In a LOT of posts around here, I have seen a number of individuals (possibly members of the professional installers community) who seem to have a serious axe to grind with Bose speaker systems.

Although Bose speakers are consistently rated as having good or very good sound quality in consumer journals, it seems they get a HEAP of ANGRY & FLAMING criticism (far and away beyond just an "I don't like how they sound" opinon) from some members of this site.

Why all the hatred and animosity? Is there some financial motivation? They're just speakers, after all and everyone's tastes are different.

It's many peoples opinion, mine included, that there can be better performance for the money spent. I will give them credit however for bringing the concept of higher fidelity to the mainstream consumers. Most CI guys won't admit this but they have done a lot of positive for our market.

1) I think many of the publications you are talking about will probably have a great big Bose add on the next page

2) I don't think Bose is as hated as it might appear, I just think people (especially who are in the business) are tired of hearing from people that don't know anything "why" Bose is better: "In the ad in the Magazine Bose said it is better then the rest" or " that guy on commission that will make twice as much if I buy Bose said it was better"

Bose is not one of them, but I definitely know there is some BS that every time I hear it I tend to lose my cool and rant about it

Speaking from my own experience, I know the parts involved in putting together one of their speaker systems. I guess the reason I dislike them is the fact they take $50 worth of parts and charge $1500 for the system. BartJSimpson hit the nail right on the head when he said there are better speakers out there for the money.

I agree with all of the above.
Plus, video switching ability is weak.
Its twice as much work to integrate into a medium price 'home theater' than a $500 Integra reciever with a Paradigm cinema70 series (about $450 for 5 speakers and a sub), and the latter will blow it away!!!

The part that Bose doesn't tell you is that it will be a nightmare to operate!

Lets see. Video 1 on the tv to adjust anything on the bose 'reciever',video 5 for DVD,video 2 for VCR,video 6 for hd sat, if you have hd cable as well, I hope you have a video 7 component input on the tv!

Of course this is assuming that video 1-4 are composite and 5,6,and hopefully 7 are component inputs!
I also hope that you don't have many alternate audio sources!
XM radio,ipod,cassette,etc., good luck. Basically, it's a deadend!

In all reality, it compares to most decient $300 htib's. So why do they ask so much for it?

This message was edited by pilgram on 08/19/05 13:31 ET.

Wizzer cones, distortion at low volume, mud. Great for people losing their hearing cause of the boost in the upper mids. Consumer reports must test muzzle loaders without earplugs the same day they run their VERY serious tests on the bose. Flat response? ha ha ha infinity.

Potential buyers? Sheep, victims of the media, coolaid addicts, heavy equipment operators, AM radio editorialists, people that drink and hunt at the same time.

The list is long.

If you've read previous posts, do you really want to know, or are you about to evangelise on us? If so give me a sec to fire up the blow torch..

Oh goody. A "punch up". Let's start the ball rolling then.

[Link: epinions.com]

i1patrick,

Go to a store that includes the Bose speakers you are interested in. Make 2 other choices in the store at the same price point. Tell them you want a side by side listen of the Bose and the 2 other speakers.

This is where it gets fun... because the store won't do it!!! They'll allow you to run between the Bose room, and their other demo room, but they won't do a true A/B comparison in the same space. Why do you think Bose makes their dealers conform to this policy? If the Bose systems really sound that much better, wouldn't they be fighting to be in the room with the other speakers for those A/B comparisons?

If you do the comparison, I think you'll understand why so many here have such disdain for Bose.

It goes in stages. Unfortunately, the "tired of" stage was long ago for many of us. Only the "hated" stage remains.

When a CI guy says he loves Bose, it's important to define the word "love": "I love those 70 point margins", "I love the sound of money".

Bose apologists, bah. Go clean the wax out of your ears.

I just can't in good conscience sell a product that Picaso's something that could otherwise be pleasing if someone were to be given an informed choice. My clients do.

I don't like Bose for the same reason I don't take drugs.

This message was edited by Steve Garn on 08/19/05 16:58 ET.

Have any of you seen the Bose infomercial where they have some stereo system (two speakers in the front) and people saying how much they love it over a traditional HTIB because they don't need to pull wires and put speakers in the back

My guess is this

will be their next HTIB, if 5.1 can go down to (is it 2.1 or 3) they can definitely bring it down to one speaker with their patented tech ( Bos Scatology)

Well actually something akin to that already exists . . .



. . . but Bose don't have the patents on the technology. However, it does have something in common; it ain't cheap.

For those on more of a budget, try this instead . . .

djy, you ROCK!!!

The 'budget' version is close. But, bose dosen't have 232 or that many digital inputs!

With forty tweaters and 2 mids (no sub) it probably sounds the same ;-)

I always like to say that "you get what you pay for" but, in the case of Bose, it's more like "you paid HOW MUCH FOR THAT!!!!"

Bose:
Either step up to the plate, or stick to your overpriced clock radio's that sound like a clock radio!

Paul Harvey......

Good day?!

You forgot:

"I love sticking you with something that you can't build upon"

or..

"did I say it would do THAT?!"

or...

"can you just write me a big check and I'm sure it will do something?!"

Actually, I love Bose!!!

It constently reminds me of how not to be!!!

I'm still waiting for someone to show up at my door selling a BOSE vacuum cleaner!!!

Or, maybe, water purification systems!!

Everybody remember the thread with the Bose suspension for vehicles? It was on here about a year ago.