Klipsch Bar 48 vs Bose 700: Review and Details Comparison

It’s not easy to choose a soundbar that’s up to the task. It should be a difficult job to choose the right soundbar from the many choices available. In light of this, we decided to compare the Klipsch Bar 48 vs Bose 700 today. A descriptive comparison between these two bars will help you to consider which one to buy according to your preferences.

When you want to enjoy the perfect sound at your home while listening to music or watching a show, you will want the perfect soundbar that can give you proper service. Now you might find it hard to decide which one to buy between these two. You might also think if there is a better alternative than these two. While there are many esteemed brands that manufacture excellent soundbars, being audiophiles, the brands that catch our attention most are Bose and Klipsch.

The Bose Soundbar 700 has a smart look, smart sound output, and also numerous smart features including both the Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant. But the absence of Atmos/ DTS: X support, lack of HDMI inputs, and a glass top that reflects the TV screen are some of the disadvantages that can seem problematic.

The Klipsch BAR 48 delivers a really impressive audio performance. And the performance comes from t the company’s legendary speaker settings and horn-loaded tweeters. But this 3.1 channel soundbar has a limited set of features and a lack of HDMI inputs that make the bar 48 a bit off the edge and hard to recommend. Apart from the features, they have huge differences in the price range too.

Both these brands manufacture excellent soundbars and the Bose Soundbar 700 and the Klipsch Bar 48 are among the most popular ones. Let’s come to the main part.

Bose Soundbar 700 vs Klipsch Bar 48: Comparison Table

Before diving into the descriptive comparison between these two impressive soundbars, a comparison table has been put together for your convenience. You can easily notice the basic differences between these two and compare them from this table. And then it will be easier for you to understand the differences. The table is given below.

Ground of Comparison	[amazon box="B07FHHL862" title= "Bose Soundbar 700 "] [/amazon]	[amazon box="B07QY1ZPRG" title= " Klipsch Bar 48"] [/amazon]
Speaker System	8 Microphone Array Custom Designed Low Profile Transducers	48” 3.1 soundbars with 8” wireless subwoofer
Drivers	Dolby Digital DTS Deep Bass Performance with Virtually No Distortion	1″ (25.4mm) soft dome tweeters mated to Tractrix horn 3″ (76.2mm) oval fiber composite cone woofers 8″ (203.2mm) ported subwoofer
Design	Premium Glass top Finish	Wood Enclosed Soundbar and Wood Enclosed Subwoofer
Inputs	HDMI output with Audio Return Channel (ARC) Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) Optical TOSLink Power input USB input	Bluetooth 3.5 mm analog Optical Digital Wireless Connectivity with the soundbar
Outputs	Amazon Alexa Built-In Built-in Wi-Fi and Wired Ethernet Connectivity Bluetooth Audio Streaming 1x HDMI eARC	HDMI- ARC Subwoofer Output
Weight	4.76 kg	13.97 kg
Dimensions	5.72 cm H x 97.8 cm W x 10.8 cm D	47 11/16” (121.1cm) W x 2 7/8” (7.3cm) H x 3 3/8 (8.6cm) D (Bar) 11 7/8” (30.2cm) W x 16 1/8” (41cm) H x 16 1/8” (41cm) D (Subwoofer)
Frequency Response	55 Hz- 18500 Hz	40 Hz- 20000 Hz
Dolby Digital	Yes	Yes
DTS	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Yes	No
Chromecast built-in	No	No
Apple AirPlay	Yes	No
iOS	Yes	No
Android	Yes	No
Acts as the Remote	Limited Support	No
App Name	Bose Music	N/ A
Casts Device Files	No	No
Controls Soundbar’s Settings	All	No
Power Saving	Standby	No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)	Yes	Yes

Bose Soundbar 700 vs Klipsch Bar 48: Overview

To the amazing audio lineup of Bose, the Bose soundbar 700 is a late 2019 addition. Like the other models in its range, this soundbar uses PhaseGuide and QuietPort technologies. The company’s ADAPTIQ auto audio calibration is also included in it.

Expert Review:

This works as a fully-fledged smart speaker for having built-in voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The 700 supports an HDMI connection with eARC and also features a redesigned universal remote. Works with Bose Music App and Apple AirPlay 2 too.

Klipsch is a legendary speaker manufacturer that has recently expanded the lineup of its soundbar production, and among the two of its new productions, the Klipsch Bar 48 is one, while Bar 40 being the other one. The Klipsch Bar 48 is better and bigger than the two.

The department which is most important for a soundbar, the audio department, is a strong zone for this Klipsch soundbar. It produces impressive sound, but it lacks features unlike the Bose 700. Apart from that the main feature of the Klipsch 48 bar is the use of horn-loaded tweeters.

And these tweeters allow for a greater sensitivity rate in the soundbar and results in superior audio performance.

Bose Soundbar 700

[amazon box=”B07FHHL862″ title=” “] [/amazon]

Let’s look at the pros and cons of the Bose Soundbar 700 and see what it offers and doesn’t offer.

Features

3.1 sound bar
Bose Music app
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Bose Voice4Video technology
Apple AirPlay 2
Spotify Connect
Bose Smart Family
PhaseGuide® technology
Bose Smart Family
QuietPort™ technology
Bose SimpleSync technology
ADAPTIQ Audio Calibaration
Optional Bass Module

Pros

Its design is really well built
Has an amazing and best possible front soundstage
Audio reproduction is decent
Has an excellent Remote app
Setup is easily upgradeable
Supports ADAPTiQ audio calibration
Has built-in Amazon Alexa/ Google Assistant

Cons

Low level of bass performance
Lack of sub-bass
Has a diffused sound due to the large soundstage
It doesn’t have any HDMI inputs
Unavailability of DTS: X and Dolby Atmos
Has a reflective top that can be distracting

Klipsch Bar 48

[amazon box=”B07QY1ZPRG” title=” “] [/amazon]

Let’s look at the pros and cons of the Bose Soundbar 700 and see what it offers and doesn’t offer.

Features

3.1 sound bar
8″ wireless subwoofer
Compatible with Klipsch Surround 3 wireless speaker kit for full surround sound
Three 1″ textile dome tweeters mated to Tractrix Horns
Four 3″ oval fiber-composite midrange drivers
Built-in Bluetooth
Dolby® Digital decoding
DTS Virtual:X
Wood acoustic suspension (sealed) enclosure

Pros

Has a decent and well build
Has excellent 3.1 channel performance
Provides perfect audio performance
Has a well-integrated and perfectly done subwoofer
Easy to set up and use
Optional surrounds
The Center channel is discrete
Has a stylish wooden design

Cons

Without the subwoofer, the soundbar’s performance falls flat
Surround performance is poor
Lack of bass sounds
It is sometimes challenging to pair surrounds
No immersive audio performance in the range
Few connection options; no HDMI in inputs
No immersive audio
Design is not up to the mark

All these advantages and disadvantages of both these soundbar models can help you in considering choosing the proper soundbar.

Bose Soundbar 700 vs Klipsch Bar 48: Design

The Bose Soundbar has a more premium and distinctive appearance than the Klipsch Bar 48.

Bose Soundbar 700

The Bose Soundbar 700 has the look of a high-end speaker, with an amazing level of build quality and a stylish and sleek cabinet. There is a perforated wrap-around aluminum grille combined with a tempered glass top, and a choice of glossy black or arctic white.

But there is a problem with the design, which is it suffers from over function and certain elements quickly become annoying. The glass top becomes smudged with fingerprints at the slightest touch. And when you turn on the TV, the screen reflects whatever’s playing on TV and it can be very distracting.

The soundbar’s height is a plus side as it is only 57 mm high, it doesn’t block the TV. It is also wide enough for TVs with screen sizes of between 45 and 55 inches. Also, you can mount it to the wall if you want. It has only two touch-sensitive controls as the design is kind of minimalist.

One is the power button and the other one is for mutating the built-in assistants. There’s virtually no display, just a row of lights, but you’ll need to be a professional code-breaker to work out what they mean.

Klipsch Bar 48

The Klipsch Bar has an unusual wooden construction, which offers an advantage over the more plastic soundbars at the same price point. It has a width that will suit larger TVs with screen sizes over 55-inches, and it has a low profile of 73mm.

This soundbar uses the company’s famous horn-loaded tweeters, with a pair adorning the front of this soundbar, which makes it something of an acquired taste. As the fan s of the horn, tweeters ignore its ugly look and concentrates on the performance, while others might find it quite ugly to use at home.

The horn-loaded tweeters are finished in dark silver at both ends, which adds a touch of elegance to what is actually a rectangular black box. In a nice touch, Klipsch offers interchangeable end caps to better match your home decor.

There’s no real display (aside from LED indicator lights), and at the top, on the far right, are some basic controls for power, volume, and input. The Klipsch BAR 48 includes a wireless subwoofer which is also made of wood and has a build quality that matches the main unit, combined with a simple black finish. Here are some of The Best Soundbar With Wireless Rear Speakers right here, if you’re interested.

It uses a large 8-inch downward-firing driver with a bass port and measures 302 x 410 x 410mm (W x H x D). The sub should pair automatically with the soundbar when it is first turned on.

Winner: After comparing designs between the two soundbars, it is safe to say that the Bose soundbar 700 takes the round. As it has a better-looking design and better finishes than the Klipsch Bar 48. Though the wooden build of the Bar 48 can attract a group of audiophiles.

Bose Soundbar 700 vs Klipsch Bar 48: Connections and Remote

Both offer a variety of connectivity solutions and both fall short in some ways, but the Bose 700 outperforms the competition with some of the new technologies.

Bose Soundbar 700

The Bose Soundbar 700 on its underside in two recessed areas houses all its physical connections. But there’s also a different design in which you have the room on the soundbar to plug in various cables. But the good thing is, at least optical and HDMI cables are included in the box.

The connections on the soundbar are kind of a mixed bag. In one recess there is an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, optical digital input, and a micro USB port for service. And in the other recess, there is the socket for the power cable and four 3.5 mm jacks for a subwoofer, IR extender, data, and the ADAPTiQ headset.

That being said, given the soundbar’s price, it’s disappointing that it only has one HDMI output and no HDMI input. The good news is that it supports eARC (enhanced audio return channel), which allows you to send audio from your TV to the soundbar without losing quality.

However, the TV must also help eARC for this to work.Apart from these connections, there are some wireless connections too that include WiFi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth. Bluetooth is only limited to SBC codec though, so the first two options are better choices for the highest quality audio.

A well made universal remote control is included with the Bose soundbar 700. It has a metal construction and a motion-activated backlight. You can pair numerous devices with it which includes TVs, Blu- ray players, gaming consoles, set-top boxes, video streamers, etc.

All can be controlled with one single remote. But the remote doesn’t have a well-visioned design. It is too big in size and the soft rubber buttons have some disadvantages too as they attract dust and fluff.

Finally, the Bose Music App is a really well designed one. Its interface is intuitive and setting up is easy. With the app, you can fine-tune certain things such as center channel, bass, treble, etc. It also works well with the remote and provides access to Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, TuneIn, and AirPlay.

Klipsch Bar 48

The connections of the Klipsch Bar 48 are located in a recessed area at the rear of the soundbar. And the connections include a single HDMI- ARC port, an optical digital audio input, and a 3.5 mm analog input.

Also for firmware outputs, there is a USB port, for Bluetooth and an IX extender there’s a connector, and there’s a subwoofer output that allows you to upgrade the wireless sub with a wired one, or to run dual subs.

It doesn’t have any HDMI input port like the Bose Soundbar 700, but the Bose soundbar doesn’t have the analog audio input like it. Also, the USB port for files is an extra too. Sadly it doesn’t have an Ethernet port unlike the Bose one.

The full size remote is backlit and offers all the buttons one will need to effectively control the Klipsch Bar 48. There are keys for power, volume, and the various inputs, along with mute and a button for turning off the LED indicator lights. The subwoofer level can also be adjusted with the remote, and you can select the Dialogue, Surround, and Night modes with it too.

Let’s see a comparison table between the two soundbars regarding their connection options.

Ground of Comparison	Bose Soundbar 700	Klipsch Bar 48
Optical Audio In	1	1
HDMI ARC	1	1 (shared)
HDMI Out	No	1 (shared)
Full HDMI In	No	No
Analog Audio In 3.5 mm (AUX)	No	1
USB for Files	No	1
Ethernet	1	No

Winner: There’s no clear winner in this area as they both provide a number of connecting options and also they both lack in some areas. However, with the Bose app, the Bose Soundbar 700 gets an upper hand over the Klipsch Bar 48. As the app provides a great deal of help for the users.

Bose Soundbar 700 vs Klipsch Bar 48: Sound Performance

The Bose soundbar 700 outperforms the Klipsch Bar 48 in terms of delivering excellent, efficient, and dynamic sound.

Bose Soundbar 700

The Bose Soundbar 700 uses four mid-range drivers, two each on either side of a central tweeter. At the far left and right the PhaseGuide technology is used, which is designed to widen the front soundstage. But the company is fairly silent about specific driver sizes and amplification.

It’s easy to install as this is a single-unit soundbar, just set a position in front of your TV and you’re ready to go. Setting up is equally straightforward, as you can simply launch the Bose Music app and follow the instructions, which take you through the ADAPTiQ automated calibration process.

ADAPTiQ analyses a range of frequencies adjusts the distances, levels, and negative effects caused by the room itself. There are five measurements in total, starting at the sweet spot and moving to other seating positions in the room, thus ensuring the optimal performance of the soundbar.

There’s no doubt that engaging ADAPTiQ certainly improves the overall soundstage of the 700, with a pleasing sense of balance and a lively sonic signature that has plenty of widths and even a degree of depth. There’s also good stereo separation, which results in some nice imaging.

The 700 certainly seems to do the best with music. Watching TV doesn’t stress the soundbar either, and with most programs, it’s capable of a solid overall performance that ensures music is enjoyably reproduced, dialogue remains clear and focused and effects are well defined.

This soundbar struggles with gaming and movies. As here the soundstage feels more constrained, with no surround channels, no immersive effects, and limited bass. The PhaseGuide technology widens the front soundstage, but does so at the expense of the imaging, as a result, effects can often sound less precise than a more directional driver. Check out Which are the soundbars suitable for PS4 if you’re a profound gamer.

The lack of a separate subwoofer is also an issue, and despite the QuietPort technology, this soundbar lacks real low-end punch. But overall, it does great job audio performance-wise.

Klipsch Bar 48

The Klipsch Bar 48 is focused on delivering the best possible 3.1-channel performance for a mid-range soundbar, and it succeeds admirably in doing it. The Klipsch is a famous brand and it knows how to build a speaker, and has applied that knowledge to create a soundbar that takes full advantage of its proprietary horn-loaded tweeters.

The result of the soundbar is a wide and expansive front soundstage that combines exceptional detail, due to the greater sensitivity of the horn tweeters and with a powerful delivery that produces plenty of dynamic range.

The higher frequencies are nicely defined in it, while the mid-range has depth and clarity. The powerful subwoofer adds a solid foundation of bass that reinforces the whole system.

When it comes to music, the BAR 48 is very impressive. Thankfully its strengths for music also apply to TV shows and allow you to enjoy all your favorite programs with a level of sound quality that eclipses the built-in speakers on any modern TV. The dedicated center speaker is the bar’s biggest asset, which ensures that dialogue remains clear and focused.

The width of the soundbar helps to not only spread the sound on either side of the screen but also to generate excellent stereo separation. This not only means that music is reproduced with excellent stereo imaging but also allows the soundbar to render effects with remarkable precision, placing them across the front of the room.

When it comes to TV dramas and movies, all these factors combine to create an engaging soundscape at the front of the room. The system also has plenty of headroom, and the sub mines the sonic depths. The one downside is that even with the Surround mode engaged; there is a lack of surround presence. So if you want to fully reproduce a 5.1 mix, you’ll need to invest in Klipsch’s wireless surround speakers. You can find some of the Best LCR Soundbars here also.

Here is a comparison table of a few sound-enhancing features between the Bose Soundbar 700 and Klipsch Bar 48.

Sound Enhancement Features	Bose Soundbar 700	Klipsch Bar 48
Auto Volume/ Night Mode	No	Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment	N/ A	Yes
Bass Adjustment	Yes	No
Treble Adjustment	Yes	No
Room Correction	Yes	No
Dialogue Enhancement	Yes	Yes
Surround Level Adjustment	N/ A	No
Virtual Surround	No	Yes
EQ	Presets	No

Winner: Both soundbars have their own share of impressiveness regarding the audio performance. They have their own sets of sound-enhancing features too. But with the side by side comparison, the Bose soundbar does a better job in producing a great, strong, and immersive sound than the Klipsch Bar 48. So, the Bose Soundbar 700 takes this round.

Bose Soundbar 700 vs Klipsch Bar 48: Features

The Klipsch Bar 48 has less smart features than the Bose Soundbar 700.

Bose Soundbar 700

The Bose Soundbar 700 boasts having a good number of features, many of which are focused on its capabilities as a smart speaker: The inclusion of voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are the headliners, and can be easily set up by linking to your account in the Bose app.

The process is easy, and once complete you will have a fully functioning smart speaker that can provide the news, play music and provide voice control. There’s a choice of four music services – Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn Radio, and Deezer.

While this soundbar really falls down is in terms of multi-channel audio, it can decode DTS and 5.1 Dolby Digital, but doesn’t support lossless codecs like Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio, let alone object-based audio like DTS:X or Dolby Atmos. Though the lack of upward-firing drivers or even a separate subwoofer means the 700 is better suited to TV and music, rather than movies.

As this is a single-unit soundbar, if you want the bass to get improved or add surround channels, you will need to spend more. Bose offers the optional Bass Module 700 and Surround Speakers 700. That means creating a full 5.1 system is an expensive task. You can checkout more like this in Best Soundbars Without a Subwoofer.

Klipsch Bar 48

The Klipsch BAR 48 is designed as a ‘plug and play’ solution that quickly and effectively upgrades the built-in audio of your TV. For that reason, the company has deliberately kept things simple, with a 3.1 channel speaker configuration.

The three front channels are each composed of two 3-inch oval fiber composite cone woofers and a 1-inch soft-dome tweeter mated to a Tractrix horn. The use of a dedicated center speaker should ensure that on the screen dialogue remains focused and clear.

The separate wireless subwoofer handles the lower frequencies with the help of an 8-inch downward-firing driver and a bass port. All these drivers are separately amplified to deliver a dynamic and detailed performance, and the system as a whole has a power of 440W.

Klipsch has included three sound modes in this soundbar. The Dialogue mode is for increased vocal clarity; the Night mode for reduced dynamic range when you need to keep things quiet and the Surround mode virtually creating the effect of rear speakers.

The company also plans to add DTS Virtual: X via a USB firmware update, but for now there’s no immersive audio experience. However, what the BAR 48 can decode is Dolby Digital and DTS formats up to 5.1 channels. However, if you want to create a genuine 5.1 channel system, you need to buy the optional SURROUND, 3 rear speakers.

That’s it as far as the features are concerned of the Klipsch Bar 48, and perhaps the biggest surprise is the lack of lossless Dolby TrueHD or DTS- HDMA decoding, as well as the lack of immersive audio support. You would expect all these features at this price, as especially the features don’t include WiFi, smart features, and multi-room functionality.

Winner: If we look at the features of both the Bose Soundbar 700 and the Klipsch Bar 48, we can see that the Bose soundbar holds way more smart features than the Klipsch Soundbar. So Bose is the winner here.

You can check out more of some Bose Soundbars here also.

Other Soundbars to Consider

As these two are not the only available soundbars in the market, there are plenty of other soundbars that work really well. Among the other soundbars that can align with your preferences, the Samsung HW- Q70R and the Sonos Playbar can be great options.

Samsung HW- Q70R

The Samsung HW- Q70R can be a much better choice for you if you are a gamer or movie fan. The impressive soundbar and subwoofer combination provides immersive DTS: X and Dolby Atmos performance. It doesn’t have a built-in smart assistant, but the soundbar works with Amazon Alexa. It has an HDMI input unlike both the Bose Soundbar 700 and Klipsch Bar 48. The separate subwoofer delivers deep bass with the sound too. Click Samsung HW Q90R which is a more updated version.

Sonos Playbar

The Sonos Playbar can be another great alternative as it sounds really good and has an incredibly easy setup system. It has all the features associated with the Sonos system, including an intuitive control app, voice control via an Alexa or Google Assistant, class-leading multi-room capabilities, and additional TV functions. It works well both as a standalone speaker and a TV speaker. Here are some of the Sonos Soundbars to check more of them .

Final Verdict

We’ve already seen the different aspects of both these soundbars. They both have different sets of advantages and features, so it’s up to you what you’ll choose according to your preferences as they both sound really well.

But if I have to choose a winner here, the winner is definitely the Bose Soundbar 700 as it has an edge over the Klipsch Bar 48 in almost all the discussed aspects. So, Bose Soundbar 700 it is.

Editor’s Pick: Bose Soundbar 700

FAQ

This FAQ is here to solve some of the most asked questions from all over the internet. You can take this FAQ as a waving good bye gesture from us. Best of luck with your music experience.