Bose introduces Computer MusicMonitor desktop speakers

Bose, everyone's favorite quasi-audiophile audio-goods manufacturer is lowering themselves down into the seedy world of PC audio and introducing a new set of speakers designed for your desktop. The new Computer MusicMonitors -- 5-inch by 2-inch, 25-watt speakers with "dual internal opposing passover radiators" -- are Bose's first foray into a busy market already crowded by scores of other models, though the Boston-based company thinks they've got something new to bring to the game. "I think the demand for smaller and better sound will never stop," said a Bose business manager who introduced the new system, adding, "this is our best effort to deliver lifelike sound from something smaller than we've ever done before." For those willing to drop $399 on your computer speakers, these beauties can be yours on October 4th.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2007 12:41AM]

I've owned a set of Bose Companion 2 2.0 speakers for a couple of years now - I recall that they were very clearly aimed at the PC market, and only cost $100. I'm by no means an audiophile, but I've been extremely happy with them. They were pretty much the only thing I could find that wouldn't clutter up my floor with a huge ugly unwanted subwoofer, yet didn't sound like complete shit. They're extremely good at providing good bass response without relying on a more sophisticated setup, which was really what I was looking for.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2007 2:28AM]

See, that's what Bose is aimed for. Unfortunately you still got jacked but if you're happy then it's your money that was blown on them not mine. No one can get pissed at you.

[Kamokazi Posted Sep 20th 2007 1:25AM]

I've got $310 that says my $90 Creative Gigaworks T20's sound better than Bose's latest garbage. Heh, as a matter of fact, I actually do.


Also to the person talking about Bose's iPod sound dock...try Altec Lansing's im7's.....half the price, WAY more than double the sound. Yeah, it looks like a giant roll of paper towels, but that's not what counts.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2007 2:06AM]

I own a pair of these, they have been on sale in Japan for a long time as a Japan only product.

They are great, as far as little speakers go. I think you would be surprised how well they can fill a room with sound and that it sounds better than you would expect. Sure, buy bigger speakers and an amp for the same or less money and they will be better. But I want small and portable.
I listened to loads of speakers in stores, and these are the best for their size of the packages with built in amp without a subwoofer. I do not want a sub under my desk, I just want speakers.

So give them a try, don't knock them until you have tried them - they fulfill the function they are designed for admirably.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2007 10:33AM]

Actually, no you don't. The new US speakers use a different technolgy and should handily outperform the Japanese Bose Micro Monitors...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2007 5:21AM]

These Klipsch computer speakers may be a better buy:
http://www.klipsch.com/world/eu/en/products/details/promedia-ultra-2-0.aspx

The choice seems similar to the old iPod conumdrum: a Bose SoundDock or a Klipsch iGroove...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2007 12:19PM]

Are you sure?
Since I read your comment I spent a while trying to find out the differences. The Japanese say 20w output and the american 25w (in the press, cannot find it on Bose website), but that is all I can find.
There could be different amplifiers in there, or the American and Japanese ways of measuring the Watts could be different standards..
Other than that they both use a front firing speaker with a pair of opposed units inside.
I found some pictures on a Japanese blog like this:
http://basil-speakers.cocolog-nifty.com/photos/uncategorized/0227.jpg

which looks to be a pretty similar setup to this:
http://gizmodo.com/photogallery/BoseMusicMonitor/2614312

Pls let me know what you base your comment on?

On a side note, if they are actually different to the ones on sale in Japan and are as better performers as you say, then buy them. They will be great.

here is the M3 as they are called in Japan on the Bose Japan website.
http://www.bose.co.jp/jp_jp?url=/consumer_audio/multimedia_speakers/computer_speakers/m3/m3_spec.jsp

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 20th 2007 12:22PM]

Sorry this is a reply to long_memory above.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2007 6:44AM]

@long_memory: I know, and I'm using such sort of technology. But to get real bass even with this sort of stuff you will need bigger speakers, like mine with the dimensions 38 x 24,5 x 29/30,4 cm. That sort of stuff. And even then it only gets down to 41 Hz at -3dB.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 27th 2007 5:52PM]

For those of you who have not ACTUALLY heard this new MusicMonitor setup yet, you should probably stop criticizing it. Until you have, then go and make your judgements. I understand your price-point comments but for the business person on the move who believes in getting value in a product which he won't have to toss in the garbage 5, 10, 15 and so on years down the road, it actually is a good deal for the ridiculous sound you get with these. And it's not "passOVER" radiators, it's passIVE...meaning one of the two speakers in each cube is not actually powered, it feeds from the vibrations from the other...which is why you are able to provide uncanny bass and midrange from something so small. Experience and educate yourself before commenting.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 16th 2007 2:25PM]

I too am not a fan of Bose. Ever since the first Soundwave design came out over 10 years ago at about $1K, I lost interest after testing it. The Soundock and such reinforces my opinion - just too many 'holes' in the audio spectrum compared to other systems at way lower cost. Bose is indeed marketing jaggernaut.

SO, indeed, if one wants max audio performance for the $$, one can do MUCH better than these two little speakers.

HOWEVER, if one wants a small travel system for hotels that's small/packable with maximum sound, then these may be the best system available. I'll be comparing it with my Boomtube with sub built in. Both are about the same physical volume. The Boomtube sounds way more accurate than Bose's IPOD Sounddock - so these Bose will have to do better. If they are much better, I'll probably get them just for the size. IN effect, paying top $ for small size performance. That's how Bose may justify the price on these for me.

UL

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 16th 2007 9:10AM]

Have you had ever in your sad and poor life anything of " Bose "? How can you say these things on a mark of major prestige in the world of science of acoustic systems? Have you wondered " Because it costs so expensively everything, that Bose makes? " And because so many people keep on buying his acoustic systems? Or are all the rest dumb, less you and a dozen of cretins as{like} you? Stop giving advices{councils} and buy, or ask a friend, some loudspeakers Bose to listen to them at least once, later you will be able to speak about something, which really YOU KNOW!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 16th 2007 11:22AM]

BOSE has great marketing. but for sound, if you listen to anything that has more than 5 instruments like most music today, they are far from superior. Try Polk, Mirage, Thiel. Most people can't tell the difference between an mp3 and a CD, and a CD and a analog recording. But for those who can, they really know BOSE is all marketing and fake wood.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2007 3:01PM]

Many people are complaining about the price of the Bose System. Here's my suggestion, if you can't afford it, then don't buy it. I myself own two Bose products and loving them so far. By far the best quality in sound I have ever heard. BTW, I also own a Spherex 5.1 System as well as the Logitech Z-5500. I've tested all of them and see which one sounded the best and Bose has by far got my vote. Yes, they are overpriced but well worth every penny and the investment if you want a good quality in sound. Though they are not very loud but they are not built to be. They are built to deliver the best quality in sound unlike the Z-5500 and the Spherex 5.1 which can shake up a whole room but the quality is nothing compared to what you get on a Bose system.

Though, I think Bose's Home Theater system are way overpriced. I will probably not get one as on that part, I know I can get a way better system for the same amount of money. However for computer speakers for listening to music, Bose has got my vote for them.