The newly launched Lifestyle Collection features three unique models, including a notable contender against the Sonos Era 100. Bose has introduced a $299 Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, a $1,099 Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar, and an $899 Ultra Subwoofer, all available from Bose as well as third-party retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy.
The Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, priced at $299, is Bose’s alternative to the Sonos Era 100. It comes in black or white and can be purchased from Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose. Additionally, a $349 beige version is exclusive to Bose’s online store. John Higgins noted its performance, highlighting a front-firing woofer, tweeter, and an up-firing driver, providing a surprisingly expansive sound and clear vocals.
Similar to the Sonos Era 100, the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker supports Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect, along with Google Cast for extra streaming options. It can be grouped with non-Bose speakers via AirPlay and Google Cast for multi-room audio and is the first third-party speaker to support Amazon’s AI-enabled Alexa Plus.
For home theater enthusiasts, the Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar supporting Dolby Atmos is accessible via Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose. It offers clear dialogue and a broad soundstage, though the bass alone was slightly lacking. However, the accompanying Ultra Subwoofer — also available in black and white from Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose — enhances the bass significantly when paired with the soundbar, delivering a richer, more balanced sound.