How to Set Up Your Bose Smart Soundbar 600

Beginner 10-15 minutes

What You'll Need

  • Bose Smart Soundbar 600
  • Bose Music app (iOS or Android)
  • TV with HDMI eARC/ARC port or optical audio output
  • Wi-Fi network
  • HDMI cable (included)

Step-by-Step Setup

  1. Position the soundbar directly below or in front of your TV. Make sure it does not block the TV's IR sensor. The soundbar is compact enough to fit on most TV stands without hanging over the edge.
  2. Connect the soundbar to your TV:
    • Use the included HDMI cable and plug it into the HDMI eARC (or ARC) port on your TV. This is the preferred connection for Dolby Atmos pass-through.
    • If your TV does not have HDMI ARC, use an optical cable instead. Optical works fine for standard audio but does not support Atmos.
  3. Plug in the power cable.
  4. Download the Bose Music app and sign in.
  5. Add the soundbar in the app. Follow the on-screen wizard to connect it to your Wi-Fi network.
  6. Enable HDMI-CEC on your TV. This lets you control the soundbar volume with your TV remote. The setting is usually found under your TV's general or external device settings. Different manufacturers call it different things: Samsung calls it Anynet+, LG uses SimpLink, Sony calls it Bravia Sync.
  7. Run ADAPTiQ audio calibration. The app will prompt you to put on the included ADAPTiQ headset and sit in your primary listening position. The system plays a series of tones and calibrates the soundbar to your room. This makes a significant difference in sound quality, so do not skip it.

Dolby Atmos and TrueSpace

The Soundbar 600 has upward-firing transducers that bounce sound off your ceiling for Dolby Atmos height effects. For this to work well, your ceiling should be flat and ideally between 8 and 12 feet high. Vaulted or very high ceilings reduce the effect.

Bose TrueSpace technology also processes non-Atmos content and upmixes it to create a wider, more immersive soundstage. This means even regular stereo TV audio and standard 5.1 content benefit from the speaker layout.

To get actual Dolby Atmos, you need the HDMI eARC connection and Atmos content from services like Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV. Optical connections max out at Dolby Digital 5.1.

Smart Features

The Soundbar 600 supports Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. You can ask for music, control smart home devices, or adjust the volume hands-free. It also supports AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Chromecast built-in for easy streaming.

Bose SimpleSync lets you pair the soundbar with Bose headphones. Late-night TV watching with headphones while someone sleeps is one of the best use cases for this feature.

Troubleshooting

  • No audio from TV: Make sure HDMI-CEC is enabled in your TV settings. Try switching the TV audio output to "external speaker" or "HDMI ARC." If you are using optical, select optical as the input source on the soundbar through the Bose app.
  • Dolby Atmos not activating: You need an eARC HDMI connection and Atmos-encoded content. Check that your TV's HDMI port is labeled eARC (not just ARC). Also verify that your streaming app is set to output Atmos audio in its settings.
  • ADAPTiQ calibration issues: Make sure the room is quiet during calibration. Wear the included headset properly with the microphone facing forward. You can re-run ADAPTiQ anytime from the Bose Music app if you rearrange your furniture.
  • Soundbar turns off when TV turns off: This is normal HDMI-CEC behavior. If you want the soundbar to stay on for music, switch to a non-TV source in the Bose app.
  • Factory reset: Press and hold the Power button and Skip Forward button simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the light bar blinks. The soundbar will restart in setup mode.

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