I am looking between the BOSE companion 3 and 20s. I have 2s now but, I am looking to upgrade. Tested the 20s at the store, and they were solid. the 3 is $50 cheaper at sam's club, but has a subwoofer. The guy told me the 20s will sound similar, even without the sub, but I'm not sure if that's true since I couldn't test a 3. Any thoughts?
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Bose Companion 3 vs 20
- Thread starter bobsaget1
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I fear you're about to get battered by "Bose are crap" posts. 
I like Bose but can't give you advice. You're better of going on a Bose forum if any exist then you can get advice by people who actually enjoy Bose products.
I like Bose but can't give you advice. You're better of going on a Bose forum if any exist then you can get advice by people who actually enjoy Bose products.
LOL I don't hate on Bose much. They tend to release some great products every so often. Like on this subject, I enjoyed the C20s more so than the C3. I was just going to mention that there are better bangs for the buck.
The Bose 3s are good. The bass unit is really good although I do have to turn it down (but that's sometimes preference).
I have had a series of problems with it though (mainly the control pod input jack breaking) but the support has been good. Am on my 2nd bass unit and control pod in18 months :/ Saying that I'm on my second MBA in 9 months
I have had a series of problems with it though (mainly the control pod input jack breaking) but the support has been good. Am on my 2nd bass unit and control pod in18 months :/ Saying that I'm on my second MBA in 9 months
I fear you're about to get battered by "Bose are crap" posts.
I like Bose but can't give you advice. You're better of going on a Bose forum if any exist then you can get advice by people who actually enjoy Bose products.
I realized that was a possibility. To address some of the Bose issues here our my thoughts:
It doesn't have to be Bose, but I've looked at all the options and while Bose may be a little more expensive, it is a sleek package that can fit on your desk and look tasteful. They also sound decent to me, better than anything else in the Apple store in the same price range. The Apple guy showed me the Soundsticks, but I personally did not find the design to my liking, and think the Companion 20s have much richer sound, even without a sub. I realize people love to hate Bose (kind of like people say Apple is overpriced), but after looking at all the other options, they are the best for me, taking all into account.
And for the AudioEngine A2s, I saw them on Amazon and considered them, but without being able to hear them in person, together with the fact they don't look too nice, I decided just to go with the Companion 20s.
I also realize some people do not care about aesthetics, or may have different tastes, so if you don't like Bose, I will not take offense. I just found them to be the best of my options in my situation.
Thanks for the help.
Come back when you actually receive and tested the A5's. How would you know they are better.
I own the A2's as well.
My A5+ Are in, and they are FANTASTIC.
They blow the Companion 5 out of the water.
The only downside (albeit being a big one) is the size of the physical speakers.
The Companion 5's would compare more so to the A2+ a sub. The A2 without a sub is pretty underwhelming in some areas.
The A5+ do not need a woofer from my initial go at it.
I should also note one of my setup's also has the Companion 3 Series 1, so I am no Bose Hater.
I have the Bose Over Ear headphones (foldable) and I love them.
My A5+ Are in, and they are FANTASTIC.
They blow the Companion 5 out of the water.
The only downside (albeit being a big one) is the size of the physical speakers.
The Companion 5's would compare more so to the A2+ a sub. The A2 without a sub is pretty underwhelming in some areas.
The A5+ do not need a woofer from my initial go at it.
I should also note one of my setup's also has the Companion 3 Series 1, so I am no Bose Hater.
I have the Bose Over Ear headphones (foldable) and I love them.
As someone who used to deal with Bose equipment pretty exclusively. I'd caution anyone buying their equipment.
There are better systems for a better price. I'm not going to start a holy war or anything. But do yourself a real favor and look at alternatives. You'll likely be happier in the end.
Ultimately, buy what makes you happy, but having seen all of the problems that plague their products I just try to make sure I point users away rather than towards Bose products.
There are better systems for a better price. I'm not going to start a holy war or anything. But do yourself a real favor and look at alternatives. You'll likely be happier in the end.
Ultimately, buy what makes you happy, but having seen all of the problems that plague their products I just try to make sure I point users away rather than towards Bose products.
KGS please enlighten us on some of these problems with Bose. I would like to know these specifically as a blanket statement with out them leaves us in the dark.
I've used Bose products on and off since the 80's, always enjoyed them, never had any problems. I currently have a Cinemate system in the Master bedroom, no other solution on the market IMO combined the required aesthetics with an equally appealing sound quality. I would highly recomend it for anyone wanting form and good performance in a minimalist system.
AudioEngine A2s and A5+ embarrass anything Bose has out. I do own a pair of Bose IE2 headphones and love them, but their desktop speakers are garbage and overpriced.
I own the A2s and love them.
I own the A2s and love them.
Correct. I'd alter this to say that their noise cancellation headphones are decent or better than the competition. Their standard audio headphones, not so much.
The companion 2 computer speakers are atrocious and haven't been updated in at least 6 years. Same for the 3's and the 5's. They just keep selling the same system for the same price with no updates.
Often the Companion 2 power supply is incapable of handing the speakers and above 3/4 volume break up badly.
The Companion 5s are plagued by bad volume control pods. My Companion 5 speakers no longer work over USB, I have to use the line in on the control pod, but the headphone jack is broken and won't work.
Their home theater systems are a whole different game of badly overpriced.
Use what works best for you, but honestly, you can find better.
Sound is always a highly subjective matter. Simply asking random people for their preferences doesn't tell you what you'll prefer or if you can hear whatever advantages they can hear with other options. Best best is to try out the options for yourself unless you can find someone with preferences identical to your own. I.e. if you're happy with Bose then the suggestions of those that aren't happy with them won't be relevant (and vice versa).
Not to resurrect an old thread, but I do have a relevant question.
Have you compared the Audioengine A2's with sub against the Bose Companion 3's with a sub?
Well the Bose will have more bass for sure because of a dedicated sub. I have since upgraded to the AudioEngine A5+ and love hem more.
Crisp, clear, deep and accurate.
No. Just speakers. I love it. Anything with a dedicated sub will have more bass.
After I listened to the Bose Comp. 3 and even the cheaper, AE 2s, the AE 2s were bounds better minus the bass difference. Now the A2+s are even better.
I will use the Bose for a while. If I don't like them after a few months I can always sell them.