Let's talk about Bose

Let's say I'm joe-average stereo system buyer. I'm about to purchase either a:

Bose wave radio, or one of those "cute" surround cube systems.

How would you talk me out of it? Certain members of my family are about to invest in this system, and I'm not sure how I can talk them out of it.

Would you persuade someone to not buy a Bose system?

 

Tell him the best thing about Bose is their marketing department.

Just don't tell that to your boss. He'll threaten to fire you. I know that firsthand.

 

Same exact situation happened with my parents, except they needed the Bose with the built-in cd player, and therefore, no surround.

We all went to the store together, looked at the price of the Bose Wave and went "wow!"

I went around the store and picked out a cd player, receiver and some modest speakers for about $100 less than the stand-alone Bose system. My folks ended up buying my suggestion with the exception of the speakers, they spent a little more and got some better speakers.

Bottom line cost was about the same as the Bose Wave with the cd player, and I think it sounds much better than the Bose.

Easy, right?

 

There is a distinct reason that the company earned the nickname "No highs, no lows, Bose".

 

I have friends who own those Bose Wave Radios or radio/CD decks, whatever. They love 'em. I don't tell them any different, what's the use?
Most people are content with something small that they think sounds good(and it does--to them)

Easy to forget what a minority we truly are.

ED

 

And when they ask you (being the audiophile you are) "what do you think of our Bose system, Ed?" What exactly to do you tell them?

I just can't seem to do the disservice of lying to them.

 

As long as people have something to enjoy music on and are happy with it, I would definitely not put down their Bose system. However, if somebody was shopping for a new system and asked for some advice, I could come up with at least a hundred possible combos (new or used) that would be immensely better than anything from Bose.

Bose systems have become, more or less, a yuppie status symbol, like a Lexus or a Hummer. I have to hand it to them, they're geniuses at marketing. If only they could devote more resources to R&D...

 

Alas, the last good product Bose made IMO, was the old 901 Series II from the '70's. Sure gobbled up the watts, though with its 6db bass boost. After that, it seems the 901's components got cheaper and the sound got "hollow" (hence, "no highs, no lows" as prix pointed out). Too bad - instead of making a good product better, they went the other way.

 

As my close friends now, I pronounce Bose as "Blows", and their "cube" system I've dubbed the Acoustimess. I don't care if someone else wants to buy one, but for the money, I certainly could point them in a better direction. I know one or two that own an Acoustimess system and they think they are hearing music for the first time, and own something that is "audiophile" quality. I just find their idea of a sub/satellite system to be very disjointed and unnatural...and it just sounds "cheap" to me, lacking true treble and low bass. As a rule I don't like sub/sat systems anyway. If someone tells me it sounds good over one of these systems, I am always suspicious.

Although with someone who really can't grasp sonic realism, the Bose probably sounds no better or worse than anything else...and those cubes look darned convenient in their living space.

 

They have a "showcase" store in downtown Portland with demo models that are encased in plastic and blow around bean bag chair foam pellets. Pretty bizarre stuff -- as if the more foam pellets moved equals better sound. I tried to strike up a conversation with them about tube amps, and they just ran -- they don't like semi-knowledgeable customers. The same mall also feature a Bang & Olufsen dealership. How these two co-exist in the same building is a mystery to me.

I generally try to steer people into looking at Energy or Polk speakers if they are in the mood for mass market, or even better, have them check out the local used high-end shop (if you have the luxury of one in your area) for some great speaker deals.

 

Actually, anything Bose makes doesn't sound good at all, I agree. Their marketing department is great though.

 

My boss knows that Bose makes crappy stuff.

 

but compared to other clock radios they are top notch.

 

I'm not so sure about your last post there bradley. I heard this Nakamichi clock radio, actually more like a mini-system with a sub-woofer, and it was miles ahead of any Bose product I've heard. Not cheap either though. If I remember correctly it was $759.00 Can.

 

NO thanks to Bose..

yuck!

 

I'd like to hear this Nakamichi clock radio. The best clock radios I've heard are Bose but we know they are crap. Too bad Bose has the status symbol with many people.

 

Speaking of Bose, a few years ago, a local sports bar was interested in buying sound equipment from us at NorthernLightFX, but the sports bar went for Bose crap instead. The sports bar employees asked my boss if they liked their sound equipment and my boss replied that it sounds like Bose, it doesn't sound good at all. Bose hasn't even opened a store here in Bemidji.

 

I played around with the recommendations of the Bose site and they recommended to me as I honestly answered their questions, the most expensive product they have (a product costing over $1,000 they call their "Lifestyle" product.) This shows that they are more interested in the bottom line than quality sounding product.

 

marketing... good! sound... bad!

 

Exactly right, Bill. You will very likely get a similar response from the Bose site if you go there about product recommendations. Even my RCA surround minisystem, Gemini mixer, Gemini turntable, GE DVD player, Sanyo tape deck and Sony CD/DVD combo deck sound better than anything Bose.

 

BTW, we at NorthernLightFX are just as interested in the bottom line as we are in quality product.

 

My ears hurt thinking about a 701 cube system....

 

Bose "Better Sound Through Research"

 

I can think of a better word to put in the second position Bradley.