Canon Puts Efficiency On Press-
"You usually can't go wrong with a Bose audio system!?" on by DaveOCP
Pros: Badge will impress those who don't know what good sound is
Cons: Everything else
Summary: You usually can't go wrong with a Bose audio system!? Seriously, how much did Bose pay you to say that? ALL Bose home products are built with a 10,000% retail markup, and they ALL sound terrible. Every single last one.
There's a reason why the local Circuit City or Best Buy has a dedicated "Bose section". No retailer is allowed to let you directly compare a Bose product to the competition made by real speaker and electronics companies because that would show just how bad the Bose products actually are.
If all you want is a simple radio\CD player, try the Cambridge Soundworks Radio CD 740. Its about half the price of comparable Bose products, and absolutely blows them out of the water.
If you're actually interested in a real pair of speakers, here's a list of companies that aren't just marketing departments. ACI, Acoustic Energy, Adire Audio, Aerial Acoustics, Alegria Audio, Aliante, Amphion, Anthony Gallo, Aperion Audio, Ascend Acoustics, ATC, Athena, Audes, Audio Note, Avalon, Axiom, B&W, Boston Acoustics, Cabasse, Castle, Celestion, Dali, Definitive Tech, Dynaudio, Energy, Epos, Focal-JMLab, Harbeth, Heybrook, Infinity, Jamo, KEF, Klipsch, Linn, M&K, Magnepan, Mirage, Mission, Monitor, NEAR, NHT, Onix, Paradigm, PMC, Polk Audio, ProAC, PSB, Quad, RBH, Revel, Ruark, Silverline Audio, Soliloquy, Sonus Faber, Spendor, Talon, Tannoy, Thiel, Totem, Triangle, Von Schweikert, and Wharfedale. There are many others. Most of these companies offer speakers well under $400 a pair. Pair that with an affordable Denon or Pioneer receiver and DVD player, and you'll still be well under what this ripoff piece of junk costs. -
""You usually can't go wrong with a Bose audio system???"" on by straycat88
Pros: Are there really any pros when it comes to Bose?
Cons: How about way overpriced for the $20 technology put into it.
Summary: That's like saying, you usually can't go wrong with a Cubic Zirconia. Not only are Bose products overpriced, their so called Technology is comparable to Flintstones technology. Try listening to any Bose speaker next to any decent brand and you'll see the difference. Any of the brands listed by the above user is 1000 times better than Bose. B&W are the ones for me!
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"It's About Natural Sound Reproduction" on by pastorjep
Pros: Unique, big clear sound, accurate reproduction
Cons: Somewhat Overpriced
Summary: I'm still amazed at many of the Bose critics--even the so-called experts. For example, "this unit should have at least bass and treble controls." Even though these do little more than color the music one is hearing. Which, incidentlly, misses the point entirely. Bose does not have these contols, Bose does not have any such controls, Bose does not sound like any other music system....Why? Because Bose is about one main thing: NATURAL SOUND REPRODUCTION. What you are paying for is accurate sound reproduction (albeit a little pricey). Now, you may prefer the better "processed" music of competitors. After all, that's what we're used to. Music is "processed" at the recording studio. But, that isn't good enough, is it? We want our music systems to "process" the music again so that we get something unnatural, something much more akin to our personal liking, than the natural reproduction most of us claim we want--including the so-called experts. Well, that's where Bose comes in. They're not interested in re-processing music. They're all about accurate sound re-production. And that's whether or not you personally like it. Thus, if accurate sound reproduction is what you really want(including every little note and nuance), the real deal, then you'll want Bose. They're one-of-a-kind. Otherwise, go with somebody else....even with the so-called experts. For, whether it be Cambridge SoundWorks or another competitor, they're just another pretender. Providing just exactly the kind of music most of us have become accustomed to.
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""A Fine System"" on by audiop1
Pros: Natural sounding system to where sound controls (treble and base) are not necessary for this size unit (see bottom line summary).
Cons: Power pack (optionall) should power both unit and the five-disc changer, not just the unit.
Summary: I just received my Bose Acoustic Wave ll system, and also had the pleasure of auditioning them @ one of their stores in the summer of 2008.
I listened to them and thought, "This is a nice sounding little unit". I consider myself an audiophile, and a very critical music listener. My home components are:
-Adcom 5500 Mosfett Power Amplifier
-Adcom Pre-Amp Tuner
-Sony ES Cassette Deck
-Sony ES 5-Disc Carousel
-Yamaha Hard Disc Drive CD Payer/Recorder
-Klipsch Chorus speakers
-Klipsch Forte' speakers
-Canton Karat 920 speakers
As you can see, it's serious!!!
Getting to the point, I thought the BAW ll is a very good sounding system; it overacheived better than my expectations (especially for the size). To compare it to my home system would not be fair because they are two different personalities and purposes.
I won't get into my home system, but the BAW ll an have multiple objectives: 1. A small unit with high quality sound (where space is limited); and a very natural sound.
2. A unit without equipment that the boss (your wife) complaining it impeding on the fine furniture she loves.
Because I'm diverse in the music I listen to, it's critical that this system play most of what I like well, and it does just that! In my opinion, the BAW ll is a STUD on Classical, Jazz, and New Age; very good on the other genders.
CNET, it does support XM Radio (same as the MP3 player), I've done it and it works just fine.
Also, the other units you've tested may sound good, but all I read is on table top models, not bookshelf units (oranges to apples) that you can transport.
In closing, whether for main or transportable use, audition it at the Bose store, then the 30-day free trial in your home with your favorite music (then judge for yourself)...I believe you'll be pleased. -
"Best product of its kind on the Market" on by redranger4
Pros: True Life like sound quality reproduction. Resonable input and output options
Cons: A little bit over the top in terms of price
Summary: I have read online from websites like Cnet some reviews of the Bose Acoustic Wave II music system and it clear to me that many of the reviews are made by people who are not audio-aficionados. Only one review I read was positive and intelligent and it made the point that this acoustic wave music guide accurately reproduces life like sound. In short, when I read a criticism like, "there are no bass are treble controls?, then it is clear that some people do not understand this audio technology. On the hand, other manufactures utilize technologies that bolster unnaturally the bass, treble and mid range settings. Furthermore, if one would acquire a CD from say Pat Metheny or the Pat Metheny Group (it should be noted that Pat and his team are most likely at the top the music industry in terms of Audio Producing as the sound quality of all his is work is outstanding) and play it in a Bose Acoustic Wave II Music Guide system, in a large room with reasonable to good acoustics and at a high volume, then I am very confident that many people would be incredibly impressed.
Bose Acoustic Wave Music System II user reviews (graphite gray)
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