Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) review

Sound

The speaker arrangement aims to spread sound across the front of the TV while giving speech particular attention. Bose describes two angled left/right speakers and a central tweeter. That physical arrangement should not be mistaken for a confirmed three-channel decoder or a set of speakers surrounding the sofa.

Technically Well’s September 2026 listening review described slightly clearer speech enhancement and separation than the original, while finding the overall experience very similar.¹ This is a subjective comparison from one reviewer, without a published controlled measurement set. It supports considering the newer model, but does not establish a large acoustic upgrade.

Choose the bass level with normal listening volume in mind. A small enclosure may suit news, drama and casual music without being the right foundation for a room built around action-film impact. The optional subwoofer route is more relevant to that decision than a promise that a bass setting will transform the bar.

Dialogue

Dialogue Mode changes the balance to make voices more prominent. The manual says the setting is remembered for each source even after switching inputs or turning the speaker off. Someone who wants speech emphasis for television but a different balance for music can set the two uses separately.

The same listening review noted that dialogue enhancement can also lift non-vocal sounds in music.¹ Compare the setting with both a spoken program and a familiar song. Leave it active where it helps, rather than treating enhancement as an automatic improvement for every source.

Connectivity

Connect the included HDMI cable to the TV’s ARC or eARC socket. The manufacturer describes the bar’s connection as ARC; the manual’s reference to an eARC-equipped TV is not proof of enhanced-return capabilities in the bar itself. Sources such as a console remain connected to the television.

The dedicated specification table lists Dolby Digital. More advanced format support is not established by the manufacturer material reviewed here, so this is not a purchase to make on the assumption of Atmos or lossless multichannel playback. Check the television’s output settings when planning the connection.

Optical and 3.5 mm analog inputs keep older TVs in consideration. Their cables are separate purchases. The analog socket is an input, so it does not supply a private-listening headphone connection. Use the TV’s own documented listening options if that is part of the household’s routine.

Controls and Bluetooth

The supplied remote handles volume, source selection, dialogue and bass. With a compatible HDMI-CEC television, everyday power and volume can also follow the TV remote. Keep the Bose remote available for the settings that the television does not expose.

Bluetooth 5.1 provides the phone-and-tablet music connection, compared with Bluetooth 4.2 on the original. The revision number alone is not evidence of an audible improvement. The useful question is whether connecting the devices used in the room is convenient.

For optical or analog connections, the manual provides an auto-wake option. Technically Well found wake behavior less reliable on its second-generation unit than on the original, without documenting a complete connection or firmware comparison.¹ Check power-on behavior with the intended TV early in setup; this single report does not establish a general defect.

Design and Installation

The rounded enclosure remains small, but check the space between the TV’s feet, the screen edge and its remote sensor. Bose’s current product page recommends positioning the speaker below the TV and near the front of the supporting furniture. Avoid hiding it behind objects that obstruct the drivers.

Leave the manual’s rear clearance and room for cable bends. Wall mounting requires the separate Bose bracket and the corresponding audio setting. The box includes HDMI, the remote and power cord, while an optical-only television needs an additional cable. Standard US limited coverage is one year.

Expansion

The current guide lists Bass Module 500, Bass Module 700 and Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer as wired accessories. A separate 3.5 mm cable connects to the bass socket, which is distinct from the analog input. That is a useful route for someone who starts with a bar and later wants more low-frequency support.

Plan the power and cable route before buying an accessory. The documented option is a wired connection, so do not assume the wireless pairing used elsewhere in Bose’s range applies here. Rear-speaker compatibility and the original TV Speaker’s SimpleSync behavior are not established for this generation by the reviewed documentation.

Alternatives

For an owner of the original TV Speaker, the newer enclosure, Bluetooth revision and bundled HDMI cable are concrete differences. The limited listening comparison suggests retaining a satisfactory original is reasonable. A first-time buyer should compare the complete price with the cable each television needs.

The Smart Ultra Soundbar offers Atmos, network streaming and ADAPTiQ calibration, with separately purchased surround-speaker options. Those are more substantial reasons to move to another model when the intended system goes beyond a compact TV speaker. Account for the extra equipment and total cost before making that change.

Verdict

The TV Speaker (2nd Gen) fits a straightforward television setup where speech controls and a manageable size are the priorities. Its supplied HDMI cable and retained analog connection make it flexible across newer and older TVs. It is most persuasive as a first purchase or replacement for an unsuitable speaker; the available evidence gives a satisfied original-model owner little reason to rush.