Sound quality:
Bose's Smart Soundbar 600 has Good overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. With the tone controls set for the most even tonal balance the bass has good impact but is a bit boomy, a touch tubby, doesn’t go deep, and the dynamic range may sound compressed with some program material. Midrange is somewhat grainy, a bit hazy, echoey and strident, and the upper midrange is a bit prominent. Treble is extended, but is somewhat prominent, sizzly, and dry, and a bit smeared. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience, the echoey quality of the midrange can give the sound an artificial "processed" quality, and the overall sound is a bit congested. The sound field produced when playing stereo program material extends somewhat above but not much beyond the width of the speaker array enclosure and the depth is flat.
There was no significant difference between HDMI, optical, WiFi, and Bluetooth inputs.
The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
Multichannel
With multi-channel Dolby Digital program material the sound image may extend well past the sides and above the sound bar but still lacks depth. The dialog mode has a noticeable effect on the sound.
Dolby Atmos
When playing Dolby Atmos material the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; audio imaging can extend up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead depending on the program material, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front.
Voice Mode
With Stereo, Multichannel and Dolby Atmos audio the dialog mode has a noticeable effect on the sound.
TV ease of use: Very good overall.
Features ease of use: Very good overall.
