Bose: Why Audiophiles Should Stop the Hate

[markw]

What is "accurate"?

Bose's target market doesn't give a dang about accuracy and I don't really think they care that much for dinosaur stomps reproduced at ear-splitting levels. If they did, then they wouldn't be looking at Bose.

They want a simple, attractive, appliance that doesn't take up much space, fits unobtrusively into their surroundings, is fairly attractive, is easy to hook up, that they can feel good about owning, and fills the room with a not-unpleasing sound. ...and they don't mind paying a premium for something that blends all these traits.

Now, if another manufacturer wants to take Bose on in their own back yard, let 'em go for it. I'll applaud them. AFAICT, Cambridge Sound Works and Tivoli are doing a credible job on the table radio front. Now, who wants to take on their Lifestyle systems? Don't forget to budget in the advertising...

Getting to the original point, with all the different speakers out there that all sound different, which one is "accurate"? After all, they all cannot be, can they?

...or is it a matter of personal preference after all?

 

[Wayde Robson]

Tom Nousaine just got back with me on his thoughts on Bose. What a cool guy, I left a message on his site and he responded with his thoughts right away.

From Tom Nousaine at Nousaine.com:

"The most Bose complaints come from Audio Salesmen that don't carry Bose products. And I think that's because Bose is eating their lunch but not for the reasons they claim. In my opinion it's because Bose is actually willing to serve customers that they won't serve.

Bose brings music to seniors, lawyers, accountants and the disabled that the Haters won't serve. Bose builds products with easy installation and large simple controls which take up very little living space. For example the Wave Radio is simply a small Boom-Box for people that really could use a regular Boom Box but wouldn't be caught dead with a street-style Boomer and couldn't handle installation of a regular stereo system --- here I mean senior citizens and the disabled.

In other words Bose knows that there are markets where size and ease of use are more important than sound quality. Sure Bose makes sound quality claims that are outrageous but --- exactly who doesn't?"

 

[Rickster71]

This is reminding me of what it must have been like when people argued whether the earth was flat.

Marketing is what it is, because people are human and have all the incongruities, and idiosyncrasies that go with it. All the cool people that think they don't... they think they're enlightened, they can't escape human behavior either.
People still order well done steaks, even though real chefs know it will ruin the meat.
People still drive Nissan Sentras and Toyota Corollas even though a Nissan GTR is way better.
Our wives married us even though Brad Pitt is way better. (In my case barely)

Bose is a 1.7 Billion dollar global company, even though I don't agree with all their products or marketing.
I'm not a fan..... though they still exist.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Now, if another manufacturer wants to take Bose on in their own back yard, let 'em go for it. I'll applaud them. AFAICT, Cambridge Sound Works and Tivoli are doing a credible job on the table radio front. Now, who wants to take on their Lifestyle systems?

There are companies that offer similar styles at a premium price and do it better.

Here is one for example.
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/

 

[markw]

There are companies that offer similar styles at a premium price and do it better.

Here is one for example.
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/

They aren't exactly cheap and "better" here is a preference. ...and the styling might not be to everyones liking.

 

[dkane360]

I kid you not, my mom's cat just peed on our bose wave radio. Well, right next to it on the shelf. It's close enough

On the subject of accuracy:

Even though speakers sound different, they can still be relatively accurate. As long as a speaker fits into the generally accepted +/- 3 dB as a base line for accuracy, the minor sound differences would account for our personal preference. Some non accurate speakers may be more pleasing to listen to, although it gets to the point where everything sounds the same. The bose wave radio is a great example. The artificially enhanced sound that bose offers does sound pleasing at first, but it makes everything sound exactly the same. No dynamics, no details, just warm and artificial sound.

 

[markw]

I kid you not, my mom's cat just peed on our bose wave radio. Well, right next to it on the shelf. It's close enough

On the subject of accuracy:

Even though speakers sound different, they can still be relatively accurate. As long as a speaker fits into the generally accepted +/- 3 dB as a base line for accuracy, the minor sound differences would account for our personal preference. Some non accurate speakers may be more pleasing to listen to, although it gets to the point where everything sounds the same. The bose wave radio is a great example. The artificially enhanced sound that bose offers does sound pleasing at first, but it makes everything sound exactly the same. No dynamics, no details, just warm and artificial sound.

And, from their sales, it seems to be exactly what their target market wants. Don't they have a liberal return policy?

Besides, I really doubt that market has the best hearing anyway.

Boy, we are an elitist bunch, aren't we? ...imposing our own standards on the masses et al.

 

[Shiitaki]

Bose, really Wayde?

I had to check the date, thought it was an April's fools gag. Bose sells mediocre products for way too much. Companies exist to make money, and Bose makes a lot, doesn't make them good, honest, or ethical. it's great they spend money on research, they know just how many corners they can cut without having complaints, they know how to market to people with low expectations. It's expectations as to why you are wrong about audiophiles caring about people buying crap. The quality of recorded music has diminished with the mp3 revolution, and the constant nonsense from Bose that cheap computer speakers are good enough for the living room. And it's not that they are claiming good enough, but actually convincing people that it's great sound. That's the sad part, music has split into two groups, audiophile esoteric recordings in FLAC, and Itunes with lossy compression. Music is being mastered, or mangled, to compensate for consumers shortcomings in knowledge. The kicker is that Bose customers arn't being cheap, they pay good money, they just get cheap. The engineering Bose referes too is what it takes to sell cheap components in cheap boxes with passable sound. That's where mainstream recordings have gone, passable sound.

PS, don't review anything.

 

[dkane360]

Boy, we are an elitist bunch, aren't we? ...imposing our own standards on the masses et al.

I don't want to impose anything, I just want people to be informed on what they're purchasing. If someone really has their heart set on Bose, they should go ahead and buy it. For those willing to listen and learn, we're here for them.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Bose brings music to seniors, lawyers, accountants and the disabled that the Haters won't serve.

I will agree that there are some Bose products which are difficult to find easily comparible products to at prices which make sense.

On the other hand, for the price of a Wave Radio ($350), I think many people would be happy to hand deliver, setup, and show someone how to use this unit...

http://www.amazon.com/iLuv-High-Fidelity-Bluetooth-Speaker-System/dp/B000NI360U?SubscriptionId=0K76CZ6RCX2Y05HSNPR2&tag=533633834-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000NI360U

Which is tested and rated as a comparible product to the Wave Radio.

It's the BS statements which sound good, but are simply untrue.

People buy the WAVE radio because of advertising. They are clueless as to the actual quality and we, here at Audioholics, see the occassional post that says "Aren't they the best?" before they are given some good information.

At some point, perhaps I will try to put together a decent list of significant competitors to the WAVE radio.

For home A/V, Bose is terrible with their products, generally providing their 5.1 (no 7.1!) surround systems, and a price tag which would cover the purchase and integrated installation of a complete 5.1 (or more) system in the typical home. At $3,300 on their site, the V35 is not exactly a bargain, and is very much something which has alternatives for exactly the group mentioned.

It's just not true information. Bose sells to people who watch TV. Lawyers buy because they will pay for what is advertised, and not because they actually have a clue. Takes to much of their time.

It's just a crock to try to blame the complaints about Bose on anything more than what Bose is: A company seriously overcharging for products and advertising them so that people are scammed out of their hard earned cash.

I honestly don't like Bose, but I also do NOT feel remorse for those who aren't smart enough to spend ten minutes looking up information about a product either.

Seriously - Just type 'bose quality' into Google and see what comes up. Not exactly comforting. Fortunately, for many people, that's to complex for them to do.

 

[BMXTRIX]

And, from their sales, it seems to be exactly what their target market wants. Don't they have a liberal return policy?

Besides, I really doubt that market has the best hearing anyway.

Boy, we are an elitist bunch, aren't we? ...imposing our own standards on the masses et al.

I know I've said it before, but I do want to point out that my biggest issue is not their product, but their price point and marketing tactics. I also hold the end buyer very much responsible.

There are some real competing products out there for a lot less money. Some sound better, some sound about the same. But, with the budget some have for Bose, the alternatives are significant.

 

[markw]

That's a good start

I don't want to impose anything, I just want people to be informed on what they're purchasing. If someone really has their heart set on Bose, they should go ahead and buy it. those willing to listen and learn, we're here for them.

All you have to do not is go out there and tell them to come here. But, it seems there's a lot of happy people out there that are happy with what they have.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

They aren't exactly cheap and "better" here is a preference. ...and the styling might not be to everyones liking.

I think given the choice between the two I would go with B&O. Just looking them over they seem to be big leap up in driver quality on their speakers over Bose. One could almost say a lot of Bose stuff is just B&O wanna be's. They were making this type of wife friendly stuff long before Bose got into it.

 

[markw]

I think given the choice between the two I would go with B&O. Just looking them over they seem to be big leap up in driver quality on their speakers over Bose. One could almost say a lot of Bose stuff is just B&O wanna be's. They were making this type of wife friendly stuff long before Bose got into it.

Actually, I've got a CSW Model 88 and love it and know at least one other guy here has a couple of CSW radios as well.

But, I have a hoity-toity friend who has a wave radio (and paid twice as much as I did) and thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. And yes, he's heard both.

Some people just like the aura of snobbishness that Bose exudes or, to put it another way; "These are not the droids you're looking for."

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

These ARE the droids you’ve been looking for

"These are not the droids you're looking for."

http://www.droiddog.com/android-blog/2011/05/custom-droidarmy-these-are-the-droids-youve-been-looking-for/

 

[picture_shooter]

I was in the Bose store like 2 months ago and was looking @ PC speakers, I then came across a small room inside, about 10x12 and it sounded really nice. I asked where the speakers were and the sales rep said on the flat screen (behind it). It looked like maybe the screen size was either a 42", but no bigger than a 50".
It even had some decent bass, but nothing like a 10" sub would do or even an 6.5" subwoofer.

I asked how much and if I remember correct, it was like $9000

I chuckled out the door.

 

[adwilk]

Fortunately, for many people, that's to complex for them to do.

Sooo, not exactly the group that would understand a frequency curve? Or care?

 

[Rickster71]

Talk about questionable marketing / advertising tactics:
http://www.hospitalitymanagementschools.net/blog/2010/40-celebrities-you-wouldnt-know-without-makeup/

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Talk about questionable marketing / advertising tactics:
http://www.hospitalitymanagementschools.net/blog/2010/40-celebrities-you-wouldnt-know-without-makeup/

Only Uma and one other actually looked fine without. The rest are dogs and some are downright skanky looking.

 

[Alex2507]

The rest are dogs and some are downright skanky looking.

If I had known you were so picky I would have worn a little more eye liner when I came up.