Why do you hate/love Bose products!?

[aquajet]

I've listened to an older set of the Acoustimass (cube speakers with bass module) extensively and found the old adage "no highs, no lows, must be Bose" to be backwards. The bass was boomy, the highs were peaky with no sparkle, and the mids were severely lacking. The price for this system was too much, way too much. Completely unsuitable for music listening IMO. I've heard sub-$100 bookshelf speaker systems from Pioneer, Sony and Insignia which were far more enjoyable to listen to.

I also find Bose's claim that the wave music system is capable of replacing my "component system" to be laughable. It's a neat radio, but like everything else with the Bose name, costs far too much.

I've also listened to a set of their noise-canceling headphones and found the sound to be unacceptable for the price they demand.

So basically, I find many of their products to be mediocre performers with laughably large price tags.

 

[Love]

I have a SoundDock and a 3•2•1 GSX. Love the uMusic feature on it. Sounds amazing, same with the SD.

 

[Drumjim85]

i think i hate them b/c of their price. i mean, $500 for headphones!

there are plenty of headphones / in-ears that are worth $500+..... Bose just doesnt make any of them.

 

[Zwhaler]

I used to love Bose for headphones, until I discovered V-Moda Vibes
I used to love Bose for Home Theater, until I discovered Onkyo

Bose is wayy overpriced for what you get. Sure it is nice, but unless you are a millionaire it is not worth the large amount of money to buy their products.

 

[Naimfan]

I've heard much, much better sounding equipment for a lot less.

Exactly correct.

 

[plinkoman]

there is absolutely nothing good about them. their products are nothing but average components that are marketed as a premium product with a premium price. they make the average consumer think it's really high end amazing sound quality, and the average consumer thinks they sound great because they don't know any better.

 

[juanster]

yeah like i said before i don't think i actually hate bose as the quality of it really, (kind of contradict myself from the last post i know) i just really really don t think they are worth as much as they sell it for...

 

[Sesshi]

As I said elsewhere, it's unsurprising to see so many Apple owners are happy Bose owners. The two are very similar: Ultimately mediocre products made easy to use for those who don't understand audio-tech, dressed up in shiny packaging and marketed to the hilt.

I own a couple of Bose products, and I find they do the job for me much in the way that Apple products do for entertainment. When I have an undemanding use for something which I don't want to fuss with or get all fancy with, I pick Bose.

Take the Triports. It's very comfortable, looks OK on the head, is lightweight and it's a 'name' where people go "Hey, a Bose.. nice!". On the other hand it doesn't sound that great, and it's a little fragile. Nevertheless I have uses for them in certain situations and that's why they stick around.

 

[Iscariot]

Bose killed my dad and sold my sister into slavery

 

[Mord]

I dislike them as they're too expensive and basically designed for audio-fools who automatically think expensive = good.

Personally I own speakers from the 60's that were hand built in thames ditton england.

They cost me £50

 

[Victor ch]

there is absolutely nothing good about them. their products are nothing but average components that are marketed as a premium product with a premium price. they make the average consumer think it's really high end amazing sound quality, and the average consumer thinks they sound great because they don't know any better.

To me they really sound good, maybe not worth every penny but they sound good. I've had the chance to test many other brands and won't seem to conclude where one or the other falls short. For example it is clear when I compare the 201 Reflecting Speakers to a big ass fancy JBL premium home theatre system (yeah Bose just don't cut it there). But when I put on my Quiet Comfort 2 and compare them to Sennheiser's PMX (some number can't remember) they both sound good, with Bose being noise-canceling and "clearer" to me (probably because they cancel out the low frequency noise) and I can't remember the price of the Sennheiser ones, but it also was quite high (maybe 50$ less). Hmm so Bose is quite overrated in their speaker systems such as the Wave music system or their home theaters. Maybe their headphones aren't, judging that (as said before) in headphones is not noticeable whereas in bigger more loud speaker system

Hmm interesting posts, thanks! apparently for big speakers Bose it definitely out of the picture, as for the Companion 3 Series II Im buying tomorrow for 290$ there is no other 3 piece system available in Costa Rica (apart from JBL creature and spyro, harman and kandor, klipch; which i've tried and are not loud, clear, bassy enough) Guess when Im older and start purchasing big home theaters and/or speakers for my house I will exclude Bose.... Shame really, I always thought it was a very good brand in all of their products, apparently they're only good in the sub 500$'s.

-Victor

 

[Killyp]

If you think Bose sounds good, listen to Bowers & Wilkins.

Bowers & Wilkins = fantastic sounding hifi speakers
Bose = fantastic sounding kitchen speakers

 

[Victor ch]

If you think Bose sounds good, listen to Bowers & Wilkins.

Bowers & Wilkins = fantastic sounding hifi speakers
Bose = fantastic sounding kitchen speakers

B&W, the makers of the Zeppelin like speakers for iPod? Aren't those like super mega expensive?

-Victor

 

[Evangelion]

While Bose might make decent products, the issue is that there are lots of products out there that are simply better, yet cost less. Bose is all about marketing, and less about the quality of the product.

 

[Killyp]

B&W, the makers of the Zeppelin like speakers for iPod? Aren't those like super mega expensive?

-Victor

My first pair of B&W speakers (DM303s) cost me £160, new, in 2001.
I then bought a second hand pair of DM7s for £300, which better £1,500 speakers on the market.

A pair of B&W 686s cost $480 linky or £280ish in the UK.

Cheap as far as good hifi speakers go, but when you buy a pair, you're getting the same sound you'd expect for £600 ($1200ish) from other brands.

The 686 is B&W's entry level speaker, and a pair would wipe the floor with any Bose speakers out there...

 

[Victor ch]

My first pair of B&W speakers (DM303s) cost me £160, new, in 2001.
I then bought a second hand pair of DM7s for £300, which better £1,500 speakers on the market.

A pair of B&W 686s cost $480 linky or £280ish in the UK.

Cheap as far as good hifi speakers go, but when you buy a pair, you're getting the same sound you'd expect for £600 ($1200ish) from other brands.

The 686 is B&W's entry level speaker, and a pair would wipe the floor with any Bose speakers out there...

Nice, thanks man! When Im looking for non-computer speakers B&W will definitely be an option. As for computer speakers and headphones, they are already purchased and both are excellent products.... the only thing missing is a hi-fi component as my Sony "mini hi-fi" is slowly dying, is to bulky and is just used for playing games with the PS3.

I just checked there and you can buy 2 of the 686-2 bookshelf speakers and 1 subwoofer (150 watt) all from B&W for 810$ thats less than Bose's Acoustic Wave radio!!!

Definitely for speakers and home theaters Bose is not an option, although for headphones they will remain my #1 choice

-Victor

 

[Killyp]

In that case, when it comes to replacing it, your best bet is to look at Rotel and B&W.

Rotel make some of the best 'budget' equipment out there (although it really performs to an excellent standard, and is built beautifully), and generally matches the sound of B&W speakers very well (very soulful/effortless sound).

It won't be 'cheap', but it's definitely cheaper than a Bose setup, and worth it in the long run.

 

[Evangelion]

B&W, the makers of the Zeppelin like speakers for iPod? Aren't those like super mega expensive?

-Victor

If you want good, small speakers for computer/iPod-use, take a look at Genelec 6020A. In white they look like something Apple might have released themself . Although the current euro-dollar exchange-rate has made those speakers quite expansive in USA.... In Finland they cost about 600e/pair, which is pretty reasonable.

 

[OllyW]

My first pair of B&W speakers (DM303s) cost me £160, new, in 2001.

Wow, you were a hi-fi nut at the age of 10

I was playing my Slade, Sweet & T-Rex 45's on my parent's radiogram when I was 10

 

[Killyp]

If you want good, small speakers for computer/iPod-use, take a look at Genelec 6020A. In white they look like something Apple might have released themself . Although the current euro-dollar exchange-rate has made those speakers quite expansive in USA.... In Finland they cost about 600e/pair, which is pretty reasonable.

The B&Ws will outperform the Genelecs with a good amp. They wouldn't be quite as truthful to the original recording, but they'd sound much more 'real', dynamic, transparent and definitely have much better imaging.

Wow, you were a hi-fi nut at the age of 10

I was playing my Slade, Sweet & T-Rex 45's on my parent's radiogram when I was 10

I was building speakers by the time I was 5

I got my first proper hifi system when I was 8, my dad's old Rotel RA612 amp, a few other seperates, a Garrard GT35 record deck & Goodmans Minister speakers. All very retro, but fantastic kit when it was new and still stands the test of time pretty favourably.

Went up to Tottenham Court Road in London with my dad on Sep. 7th (3 days before my birthday), Tottenham Court Rd. used to be hifi haven, and back in 2001, there were still quite a few hifi stores there (although that's not the case any more). We spent a day listening to loads of different speakers, and B&W came out by far as the best.

Since then, I've bought loads more kit...

 

[Evangelion]

The B&Ws will outperform the Genelecs with a good amp.

Let's just say that I disagree with you, and you don't need an amp with the Genelecs. But arguing about these things would be next to pointless. They are both excellent speakers .

 

[0098386]

I'm still happy with my Rega Alya's, just thought I'd say

I wouldn't mind a set of them Bose PC speakers. My Rega's are the biggest part of my whole computer setup. I'd love something smaller and shift the Rega's aside till I get my own place.

 

[Victor ch]

I'm still happy with my Rega Alya's, just thought I'd say

I wouldn't mind a set of them Bose PC speakers. My Rega's are the biggest part of my whole computer setup. I'd love something smaller and shift the Rega's aside till I get my own place.

My cousin bought the Companion 3 (first series) and those are exactly what Im looking for my MacBook... I now have a 2 piece set of JBL platinum series speakers and they just won't do it, I mean they have no bass at all and are not near loud as I want them to be, whereas the Companion 3 has a pair of satellite speakers that are very loud and a small subwoofer to handle the lower notes. If what I wanted for my computer was something very loud and deep I'll use my current Sony "mini hi-fi" but its huge and besides I have 4 hard drives near the speakers (iPod, Mac, 2 external ones) and Bose are the only 3 piece small speakers that are magnetically shielded...

-Victor

 

[Victor ch]

If you want good, small speakers for computer/iPod-use, take a look at Genelec 6020A. In white they look like something Apple might have released themself . Although the current euro-dollar exchange-rate has made those speakers quite expansive in USA.... In Finland they cost about 600e/pair, which is pretty reasonable.

Those certainly look nice, but way way out of my budget Im limited to gifted money and until I have a permanent good paying job many speaker sytems are way off limits hehe.

-Victor

 

[pseudobrit]

As I said elsewhere, it's unsurprising to see so many Apple owners are happy Bose owners. The two are very similar: Ultimately mediocre products made easy to use for those who don't understand audio-tech, dressed up in shiny packaging and marketed to the hilt.

Just because Macs can be easier to use doesn't mean they lack depth of functionality. Macs are mediocre (still competitive) in hardware, yes, but I buy them for the OS, not to be on the extreme bleeding edge of overclocked desktop rigdom.

And let's remember too that Apple has never said "we don't do it that way" if you asked them the specs on their machines.

There is nothing systematically disingenuous about their business model or marketing (I wouldn't say the same of Bose).

As far as audio equipment goes, I miss Technics.