soundbars · Head-to-head
Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 vs ZVOX AV855
Best Simple Upgrade
Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100
7.4/10
$199.00 at Amazon
Check price at Amazon
The short answer
ZVOX AV855 comes out ahead overall with 8.1/10 against 7.4/10 for the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100. Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 is stronger on ease of setup & use for seniors, overall sound quality and value. ZVOX AV855 is stronger on dialogue clarity, dialogue boost range & controls and safety, energy & repairability. At current verified prices, the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 costs about $150.99 less.
- Choose the Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 if: Seniors who want one-button clearer voices and plug-and-play HDMI setup from a mainstream brand.
- Choose the ZVOX AV855 if: Anyone who struggles to follow TV dialogue on a mid-size or large TV and wants one bar the TV remote controls, with the widest voice-boost range.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 | ZVOX AV855 |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 7.5Dedicated speech tweeter and Dialogue Mode, with an editorial pick but no lab data. | 8.3Two independent reviews (TechRadar, Home Technology Review) praise the speech lift, but there is no lab test. |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 5.5Single on/off mode. | 8.820 levels plus Output Leveling, the widest range in the pool. ZVOX's FAQ text is inconsistent ('6 modes'), but its spec page says 10+10. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 9.0HDMI cable included, CEC control, no app needed. | 8.5HDMI-ARC/CEC, a remote with large buttons, no app, and a 60-day trial. |
| Overall sound quality | 7.0Fuller than TV speakers. Limited bass without a sub. | 6.5TechRadar calls it 'a bit boxy' with weak virtual surround. |
| Value | 8.0$199 on Amazon vs $299 list price. | 7.5$349.99. The AV835 has the same DSP for $100 less, so this is fair rather than outstanding. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 5.0Neutral: no parts or idle-power evidence found. No recall for this model. | 7.5Replacement remotes, power supplies and certified-renewed units are sold. No recall found. |
Specifications
| Spec | Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) 901067-1100 | ZVOX AV855 |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | TV Speaker (2nd Gen) bar only | — |
| Workflow type | Standalone compact bar | — |
| Dialogue feature | Dialogue Mode | AccuVoice + SuperVoice |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | 901067-1100 (per Amazon listing) | — |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | 1 levels | 20 levels |
| Soundbar width | 596 mm | — |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | Yes | — |
| Soundbar height | 57 mm | — |
| Automatic volume leveling | — | Yes |
| Soundbar depth | 106 mm | — |
| Channel configuration | Left/right angled drivers + center tweeter (Bose) | — |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | Yes | — |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | No | No |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 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 | 33.7 in |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | Included remote; no app mentioned, plug-and-play (Bose) | — |
| 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 | — |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | Amazon $199 sold by Amazon (live); bose.com $299 | — |
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 AV855
Pros
- 20 voice-boost levels (10 AccuVoice plus 10 SuperVoice)
- HDMI-ARC lets the TV remote control power and volume
- Output Leveling evens out loud commercials
- Large-button remote
- Replacement remotes and renewed units available, with a 60-day home trial
Cons
- Music can sound somewhat boxy
- No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi streaming
- No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
- Some owners found the boost less dramatic than expected
The best fit for most viewers who want clearer speech without learning a new system. It trades music quality for dialogue tools, and that is the right trade for this guide.
Full ZVOX AV855 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Soundbars for Dialogue Clarity and Seniors of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.