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For deep, room-filling bass the Sonos Sub edges out the Bose Sub, but the better subwoofer in the Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub matchup depends on the system you already own.
I Own Both
I didn’t set out to own both of these, but that’s exactly where I landed — the Sonos Sub anchors my living room, and the Bose Bass Module 700 sits in my bedroom. Living with both day to day is the only reason I can tell you how they really differ. I’ve spent enough nights with movies and music on each to stop guessing and start hearing the gap.
So the Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub question, for me, comes down to what it’s actually like to live with each sub in a real room — not spec sheets. I tested both in my own home, paired with their own systems, before writing a word of this. Here’s how they stack up, starting with the side-by-side.
Key Takeaways
- Same goal, different ecosystems. Both are premium wireless subwoofers built to add deep bass — but each only works inside its own brand’s system.
- Sonos owners want the Sonos Sub. It pairs with Sonos soundbars and speakers, places upright or on its side, and tunes itself to the room.
- Bose owners want the Bass Module 700. It’s built for the Bose Soundbar 700, with a compact glass-top body and deep, dramatic bass.
Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub Comparison Table
Here’s the Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub lineup side by side, with the spec differences that actually change the buying decision.
| Feature | Editor’s Choice | Best For Bose Systems | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Product | Sonos Sub | Bose Bass Module 700 | ||
| Best For | Sonos home-theater systems | Bose Soundbar 700 systems | ||
| My Score | 95% (A) | 90% (A−) | ||
| Amplifier | 2 Class-D digital amps | Integrated active amp | ||
| Drivers | 2 force-canceling + tweeter | 2 force-canceling drivers | ||
| Placement | Upright or on its side | Upright only | ||
| Finish | Matte, sculpted cabinet | Glass top, compact body | ||
| Self-Tuning EQ | ✓ | ✗ | ||
| Dimensions | 15.3 x 15.8 x 6.2 in | 12.9 x 11.6 x 11.6 in | ||
| Weight | About 35 lb | About 30 lb | ||
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | ||
#1 – Sonos Sub: My Pick
At a Glance
- Compatibility: Sonos soundbars (Beam, Arc, Playbar, Playbase) & speakers
- Power: Dual Class-D digital amplifiers, wireless to your Sonos system
- Voice / Smart Home: Works across the Sonos app and connected assistants
- Screen / Display: No display — setup and tuning through the Sonos app
- Use Case: Best deep bass for an existing or planned Sonos setup
The Sonos Sub is the one I reach for when I want bass I can feel in my chest, and it’s the pick in this Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub comparison. A nice advantage is that you don’t have to set it up a certain way to get the most out of it — stand it upright, lay it on its side, or tuck it into a corner, and the dual force-canceling drivers still deliver clean, rattle-free low end.
Pair it with a Sonos soundbar like the Beam or Arc plus a couple of Sonos One speakers and you get a genuinely cinematic home-theater setup, whether you’re streaming music or movies. Its self-adjusting equalizer tunes the output to your room automatically, so the bass stays tight wherever the Sub ends up sitting. That tuning, plus the flexible placement, is what keeps it a step ahead of the Bose for me.
Pros
- Deep, rich bass with no vibration or rattle
- Place it upright or on its side anywhere
- Self-adjusting equalizer tunes to your room
- Completes a Sonos home-theater system beautifully
- Simple wireless setup through the Sonos app
Cons
- Premium price for a single subwoofer
- Only worth it inside the Sonos ecosystem
Video Review: Sonos Sub
Video credit: Smart Home Sounds
#2 – Bose Bass Module 700: Best For Bose Systems
At a Glance
- Compatibility: Built to pair with the Bose Soundbar 700
- Power: Integrated active amplifier, wireless to the soundbar
- Voice / Smart Home: Runs through the Bose system and its assistant support
- Screen / Display: No display — controlled via the Bose Music app
- Use Case: Best deep bass for an existing Bose Soundbar 700 setup
There’s a difference between hearing the bass and feeling it in your body, and the Bose Bass Module 700 is built for the latter. Whether you’re watching a movie or playing music, it adds a low rumble you feel as much as hear. When I was researching this comparison I stopped by my local Bose store, and David behind the counter was kind enough to run me through a full demo.
Pair it with a Bose Soundbar 700 and the vibrations intensify; add more speakers and the effect grows with them. It’s compact and light enough to place almost anywhere, and the glass top gives it a genuinely elegant look. For a chic system with serious low end it’s hard to beat — though in the demos I ran I gave the edge in clarity to the Sonos paired with two Sonos One speakers and a Sonos soundbar.
Pros
- Glass top gives it a refined, elegant look
- Deep, dramatic bass you feel in your chest
- Compact and light, easy to place
- Excellent paired with a Bose Soundbar 700
Cons
- A few buyers find it fiddly to power on
- Slightly more rattle than the Sonos in demos
- Glass top is risky around small children
Video Review: Bose Bass Module 700
Video credit: Consumer Cave
How to Choose Between the Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub
The Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub call really comes down to the system you already own — tap whichever situation sounds like your room.
Sonos system
Best when your soundbar and speakers are Sonos, and you want flexible placement.
Bose system
Best when your setup is built around the Bose Soundbar 700.
You own Sonos gearChoose Sonos Sub
Pairs with Sonos soundbars and speakers.
Tight or odd-shaped roomChoose Sonos Sub
Stands upright or lies on its side.
You own a Bose Soundbar 700Choose Bose Sub
Built to pair straight with it.
You want a compact, elegant lookChoose Bose Sub
Smaller glass-top cabinet.
Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub FAQs
These FAQs cover the Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub before buying.
1. Is comparing these two subwoofers a fair fight?
Yes, because both are premium wireless subwoofers built to add deep bass to a home-theater system. The key difference is ecosystem: the Sonos Sub is designed for Sonos soundbars and speakers, while the Bose Bass Module 700 is built for the Bose Soundbar 700. Neither works as a standalone speaker, so your existing setup usually decides the winner.
2. Which subwoofer has better bass?
In the demos I ran, the Sonos Sub delivered slightly cleaner, tighter low end with less rattle, helped by its self-adjusting equalizer that tunes output to the room. The Bose Bass Module 700 still produces deep, dramatic bass you can feel in your body. The gap is small, and most listeners would be happy with either in a well-matched system.
3. Can I place these subwoofers anywhere in the room?
The Sonos Sub can stand upright or lie on its side, even tucked into a corner, with no real loss in performance. The Bose Bass Module 700 has to stand upright. Both are wireless to their parent system, so you’re free to position them where the bass sounds best rather than where the cables reach.
4. Do these subwoofers work with other brands’ speakers?
No. The Sonos Sub only pairs with Sonos soundbars and speakers, and the Bose Bass Module 700 is built for the Bose Soundbar 700. You can’t cross them over or run either as a standalone subwoofer. If you’re starting from scratch, pick the brand whose soundbar and speakers you want first, then add the matching sub.
5. Is the glass top on the Bose a problem?
It’s mostly a style and safety question. The glass top looks elegant and wipes clean, but it can be a concern in homes with small children or pets. The Sonos Sub’s sculpted cabinet has no glass surface, so if durability around a busy household matters more than looks, that’s a point in its favor.
Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub: The Verdict
In the Sonos Sub vs Bose Sub matchup, both deliver a premium listening experience, so the right call comes down to the system you’re building around.
- Choose the Sonos Sub if you run (or plan to run) a Sonos system and want the most flexible placement and room-tuned bass.
- Choose the Bose Bass Module 700 if your setup is built around a Bose Soundbar 700 and you want a compact sub that plugs straight in.
- Choose either with a matching soundbar if you’re starting fresh — pick the soundbar brand you love first, then add its sub.
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