Opinions on the Bose Wave system?

[chesspain]

I'm thinking of purchasing a Bose Wave CD/radio player for the living room of my new condo. I would be happy to hear opinions of this system from anyone who owns and/or has listened to a Bose.

[wacki]

Well if you do a search on my name and Bose you will find plenty.

"No highs? No lows? IT MUST BE BOSE!!!!"

EDIT: Don't forget the archives.

[sublime]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm thinking of purchasing a Bose Wave CD/radio player for the living room of my new condo. I would be happy to hear opinions of this system from anyone who owns and/or has listened to a Bose.

[/ QUOTE ]

from what i read (and was advised by the wackster) the klipsch dock is much better. so i bought it. sounds awesome, sleek looking etc...

i recommend.

[wacki]

chesspain, what exactly are you looking for? Ipod? CD? Radio? Small?

[Ringo]

My Dad bought a Bose Wave, and I was pretty disappointed after listening to it. It did have a deeper, richer sound than what you would expect for its size, but only comparable to a slightly larger hi-fi system.

I'd get one if space is at a premium - but other than that.. no.

Ringo

[chesspain]

[ QUOTE ]
chesspain, what exactly are you looking for? Ipod? CD? Radio? Small?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm looking for a CD and radio player that sounds better than the crappy, portable boom boxes my preteen daughters have, but won't take up too much room.

[chesspain]

[ QUOTE ]
Well if you do a search on my name and Bose you will find plenty.

"No highs? No lows? IT MUST BE BOSE!!!!"

EDIT: Don't forget the archives.

[/ QUOTE ]

I checked out the reviews you gave on Bose--I can see you don't care for the brand. /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Even though I will have a computer nearby (with fairly crappy speakers), I'ld still like to have a separate music system--since I'm a forty-two year old non-computer-geek who still views CDs as "cutting edge."

[wacki]

Understood. And it's not just because I hate Bose, its just that vast majority of the audiophile community looks at Bose as all marketing and zero product. I explained this a bit more clearly in the archives. Seriously they use styrofoam, paper tweeters, and the cheapest magnets you can find . It's a joke.

As for small systems with a CD player, Yamaha has some good stuff.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/minis/mini_main.htm

I know component audio and don't pay much attention to small stuff. I made some inquiries and will get back to you when I have more answers. I'm curious as to what the best is in this area myself.

[Jeebus]

if money isn't an issue you can find alot better. But as far as easily portable good sound goes I like it. Really nice thing if you are gonna be in alot of hotel rooms.

[benfranklin]

[ QUOTE ]
Well if you do a search on my name and Bose you will find plenty.

"No highs? No lows? IT MUST BE BOSE!!!!"


[/ QUOTE ]

I've found Bose to be very weak in the mid-range (e.g., vocals). I guess that pretty much covers the field.

[felson]

This old Wave radio review (http://slate.msn.com/id/6694) recommends the Cambridge Soundworks Model 88 instead. I believe that the model 88 has been supplanted by a newer model though.

FWIW, I own one of each. Not being an audiophile, I can't really tell the difference.

[benfranklin]

[ QUOTE ]


Even though I will have a computer nearby (with fairly crappy speakers), I'ld still like to have a separate music system--since I'm a forty-two year old non-computer-geek who still views CDs as "cutting edge."

[/ QUOTE ]

These (http://www.theaudioinsider.com/cgi-bin/theaudioinsider/Multimedia.html) computer speakers have a great sound, and cost under $200.

Here (http://hometheatertalk.com/Reviews/Swans_M-200/swans_m-200.html) is a review.

[wacki]

Here you go:

http://www.bostonacoustics.com/whats_new.asp
http://www.bostonacoustics.com/hs_products.asp?CategoryID=34
http://www.polkaudio.com/I-Sonic/
http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=aud_radio

[chesspain]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[wacki]

No problem. Please give us a review. Boston seemed to get the most votes (very small but high quality sample size <8) but the cambridge system has a sub in it. It would be interesting to see how effective a sub that size is.

[dibbs]

I absolutely love all my bose speakers but have had only a minimal experience with the Wave system, I usually like the bigger stuff, an exgirlfriend had one though and it was pretty decent. Off the top of my head I remember listening to Keith Jarrett, the stones, nas, and zep on it, the hip hop lacking the most on the system, not really designed for punchy music like that I dont think, I dont know what kind of stuff youre into though. Keiths stuff sounded great on it and the rock sounded pretty good as well IIRC.

My buddy just got the Cambridge Soundworks answer to it and it really kicks with some great definition, also worth checking out IMO.

[daveymck]

Not sure if you get them in the States but the micro system that has cleaned up the awards in the UK Hifi mags is the Denon D-M31 has just been discontinued so probably some decent bargains on outgoing stock.