Bose subwoofers: read this before you buy

There's one thing you need to know before spending anything on a Bose subwoofer, and it's the thing Bose's own product pages bury: the Bass Module 500 and 700 are not standalone subwoofers. They're wireless bass modules that pair only with compatible Bose soundbars. You cannot connect one to an AV receiver, a turntable amp, or a non-Bose system. If you don't own a Bose soundbar, neither of these is the product you want.

If you do own a Bose Smart Soundbar, though, they're the easiest bass upgrade there is — the module pairs wirelessly in a menu and just works, with none of the crossover-and-phase fiddling a normal sub demands. The whole appeal is that simplicity, and it's real. The decision then narrows to just two products, and mostly to your room.

One note on our specs: Bose doesn't publish full technical data for these modules, so some figures on our review pages carry a disclaimer. The buying advice below doesn't depend on the exact numbers — it depends on your soundbar and your room.

Every Bose subwoofer we track

Bose · 8″ sealed · ~$549

Bose Bass Module 500

The compact wireless companion for Bose soundbars — a 10-inch cube that adds warmth without shaking the neighbours.

Check price Full specs

Bose · 10″ ported · ~$849

Bose Bass Module 700

The serious upgrade for Bose Smart Soundbar owners: genuine home-theater impact from a wireless, glass-topped box.

Check price Full specs

The two Bose bass modules

Bass Module 500 — compact and neighbour-friendly

A small sealed cube that adds warmth and body to a Bose soundbar without overwhelming a room or the people next door. It's the right choice for apartments, bedrooms, and smaller living rooms where you want fuller sound rather than home-theatre slam.

Bose Bass Module 500

Bass Module 700 — genuine home-theatre impact

The serious upgrade for Bose Smart Soundbar owners: a larger, ported, glass-topped module that delivers real cinematic low end. Choose it for a proper living room or home theatre where you want the sub you can feel, not just hear — and where you have the space and the neighbours to allow it.

Bose Bass Module 700

Bass Module 500 vs 700, side by side

	Bose Bass Module 500	Bose Bass Module 700
Driver	8″	10″
Enclosure	sealed	ported
Amplifier (RMS)	125 W	300 W
Low-frequency extension	~40 Hz	~30 Hz
Size (H×W×D)	10″ × 10″ × 10″	13″ × 11.5″ × 11.5″
Weight	11.5 lb	30 lb
App / DSP	Yes	Yes
Best room sizes	small	small, medium
Apartment friendly	Yes	Not really
Approx. price	$549	$849

How to choose (and whether to buy at all)

Check soundbar compatibility first — this is non-negotiable
These modules only work with compatible Bose soundbars (the Smart Soundbar and Soundbar 500/700/900 families). Confirm your exact soundbar supports the module before buying. No Bose soundbar means these are the wrong product entirely.
Room size picks the module
Bass Module 500 for apartments and smaller rooms; Bass Module 700 for real living rooms and home theatre. In a small space the 700 is more than you need; in a large room the 500 will run out of authority.
You're paying for simplicity, not standalone flexibility
The upside is effortless wireless pairing with zero setup. The downside is total lock-in — you can never repurpose the module as a normal subwoofer. If you might move to an AV receiver later, a conventional sub is the more future-proof spend.
Not a Bose household? Look at real subwoofers
If you want a wireless sub that works with any system, a Klipsch Wi model or an SVS with a wireless adapter gives you the placement freedom without the brand lock-in.

Frequently asked questions

Do Bose Bass Modules work without a Bose soundbar?

No. The Bass Module 500 and 700 are not standalone subwoofers — they pair wirelessly only with compatible Bose soundbars and have no line-level or speaker-level inputs. You cannot use one with an AV receiver, amplifier, or any non-Bose system. If you don't own a compatible Bose soundbar, look at a conventional subwoofer instead.

Bose Bass Module 500 vs 700 — which should I buy?

The 500 is a compact sealed module for apartments and smaller rooms; the 700 is a larger ported module with genuine home-theatre impact for bigger living rooms. Both pair the same easy way with a compatible Bose soundbar, so the decision is mostly room size and how much low-end impact you want. See our full 500 vs 700 comparison for the details.

Which Bose soundbars work with the Bass Module?

The Bass Modules are designed for Bose's Smart Soundbar and Soundbar 500/700/900 families. Compatibility can vary by exact model and generation, so confirm against your specific soundbar on Bose's compatibility list before buying — pairing depends on it.

Can I use a Bose Bass Module as a regular subwoofer?

No — there's no wired input to connect it to a normal system, and it only accepts a wireless signal from a Bose soundbar. That lock-in is the main trade-off versus a conventional subwoofer, which you could move between systems freely.