Bose launches Acoustic Wave Music System II and Companion 5

We know how much peeps love Bose; it remains one of the highest rated brands in consumer tech despite the availability of higher quality audio components at comparable prices, so hey there, check out the new Acoustic Wave Music System II, a CD / AM / FM all-in-one with aux-ins for using whichever other music devices you may have, iPod or not (though they'd be happy to sell you a $129 iPod connection kit or $299 five CD changer), and will set you back $1079. They also announced their new Companion 5 2.1 speaker system, which will hit you for $399 (pictured after the break). Both ship September 7th.

[Via GizmoWatch]

[Peter @ Aug 27th 2006 10:08PM]

Of course the target audience is going to be big spenders and people living in cramped quarters. Personally, I'd just go with a good pair of headphones.

[Eddie @ Aug 27th 2006 10:20PM]

thats one nice looking speaker system!

[Neoterix @ Aug 27th 2006 10:30PM]

Call me crazy, but I thought premium speakers were supposed to "sound good" above all, looks included.

[James Smith @ Aug 27th 2006 10:32PM]

When will people start to realize there is much better sound systems out there for far less? When you buy Bose, most of the cost is for the name brand.

[Hammo @ Aug 27th 2006 10:36PM]

Anyone here actually own Bose? Didn't think so.

I have a bunch of their stuff (and no I dont live in a small place). People who come over cannot believe what they are hearing.

There's better, sure - but Bose is still excellent.

[Jeff @ Aug 27th 2006 10:42PM]

I have to say...my best audio move ever was getting rid of anything with the name "Bose" on it in my house. I can't stand their overpriced feature lacking equipment, and very mediocre sounding speakers and amps.

BTW,

"We know how much peeps love Bose; it remains one of the highest rated brands in consumer tech despite the availability of higher quality audio components at comparable prices, so hey there, check out the new Acoustic Wave Music System II, a CD / AM / FM all-in-one with aux-ins for using whichever other music devices you may have, iPod or not (though they'd be happy to sell you a $129 iPod connection kit or $299 five CD changer), and will set you back $1079."

is the lONGEST RUN ON SENTENCE EVER.

[tbeck @ Aug 27th 2006 10:43PM]

Hammo, I own bose, its an awsome sound system, but i got it for free... :)

so i didnt and i wouldnt have paid the outrageous prices for what it is...

[JimJimBinks @ Aug 27th 2006 10:48PM]

I have the Bose 5.1 setup (Just the speakers and subwoofer, hooked into a Sony Reciever) It sounds great, and the speakers are very easily hidden. My wife bought those 'cause of the brand name to replace some 10 year old Radio Shack bought gigantic speakers and we've been pretty happy. If anyone can point me towards something better, and cheaper with speakers that are still really small I'd love to hear about it.

[Josh Warner @ Aug 27th 2006 10:52PM]

"despite the availability of higher quality audio components at comparable prices"

Actually, at far FAR lower prices. Case in point: Paradigm's Cinema 70 speakers cost a mere $120 for a pair, and have better frequency responce across the board than any of Bose's cubes (which lack tweeters, packing only 2.5" paper cones from the ancient days of speaker manufacturing). The profit margin on Bose equipment must be staggering, because the cost certainly isn't going into components.

I could easily go on, but the bottom line is that Bose products are absolutely terrible for music reproduction. Here is a good rundown about how Bose has fooled the technophobic Joe into thinking their products actually sound good, and why they are in reality exactly the opposite:

http://www.hometheaterblog.com/hometheater/2006/03/what_about_bose.html

[Josh Warner @ Aug 27th 2006 10:52PM]

Here's another link to an even better rebuke of Bose claims, using experimental frequency responses (less discussion of branding, more technical grit):

http://liquidtheater.com/editorial_56.html

And to deter further commentors - I am not affiliated with Paradigm in any way, though I do own some of their speakers. They are by no means the only company that can beat the pants off of Bose for a fraction of the cost, but I can support my comment with complete confidence (and direct, head to head comparisons).

[Josh Warner @ Aug 27th 2006 11:00PM]

Here is a third excellent discussion of what is wrong with Bose (I'll limit myself to 3 links here, but Google and you'll find many more):

http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

[christomapher @ Aug 27th 2006 11:01PM]

Is that all most Engadget readers can do is BASH?

Seriously, Engadget readers all know that there are better things out there besides Bose, so give it up already because you're beating a dead horse.

[Josh Warner @ Aug 27th 2006 11:12PM]

christomapher:

I seriously doubt ALL Engadget readers are savvy to Bose inadequacies (remember, this is a very well-read blog) and if only a single person reads this and becomes educated, I think it is completely worth it.

You also might be surprised at how much branding can do; I have had people who are definitely tech savvy ask me about Bose products. What the audio community knows is NOT common knowledge, but it should be.

[Bobbo @ Aug 27th 2006 11:22PM]

Just remember the old saying, "No highs or lows, it MUST be Bose. If you a crazy for the looks, get it. You will most likely get to know the people in their customer service dept. VERY well. If you want more music quality for your buck, get most anything else!

[Bobbo @ Aug 27th 2006 11:25PM]

To Hammo, I couldn't believe what I was hearing when I heard Bose, too! Let's not use words like excellent. It is the same as caklling MacDonalds excellent.

[TheChosenOne @ Aug 28th 2006 12:24AM]

I happen to like Bose products. I've owned a vast variety of speaker systems and headphones, ranging from cheap through audiophile quality and, for headphones anyway, I've settled on the Bose Triports. No, they don't have the most detailed highs, and no, they don't have the deepest lows; but they do produce warm, rich sound. It's not audiophile accuracy, but it isn't really meant to be. Bose equipment is designed to produce music that sounds good to everyday (and generally wealthy) people who don't know any better -- or who do know better but don't care, such as myself :-) Yes it is grossly overpriced at retail, but eBay is my friend.

[JM @ Aug 28th 2006 12:29AM]

If bose customers are satisfied with their product, more power to them. Regardless of their actual quality, accuracy or price performance, in the end the consumer is satisfied and isn't that what really matters?

[Stew @ Aug 28th 2006 1:14AM]

How is this any different than other Bose systems from the past... besides a new color...? booring...

[Damien @ Aug 28th 2006 3:24AM]

I used to own Bose... I used to stand by their products until I start purchasing other audio equipment at equal prices. People, it's just a look and a name. Wonder why Bose doesn't post specs or allow anyone to test it and show specs/response, etc? It's because their systems suck ass. Their Acoustimass/Lifestyle series have a response of about 46Hz-14Khz at best, which is pretty sad, but to make it worse the response isn't flat (+/- 3dB) but quite the opposite (+/-10dB).Don't forget that there is a huge dip between 200 and 280Hz because the cubes can't play below 280 and the bass module can't play above 205hz. The wave radio isn't bad but buy a comparable onkyo system and you're looking at better sound and better response AND better quality. I don't care how good something looks, if it doesn't perform it's not worth the price of admission.

[tekdemon @ Aug 28th 2006 3:46AM]

Overpriced perhaps, but there aren't that many speakers that compete in this particular segment anyway.

I got a chance to test out the original wave music system, and it put out decent enough sound for it's size. I even hooked my ipod up to it's aux inputs (I also had a fun adventure trying to find a 1/8th to aux cable since I was on vacation in Amsterdam-ended up finding one at a mall) to see how it would sound playing something other than radio (didn't have any CDs with me).

Anyways, I haven't really heard a compact system of that size sound as good, so at least for this particular product I feel that there aren't really many alternatives.

[Jared @ Aug 28th 2006 4:17AM]

As a former retail wage slave, I only recommended Bose to those poor bastards who had wives that would rather look at a speaker while watching a movie instead of enjoying the actual sound.

Bose= teh overpriced, pseudo-status symbol.

The only people that ask for Bose are the ones that know the least, and hear with the least open mind. I can suggest better speakers/receiver/sub for 1/3 of the price.

If you want small speakers stick with headphones, you jerks.

[Audio-Geek (retired) @ Aug 28th 2006 5:57AM]

I used to be a big audio geek. I can still walk into a room and tell you not only are your speakers wired out of phase (one is hooked up backwards), but which one it probably is. I engineered my brother's setups when we were DJing in the late 80s and early 90s. On the other hand, I've not followed developements since and have been too broke to get a quality system for the home.

I've worked with the Bose 301, 501, and the powerfull (and power hungery) 901 speakers. The 901s required a sub-woofer, but that's common. They all sounded fantastic. Not perfect mind you, but great. Crisp, very clean. The new stuff (well, since these I worked with) sounds good for what they are, but just doesn't measure up. What happened?? Did they get bought out? Fire the good (expensive) engineers and get a marketing team instead? I don't get it. A brilliant company gone wrong. I USED to swear by them. MMMM... Ever hear 1000 watts per channel through the 901s? WOW! And the rear nozzles could blow out matches a few inches away at that level. My friend still runs those (he has them till I get a better place and a good system) and they STILL sound wonderfull, just need a new sub woofer. But, ya, I get that audiophiles these days don't like Bose since it seems that their just a marketing team now. What a waste!

[PEZ @ Aug 28th 2006 6:09AM]

Hammo says: "I own a bunch of their stuff."

First of all, no yo don't. Second, shut up. Everyone owns at least 5 Bost things except you.

[Brad @ Aug 28th 2006 6:46AM]

Is there at least one Bose product column where there isn't a BOSE BASHER vs BOSE OWNER commenting thread?
I was afraid not. FFS ALL OF U, GET OVER IT.
Its personal preference to buy whatever you want. Let alone EVERYBODYs' hearing is different, from tone-deaf to those TRUE audiophiles with perfect 20HZ-20KHZ hearing it really depends on the person. So ALL of you don't go bashing some product that might sound different to you but might sound perfect to somebody else. Its getting really really old and stupid.

All of u stfu and get on with life

[BobTurbo @ Aug 28th 2006 7:19AM]

Rules of the internet:

Never believe anything users post on the internet. 90% of all information on the internet is false (including that percentage).

If the majority of user posts suggest a particular product suck, that is most likely the best product.

Linux users make up 0.44% of computer users, yet 98% of internet comment posters. 1% are Mac users, and the remaining 1% make up the 96% of Windows users.

[wayne_shorter @ Aug 28th 2006 7:28AM]

If Herbie and Roy say it's good, then you know it's good brother!

Just kidding. I had the Acoustic Wave Radio (aka, the 500-dollar-alarm-clock) and returned it. It was boomy and the sound quality was average. I went down to Walgreens and got a $12 alarm clock with the big red digital display and guess what? I woke up on time.

Wayne says "No" to "Bose".

[Hammo @ Aug 28th 2006 7:33AM]

Got to love the flaming.

As I said - there is better, but it's still excellent. Sounds great at my place, which is all that matters.

Got a problem with me liking premium brand equipment?

:-)

[G. Snyder @ Aug 28th 2006 9:53AM]

Hammo,

You are blind to the facts. Go do some research (plenty of sources provided in this thread).

Bose does make a few good products I think (the wave radio comes to mind, the 501, 901, and I happen to think the ipod dock is not bad). On the whole, though, Bose is more about markting than actual performance. If 'premium' to you means looks good and/or costs a lot well...I guess you do have premium equipment.

I pray to god you are not talking about a lifestyle/accoustamass system. Really a horrible piece of kit by the mumbers. You should go listen to some nice speakers someday.

[Hammo @ Aug 28th 2006 10:18AM]

Snyder,

I am aware of the facts, and don't believe that I've made any point to the contrary.

I do have some understanding of audio and the science behind it. It may even surpise you to know that I have previously owned a Rotel system at home and spent considerable amounts of money on car audio.

Bose is a premium brand - you're paying for styling, perceived market position, customer care, reasonable audio performance, etc.

There are shedloads of configurations available that will technically outperform the Bose systems at *any* given price point.

I am *not* buying for technical audio performance. It still sounds very good to me, and to most of the people that have had a listen. I have a small lounge room, with a reasonably small television.

What I find funny is that so many people want to bag Bose as being some kind of complete crap - yet very few have actually had a listen in an environment outside the stereo store. Everyone with an internet connection wants to point you to a review somewhere with negative comments.

Where is the rule written that says that you must only buy the stuff that internet people approve of, which of course must be reviewed as the highest specification available by linkable documents?

[Alex @ Aug 28th 2006 11:46AM]

I will be in the market to buy a home theater system within the next 6-8 months. Obviously there will be newer products to come out, but I did like what I heard (and saw) at a Bose presentation with their "Lifestyle" series. I was considering the lifestyle 48 series III, but the steep price might cause me to get the 38 or 35.

Link:http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=premium_dvd_subcategory

I haven't really started my research about Bose and their products, I just know they are expensive.

Those of you who have experience with Bose and other brands, what other brands would you suggest? Who are their main competitors? What are these systems which have better sound quality at a 1/3 of the price?

If someone one can push me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated. I will look into those links posted by Josh earlier.

[Rick Lyon @ Aug 28th 2006 12:11PM]

I owned a Acoustimass Bose system and was very proud of it. Then I read some real hardcore negative reviews and I began to then research. If you know anything about audio, you've learned so by audtioning OTHER speakers, and not by assuming Bose is undeniably a good speaker. I auditioned Paradigms, B&W, and Definitive. I was then informed that Bose, despite obviously poor sound reproduction, is cheap. They buy cheap bulk PAPER cones from China and throw them in a cool cabinet and charge a premium. People buy and they become an Urban Myth, a Legend of sound quality. The legend is a lie folks, go to a real high end audio store and take a listen to some real speakers that will cost less.

I settled on Paradigm Studios and could not be happier. Don't buy for the name, buy for the sound (which Bose does not have)

[G. Snyder @ Aug 28th 2006 12:23PM]

Hammo,

I am sure you think they sound good. At the same time, you say you understand the technical specs (which, btw, BOSE will not divuldge and bullies magazines into not publishing from their own tests). So...how do you say a speaker system with HUGE gaps in frequency response sounds good? It must be lack of anything else to compare it to. I sure hope you did not power a BOSE system with a ROTEL...what a shame that would be.

I have heard BOSE speakers in many environments (and many different BOSE products I might add). I have also heard lots of other speakers, some good and some bad. BOSE has some decent products, but their jewel-cube accoustomass sets are absolute crap. So, you are talking to someone else when you are suggesting that the negative comments are from individuals who have not heard the systems.

If you think 'premium' is looks...fine. You are their target market. Go for it.

While we are on the subject of small HT speakers, might I reccomend taking a look at the HSU Ventriloquist speakers. I bought one of their subs (AWESOME) and they had a deal where you could buy the 6.1 speaker package for not much more. I decided to give them a whirl, as the sub was what I was really after and anything else would be gravy. I must say, for an inexpensive set of small surrounds, they are pretty good. The only caveat is they were a little tricky to calibrate (different sensitivity ratings) so you need to be good with a SPL meter.

[IC_man @ Aug 28th 2006 12:24PM]

I'll also vouch for the Paradigm speakers. I have the Cinema Series Monitors (front), Center Channel and a Sub. I am using my old Bose 201s for the rear channels until I get some bigger front speakers (from Paradigm) and move my front monitors to the rear.

When comparing the Paradigms to the Bose I found the former to sound and look better. The construction on the Paradigm is also better.

BTW, Bose is not the world's worst speaker. They're just not worth the money.

[Hammo @ Aug 28th 2006 1:04PM]

Snyder,

IC_man's last line above is spot on. "Just not worth the money" is a great point.

But you've got to admit that we have different reference points for that comment. I have lots of money, so let's remove that issue from the discussion. We've also already agreed that there is better for the money - that's no longer up for discussion.

What you're talking about is technical sound quality. Bose don't publish their specs - you treat this as some kind of problem or perhaps even a crime against audio!?

Bose buyers don't give a crap about specs. They have deep pockets, and like shiny things. All they really care about is if it sounds better than the POS generic Asian branded kit that's on display down the road somewhere, and that it goes with their new vase and perhaps matches the coffee cups.

I listen to hip hop, pop, euro dance and some rock. Very few of these recordings have been made with the finest of equipment and are very average source material. I really don't miss the frequencies that are missing from my system. Trust me - I actually can sleep at night knowing that some bits on the disc may not have reached my eardrum.

I do truly understand what it's like to set up a room at *great* expense, find the right source recording and sit in a well positioned chair for an hour to enjoy fine sound reproduction. It's just not something I care about anymore.

I like the look, the feel, the sound and the customer experience of Bose. Whilst some of those 'soft' things mean nothing to you, they mean a lot to others who are happy to pay for them.

What sh1ts me is the sheer number of people who leap in and bag it without considering what it represents as a convenient package of 'good enough for most people' sound.

I'm glad you've actually experienced them, but I would hazard a guess that many of the nay-sayers here have not.

[Edwin Austin @ Aug 28th 2006 3:45PM]

Has no highs got no lows, must be Bose.

[Ward @ Aug 28th 2006 4:30PM]

Paradigm, PSB, NHT are a good place to start. If you want cheaper, look into Athena, maybe.

[d3 @ Aug 28th 2006 10:11PM]

Interesting, yet not surprising discussion. er flamewar.

I think perhaps the first line in the article was to be considered sarcasm.

[GoodSound @ Aug 30th 2006 6:36PM]

Someone on another audio forum compared the older acoustic wave music system with a good $5000.00 system and liked the BOSE better! I think it is their best product period!

[Ron @ Sep 3rd 2006 10:45AM]

I own a lifestyle 28, and the ipod sounddock, and the companion 3 speakers. and I love the way way they sound half of the people posting comments on this prob cant afford bose and shop at walmart for home theater so stop hating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve Savage @ Sep 10th 2006 3:59AM]

I hope they improved the sound quality like they claim. My acoustic wave system sounds okay but nothing mind-bending. My 901's also sound average/nothing special.
I have heard better sound coming out of a $60 set of Logitech speakers, and I have a no-name $100 pair of 15" 4-way speakers that sound much better than the pricey 901's.
I have a friend with an acoustimass system. I don't have the courage to tell him that it sounds horrible.
I was able to cobble up a better surround sound system using leftover aiwa bookshelp speakers and some old Yamaha 8" 2-ways plus leftover 8" subwoofer. My total investment was about $20 for the center channel speaker.
I fell for the seductive Bose marketing strategy but I am now officially cured for life.

[Dave @ Oct 5th 2006 1:03PM]

Well....

I have heard these Bose Companion 5s... to be honest, I prefer the 3s. The 5s are for people who dont want a 5 speaker set-up...

The 3s are great stereo speakers, and deliver a pretty solid bass to 35Hz, it's got a tuneful acoustimass... and sounds decent.

Before saying these will be crap, listen to them.. I actually paid full price, I think for the small speaker's I accept the trade off, and I'm quite pleased in the musical sound.

They do not produce pure sound, obviously - it has special EQ's built in By Bose to enhance the sound for a more 'musical' sound - it works... but you have to forget about frequency response and flatness for a bit.

For someone looking for decent great sounding PC system, they are great - maybe a tad overpriced.

I can't speak for the Wave, I heard it, but �400 is a bit too much.

The lifestyle systems suit the same market, the 35 new series does sound ok and it's half the price of the 48.

301 V's are my pick, and the 802s and Panaray producs in pro devision are pretty good.

[Donna @ Nov 5th 2006 1:00PM]

Hi, I happened upon this blog while looking for info on the Bose Wave system. My place is fairly small so I was looking for an "all-in-one" type of music system with of course incredible sound. Something that has a multi-cd changer, tiny attached or unattacheds speakers, radio, and a place to hook up an ipod too. (Am I asking for to much?) Of course sound is the most important, next would be versatile enough to do more than just play cd's, and finally, portablility and space saving. I know nothing..and I do mean nothing about audio equipment therefore I know nothing about what is the best quality component to buy where I would get the biggest bang for my buck. I really don't have thousands and thousands to spend so I'm looking for something economical as well.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
thanks,
Donna

[kathy breshears @ May 22nd 2008 4:02PM]

I have an older bose acoustic wave music system with a single CD player. Do you know how to clean these players. My CDs skip when I play them on the bose buy not on any other player. I'm thinking the player is dirty. Thanks Kathy

[Charly @ Aug 3rd 2008 11:28AM]

I bought the Sound dock for ipod from America and took it back home to India.You know what!Bose is an Indian!!

The $400 did not pinch me when I heard the great sound reproduction!!

Within 3 days one of the panels came off which had to be stuck with loctite.3 months later a voltage surge occured and my $400 object of pride packed up.now I am looking for a spare battery and am missing the music which was great to my ears.

[John @ Nov 5th 2008 9:39PM]

I bought my Bose wave music system II in september 08 and am blown away by the sound quality and dont think i have turned it off yet. The lows are not thunderous but solid and altogether is a damn good system and worth the money. I'm not rich but think I made the right decision choosing Bose.

[Mitch Cooley @ Jun 22nd 2009 4:36PM]

I own the older version of the Bose Wave Music "alarm clock" ($500) music system.
I have always prided myself with having "dog-ears"; pretty sensitive to the frequency
response range. I have programmed radio stations (which by the way can sound pretty
shitty for you 'purist' audiophiles, but I digress) for years.

To say that this Bose product sounds "bad" is ridiculous. Considering the tiny
speakers; I still find myself looking up during certain C.D.s and wondering how that great
reproduction comes from such a small unit.

However, I will agree with other comments I read that while it handles classical and especially jazz (Stan Getz sounds GREAT on this little system) well; rock; especially
what radio programmers call "active rock" sounds very "crunched"; no room to breathe.
This is true with the C.D.'s and the F.M. radio. Not terrible; but not 500 bucks worth.

I love my Bose; perfect bedroom system; but it IS overpriced by 150 bucks and probably
would look for something comparable at a lower price with another company next time.

m.c.