KEFs Q1 Meta vs BOSE Smart Ultra

[asd97]

Greetings to everyone who opened this post. I'll try to be simple and concise so both side wins.

Budget: $700. Medium to small living room size.

Right now the KEFs are discounted ($400 vs. $600 original price), and the Wiim Amp ($300) is affordable for me. 2.0 stereo channel. “No subwoofer”.
Besides, the #1 BOSE Soundbar. The ultra model is it also $700.

What I would use it for the most is music (house and progressive house, for example) although it will also be used for PS5 and eventually TV Football matchs. My doubt is that the somewhat more audiophile option of the KEFs stereo channel would not have its subwoofer and I would not like to be left with a bitter taste in my first decent investment in audio. My fear is lack of bass due to that mitigating factor. Otherwise, I understand that BOSE has a sound of its signature, and I think that could give more warmth to the environment simulating something that “perfoms” better.

Will the KEFs with “that” amp sound deeper against the #1 BOSE soundbar?

 

[Nat]

Can you listen to either before buying?
Your question is less simple than it may seem. Tastes differ, so my opinion may be worth exactly zero to someone else. Add to that, you are asking about two specific systems that not many have actually heard - this is a vintage, and vintage stereo, oriented site, so opinions about new equipment may be less common and less informed.
So recognize that my suggestions are based on no specific knowledge at all, but are, instead, based on general considerations. I'm guessing that the KEFs are individual speakers, and this allows more flexibility than a soundbar, which I also guess is a one piece item. A soundbar severely limits stereo separation unless you are right in front of it - a foot or two separation is pretty limiting, though the 'hole in the middle' problem is thereby pretty much eradicated. If you aren't sitting several feet from the TV, the soundbar isn't likely to be as satisfactory as an amp and separate speakers.
Which brings up another issue - if a soundbar has problems, the whole thing is kaput, where as separate components can be individually replaced, which can be less expensive and faster than repairs. And I'd add that I see a lot of Bose products at the dump, and a lot of soundbars. Competition in the AV world is pretty severe, and the requirement for the lowest price doesn't encourage use of the best parts.
But, as I said to begin with, if you like the sound of the Bose over the KEFs (or vice versa), that probably should be the deciding factor.

 

[pauldrewry]

A AM pocket radio kept in a pocket would sound better then Bose

 

[Nat]

I think that's a bit harsh - I'm not a Bose fan for various reasons, most especially because they have a track record of suing magazines that give them negative reviews, and because of the high prices for what you get, but most of the Bose speakers I've heard have been okay.
I don't think it is helpful to pan them completely, since outside of the audiophile community, they are thought to be very good and so,when we say they suck, I think many normal people's response is to decide that audiophiles are a bunch of stuck up nutcases, which isn't the best way of keeping our hobby alive. It doesn't matter that much of Bose's reputation is built on savvy advertising and on making small, domestically attractive speakers. For the vast majority of people, they sound good enough, so any objections we have will be ignored - unless we can get people to listen to better speakers. And alienating them at the git go probably isn't savvy marketing on our part.