My email from BOSE

[captiankirk28]

I have posted this before but it has been quite awhile ago, i just think it is a fun read and about up to par!

__________________________________________________ _______________

I was goofing around and thought i would see what bose had to say about frequency response, thought i would share it with everyone.




Bose Response to me:
Bose's Response: Thank you for your inquiry. Bose Corporation does not publish frequency responses, simply because they are not accurate and usually will mislead the customer.
Frequency responses are usually measured with testing equipment set up in an anechoic chamber. An anechoic chamber is an isolated room designed so that sound will not reflect off any surfaces. Giving out such frequency response results is terrific- for those people who live in anechoic chambers! Most of us listen to our systems in rooms with very reflective surfaces, such as plaster, brick, glass, and dry wall, so the frequency response that a manufacturer may supply is no longer accurate. Just as no two rooms have the same dimensions, nor are they decorated exactly the same or have the same construction, no two rooms will sound the same when using the exact same speakers and amplifier.
For example, if you were to place any speaker in a room with no carpeting and wooden furniture, you would hear something completely different than if they were placed in a room with shag carpeting and plush furniture. Perhaps
this can be equated by imagining a single lighted candle placed in a room with completely black floors, walls and ceiling. Obviously, the same candle when placed in a room with white surroundings will appear to be emitting
much more light than when placed in the first room with black surroundings, as the light will reflect a great deal more off the white surfaces. Sound reflects off surfaces, much like light does. The surroundings make the speakers sound different in the same manner, because they actually are able to reproduce different frequencies via sound reflection and speaker placement.

We hope you do not take the fact that we do not publish speaker frequency responses personally. We do not publish our speakers specifications to anybody, whether it be before or after they have purchased a speaker system of ours. We simply invite our customers ....
__________________________________________________ ______________


What are your thoughts on this?

Kirk

[dobyblue]

I think it would have been more honest if they wrote this:

Bose's Response: Thank you for your inquiry. Bose Corporation does not publish frequency responses, simply because they (our speakers) are not accurate and usually will mislead the customer.

Nyuk, nyuk.

:D

[agarwalro]

Just like all their marketing, all fluff. Scientific arguments used to misguide the customer by quoting them out of context and adding a generous amount of great imagery.

To continue the imagery, it would be like Ferrari saying, we have this awesome car that costs as much as your house, but we cannot tell you it's horsepower and torque specs. It looks sublime yet anyone who knows cars will tell you that it performs on par with an entry level Fiat.

[lsiberian]

Just like all their marketing, all fluff. Scientific arguments used to misguide the customer by quoting them out of context and adding a generous amount of great imagery.

To continue the imagery, it would be like Ferrari saying, we have this awesome car that costs as much as your house, but we cannot tell you it's horsepower and torque specs. It looks sublime yet anyone who knows cars will tell you that it performs on par with an entry level Fiat.

Let's stop the Fiat and Ferrari bashing by tying their name to this other company. If you want to use someone in this thread other than Bose I suggest Monster.

[landonspop]

I heard this rhyme to remind me of Bose.

No highs, no lows,
Must be Bose.

It sounds good

How about a car company giving 0-60 results and telling you it depended on the wind, down hill or up hill, elevation, temperature, road make-up, tires, driver, etc.
Just give us your results and we'll go from there.

[MinusTheBear]

The one thing that Bose is extremly good at is clever marketing aimed at the uneducated consumer and Bose's response to your inquiry is a prime example of that. There is truth to their response but they are using that excuse to hide from the facts that their products would measure poorly even in anechoic chamber compared to its competitors.

Bose do not attract consumers through pretty graphs, specs or by word of mouth on the internet but by brand recognition through commericals, magazines, and most importantly by atheletes, actors/actresses using their products in television programs and movies.

Atleast we here at AH can see through the thick cloud of BS. ;)

[adwilk]

Yeah, it sucks that they "dodged" the question, but the answer they gave isn't necessarily wrong. While I realize that they have very specific reasons for not publishing response, and that the reason they gave isnt the real one, they are actually correct in their statements.

I know I know.. its misleading...... blah blah.. I'm simply stating that the letter has valid points...

It cracks me up how its "cool" around here to bash Bose. Nobody is making you listen to it and the fact of the matter is, whether its great or not, lots of people ENJOY it. The avg Joe couldn't give two $hit$ about FR, but wants something better than his TV. While Bose isnt accurate, its at least dynamic and interesting... If the customer is happy with his purchase then who cares what it costs. Cost Vs Price. Its the same in every industry and I GUARAN-FREAKIN-TEE you that everybody reading this post has at one point "over" paid for an item and fallen victim to clever, read effective, marketing.

Seriously guys, its a tired subject. If they had tons of unhappy people, I have an issue with it... If their customers are happy, be happy for em.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If someone asked my opinion, I would say that Bose costs too much and doesn't sound as good as some speakers that cost less.

If someone already bought Bose and is stuck with it, I would just say, "As long as you like it, that is all that maters".:D

[ozmedia]

In many cases, as everyone here knows, a garbage product (white van speakers for example) will be rated at 20-20 (with no mention of curve or allowable variance).

In those specific cases, the numbers are irrelevant and are just misleading marketing, which BOSE knows all about.

When it comes to Axiom, Advent, RBH, Paradigm, etc. They are all high end, quality products that are accurately designed and measured. When RBH says 45 to 20 +-3dB, they mean it and can prove it.

Just because FISHER says 20-20 for a $299.00 speaker, it means nothing in the real world.

I promise you the better built speaker will reach lower and more accurately every time, regardless of the higher, advertised (more realistic) low frequency response.

When it comes to room placement and imaging, BOSE is the pickiest speaker on the market today. They SHOULD be focused on that issue as it effects their product more than others, but to dismiss it as a reason for not advertising frequency reposnses is pathetic.

BOSE should offer a frequency response graph along with blueprints so you can design an identical room to achieve it in, they are effected by such issues a lot more than anyone else is.

BOSE knows this too, of course, but they focus on dismissing and making those stats are irrelevant. They compare themselves to a low end market segment and say, "Homey don't play that game".

But Homey don' t play with the big kids either, Homey only plays alone, that way he never loses.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Do you think it would hurt Bose financially if they published a FR of 120 Hz - 12 kHz +/- 6dB?:D:D

[AcuDefTechGuy]

When it comes to Axiom, Advent, RBH, Paradigm, etc. They are all high end, quality products that are accurately designed and measured. When RBH says 45 to 20 +-3dB, they mean it and can prove it.



Actually, in most cases, the 3rd party measured FR is usally worse (sometimes A LOT worse) than the published FR from the manufacturers.

[gmichael]

I think that Bose created a masterful marketing strategy. I dare any company to do it as well. And their products are just good enough to convince Mr. Joe Average that their claims are correct. They are in business to make money and are excelling at that. 98% of the people out there are perfectly happy with the results they get from Bose. I say, let them. The 2% left are here or on other audio sights. We know that Bose can not compete with real high-fi (or even mid-fi) speakers. We'll be here spreading the word to anyone who will listen. A percentage of Joe Average's will join a sight and possibly learn that there is better available. If we have to beat the dead horse to accomplish this, then so be it.

The truth must be told.

(Rambling ended)

[MatthewB.]

Actually Bose cube + Bass module frequency response was rated once (Consumer Electronics) and it was at 46Hz-13.3kHz +/-10db (friggin 10db)

[MidnightSensi]

Do you think it would hurt Bose financially if they published a FR of 120 Hz - 12 kHz +/- 6dB?:D:D

Probably not.

I don't think their customers know what that means or would even care.

It's not audio enthusiasts buying a Bose. I think its people wanting something easy to buy, operate and conceal.

[lsiberian]

Probably not.

I don't think their customers know what that means or would even care.

It's not audio enthusiasts buying a Bose. I think its people wanting something easy to buy, operate and conceal.

Not entirely I know many people who own Bose theater systems. If I had gotten to them sooner they would probably have KEF systems.

Perception plays a huge role for most sites that cover this topic. AH is one of the few that dispells BS for what it is.

[TjMV3]

What are your thoughts? Kirk

I think your Wharfedale Opus 2 speakers and Opus Center Channel look absolutely marvelous and sound even better. That's what I think:D

[adwilk]

Probably not.

I don't think their customers know what that means or would even care.

It's not audio enthusiasts buying a Bose. I think its people wanting something easy to buy, operate and conceal.

That is exactly right, my parents would probably choose Bose before any speaker out of ignorance and would have no idea what those FR numbers mean. The only influence that might exist from publishing such numbers is in the morons in "some" of the big box shops that might wake up to it...

[adwilk]

AH is one of the few that dispells BS for what it is.

Why is it BS? The fact that they DONT publish BS FR numbers should let them off the hook... They simply state that it fills the room with stunning sound. Its subjective enough that it can't really be classified as misleading. I HONESTLY dont know one unhappy Bose customer. In fact just the opposite. Bose owners like it. They simply target an uneducated market segment. Let them have it. They spend a small fortune for their market share. I don't get what the problem is...

Anybody here own a Taylor Made driver? Nike shoes?

I'm sure the shoe gurus of the world would be the first to tell you that Nike shoes are overpriced, overmarketed and single handedly destroying the lives of Americans. So what?

I know first hand that Taylor Made drivers made available to retailers are made with inferior titanium than that of almost every other manufacturer but they spend the most in endorsement money and are charging premium dollar for inferior product. BUT PEOPLE ARE HAPPY WITH IT. Bose is NO different. Good for them for successfully moving a commodity.

[ozmedia]

Why is it BS? The fact that they DONT publish BS FR numbers should let them off the hook... They simply state that it fills the room with stunning sound. Its subjective enough that it can't really be classified as misleading. I HONESTLY dont know one unhappy Bose customer. In fact just the opposite. Bose owners like it. They simply target an uneducated market segment. Let them have it.

So, because the unknowing are easily duped, it is a fair marketing practice?

The reason they are so openly spoken of here is that a lot of people will look here for product info and reviews from people who actually DO know audio. It is only fair that they too get the correct info when looking for it. Some BOSE sales reps will lie to their customers about competetive products, it's all fair game.

Build crap an be prepared for people to talk about your crappy product. Build quality and those same same people will praise you for it.


I sell a high end product, however I have no problem in agreeing with someone's choice to buy Destination Audio, Paradigm, and sometimes even Klipsch too, Ive no need to lie in order to market my products, this website does enough to promote them already.

It's a moral issue; people here seem to have morals and thus will call out the liars and cheats when they rear their ugly heads. BOSE has built good products before, they just don't do it with the ACM sham.

[ozmedia]

Actually, in most cases, the 3rd party measured FR is usally worse (sometimes A LOT worse) than the published FR from the manufacturers.

Seem to be missing my point. These craftsmen I was speaking of publish their own, very accurate figures. In fact RBH stats, as tested by the folks at audioholics often fall short of the actual playback freqencies that Audioholics find. Meaning that the manufacturer isn't making up numbers to sell product. They KNOW people in the high-end industry won't believe a 4" bookshelf driver hits 20Hz so they don't pretend it does.

I find that you see it in low and mid-fi but not too often in the high-end market.

The White Van guys all sell $1000.00 speakers for $299.00 in the mall parking lot and they are all sold as DIGITAL with a perfect 20Hz-20KHz response.

REALITY compared: Klipsch RB-10 bookshelf speaker : 90Hz-20kHz +/-3dB

MISSIL bookshelf speakers ($39.99): Frequency response: 20-20 KHz, sensitivity: 88 dB (probably +/-25dB at least.) :D


Low-fi (MISSIL) is BS ,the high end (Klipsch) is more accurate and realistic.

[MidnightSensi]

That is exactly right, my parents would probably choose Bose before any speaker out of ignorance and would have no idea what those FR numbers mean. The only influence that might exist from publishing such numbers is in the morons in "some" of the big box shops that might wake up to it...

I'm so happy someone is on the same page as me with this!

If they are making good margins on it, and selling it, then I don't think the stores care if they sound good or not.

I understand our gripes with Monster Cable, but Bose I don't really mind. Bose has a great business model. They sell cheap chinese cube speakers for big margins, they have a host of car companies they work with....

They have been innovative, maybe not in the sense of top technology, but with making things like noise cancelling headphones and single-box systems.

They didn't invent those things, but they marketed them...and when it comes to your pocket that's what counts.

Their speakers do suck, but, they were smart enough to realize that most people will give up quality if they can hide a bass unit and just have baby speakers for the tops. Especially if its easier to use (most people don't know or give a f*ck what an 'input' is, or what surround mode they are in, etc.). By giving up frequency response they made things smaller, cheaper, and easier to package.

If they thought they could make as much money selling high end gear, then they probably would. But, they haven't.. because if you think about it, the only person that would hurt is themselves. If Bose made something similar to what we like, they'd be selling against themselves and their baby-module-whatever system.

Bose isn't marketing to us. If anyone has a problem with selling cheap **** for a lot of money, don't expect to buy that dream home theater this lifetime. :)


Coca-cola is just water with some (probably sick tasting if I wasn't used to it) syrup. The cups cost the movie theaters more than the fluid inside of them. That's why they are so massive, because the cost of the cup is how its made more than the size of it. And what they fill it with, the soda, costs dirt.

JP Champaign is probably filled with a bloody firehose.

Why is Bose so interesting?!

I want to think of the next Bose so I can sit back and watch movies all day instead of going to work from 7-5 and then going to my second job from 12am to 3am thurs-sun.

[bborzell]

I had a set of Bose 901s in the 70s. Notwithstanding the fact that most of those years were spent in various states of consciousness that I don't delve into much anymore, I really liked them.

I used them for the music of the period as well as some classical and, after I finally got them placed appropriately, they did pretty much everything the ads said they would do.

Having said that, I think that, with the possible exception of the relatively new PA system they put out, the rest of the speaker systems that are currently produced by Bose are designed to appeal to a specific market segment who typically doesn't look for much other than the notion of getting decent sound out of apparently simple devices.

My mother-in-law loves her Wave radio. And it comes in the same color as her hearing aids.

Now that I think about it, I had a Mercedes SUV that came with a Bose system. Talk about thin, but then the car represented the worst expenditure of hard earned dollars I have ever made. I guess the sound system was made to order, in that regard.

[Djizasse]

It cracks me up how its "cool" around here to bash Bose. Nobody is making you listen to it and the fact of the matter is, whether its great or not, lots of people ENJOY it. The avg Joe couldn't give two $hit$ about FR, but wants something better than his TV.

Sometimes I think people forget what this forum is about.
Perhaps some of you might take a look at the top left corner of this page and read the small red line.

I would like to thank all "above average Joes" for dispelling some myths that average Joes believes. "Bose is the best" being one of them.

[Seth=L]

I would send another email inquiring if their accoustimass modules can produce tactile responce at subsonic frequencies, and also ask if their speakers will reach 20,000hz (which is the peak of human hearing). Since higher frequencies aren't so affected by the accoustics of the room (in respect to the frequency being produced) and there are definitely recordings that go that high that you would like to know the extension of the Bose cube and accoustimasss' limitations.:D

[WmAx]

Does Bose have a speaker at any cost in the USA that can match the $150/pair Behringer B2030P in either build quality or measured response and cross-referenced sound quality?

Come on Bose, bring it on! :)

-Chris

[Alex2507]

Seriously guys, its a tired subject.

I'm not tired of it. I'm not interested in the live and let live attitude when it comes to bullshit. Bose and Monster suck and Denon manuals probably make sense to the Tujmekistanian barber that wrote them.

That is the truth.

[WmAx]

Bose deserves the redicule! :D

-Chris

[MidnightSensi]

Does Bose have a speaker at any cost in the USA that can match the $150/pair Behringer B2030P in either build quality or measured response and cross-referenced sound quality?

Come on Bose, bring it on! :)

-Chris

Um, if we are going to talk about a company being sketchy, Behringer is the king. The Truth series monitors are just cheap knockoffs of Genelecs classic monitors. Their amps are QSC RMX knockoffs. Their crossovers are dbX knockoffs. The board ripoffs are hard to proove, even if the layouts are exactly the same and its obvious... but when they make even the enclosures look the same, that's just sketchy. Mixers they stole from Mackie (and got sued for, settled out of court). Along with their mixers being the noisest damn things I've ever used. Pedals they ganked at least the dressing from Boss...

Back in college I worked in a bar with EP series amps, half of those fried before eventually swapping them out. By the time I started DJing down here, all my amps were Crown, Crest or QSC ... but no club here uses Behringer amps.

A few times I have gone where they have taken out their normal mixer and put in a Behringer because a fader was getting swapped or something and they just needed a cheap one to last the weekend. Noisey as hell, but the worst thing was the slides were so clunky. I got there a half hour early and the guy before me warned me "this mixer is a piece". Worst crossfader I've ever felt. The club got so many complaints from the resident DJs that the next day they had a Pioneer there rented until the A&H got back.


Behringer Truth:
http://www.megamusiconline.com.au/store/images/B2030A_big.jpg

Genelec:
http://www.mixaudio.com/cart/images/b_1032a.jpg

Swizz Army Cable Tester:
http://www.banzaieffects.com/files/images_detailed/14538.gif

Behringer Cable Tester:
http://www.trewaudio.com/i/store/behringer_ct100_2.jpg

(Hint: Guess which cable tester isn't a piece of junk?)

Boss pedals:
http://www.audiomanie.com/Boss_pedals.jpg

Behringer pedals:
http://www.axetopia.com/news/05_01/images/Behringer_Pedals.PNG

I can go on, but I gotta go. :)



And so on...

[WmAx]

I can go on, but I gotta go. :)



And so on...

OH, you can go on... but you don't make many good points. There are only a very few items that they actually 'copied' in the past, one being a mixer board. The EP amps are not even actual copies, they just use a very similar circuit design(which is not exactly anything innovative- class H has been around a long time), and in fact, one could argue in this case they improve upon the performance of the original in this case by compacting the signal paths as to be less prone to noise pickup. The Ep2500 measures superbly - besting the beloved Crown K2 in every way, even though the K2 has nearly identical factory ratings to the Ep2500. They have some superb crossovers (and what is the DCX2496 copying?) for studio monitor and high fi speaker systems use, and the parts used are even top notch. The EP amps work great for most people. The Ep2500 is built to a very high standard and even used military spec redundant boards. Many of the newer mixers are great - in both parts quality and performance (and are very low noise). I don't have any clue which model(s) you used, but I am referring to their newer and small units, like the Xenyz line. No crap parts are used either, and the sliders on this line are high quality Alps units, as well as most of the rotary pots. The Truth B2030P monitor uses very high quality parts and build(from the drivers, to the crossover, to the cabinet itself), and measures excellent. Better than anything 2-3x the price by anyone, that I have ever observed. Their B-5 mic is an incredible value. Extremely linear, withstands high SPL with no problem and have very low noise and has high build quality. I have measured/analyzed it and compared it to many units. It might very well be the best value mic on the market, if one wants a neutral medium size diaphragm omni mic. They used to have an excellent measuring mic too, the ECM8000. It used to come stock, +/- 1.5dB or so on average out of the box, had very good SPL range and decent build quality. But in the last year or two they have significantly reduced it's linearity because Panasonic stopped making the super linear capsule they were previously using in the unit. Now, this is unusual, in that it's a product I used to recommend, but no longer do because of this negative revision to the product.

Sure, they have crap products too. I have never stated otherwise, in fact, I have pointed that out many times in the past. I would not touch their instrument effect pedals or instruments with a ten foot pole. Same goes for many of their other products. You just have to pick your products carefully.

-Chris

[MidnightSensi]

OH, you can go on... but you don't make many good points. There are only a very few items that they actually 'copied' in the past, one being a mixer board.

So the Boss stomp pad look alike is just a coincidence? They had never seen the Boss stomp pads that have been around forever. You can barely tell them apart.

And they had never seen that Genelec monitor before? The Genelec monitor that was probably the most popular 2-way active nearfield?

They didn't get inspired by these things, they made them look EXACTLY THE SAME.


The EP amps are not even actual copies, they just use a very similar circuit design(which is not exactly anything innovative- class H has been around a long time), and in fact, one could argue in this case they improve upon the performance of the original in this case by compacting the signal paths as to be less prone to noise pickup. The Ep2500 measures superbly - besting the beloved Crown K2 in every way, even though the K2 has nearly identical factory ratings to the Ep2500.

No class H isn't anything unique, but even you are admitting here that they "improved on the original" They might have had a nice thought to compact the signal paths, but the QSC amps blow away the Behringers any day of the week. Clubs don't even consider Behringer anymore, because it costs more to replace garbage than to buy the RMX and leave it there.

Crown K2s get a premium for their name, and are probably overpriced, but K2s are still good amps. Maybe not a value, but, they are good workhorse amps.


They have some superb crossovers (and what is the DCX2496 copying?) for studio monitor and high fi speaker systems use, and the parts used are even top notch.

dbX DriveRacks?!

Their crossovers are okay, I wouldn't say superb. Kind of hit or miss, sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you get a bad one. Some of them hum, some of them are quiet. A lot of them the knobs they use get loose after travel. Typical cheap-chinese made stuff.



The EP amps work great for most people. The Ep2500 is built to a very high standard and even used military spec redundant boards.

For home audio they are fine. Especially on a tight budget. Kinda noisey for a home though.

I use Crest for my mobile gigs, and recently noticed how quiet they are. The CC series is quieter than my Playstation. Costs more than an EP obviously though.


Many of the newer mixers are great - in both parts quality and performance (and are very low noise). I don't have any clue which model(s) you used, but I am referring to their newer and small units, like the Xenyz line. No crap parts are used either, and the sliders on this line are high quality Alps units, as well as most of the rotary pots.

I've used some of their older mixers, and their newer and older DJ mixers. All the DJ mixers, new and old, have junk sliders.

Oh, you just reminded me of another gank of theirs:

http://proaudio.com.es/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/dnx1100_0edit.jpg

http://bavasmusic.com.au/store/images/djx750-top.jpg


The Truth B2030P monitor uses very high quality parts and build(from the drivers, to the crossover, to the cabinet itself), and measures excellent. Better than anything 2-3x the price by anyone, that I have ever observed.

You need to hear more monitors. The Truths are fine for a bedroom DJ, and its great to have a cheap monitor, but they don't hold a candle to M&K, Bag End, or even Mackie. Speaking of Mackie, Mackie also competes with companies like Genelec by making cheaper models that are supposed to be fairly comparable, but they don't make the product look exactly the same and try to trick people into buying it because it looks like something they are familiar with.



Sure, they have crap products too. I have never stated otherwise, in fact, I have pointed that out many times in the past. I would not touch their instrument effect pedals or instruments with a ten foot pole. Same goes for many of their other products. You just have to pick your products carefully.

-Chris

Behringer is a great entry for people who have a tight budget but want to make music. While I don't agree with their engineering practices, I do like that they are an entry point for a lot of people. I'd rather see people use M-Audio as their entry point, but nevertheless, if you need a cheap mixer, a cheap amp, a cheap this, Behringer stuff usually works. Using good gear isn't going to make or break a good DJ from a bad one, or a good song from a bad song. I don't knock people for buying Behringer products, when I first started out I was so broke I'd use /anything/. First time I DJ'd I had one good turntable and one that was so bad beatmatching was almost impossible, and the motor was so dead I had to push the platter most of the time to get it to mix.

..

I'm not going to sit here let people rag on Bose for shady business practices and then have someone say "people should buy Behringer!!!!!"

Nothing personal, really. I know there are products I love that people talk bad about or don't like and I get a little fussed about it, but, its just a difference of opinion. No beef with you brotha. :) It doesn't sound like you were taking offense, but, I wanted to add this just in case I was coming off cross because I don't mean to be. :)

[no. 5]

Frequency responses are usually measured with testing equipment set up in an anechoic chamber. An anechoic chamber is an isolated room designed so that sound will not reflect off any surfaces. Giving out such frequency response results is terrific- for those people who live in anechoic chambers!

That's like saying; "you don't need markings on that tape measure, you're not measuring anything important."

But the sad thing is that Bose isn't the only one who fails to provide relevant data. The only FR information available for any* consumer loudspeaker is something like "60Hz to 20kHz +/- 3dB", and what does that tell you?

NOTHING!

Absolutely no relevant data is available from the manufacturers, if the speakers you want happen to have been reviewed by publication that performs reliable test it's not so bad, but there are a ton of speakers available, only a relative few ever get tested. This is a situation that needs to change, the industry needs to provide relevant data to consumers.





*well, maybe not any, but all the ones I can think of.

[Seth=L]

Midnight, WmAx. THIS THREAD IS ABOUT BOSE!:D

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hey, I own a Bose system...

It looks great...

It sounds great...

...It's just not plugged in.:D

[WmAx]

Midnight, WmAx. THIS THREAD IS ABOUT BOSE!:D

Sorry. I'll start a new thread in response to the Behringer issue.

-Chris

[Gryfter]

Did Bose ever make quality speakers or have they always been "drastically over priced budget speakers"?

[markw]

Did Bose ever make quality speakers or have they always been "drastically over priced budget speakers"?The 901s, when properly positioned in the proper room and played with certain music can sound uncannily realistic. Likewise, the 301s can sound decent, albeit a bit overpriced.

I think the gripe most people have with Bose here revolves around these "acoustimass" speakers, but they are exactly what a large segment of the population wants, and their highly effective advertising campaign gets 'em right between the eyes..

They want small, attractive, easy to set up and use sound producing appliances, not a hi-fi system, and they are willing to pay a premium for it.