 1 rear speakers.
The floor standing Sonos Sub had not arrived when we set everything up, but we weren’t going to wait.
The Sonos App, which dealt with set up and control, was seamless.
Do this, then that, then walk around the room with your phone listening to the weird noises coming from the Arc, which then ensures the noise coming from the Arc is balanced to the room, called Trueplay, it was all very straighforward.
Using The Bose App
This is where it starts to get difficult for Bose.
The App worked, then it didn’t.
The App connected with both of our Bose Wireless Link Adapters, attached to a Ruark R2 and Ruark R4i, but then it didn’t.
The App regularly told us it needed to update its software, then it took an age to do so, then it lost connection with the Bose Wireless Link Adapters so the set up process had to be completed again, and again, and again.
When it worked, it was fine, but the not working part, usually when we wanted it to play music for a house full of people, was infuriating.
The App constantly asked for feedback, which we provided in spades, but no improvements to the App were forthcoming.
Using The Sonos App
It worked.
Out of the box.
It continues to work.
Aside from very occasional “unable to connect with device” messages, which now included the Sonos Move for the garden, which quickly fixed itself (no need to set it up from scratch again like the Bose), the app works day in and day out.
As long time lovers of Bose products, we are now fully in with Sonos just because it works.
We visited a house which had a Sonos in every room downstairs (a very big house), so about 15 devices in all, and every room stayed connected and sounded amazing.
The only exception in the giant house was Bose speakers in the garden (permanently wired outdoor speakers), which we have to say, sounded absolutely awesome, but, and you probaby guessed this, they were connected to the Sonos system with a Sonos Connect, so Sonos was in charge of the wireless streaming, and did a great job.
Conclusion Of Our Bose v Sonos Wireless Sound System Review
We have always loved the sound quality from Bose products, but the poor App set up, connectivity and constant need to re-add items to the system makes Sonos the clear and easy winner in the wireless house filling music world.