soundbars · Head-to-head
Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 vs ZVOX AV157
Best Compact One-Button Dialogue Bar
Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100
7.4/10
$199.00 at Amazon
Check price at Amazon
The short answer
Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 comes out ahead overall with 7.4/10 against 7.0/10 for the ZVOX AV157. Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 is stronger on ease of setup & use for seniors, overall sound quality and value. ZVOX AV157 is stronger on dialogue boost range & controls and safety, energy & repairability.
- Choose the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 if: Seniors with small-to-mid TVs who want a slim, no-app bar with a dedicated dialogue button and one-cable HDMI setup.
- Choose the ZVOX AV157 if: Viewers with hearing loss whose main goal is understanding speech, with the finest-grained voice boost available.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 | ZVOX AV157 |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 7.5Dedicated speech tweeter and Dialogue Mode, with an editorial pick but no lab data. | 7.5Older TechHive praise, offset by TechRadar's 'unnatural' remark. |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 5.5Single on/off mode. | 8.512 levels plus Output Leveling. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 9.0HDMI cable included, CEC control, no app needed. | 6.5Single cable, but a separate remote is required. |
| Overall sound quality | 7.0Fuller than TV speakers. Limited bass without a sub. | 4.5Single-purpose small speaker. |
| Value | 8.0$199 on Amazon vs $299 list price. | 6.5$199.99, close to the HDMI-equipped AV835. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 5.0Neutral: no parts or idle-power evidence found. No recall for this model. | 8.0Replacement power supply and remotes, renewed units and a 60-day trial. |
Specifications
| Spec | Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 | ZVOX AV157 |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | TV Speaker (2nd Gen) bar only | Single AccuVoice AV157 speaker bar; no subwoofer or surrounds |
| Workflow type | Standalone compact bar | Standalone single-box TV speaker |
| Dialogue feature | Dialogue Mode | AccuVoice + SuperVoice |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | 901067-1100 (per Amazon listing) | AV157 |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | 1 levels | 12 levels |
| Soundbar width | 596 mm | 432 mm |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | Yes | No |
| Soundbar height | 57 mm | 86 mm |
| Automatic volume leveling | — | Yes |
| Soundbar depth | 106 mm | 74 mm |
| Channel configuration | Left/right angled drivers + center tweeter (Bose) | — |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | Yes | No |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | No | No |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | No |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 0 ports | 0 ports |
| Optical input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| ARC/eARC, optical, TV-specific and adapter requirements | HDMI ARC/CEC (HDMI cable included) or optical | — |
| Width | 23.47 in | 17 in |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | Included remote; no app mentioned, plug-and-play (Bose) | Included remote; no app; mode switch by long press (Digital Trends) |
| Compatible named optional subwoofer and surround configuration | Bose Bass Module 700 or Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer (per Amazon listing) | — |
| Observed direct manufacturer selling price | 299 USD | 199.99 USD |
| Verified manufacturer list price, not assumed from a crossed-out reference | — | 249.99 USD |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | Amazon $199 sold by Amazon (live); bose.com $299 | zvox.com $199.99 with 60-day trial; Amazon $199.99 from third-party seller (live) |
| Manufacturer direct home-trial period | — | 60 days |
Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100
Pros
- One-button Dialogue Mode
- HDMI cable included, TV-remote control via ARC/CEC
- Dedicated speech tweeter
- Bluetooth for phone and tablet audio
- Compact size suits small and mid-size TVs
Cons
- No adjustable dialogue levels
- No independent lab test of its dialogue performance
- Price varies widely between retailers
- Limited repair or parts information
A good mainstream pick for seniors who want a no-fuss upgrade. Check the price across retailers before you buy.
Full Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 review →ZVOX AV157
Pros
- Works with optical or 3.5mm TVs
- 12 voice-boost levels
- Output Leveling for ads
- Replacement power supplies, remotes and renewed units sold
- Compact size
Cons
- No HDMI, so the TV remote cannot control it
- Voices can sound unnatural at high boost
- Weak for music and movies
- Needs a second remote
A narrow but useful product. It is best for older TVs, where it can make a real difference to speech.
Full ZVOX AV157 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Soundbars Under $300 of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.