Sound QualityThe Bose Home Speaker 500 has very good overall sound quality. Bass has good impact but is a bit boomy and doesn't go deep. Midrange is a bit thin, congested and "metallic" sounding. Treble is extended but is bit sizzly and prominent. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience and is a bit congested. No significant difference between WiFi, Bluetooth and Aux sound quality except WiFi sound quality treble was somewhat prominent. Provide adequate listening volume for a medium to large sized room.
Versatility
Versatility is good. It's a stereo speaker, that has multi-room support and stereo pairing support with another Bose Home Speaker 500. Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and this unit has Bluetooth but lacks wireless output to another speaker and speakerphone functionality. Communications: Lacks support for calling, texting and messaging. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated button to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Has and analog audio input. Audio Tailoring: Lacks user adjustable treble and bass controls. OS Support: Android and iOS. Other connections and features: Lacks a USB device port. Display: Has a non-touchscreen information display. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of many common streaming services such as Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-In and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Supports voice identity - a feature which allows the account holder with their "voice print" to access personal information.
Ease of Use
Overall ease of use of the Bose Home Speaker 500 excellent. WiFi: Setup requires an app downloaded to a device or device connection, easy and intuitive - need instructions (may be included in app), may or may not involve inputting WiFi network password, account setups. Bluetooth: Requires the press of a button which is an unmarked multifunction control for source and pairing, provides a clear indication that it is in pairing mode and when pairing has completed. Console controls: Volume control are +/- buttons and the unit has a non persistent graphical position marking and has a index "marking" via verbal command and acknowledgement. Audio mute: Play/Pause as mute is well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged and mutes the line input. Microphone mute: Well marked, not well placed behind the unit with clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: App can switch between wireless sources but can't switch to Bluetooth source which requires pressing the Bluetooth button on console, same for Aux access. App remote: The volume control is prominent as a volume slider which lacks index markings so not easily repeatable, but easy to actuate. Mute: Well marked, but not prominent. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.
