Some people may think that the Bose Solo 5 and the 15 are similar. However, they would be wrong. From the wireless capabilities to the overall design, they each give the user a very different experience. Let’s take a closer look at the features of the Bose Solo 5 VS 15:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Dialogue mode
- Single connection to TV
- Universal remote control
- Flexible placement
- Wide soundstage, deep bass
- Easy placement for single speaker
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Single connection to TV
- Includes universal remote
Features of Both Sound Bars Compared:
Bose Solo 5 VS 15
Design
There are two Bose Solo 15s out there, the 15 and the 15 series 2. The biggest difference between these two models is Bluetooth. So, if you are someone who needs to stream content, we suggest the Bose Solo 15 series 2.
The first noticeable difference between the Bose Solo 5 and 15 is the size. The Bose Solo 5 is more compact and can be mounted on your wall, whereas the 15 is a sound base design [1], which means it sits under your TV.
The 15 is intended to serve as a base to your TV, which means you can place it in front of it or you can lay your TV set on top of the soundbar if necessary and the latter will hold the weight.
Due to its size, the Bose Solo 15 can make the impression that it will take up a ton of space. But when you take into consideration the possible options for soundbar placement, it can actually be a space-saving design.
Even though the Bose Solo 5 can be mounted, you may want to purchase separate mounting brackets, which opens doors for more headaches. Finding compatible brackets can be a challenge.
Both the Solo 5 and Solo 15 have a very robust build and a simple design. The Bose Solo 15 can be controlled with the knob on the back. With this design choice, the knob is kept out of the way of the sound. The soundbar also has a more streamlined look.
The Bose Solo 5 however, can only be controlled via the universal remote. Both soundbars feature a black matte finish that goes well with any TV or home theater system.
Need something more rugged to take with you in your outdoor adventures? See our list of the best UTV soundbars.
Control
As mentioned, the Bose Solo 5 can only be controlled with the universal remote. This isn’t really a con, but if you lose the remote you would need to reconfigure a new one. Meanwhile, the Bose Solo 15 has a control knob on the back, conveniently kept out of the way, and a universal remote.
Having sound bars that are compatible with universal remotes is a big advantage. It is a convenience that other Bose models like the Solo 10 do not have.
This way, you will only need one remote to control everything. It can sometimes be very difficult to keep track of different remotes. Both remotes that come with the 5 and the 15 can be programmed to control other devices, which is a huge bonus.
Bose Solo 5 Versus 15 Connection
After testing the connections options for the Bose Solo 5 VS 15, One advantage the Solo 5 has over the 15 is Bluetooth. The Solo 5 also is preferable than the Bose Solo for the same reason.
However, if you go for 15’s series 2, that can be rectified in a heartbeat. The Bluetooth on the 5 also has limited capabilities, but streaming content is one of them, which is what most of us use it for anyway.
Both the Solo 5 and the 15 both do not have HDMI, which is a huge disappointment since HDMI is the industry standard and is best for audio quality. The Solo 5 has aux, optical, and RCA connections with the cables included for your convenience.
Bose Solo 15 has more variety when it comes to connections. It features aux, coaxial, and optical connections, RCA, and there is a USB port as well. The downside is that the USB port is only there for system updates.
Sound
The Bose Solo 15 delivers with a subwoofer and 4 drivers, making it the clear winner in terms of sound. The drivers (or channels) are aimed in different directions to simulate surround sound as best as it can.
On top of that, the bass performance of the Bose Solo 15 is amazing. While it doesn’t exactly match up to a full-on subwoofer system or a lone standing external sub, it certainly makes a difference.
The Bose Solo 5 will elevate your sound experience when compared to factory speakers, but it is lacking when compared to a soundbar with more channels, of which this soundbar only has two. You might be better off considering another option if you are a bass lover who is all about thumping rhythms because this does not come with a subwoofer.
The Bose Solo 5 is a simple soundbar that makes dialogue clearer but doesn’t have the fancy features other soundbars possess. A small soundbar is a great space saver, but it is limited in its sound capabilities.
Conclusion: Bose Solo 5 OR 15?
Bose makes excellent soundbars, and each one is catered to a demographic with a specific need. After testing the Bose Solo 5 VS 15 few times, we’ve found out that the Solo 5 is great for simple, non-heavy duty action, and the Solo 15 is capable of much more. Remember that there is a Solo 15 series 2 if you want Bluetooth.
Both soundbars are great depending on your needs, and are armed with Dolby Digital decoding to produce excellent sound.
If you don’t have much space and just want to enhance the dialogue heard on your TV, the Bose Solo 5 takes the cake. It is compact, user-friendly, and amazing to look at when placed in your home.
(See how it fares against the TV Speaker from the same brand here)
The Bose Solo 15 is for users who want an all-encompassing experience with more features than the plain Solo 5. It is a larger option with more drivers and even a subwoofer to elevate the sound quality you are used to.
Want to see more product comparisons? Check out our review of both the Vizio SB3621 and the SB3821, next!
