Bose systems that sound good

[EYEdROP0]

Ive heard a couple consumer Bose systems at best buy and such, and they sound half decent (yet artificial), just not for the out the roof prices. Ive heard people say that some of their stuff from the 80's was good for its time, and their pro-audio equipment (like the l1 system) gets really good reviews. I know they are all expensive and you can probably get better performance out of another brand. But price aside, how does the 802, L1, 901, panaray, etc, sound in proper placement and a good room? Are they any good or do they still sound like mid-high end consumer garbage? Im just curious because most people refrence to the Lifestyle (pretty decent but $$$$$), wave radio (bad), and 3-2-1 system (terrible) when they talk Bose, yet Ive never heard much about their pro audio division. Any comments?

 

[fmw]

I don't think there is any way to justify a Bose purchase based on performance or value. The only justification I can imagine is brand loyalty. Better stick with that assuming you see value in the brand.

 

[Midcow2]

Ive heard a couple consumer Bose systems at best buy and such, and they sound half decent (yet artificial), just not for the out the roof prices. Ive heard people say that some of their stuff from the 80's was good for its time, and their pro-audio equipment (like the l1 system) gets really good reviews. I know they are all expensive and you can probably get better performance out of another brand. But price aside, how does the 802, L1, 901, panaray, etc, sound in proper placement and a good room? Are they any good or do they still sound like mid-high end consumer garbage? Im just curious because most people refrence to the Lifestyle (pretty decent but $$$$$), wave radio (bad), and 3-2-1 system (terrible) when they talk Bose, yet Ive never heard much about their pro audio division. Any comments?

Actually the wave radio has very good sound; it will pull in AM and FM better than most tuners or other radios. It is overpriced though

 

[no. 5]

yet Ive never heard much about their pro audio division. Any comments?

I have listened to 802 Series II's on a few occasions; they aren't really anything to wright home about.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I can't address their electronics, but I have yet to hear any Bose speakers that sounded at all decent. (Even their heaphones suck compared to much lower priced offerings from other brands such as Sennheiser.)

 

[j_garcia]

I like the wave radio also - the sound is actually pretty decent and it does fill a room entirely. It costs entirely too much for what it is though.

Yes, the Bose pro-audio side are respectable, but those aren't intended for home use. Generally most people who come to a forum like this ARE talking about the tiny cubes + lifestyle systems, etc...

 

[emorphien]

Actually the wave radio has very good sound; it will pull in AM and FM better than most tuners or other radios. It is overpriced though

I would agree that compared to most table radios/clock radios it does sound better, there are few I haven't heard which are supposed to be good too though but they also cost more than the majority of clock radios, just not as much as the Bose.

AM/FM reception aren't bad, it does better than any other clock radio I've owned. The CD player in mine is flaky but I inherited it and I don't really know how old it is, it's the original top loading design though.

Generally though, when we talk about Bose here or when I talk of Bose I'm referring to their horrendously overpriced and underperforming cube systems with the acoustimass module.

 

[jamie2112]

I can't even say the four letter word let alone listen to their products..

 

[jamie2112]

As for their pro sound division, I am in the sound buisness and have never seen any of their gear anywhere but a dj setup on sticks in a bar. I have never in my 22 years of live sound seen ANYONE using their gear at a gig....ever.



Pro sound is a contradiction in terms with this company.....

 

[j_garcia]

As for their pro sound division, I am in the sound buisness and have never seen any of their gear anywhere but a dj setup on sticks in a bar. I have never in my 22 years of live sound seen ANYONE using their gear at a gig....ever.

Pro sound is a contradiction in terms with this company.....

I usually see them used at Art & Wine festivals to play some background music or something in a booth. I have never seen anyone use their stuff for a real gig either, and I have been to my fair share of shows. That is not to say that their stuff is crap, but I don't think it is the kind of stuff that generally would go on tour More like starving artists

 

[Phil Taylor]

I've got a pair of 601s that I've had since '82 and they still sound great to this day. The old saying - "They don't make 'em like they used to" is true in particular with Bose products.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Ive heard a couple consumer Bose systems at best buy and such, and they sound half decent (yet artificial), just not for the out the roof prices. Ive heard people say that some of their stuff from the 80's was good for its time, and their pro-audio equipment (like the l1 system) gets really good reviews. I know they are all expensive and you can probably get better performance out of another brand. But price aside, how does the 802, L1, 901, panaray, etc, sound in proper placement and a good room? Are they any good or do they still sound like mid-high end consumer garbage? Im just curious because most people refrence to the Lifestyle (pretty decent but $$$$$), wave radio (bad), and 3-2-1 system (terrible) when they talk Bose, yet Ive never heard much about their pro audio division. Any comments?

P.M Bose_Man, he has the low down on all that is Bose these days. Audioholics own Bose ambassador.

 

[snappy_snoopy]

My dad owns the bose ,2 cubes thing with a sub (for the kitchen) i dont care much for it, to say the least. My 2.1 first home theater system kicked it right out of the water and cost the same ($ for $).

 

[nova]

I bought some Bose 601's in the mid 80's, yes they sounded good and were reasonably price. Were they the best available at the time? No,... were they the worst available? No. I also had a friend who bought some 501's a few years earlier, they were also a decent speaker.
So,...yanno, take it for what it's worth.

As for today's Bose,...???? Personally I don't think they have a decent speaker for anything close to a reasonable price.