Bose -- Engadget

Bose posts

Bose SoundDock 10 gets reviewed, probably not worth the pricetag

by Laura June posted Nov 7th 2009 at 9:35PM

Bose unleashed its giant iPod dock, the SoundDock 10, back in August -- all 18 pounds of it. Well, iLounge has gotten their hands on one of these $600 beasts, and they've given it a nice once over. The SoundDock 10 has a nice solid build, and they grade the overall sound quality as decent... which probably isn't comforting to hear, considering the price, but they do say that it certainly outperforms its cheaper peers. They note the inclusion of extra ports -- an unusual and welcomed addition to a Bose unit -- though they also note the continued absence of video support in the dock. If you're in the market for a serious dock for your player, hit up the read link for the full review.

Bose Wave SoundLink wireless music system goes on sale today

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 22nd 2009 at 6:21PM

Bose Wave SoundLink, the too-expensive, yet pretty OK looking wireless music system by the "too expensive, yet pretty OK looking" consumer electronics people over at Bose, has gone from rumor to reality as of today. Expect to pay $599.90 for the whole McGillicuddy or -- if you've already bought into the Bose Wave thing -- pick up that SoundLink upgrade kit featuring a USB Bluetooth dongle for a mere $149.95. A steal at a fraction of the price! PR after the break.

Continue reading Bose Wave SoundLink wireless music system goes on sale today

Bose SoundDock 10 weighs in with $599 of iPod amplification

by Paul Miller posted Sep 15th 2009 at 2:20PM

So Bose is back to the iPod dock scene a big way -- and we do mean big. The new SoundDock 10 weighs in at 19 pounds and measure 10-inches deep, leaving room for a good-sized woofer, 52-inches of winding, integrated waveguide channels and a pair of Bose "Twiddlers" up top. The Twiddlers are apparently a patented combination of highs and mids, and the new waveguide is an effort to shrink existing Bose tech down to size. The results are positively Bose-ey: not a precise or flat reproduction of music, but usually pretty pleasing to our untrained ears, with enough volume to fill a big room. The SoundDock 10 sounds "large" in some ways for its size, but at the same time you can still hear the limitations of the boxed-in form factor. Just as interesting is Bose's interchangeable dock: the standard iPhone / iPod dock can be switched out for a $149 A2DP Bluetooth receiver -- and docks supporting other audio players could be forthcoming based on market demand. The unit hits the streets on September 21 with a Bose-esque $599 pricetag. Check out a virtual teardown of the dock after the break.

Gallery: Bose SoundDock 10 press shots

Gallery: Bose SoundDock 10 hands-on

Continue reading Bose SoundDock 10 weighs in with $599 of iPod amplification

Bose recruits QuietComfort 15 headphones into war on noise

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 20th 2009 at 9:19AM

What is it with headphones and extra wordy product names? The Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling (still with us?) cans are out today, accompanied by an official press release loaded with an impressive array of vague improvements. There's a new "proprietary acoustic design" for passive noise cancellation, "more sophisticated proprietary electronics" for the active stuff and a "new proprietary ear cushion." Clearly, Bose wants you to know its stuff is uniquely awesome, but of course the one way to know for sure is to go test them out for yourself. Your nearest purveyor of audiophile equipment should have them already, and he should let you have a pair for $299.

Bose intros SoundLink wireless music system, charges $550 with a straight face

by Darren Murph posted Jul 17th 2009 at 12:18PM

Ah, Bose. While almost any other audio company would be properly lambasted for charging $549.95 for a portable sound system with absolutely no hard specifications (driver material, amplifier type, wattage, etc.) to speak of, somehow or another Bose gets away with the practice. All bitterness aside, the fresh SoundLink Wireless Music System is actually rather attractive, and unlike its other models, this one arrives with a USB dongle that enables computers to stream tunes directly to it. 'Course, we're not told what kind of technology is used here nor how far you can stray without losing signal, but as we alluded to earlier, this is all par for the course for Bose. In brighter news, there's a rechargeable battery that keeps it humming for three hours on a full charge, and the bundled IR remote could probably be programmed to control your media app from afar. Oh, and there's a standard 3.5 millimeter auxiliary jack for linking things up the "old way." Start saving your ~~pennies~~ quarters, folks -- this one ships to those with more dollars than sense on August 27th.

[Via HotHardware]

Bose Energy Efficient Series sound system to debut in Chevy Volt

by Donald Melanson posted Feb 11th 2009 at 3:23AM

Bose is staying mum on most of the details at the moment, but the company has just announced that it's new Energy Efficient Series automotive sound system will be making its debut in the 2011 Chevy Volt, which it no doubt hopes will be just the first of many more vehicles to follow. Bose is all too happy to proclaim, however, that the new system is 30% smaller and 40% lighter than conventional Bose sound systems and, most importantly for the Volt, consumes 50% less energy. That was apparently achieved mostly by making some tweaks to the switching amplifiers, high motor force speakers, and digital signal processing circuitry, although exactly how everything translates in non-Bose remains a bit of a mystery.

Bose announces it's cutting 10 percent of its workforce

by Laura June posted Jan 20th 2009 at 6:37PM

Well, more awful news being flung our way. Bose, hallowed manufacturers of a plethora of fine iPod docks and countless other expensive, luxurious electronic goods, has just announced 1,000 job cuts. That means that about 10 percent of their workforce -- across several areas, including their manufacturing sector -- will be out of work in the very near future. The Bose rep cited the decline in the global economy as the main reason for the "reductions." Reductions? Cute.

Bose SoundDock Series II heading to a den near you this September

by Paul Miller posted Aug 21st 2008 at 3:20PM

Say what you will about Bose's price to performance ratio, that company knows how to move iPod docks. The Bose SoundDock and SoundDock Portable have an astounding hold on the premium end of the iPod accessory market, and the SoundDock Series II followup likely won't be breaking that streak. The new Series II dock has a slightly refined look, more akin to the SoundDock Portable than the original, includes an aux-in jack (at last), and can charge the iPhone 3G -- a sore point for folks who've been charging their iPods and iPhones just fine on the original SoundDock for years, only to have the legacy-free iPhone 3G do them in. The Series II dock also includes the Portable's more advance remote for browsing playlists and such. Price is $299, it should ship starting in September.

FM DockRadio is a radio for your dock

by Paul Miller posted Feb 15th 2008 at 1:26AM

We're still not totally convinced this isn't just some joke gone too far, but given the fact that they're accepting PayPal payments as we speak, we're going to have to go with "scarily real." The FM DockRadio is simply an FM radio for your Bose SoundDock. Obviously the iPod doesn't have an FM radio tuner, so the need is there, but we're guessing the $89+ cost isn't going to fly for something as incredibly janky and featureless as this. Especially when we could just go out and buy a Coby for twenty five cents at Costco -- which plays CDs and keeps you warm.

Bose goes wireless with Bluetooth kit for QuietComfort 3

by Chris Ziegler posted Jan 11th 2008 at 2:25PM

Bose already has a wired attachment for its QuietComfort 3 noise canceling headphones, but unsightly wires aren't really befitting a mobile warrior in the 21st century, now are they? Thanks to the FCC's loose lips we know that Bose is patching up that little indiscretion with the QuietComfort 3 Bluetooth Communications Kit that simply replaces the last mile of the kit between the module and the phone with a Bluetooth connection. Of course, that still leaves a cable running from the module up to the cans, which sticks you with a grand total of two distinct wires coming off your head -- not to mention a healthy sized boom running down to your piehole. We'd have preferred they worked on making this end wireless instead, but hey, what can you do? No word on pricing or a release date yet, since the FCC really isn't into that level of detail.

Update: Our bad, it turns out Bose routes the music audio through the same cable as the phone audio, so you end up just a little less silly looking than we'd originally thought. Thanks, Jason!

Bose introduces Computer MusicMonitor desktop speakers

by Joshua Topolsky posted Sep 19th 2007 at 9:22PM

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.

VRX's triple-screen racing simulator uses Xbox 360 Elite

by Darren Murph posted Jun 15th 2007 at 1:09PM

Man, talk about leaving the Home Pro Racing Simulator in the proverbial dust. VRX has introduced a swank new racing sim of its own designed with a Forza Motorsports 2 theme and a trio of 37-inch Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD TVs. The frame is constructed from CNC machined polished aluminum, and envelopes the gamer by curiously including just one Sparco seat along with four Xbox 360 Elites, four copies of Forza Motorsport 2, an Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on player, camera / wireless headset, a Zune, force feedback wheel, and surround sound as well. Sure, brush it off as overkill if you please, but those who are sick of draining ~~quarters~~ dollars at the arcade can contact the company to experience the presumed sticker shock for themselves.

Bose patent app sees electroacoustical transducers in our chairs

by Darren Murph posted May 24th 2007 at 12:04AM

While finding hidden speakers tucked neatly away in one's headrest, rocking chair, or gaming seat isn't exactly surprising, Bose is hoping to integrate the technology one step further by getting "surround sound" into practically every seat imaginable. According to a patent application filed by the company, it's hoping to develop an audio system that includes an "electroacoustical transducer mounted in the back of a seat" so that surround sound is radiated and focused around the ears of the listener. Obviously, said technology could be placed into cars, recliners, office chairs, and beach loungers with relative ease, and while musical entertainment is clearly the primary candidate for use in such a system, the filing also mentions possible telephone integration. Unsurprisingly, Bose didn't mention any details surrounding RMS ratings, frequency ranges, or driver sizes.

[Via Wired]

Bose drops off Media System, Ferrari at FCC headquarters

by Ryan Block posted May 3rd 2007 at 12:19PM

Typically when you want your device tested by the FCC, you have to send over a real-world production unit so its radio emissions and communications capabilities can be tested in under (confined) real-world conditions. However, and maybe we're being just a little paranoid here, unlike Bose we probably wouldn't send over our gear housed in a $250,000 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Actually, we can understand the need to impress the government organization that can make or break most any gadget's release, so if Bose did indeed send over its test sample Media System in a Scaglietti, as it appears they did, we can only hope those rough and tumble FCC testers returned it without so much as a scratch -- the Media System that is. Oh yeah, a few new details about the incoming in-dash nav system: it organizes and knows what's up with your media by using Gracenote and AMG's (All Media Guide) media metadata tech, and it uses maps by Navteq. Oh yeah, and one little bit they left out of the initial press release -- it tunes television. Not that you should be watching while driving, but if you pull an Erikkson with your Ferrari trying to catch the latest ep of Heroes, we are so going to laugh at you.

Bose Media System crams GPS / media playback into your dash

by Darren Murph posted Mar 9th 2007 at 10:26AM

Although Bose has become somewhat of a mainstay in the iPod speaker / overpriced headphone departments, the always controversial firm is kicking out a new device suited for your vehicle's dash. The simply-named Bose Media System head unit looks to replace that entirely antiquated cassette player you're still using, and offers up a solid mix of abilities all the while. Aside from the obvious navigation and CD playback functions, the universal player will also handle SACD, DVD-A, MP3, and AAC files burned onto a CD / DVD-R, and can also tune into XM (and Sirius?) broadcasts when not locked onto AM / FM transmissions. You'll also be graced with 5.1 playback, the uMusic mood-sensing system, proximity control sensors, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, USB 2.0 input for portable media access, and in typical Bose fashion, a mysteriously sized hard drive that reportedly holds "up to 200 hours" of content. Of course, don't expect Bose to divulge any details regarding wattage, screen specifications, or any other tidbit that could be helpful in weighing your in-dash options, but folks eying the forthcoming Ferrari 612 Scaglietti can expect it to debut in their ride for a currently undisclosed price.