Engadget’s review of Bose’s new Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar positions it as a premium all-in-one option. The reviewer, who expected to need a subwoofer, found the soundbar’s low-end performance surprisingly capable thanks to Bose’s CleanBass and QuietPort technology. At $1,099, that standalone bass might matter to buyers weighing the cost of a full system.
The business catch is that expansion gets expensive. Bose sells the matching subwoofer for $899 and rear speakers for $349 each. The review notes that Bose offers bundle savings on home theater and surround sets, but not on the soundbar-plus-sub “Extra Bass Set.” Even in a living room open to other spaces, the reviewer says the soundbar alone was adequate for music.
The review also flags a single HDMI eARC port and no HDMI 2.0 passthrough, which could be a limitation for gamers or complex setups. Engadget rated the soundbar 8.6/10, praising its design and controls while cautioning that add-on costs add up quickly. Since only this one review was provided, there are no conflicting sources to compare.