Bose reintroduces Lifestyle brand with new Ultra home audio collection

Bose has officially relaunched its Lifestyle brand, originally introduced in 1990, with a new Ultra collection comprising the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, Soundbar and Subwoofer. The announcement signals a strategic re-entry into the market for products that debuted decades ago, featuring a distinct aesthetic shift towards fabric-wrapped grilles and gentle curves. While the company is historically recognised for noise-canceling headphones, this new range expands its footprint in the home audio sector with devices designed to offer a cohesive listening experience.

The new devices support multi-room audio capabilities via AirPlay and Google Cast, allowing users to group units for a seamless home listening environment. A key differentiator for the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is its integration with Alexa+, a feature currently available only in the United States. This allows voice commands to be routed through Amazon's chatbot, distinguishing it from standard Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity options. The speaker features three drivers, including an up-firing unit, and includes a radial volume slider for intuitive control.

For the living room, Bose has developed the Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar and Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer. The soundbar houses six full-range drivers, a dedicated centre tweeter for dialogue, and PhaseGuide drivers for directional audio. It features a seamless construction with a glass top and touch controls for a refined look. CustomTune calibration optimises the sound for the specific space while SpeechClarity provides adjustable, AI-powered dialogue enhancement to ensure clarity during viewing.

All three Lifestyle Ultra products utilise TrueSpatial audio processing and CleanBass acoustics to optimise content and deliver ample low-end tone without distortion. The Ultra Soundbar can be upgraded to a 7.1.4-channel configuration when paired with the speakers and subwoofer. However, the soundbar alone functions as a standalone 5.2-channel unit, offering flexibility for consumers who may not wish to purchase the full immersive system immediately.

Pricing for the collection positions the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker as an entry point starting at $299, with a limited-edition Driftwood Sand model available for $349. The Ultra Soundbar is priced at $1,099, while the Ultra Subwoofer costs $899. These figures represent a premium entry point compared to standard home audio setups, particularly when considering the cost of the complete 7.1.4-channel configuration.

Pre-orders are currently open for Australian and international markets, with sales commencing on 15 May. The company asserts that the Ultra Soundbar represents their best iteration of the product line to date, aiming to deliver a robust setup that balances design and audio performance.