Ha. "Idiotic Bose hate" indeed. Why, because it is true? A bad hifi company isn't worthy of "hate." Put it this way--if you played someone a Bose system vs. something that cost half of what the Bose system cost, everyone would prefer the non-Bose system. How can I be so sure? Because I've done it. I've never seen or heard of Bose being sold by demonstration against other gear. Brilliant marketers, but from a pure musical standpoint it is quite possibly the worst equipment that's widely available.
The fact that much of the Bose thrashing is idiotic is what's true. Many of the Bose products are overpriced by about 30-40%, but they're far, far from being the worst sounding speaker, which is an utterly ludicrous statement.
Kindly reconcile those two statements? I'll wait. . . Right, you can't--they are contradictory. If you produce a frequency response graph taken in a controlled environment, I'll be delighted to look at it. But although the module may be vibrating and making noise at a claimed 35 Hz does not mean it's playing music. Try running a 35 Hz test tone through an acoustimass module in a room without any other speakers, and listen to what happens....you'll melt the drivers.
You need to pay more attention. First of all, you suggested the physical enclosure itself was resonating, producing the note. The newest/latest series Lifestyle Acoustimass enclosures are surprisingly quite solid and anti-resonant. Any bass note that was being produced was air being moved by the two 5.25" woofers themselves.
You've got me interested about truly testing whether or not Bose's home-theater systems can surpass many of the extremely biased statements on the "intellectual.net Bose site" that comes up in more than a couple times in any Bose related topic on audiophile forums.
A great experience I had with Bose was going into the store, bass heavy music CDs in hand (any of you familiar with the artist B.T, more specifically the song "The HipHop Phenomenon"?) and the sale reps encouraged me to play it on their Acoustimass system (same woofers used in the Lifestyle modules). The store manager eventually came out, having me think he wants it turned down. Instead, he has me crank it to about 90dB, or more, and the bass - though a bit boomy- was able to keep up with the crystal clear highs. My ears were ringing for a couple hours after that enjoyable episode at the Bose store.
The woofer itself was easily dipping into the 40's or 30's, and there was no sign of any change of state.
This was of an older version of the Acoustimass Module:
http://www.cnet.com.au/hometheatre/homecinemakits/0,239028683,240003702,00.htm
It is said they tested it in a controlled environment, with the module reaching down to a solid 35Hz. Also, be sure to read the (or at least one of them) by "berns" - simply do a Command+F. He has some sense and good logic regarding the ludicrous Bose hate.
Read the big comment added by the user "tonson", too.
This is an interesting page visually showing the innovation and quality design that went into the latest Lifestyle Acoustimass module:
http://www.bose.co.jp/jp_jp?url=/consumer_audio/consumer_audio_news/new_products/20070927_03.jsp
Here's another page of the inside of the same module:
http://www.avguide.ch/index.cfm/show/page.view/uuid/B6D51330-BCD5-01D4-2A059830DE62096A
That's definite result from quality research and development, which the Bose corporation actually dumps a lot of their money into. Not only audio, but automotive and now some medical research as well (medical, from what I've heard).
Ah. Well, there we have it. From what speakers, and in what environments? Forgive me, but I'll take the measurements I've seen, and my and others', personal auditioning over what you did.
Speakers such as: Klipsch, Acoustic Research (their real stuff, before they became crap), four ten-inch subwoofers in sealed two sealed enclosures driven by an external amplifier known as the "Kenergetics" (amazingly musical bass, some of the best I've heard), Infinity PS-10, and a JL Audio car subwoofer, though I realize a subwoofer in the trunk is a much different environment.
It's perfectly OK to have an opinion that differs from someone else. But ad hominem attacks (aside from violating the Forum rules) detract from everything you say. You might, rather, go and listen to some speakers that can produce a real 35 Hz tone..... While I suspect KillyP and I have rather different preferences, I'd certainly agree that the B&W 800 and 801s would be a fine place to start....
I've listened to plenty of speakers that can produce a genuine thirty-five hertz tone, and will be soon obtaining a studio subwoofer than will be able to do so with aplomb. KillyP and I have been talking about audio and the like as well, and have more than a couple views in common. What would be your different preference(s)?
Do you think Bowers & Wilkins are overpriced?
Bottom line is Bose isn't nearly as terrible as they're made out to be, "or far worse". They do lack quite a bit of mid-range, but the highs and lows are better than average. Given the price, as I've aforementioned, you can definitely get better sound quality for the money. Bose products are far from being worth what they cost in terms of sound performance, but overall (excluding Acoustimass systems. The way I see it, if you're going to buy a component system, you can do much better for the money) given what many of their products offer, especially the Lifestyle series; simplicity, reliability, up to nine rooms (around there) of different audio tracks playing at once, everything being controlled from the main Bose unit and a single remote that allows you to visually see the track playing, as well as constant updates and personal letters from they're exceedingly quality customer service and support - makes it all worth it for the customer looking for solid sound (not the best), and convenience in a single package. They're starting to make better and better products, though. Take a look at their MusicMonitors, albeit overpriced as usual, they're very well built and produce excellent sound.
I also believe a lot of my backup and views regarding Bose are from my personal experiences with Bose, which have been greatly enjoyable. Their Companion 3 (which are of high quality, simply look at the reviews) are what really got me into audio, as well as going into their stores and have people who are interested (many who have heard and own) the CDs I bring in be more than happy to go out of their way to allow me to play my music I brought in to see how their systems performed.
Peace
