The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar lets you control with your favorite music app

Bose has unveiled its Lifestyle range of audio products, which includes a new speaker, a smart speaker and a subwoofer now in use Google Cast or Apple AirPlay Instead of the own application.

The range includes the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker ($299), the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer ($1,099) and the more powerful Bose Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer ($899) and is available for pre-order now.

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The band isn’t compatible with the company’s existing systems, though Bose says you can connect the company’s subs (or any other sub you choose) to the Sub Out port.

Lifestyle Ultra speakers, which replace existing ones smart ultra sound bar, Features Dolby Atmos Compatibility as well Alexa Plus Virtual assistant. The speaker features two of the company’s PhaseGuides for firing sound out of the unit, as well as six full-range drivers, two top drivers, four front and a center speaker. It features a glass and fabric look reminiscent of previous speakers.

The Lifestyle Ultra “smart” speaker is a single-channel loudspeaker with a height driver that uses the company’s “direct reflection” technology to add presence, though it’s not an Atmos height channel itself. If you use the Ultra as a rear speaker, the height driver will act as the Atmos channel. The Ultra includes a 3.5mm input so users can connect a source component such as a turntable to it. If you have two Ultras, you can pair them as a stereo system.

Unlike Previous Bose systemsThe Bose Lifestyle system does not have a special control app, and the company expects users to use either Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, or Google Cast to manage the speakers. The advantage is that you can now group non-Bose speakers, as well as not having to control their music with a Sonos-style app. The Bose app is now used for setup only, with the wired headset also replaced for calibrating the system using your phone’s existing microphone.

Why is Bose abandoning the music control app? Look at its competitor, Sonos. Two years ago, Sonos owners complained about multiple issues with it All in one app — after introducing the Ace headphones — and eventually leading to the departure of its long-time CEO, Patrick Spence. While Sonos and Bose helped invent the multi-room speaker systems we know today, the world has moved on from one app that controls everything, and most people only use the streaming app they feel most comfortable with.

Ears on

I heard all three speakers playing music and with home theater content, and while Bose says the speaker has the best bass the company has ever produced, it doesn’t compare to my memories of Sonos Arc Ultra – A speaker that you can use without a subwoofer. And based on the demos I heard, the sub added much-needed bass in movies.

The Bose Ultra speaker was good, but I found the height effect to be subtle and will depend on the layout of your room. The Ultra didn’t have the punch I heard in the (cheaper) Sonos Era 100but I’m looking forward to hearing it against its competitors.

Sound quality aside, I think the lack of interoperability with existing Bose speakers will be a major concern for potential buyers. We’ll see.