Bose SoundTouch SA-5 Amplifier

2020-07-31T20:00:00

I have 5 of these in my the house, recently the NBN killed my ADSL line and they gave me a new wifi unit. I now cannot get any of my Bose units (5 in total) to reconnect? Also after the software update the system just drops out.

Wazza

Originally posted at

2020-07-26T20:00:00

I have been an avid Bose lover since my youth, purchased SA-5 and out speakers from Bose for my outdoor oasis I built. I was super excited to install which was easy and add the final touch. When I went to play my normal music streaming options I come to find out that Google Music and ITunes doesn’t not just automatically integrate with Bose Software. Super frustrating. How does one of the greatest speaker companies not allow me to just play what I want. They should incorporate just a Bluetooth access way to allow me to play what ever I want when I want. Sent the Amp back but kept the speakers. Bought a Yamaha amp to power speakers. Still love Bose but not going to buy any amps until they get with the 21st century. Sorry.

Barone007

Originally posted at

2020-07-19T20:00:00

i bought my Sa-5 amp in june , very happy with it.

justrealaxing

Originally posted at

2020-07-15T20:00:00

This along with the expensive speakers that go with it has very poor sound quality and I can’t believe the speakers aren’t Bluetooth or WiFi but you have to run speaker wire to connect them. Not happy with this purchase at all ! And very disappointed in the Bose quality on this product!!!

Jim

Originally posted at

2020-07-03T20:00:00

I like the unit, however, I would like to be able to control speakers A and B separately. Most amplifiers do that.

Al

Originally posted at

2020-06-30T20:00:00

I added this to our sun touch family in our house and absolutely love it it powers two of our Bose outdoor speakers and it is exactly what we needed to complete our audio experience! It’s extremely clean sound and intuitive app that helps you run it in a stereo pair or mono... love this amp!!!

Jgsing

Originally posted at

2020-06-25T20:00:00

I bought SA5 as like sound quality from Bose, unfortunately service provide is poor. The product when I bought promised to work with airplay and apple music, after almost 2 year finally the software update came and my product was not able to work. So, They told me to send product to service so they can change a chip to be compatible. After 3 weeks and lack of communication I received my amp and do not work with airplay. Product should be test and ready to be connected before sending back. Again loosing my time to resolve same problem. 3 time before I had used Bose service and same poor service. Now my equipment has a serial number outside and the app provide me a different serial number.

JAP

Originally posted at

2020-06-23T20:00:00

Horrible attemp at an AMP pure garbage do not waste your money!

TJ

Originally posted at

2020-06-19T20:00:00

I bought this product several years ago. I am so happy it work perfect especially Bluetooth.

fred

Originally posted at

2020-06-10T20:00:00

I have 3 of these and a Sound Touch 700 Soundbar. We recently built a pool house/shop, and since we already have this amp for the house & basement systems, we added a 3rd. Coupled with the Soundbar in the great room, we have an entire house and now poolside/shop filled with music. They sync up effortlessly across WiFi, so no need to run cables everywhere. The pool house has sometimes sketch WiFi access because of the distance from the house, but it runs flawlessly. I also have 12 Amazon Alexa devices all over the house. Controlling all of these amps is as easy as saying "Alexa, play Today's Hits on Pool" I will admit, the app kinda sucks and is in serious need of an upgrade. You can say "Alexa, volume up/down on pool" for instance, and it only goes up/down a little. I thing you should be able to say levels (as with Alexa) like, "Volume 1" for lowest or "Volume 10" for highest, with each number in between as different levels...just my 2 cents

tkocian69

Originally posted at

2020-06-04T20:00:00

I have just purchased this to add my B&W speakers to my house setup. I already have SoundTouch 10, 20, and 30 units which all come with a remote control. This unit does not and this is very disappointing. This spoils the total package which has cost me a lot of money. I even have the wireless QC35 II headphones. Not what you expect from a premium Bose product, very happy with the other units.

Steve B.

Originally posted at

2020-05-29T20:00:00

I bought this with a set of bose speakers for my outdoor deck about 1 year ago. The sound it produces is great however the overall software and app are not friendly. The app setup is terrible its pretty hard to get anything done, they have no options to turn off B speakers, no controller at all which makes it hard to switch to any aux and the app isn't friendly with multiple person use. I was also pretty sad to see that although is it supported by alexa this is not the case when connecting to a fire tv. The general theme of this device I would say would be that it tends be great at what it does (ex: great bluetooth range and reliability) however its difficult to get it to do what you want (ex: you have to use the app from the owner to get it to try and pair w new decives) PS: I just recently dropped it from about 5 feet took a little physical damage but still works like new so pretty durable

karks

Originally posted at

2020-05-27T20:00:00

Purchased about a month ago. So far so good. Connected to wifi, and SoundTouch app perfectly. Was given a set of 301’s and since I have 3 other SoundTouch enabled speakers this was an easy purchase other than the price. It is very high for what it does and doesn’t do. I won’t repeat others gripes. Unfortunately I rushed to purchase this. Didn’t really need it right now but it seems Bose is scrapping this platform and going full Alexa. But they finally came good to their word and added AirPlay 2. Hopefully the SoundTouch platform will stay and be updated for years on iOS. It is nice to get to all the music I want from my phone. Only other thing is I have it in a dark room and the white light when in use is kinda bright and because I’m using WiFi it can’t be hidden bounces off the ceiling and can be bright.

Sy

Originally posted at

2020-05-22T20:00:00

So happy with this amplifier and Bose in general. I have a set of outdoor 251 speakers on one side of the house and have an SA-5 driving that set. I just purchased a set of in-ground free space 51 speakers for around the pool and another SA-5 amplifier. They both work seamlessly and sound fantastic. As others have noted if your WiFi signal drops out it will affect the amplifiers. So I suggest you do what I did and add them to your network thought a hard wired Ethernet (cat 5 cable) connection permanently.

Ace

Originally posted at

2020-05-02T20:00:00

This amplifier is a great unit. I was frustrated initially that I was so locked down by the app but once airplay 2 was added that was a game changer. I use this with 2 outdoor freespace 51s and 2 ceiling 791 ii. Sound is absolutely amazing all around and the amp hasn’t had any major issues. Reading reviews I’m a little concerned so many people aren’t able to figure it out but it’s incredibly simple to setup and there has never been a connection issue that wasn’t the fault of the SoundTouch app.

Rawkfist1501

Originally posted at

2020-04-20T20:00:00

I loved the idea of this device with my Bose 151 outdoor speakers - However - 1. App is less than perfect - I don't even think I could feel comfortable giving the app a 3/5 - so I don't use it and try to push straight to speaker through Spotify (only use app to update, and power off the SA-5) 2. You'd be better with a standard receiver with 'Works with Alexa, Works with Chromecase, Works with Airplay' built in - or using a Google Chromecast Audio - Better/easier than the SA-5 with the app noted above 3. In just over a year, my right speaker output started sounding tinny/static/etc - In troubleshooting, it's not the speaker, but the SA-5 - to which Bose has not been helpful in rectifying (note - i did try 3-4 different speakers - including Bose, Pioneer, Polk - all had similar tin sound out of right channel) I tried the speaker outside with a different receiver and it's just find.

Dave J.

Originally posted at

2020-04-18T20:00:00

I have this amp close to my home router so I have it hard wired via Ethernet. I have had almost 2 years and never had a single issue. Other than once in a while the neighbors don’t like the volume!!

Dale

Originally posted at

2020-04-12T20:00:00

I recently decided to upgrade my 30 year old home stereo equipment to a WIFI system, and selected BOSE SoundTouch. I purchased various SoundTouch Products for various rooms in the house, but needed the WIFI sound to reach outside on the deck. I already had hard wired speakers, so I bought the SA-5 to enable those speakers to work with the other WIFI Speakers. Also, the SA-5 allows my CD Changer to connect, so I can play my CDs. Set up was easy with the SoundTouch app. lt's great to have music playing all over the house. I am very satisfied with the BOSE SoundTouch SA-5 Amplifier. My only request would be allowing Speaker A and B to be controlled separately.

RobC

Originally posted at

2020-01-26T19:00:00

I've Had about 6 Months. And it Want Keep Single. It disconnect when it wants to

Henry

Originally posted at

2019-12-07T19:00:00

Have this in my shop. The only thing I don’t like is that you have to use a cell phone to operate it. Wish it would have come with a remote also.

Roll T.

Originally posted at

2019-10-30T20:00:00

Excellent sound but hardly wireless. Speakers must be hardwired to this amp. All four speakers carry one sound signal....so you cannot for example have two speakers outside and two speakers inside and play different music inside and out. Bose is famous for tech but couldn't firgure out this basic feature. Waste of $500.

doug

Originally posted at

2019-10-20T20:00:00

It's a great integrator for wire and wireless speakers. I wish it could connect to the latest version of wireless equipments like the Soundbar700 (newest and most expensive Bose Soundbar). I hope the Software people can make it happen. It does not connect with most of the new Bose wireless speakers. Needs a software improvement urgently.

Bose F.

Originally posted at

2019-09-20T20:00:00

As my title says this device and the soundtouch system has improved over the years. I have had mine since June 2016. Initally the soundtouch via bluetooth was hit or miss. Now thanks to software upgrades it works perfectly. I'm using one pair of speakers and the AUX jack to push sound from a cable box to the outdoor speakers. Perfect for sporting events.

BoseFan4Life

Originally posted at

2019-08-09T20:00:00

Using the app, after it finds the amp and sets it up everything seems fine, it gets connected to the network, then It just doesn't connect and I can't use it, this happen 8/10/2019 after I had to upgrade the software on both, amp and app on the phone and computer.

WarriorPrincessLiz

Originally posted at

2019-08-06T20:00:00

We purchased the system to create a better atmosphere for prople to hang out and enjoy the summer. It has done just that!

GPGC

Originally posted at

2019-08-03T20:00:00

I’ve always loved Bose products. Just upgraded to Lifestyle 650 for Home Theater and love it. Bought Quiet Comfort headphones for myself and wife and love them. Bought SA5 to power some poolside speakers. When it works it sounds great. But whatever their paying programmers for SoundTouch app it is too much. This app just plain sux. Says no WiFi connection periodically. But phone is showing good WiFi. Discovered that when I turn off cellular data I have no problem connecting to WiFi. I installed app on wife’s phone and that really messes things up. When I log off her phone I have to reinstall speakers on my phone. C’mon Bose. If you can’t build a reliable app then give me a Bluetooth remote. It is extremely frustrating dealing with this everyday. And I’m an IT professional. Can’t imagine frustration of your customers

DougV

Originally posted at

2019-07-31T20:00:00

Best sound system I ever had. Hooked up 251 speakers but wanted a bit more kick to my classic rock sound which can be hard to hard to dial in due to older recording technology. Added a set of 301’s. Perfect match. Excellent highs and more than adequate lows.

Egregory

Originally posted at

2019-07-30T20:00:00

Don’t waste your time on this product, you will be very disappointed. Bose is overrated...

Spankee1670

Originally posted at

2019-07-20T20:00:00

Drops the wi fi constantly, can not connect to Ethernet, hours of aggravating set up for poor quality music that drops constantly. I could not imagine such poor quality from Bose.

Vincent

Originally posted at

2019-05-19T20:00:00

Device works is great uf you utilize the SoundTouch app. However, when playing music over bluetooth, the sound will have intermittent cutoffs. Have tried streaming from different devices and still the same. I have friend who also owns an SA-5 and has always had this issue since day #1, so it is known issue to at least two SA-5’s. This is very annoying since you can’t play music outside the services available through the app which kinda of make it useless. I have tried many remedies like software updates, app reinstall, moving the SA-5 closer and nothing seems to fix it.

JC

Originally posted at