The Real Reason Why Audiophiles HATE Bose

[@stevelemur6113]

I am not an audiophile, but I was for a while a professional loudspeaker designer (drivers and enclosures), so I know what what is really going on. Bose products are not intended for audiophiles, but instead for the general public. What is the difference? Audiophiles want the most scientifically accurate sound reproduction possible of the original event or performance. The general public wants a pleasurable listening experience and do not care if that experience is artificial and a distortion of the actual original recording. Bose depends on various acoustic (happening in the natural objective world) and psychoacoustic (false impressions occuring in the mind ) “tricks” to give the listener a pleasurable experience. The audiophile is a trained critic of audio reproduction and readily perceives the inaccuracy of Bose, and is offended by it. Thus the general public enjoys Bose (at inflated prices), but other than deafness, there is no known cure for audiophilia.

[@bommareddybrijendrareddy9301]

Your explanation itself deserves much more attention and likes 👍 Respect.

[@ferruhbyferruh]

👍

[@brochachoiii6657]

100% agree. I’m not audiophile, I’d call myself an educated audio enthusiast. I don’t prefer bose speakers over most other brands but damn, to my ears, their Bluetooth speakers sound so pleasant and I’m not mad about it’s artificial-ness. To me, no other Bluetooth speakers sounds enjoyable and well balanced from such a small volume. You gotta give em props for what they do, even if I’m not a fan of all their products.

[@bommareddybrijendrareddy9301]

@@brochachoiii6657 they sound good but are expensive

[@Whadaheck22]

Well Said!

[@mtmt88]

So why don't audiophiles hate Sonos?

[@harrison_b222]

sonos isnt like bose as such, you dont buy a system then ur stuck with it, you can buy a sonos beam, add surrounds, add a sub, add a sub mini its very modular

[@hasibhasan3432]

Price bro, audiophiles, they want bigger speakers if they pay more, also they don't really care how does it sound to ears rather, how it appears on sound oscilloscope....if bose speakers are sold cheaper, they would buy it too......my opinion

[@harrison_b222]

@@hasibhasan3432 that’s so real, Omar bose literally taught phycoacoustics. We’re bose expensive, yes, did they use cheap components, yes, but they used dsp to their advantage and made it sound good, ur average joe isn’t going to want to setup and wire in a ton of massive clunky speakers, they are going to pick the small convenient ones that just sound “good”

[@Slothdeman]

@@harrison_b222 You can do that with Bose as well!

[@armanddimeo6575]

Bose may have audiophile roots but it has become more and more of a mass market company. Henry Kloss' satellite speakers offered much better performance for less money. Bose products are OK for background music but not critical listening. Those who really care about music will take the time and effort to select components carefully rather than rely on Bose's "prefab" approach.

[@possiblyinsane6995]

Armand Di Meo nobody does

[@MastahatAhmed]

What you prefer for critical listening?

[@antonposter2495]

This comment is spot on. As the Acoustimas system came out so did Henry Kloss's famous (and infamous) Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble system - and the war was on. I don't know if they were friends or enemies offstage, but onstage it was a direct competition. The Ensemble got rave reviews from everyone, and the idea of direct marketing took off and never looked back. I had a pair of the 501's (for $400) and a pair of the first Ensemble (for $500) and a pair of Allisons in between (for $500) and the Ensembles were the clear winner. Kloss (with much more of a pedigree than Bose, having been key in the Acoustic Research, KLH and Advent speakers) went after Bose in a major way (I had a chance to buy the Bose Radio nut opted instead for the Cambridge Audio competition). BOTH of these systems gave rise to the use and acceptance to the subwoofer and the following important POWERED subwoofer (notably "pushed" by Henry Kloss. We would not have 2.1, 3.1, 5.1. 7.1, 9.1 or any *.2 systems if not for that push. I eventually moved to a a glorious set of Magnepans in my main stereo room and and a wonderful set of Ohm Walsh Talls in my office without either system being "filled" out with powered subwoofers. My main Atmos system still uses the original Ensemble speakers along with the dipole rear speakers and center speaker that were voiced to meet them - along with a kick-butt powered sub and two NHT ceiling speakers which match the timbre of the original Kloss speakers. The two other TV systems in my home with mere 5.1 or 5.1.2 soundbars still rely on their powered subwoofers. So, as much as we may want to hate Bose, they did help us accept subwwoofers as a critical advancement in systems that could be home friendly. I was first introduced to the concept of a true audiophile when I went to a home of a "grownup" in my neighborhood who wanted my 18 year old brother and me (I was 9) to hear his new Klipschorn mono speaker that filled an entire corner of a room. The sound was GLORIOUS. In retrospect - Klipcsh has managed to maintain its reputation - even with the advent of, and acceptance of, the use of subwoofers. I think what this article, and most like it, miss, is that Bose just became what was PERCEIVED (rightly or wrongly) with a sellout brand. And we don't like our music (especially from the 70's) to be sellouts (we can't help what Michael Jackson did to the Beatles works).

[@MahatMagandi93]

Not an audiophile myself but my dad was, as well as GM of Audio Products International (now owned by Klipsch). I remember that growing up, Bose was a dirty word in our house. I remember grumblings of the sort alluded to in this video, but I always assumed the anti-Bose sentiment was due to them being a much larger competitor. This has been very enlightening!

[@Andieh64]

That's how my first Bose system turned out. I wanted a system to watch video and listen to music. A real 5.1 system was out of the question because of the cables and lack of space. The second requirement was that the system also had to sound good at low volume. And only Bose could do that. All other systems only sounded good above a certain volume. Of course there were more perfect systems, but none that could do it quietly.

[@keithmoriyama5421]

The opposite is also true... unfortunately Bose couldn't sound good at a high volume.

[@Nightcore_all_night]

@@keithmoriyama5421it does. Seriously try the lifestyle 650 or Bose 901 6 series with denon amp and the equalizer with green light. The new one

[@Nightcore_all_night]

@@keithmoriyama5421Bose 3-2-1 ||| series is not bad either specialty for the price you can’t beat it

[@LimitGTX]

Excellent video, I learned a lot, you should do one about Sennheiser history and how the community views their products

[@aaronloudnwireless]

Yea great idea 😁

[@HelloImMaxxHennard]

Yes to this. And thank you for this history lesson!

[@rcmedia9516]

I fart out sennheiser. It sounds good

[@dannymcneal]

I still listen to a mint pair of Bose 901 Series V loudspeakers. In fact, they are also the front L & R channel speakers in my 7.1 home theater (thanks to a separate stereo power amplifier which separates the Bose EQ-processed signal from the rest of the speakers). After using Kenwood’s Audyssey MultEQ calibration followed up with pink noise calibration by a Technics SH-8066 computer equalizer, the 901s still sound muffled when listening in “Stereo” mode. However, when listening to stereo sources using Kenwood’s “Pure Audio” mode, WOW! The highs and lows are prominent, and I find much joy in listening for hours on end. When reading the Kenwood manual this morning, I learned that the “Stereo” mode for music actually includes the subwoofer. My speakers are set up according to Bose’s recommendations, and in “Pure Audio” mode, they sound excellent. It’s ironic that audiophiles lambast Bose 901s because they require the separate EQ box. However, the speakers that audiophiles use also require their own circuitry-it’s just inside their speakers. I think they are being unfair, and perhaps a bit of sour grapes. Just set the things up properly! Anyway, great review! P.S. I also use the Bose AM-10 Series IV Acoustimas surround speaker system to round out my home theater...although my center channel is from Yamaha. Watching movies is fun and dynamic!

[@sanchotomaroy1209]

I have am 16 series II n it sound so powerful in all frequencies, the best!

[@Audiomainia2310]

Kenwood merged with JVC in 2011 and hasn't made a receiver in over 10 years! Nice imagination.

[@techny1549]

Mint looking to turn my original cubes into a subwoffer from the module any tips? Rear got the 401's 7.1 single cube recline series

[@techny1549]

​@Audiomainia2310 miss Kenwood that was go to receiver. Even better I have a high end ADC mint EQ. These new receivers no tape monitor but I will find a way. EQ's brought out the best sound.

[@graysonpeddie]

@@techny1549 Ah... Kenwood... I miss that name so much. 😆 Kenwood... That name when I looked through catalogs from Best Buy since more than 20 years ago...

[@ANDRESTARZ90]

Its really crazy how people hate bose so much. I'm an audiophile and still like bose.

[@josealfredfernandes]

Same❤️ You need to check out their F1, L1 Pro32 with 2x Sub2, Showmatch, Roommatch, Arenamatch, mostly their rms218 sub, MB24 WR sub also

[@Audiomainia2310]

Then you're not true audiophile - end of story.

[@slayerakcl]

no, you are not jajaja

[@Audiomainia2310]

@@slayerakcl My KEF Q150 disagree with you. If you heard them you'd know what you've been missing. B = buy O = other S = sound E = equipment

[@TheWhiteRaver]

#me to haha

[@baconpancakes8899]

Bose= The apple of the music tech industry

[@apolloares6114]

Bacon doubt that

[@JohnDeLeon28]

So, does that mean it's sturdy and can be use for.... years? That's amazing!

[@matthewmabasa3331]

Yup!

[@baconpancakes8899]

@@JohnDeLeon28 iPhone doesn't last long. iPhones before the 11, at least for what I know, would shattered upon first impact. The iPhone, even till today, overheats. Just got OLED and only has 4GB RAM, whereas it's competitors have 16GB of 12GB. People always say their iPhones last long but when you look at their iPhone it has a disgustingly cracked screen protector with a shattered glass. Chipped off rims and laggy transition animations. The only applause there is for an iPhone or an IOS is the software.

[@JohnDeLeon28]

@@baconpancakes8899 overheats? I think you were talking about the android phone. I remember it was on news all over the world. It overheats, it even smoked and 🔥 I think iPhones are known to have the best performance (speed) compared to androids. Apple has reputation of having a smooth performance “iPhones before the 11”. So, there’s an improvement 👍🏼

[@michaelhans4551]

The problem with Bose (when I was selling home theaters) was their systems were gross-fully over priced. At the time their $2,000 surround system didn't sound as good as the $500 system by Yamaha we sold and the Yamaha system was only slightly bigger. I convinced most buyers to buy the Yamaha after a blind listen test. I am all about a two channel set up the easiest best bang for you buck is studio monitors with XLR cables to a Dac. Studio Monitor aren't lookers usually but their sound is nice and flat, they have the amp built in and XLR cables are balanced unlike awful RCA cables. If you like a warmer sound get an old pair of JBL 4311s they are fairly common and 90% of music from the late 60s up until the 80s was recorded on a pair of 4311s so they will match well with records from that era.

[@MusicAnirban]

Very sensibly done! The most meaningful discussion on this topic so far. I have klipsch and bowers and wilkins setup for myself. But I still don’t diss bose and I believe they have achieved what they had to. When they first released their lifestyle series, there wasn’t anything like that. I still remember the demo and was blown away by the saxophone and cello sound coming from the jewel cube speakers. I know we can buy bigger better speakers with that money but still must agree, those jewel cube speakers paired with acoustimas are still nothing short of magic.

[@Smaug1]

Yes. That was the beginning of the “sub-sat” movement. The modern audiophile equivalent is bookshelf speakers + subwoofer. 🔊

[@renostarman]

And just how does one become an audiophile? 1st take out a 2nd mortgage.

[@davidperry4013]

Actually no. There are plenty of sub 400 dollar bookshelf speakers that have amazing sound quality. There are really good stereo amplifiers under 400 dollars as well take a look at the Yamaha AS301.

[@lad2987]

@Little boy Eating sausage 0_o

[@aliveoutside248]

You simply have to declare yourself one. Then you can just proceed through life thinking you're cool...

[@jasonpohle369]

I don’t care what anyone says, I’m very happy with All of my Bose speakers

[@dinoflagella4185]

Jason Pohle I had a friend who had a Bose system. It didn’t sound that bad. However, when I pushed his system to the max you could hear the speakers hitting their limitations and they started to sound distorted. I’ve gone through several systems already. I’ve had several Sony receivers, but ended up with a Yamaha receiver that I loved. Likewise with the speakers. I’ve gone through Sony, Polk, and Klipsch speakers. I ended up with Yamahas... although I kept the polk subwoofer. I can push my system way louder than any Bose system without getting any distortion. Also, at regular levels I can actually hear the guitar frets being depressed as well as the piano keys being pressed. When I got into audio systems I heard some details I had never heard before in one of my favorite songs. At the end of the song you could hear the artist breathing, turning the handle of the studio room door, and exiting.

[@mohamadzahirahmad8766]

yeah, me too.. currently own 11 bose products from lifestyle, cinemate, sounndock, companion, wave

[@aliveoutside248]

so what you're saying is self declared audiophiles are also bitter...

[@rlowle1228]

I just think audiophiles are pretentious.

[@legoworldfan]

Lol not all of us.

[@LouisWinthorpe622]

Yeah, prejudice is for imbeciles. It lets them feel comfortable in their ignorance and belief that they live in a simple black and white world where everything that they think is right, just because they think it. I'm not particularly an audiophile but I respect that many of them know what they're actually talking about because of their own trials and errors and experience within their field of interest. One that they may have been dabbling in for years. I'm not rich enough to go full-on audiophile but I read enough of their opinions to stear me to Dali and Marantz products within my price range and couldn't be happier. I didn't just decide they must be talking pish because, well, 'reasons'. Like 'well Bose is the biggest speaker company in the world so they must make the best' or 'this so-called' quality audio's expensive so it must be all snake oil, rip-offs and pish' or 'they're saying the thing I like is pish and, even though they've heard what I've heard and more, they must be lying and pretending the other stuff is better because I like all I know and it must all be lies because I have a very high opion of myself and I'm always right'. Not listening to other people and forming your opinions and acting on them, despite what the rest of the world, or anyone outside yourself, thinks is the very definition (THEE VERY DEFINITION) of idiocy.

[@richardgray8593]

@@LouisWinthorpe622 Audiophiles are assholes, and so are you.

[@LouisWinthorpe622]

@@richardgray8593 Shurrup ya dick. You just proved what a total asshole you are when you wrote that crap, you deliberately ignorant FOOL!

[@LouisWinthorpe622]

@@richardgray8593 Enjoy your cheap Chinese Bluetooth speaker you moronic twat.

[@markvandenberg7572]

The problem is a lot of audiophiles listen to the system and not the music. I've read articles that say audiophiles don't actually like music.Their obsession is the equipment, the specifications, the cables and various accessories. In other words they are so busy looking for flaws they forget to enjoy the music.

[@gtxoiltastebad]

same with many people in PC gaming community. They buy expensive ass GPU's to benchmark instead of enjoying games it can handle

[@benoitbrule1893]

Very true !!

[@securityguardcommand9792]

Not quite. I can hear the distortion on various frequency bands with Bose.

[@RIZFERD]

Not true, it's your narrow minded tiny brain's opinion not a complete multiracial not multilingual never been living around the world all alone. Bose, JBL, etc aren't real audiophile product but too artificial just as really mainstream too average Apple, HiRes Alpine Signature, Yamaha, Bang & Olufsen, etc are much better.

[@RIZFERD]

@@gtxoiltastebad not true it's more for Crypto mining ;) Not true, it's your narrow minded tiny brain's opinion not a complete multiracial not multilingual never been living around the world all alone. Bose, JBL, etc aren't real audiophile product but too artificial just as really mainstream too average Apple, HiRes Alpine Signature, Yamaha, Bang & Olufsen, etc are much better.

[@jankove2]

I really agree with what Mark said (The problem is a lot of audiophiles listen to the system and not the music. I've read articles that say audiophiles don't actually like music.Their obsession is the equipment, the specifications, the cables and various accessories. In other words, they are so busy looking for flaws they forget to enjoy the music.) give us a break Audiophiles, stop worshipping gears. listen to the music, maybe one day, you be able to buy new ears.

[@dougmacmillan1712]

That's a really broad generalization. There's a significant number of those of us who love music and want to hear the best, most natural reproduction of it available. Our quality quest is driven by our love of music. There's also a distinction between and audiophile and "audiophool". An audiophool will spend inordinate amounts of money on things like very expensive speaker wire that has been proven to have no benefit on the quality of sound. Compare that to a significant number of audiophiles who spend strategically to derive the best sound possible at any given price point. For instance, one of my turntables is a Technics SP-15 broadcast turntable with a wonderful history of excellent specs and robust build quality. I searched for years until I found one in excellent condition for $300.00. I am a musician and singer, serving as a cantor in my Episcopal church. I listen to a lot of orchestral music, which I consider the most challenging music to any system. Nuance and small details contribute to the tapestry of any good music. I have yet to hear any Bose product capable of reproducing accuracy and subtlety.

[@LorenHenderson-r5i]

I agree kinda like guitar players chasing tone in pedals and amps

[@VulcanEditing]

At the end of the day, time id money. Most people dont have the time to research audio and out together a system themselves but they have money. Simplicity, ease of use, and space saving designs with little compromise will always cost extra. I feel like people that hate bose are the same that hate on buying prebuilt PCs. Might as well say "why would you ever buy a car when you can build one?".

[@TECHNOGEEK20000]

I dont know I had a 2007 nissan murano with a factory bose system and I thought it sounded better than my full rack system house stereo (I have a 400 watt pioneer receiver and pioneer tower speakers) No highs? No lows? Bullshit....that system in my truck had plenty of bass and treble. Perfect range of highs and lows....and I dont generally like factory car units and every car I had I have changed them....not my murano! Of course this is my take on it.

[@jamesmckelvey4340]

I always heard great things about Bose speakers and always wanted a set.I have BOSE 301s and 901s that I picked up at a low price at a yard sale. I placed them exactly the way Bose recommends. I auditioned each pair separately with different types of music and the sound was pretty good but had some flaws. First thing I noticed was the lack of low end. Second was lack in certain mid frequencies. Maybe if they went with better cabinetry and tuning, and thinner dust cap they could achieve in solving this problem. I have experimented with speakers in the past and changing some parts of the actual driver in achieving a more audible speaker. I think BOSE was more into designing a softer sounding speaker.

[@lankychristopher9160]

No mids no highs must be Bose.

[@edwin_cho]

Hi, I'm left with a pair of Bose jewel cube, going to purchase a Smsl Sa300 and a Edifier T5 subwoofer. I'm not an audiophile but do you think this setup works? Going to place them in a 50sq room, I know they look cool but do they sound cool? Thanks

[@Gemo6132]

I know this is like a year ago now since you commented on this video. I believe if you went ahead with your planned set up it must be pretty good since t5 has a frequency range control and SMSL has a dedicated subwoofer out and can handle 4 ohm speakers like the jewel cube.

[@renostarman]

i defy any "audiophile" to show me a better sounding system WITH THE SAME FOOTPRINT as a Bose. Sure if you have a dedicated theater and 6 foot speakers you can beat Bose. BUT if you want to use your living room as a living room and not a sound room it's tough to beat Bose. What's the difference between an audiophile and those of us who just love music? MONEY! period

[@arwlyx]

You can put together a decent 2.1 system that can't sound worse than off the shelf stuff, for not a whole lot.

[@2081calin]

Bose is For person who is happy with a mediocre sound, but they wanna brag to their friends they own a Bose system That is made as cheap to as possible

[@TassieLorenzo]

Speakers are supposed to be big! An obsession with small speakers makes no sense. For small all-in-one surround systems, anything from Japan like Panasonic, Yamaha or Sony is probably just as solid as Bose...

[@Cohunnamatta]

My experiences with bose limited. I had a pair of Bose speakers back in high school that I got from a yard sale. Not sure what happened to them. And I had a study hall teacher who was German and loved bose speakers. I remember him turning it up real loud one day and I could tell he was all about it. I like big speakers so bose don’t really work for me. I remember one of their stereos growing up and I remember being really inspired back when I was very young and back then they had a very favorable impression. Must have been late 90’s. But today feel a certain resentment. I think their over raided is why we criticize them over Sonos and their fans seem to have an ego. But everyone likes what they like. I have a soft spot for pioneer and they’re nothing special. Recently the JBL L100 classics have caught my eye but they’re a bit out of my price range. If I’m taking to someone about bose I’m just going to bite my tong. I mean “direct reflect”. That’s just contractive. I think I had a similar mindset when I was more use to full range bookshelf speakers I would either get from an auction or a dumpster but then I discovered floor standing 3 way speakers.

[@Nightcore_all_night]

No highs no lows must be Bose? Bose sub 700 goes to 27HZ and goed high too and CLEAR NOT so LOUD the equalizement if that’s a word lol is perfection on Bose. When ur on like 15% power you have some good bass when your on 90 you have some good bass. Always nice. Every volume every design is unique and worked to be perfect. They go unnecessary loud. And doesn’t break on its own. Listen to the lifestyle on 0-0-0 equalizer. Pure perfection nobody can hate on that. No brand will ever come close to it I’ve heard Sonos but it’s nothing compared to Bose. There is too much going on and you can’t listen to details. Bose on Top

[@Nightcore_all_night]

I challenge everyone to find a 5.1 set that goes low as 27HZ goes so loud that you can barely sit close to it, is super clear super bassy and powerful and warm and you feel that crazy in the floor. That is as small as the Bose set is. Good luck🤞

[@deeponchaudhuri106]

As, an amateur guitarist, BOSE sounds Technically correct but lacks the feel or warmth of Klipsch, Blaupunkt, Altec Lansing. Obviously none of these is remotely comparable to My Les Paul Guitar and Laney Amplifier and Boss Sound Mixer. Am I an Audiophile? I do not know yet... Enjoy music with whatever sounds good to the person.

[@Maynza]

I used to have Altec Lansing speakers for my laptop, sounded amazing. And that was more than 10 years ago

[@sanchotomaroy1209]

Your last sentence is what bose sound research based upon.

[@OutRAjious]

trying to choose amplifier wifi … bose or marantz? how does sound quality compare ?

[@lunam7249]

i cant believe your ?....marantz is wayyyyyy beter

[@projectorz7707]

our ears is the real audiophile,.i listen to bose 901 and my ears love it and then i bought it and im satisfied,.i dont care if a lot of audiophiles hated the brand,in my house im the listener and i love listening to bose 901,who cares

[@2081calin]

Projectorz, maybe the vintage Bose they were good

[@tablechair4939]

What do u think is better overall Megaboom3 or the Bose SoundLink revolve+

[@cadetsparklez3300]

Something with mega or boom in the name probably is not good

[@TheBigMclargehuge]

If you have lots of money to throw around and sure spend the extra cash on convenience and form, no one can judge you for valuing those things. But no one wants to see a friend or family member of modest finances scrimping and saving just to throw it away on overpriced, underbuilt luxury products.

[@concretejungle6938]

I love my Bose Redline Cubes,I have never found another Sound that is that Rich.

[@1991svxwidebody]

B&W diamond series easily 👌

[@concretejungle6938]

@@1991svxwidebody My Cousin has a Pair of them overpriced speakers...Sounds good but not great.

[@lunam7249]

your story is sad., really.

[@robertguarino5931]

Great vid thanks. Bose does a good job selling their self contained systems. Simple easy to use products that sound great. Not the best sound available but I don’t think they should be hated on for that. Some years back I bought a wave radio. It’s the best sounding alarm clock I ever had. Ha!

[@geraldmartin7703]

Some years back Bose got a nasty reputation for suing over negative reviews. Consumers Reports Magazine was the subject of a notorious lawsuit over a single line in a review. Since then a Bose review in an audio magazine is a rarity.

[@MrPoniboy]

I don't go as far to say I'm an audiophile, though I love music, n have a great interest in speakers n how they work. The breakdown in your vid is awesome, I actually didn't know this was a thing lol.. but I must say, my own personal choosing, has got to be bose. They have been in my family's life since the 80s, n don't get me wrong, we ventured out, denon receivers and equalizers, klipsh (forgive my spelling) tower speakers with the 2 10s horn like tweeters etc... but at the end, the simplicity, n sound balance I get from bose is perfect. Even today with there Bluetooth speakers, I think they're great! I'm so satisfied, that I'm going on 10 yrs with the same set up.. I have my PS5 n QLED backed by an ol' Cinemate 😄 ... But ay, to each their own right?

[@dennywires]

Not an audiophile but audio enthusiast. And I like Bose. I never heard a Bose product I didn’t like they always sound rich and room filling.

[@TheLifeGuards]

But it’s not HiFi.

[@dennywires]

so it's not bose still has its place for many @@TheLifeGuards

[@amitanaudiophile]

I am an audiophile... in my limited experience to bose speakers.....I found that bose is like using knowledge of psychoacoustic and smart active equalizer while tuning speakers reproduction in the room. Bose products do this well. But where they not do well is the rational speakers placement is actually more important than smart active equalization. Because human ears does not except /like unnatural sound of over equalization....

[@zerooneonetwothree1872]

Audiophile is a person who enjoys sound. If you ejoy your Bose... Congrats, you are one. If you are serious audiophile, you are in for a rideeee

[@j0rzeh]

I'm a Audiophile and to be honest I don't mind Bose I own some of their stuff, I tend to prefer Sennheiser but I picked a Solo 5 up for my spare bedroom for guests or when I want to watch something the wife doesn't and it does great, I'm looking to update my Sony TV sound bar but I'm going for the sennheiser ambeo as I like how it sounds. HD650 and HD800's are still my fav.

[@nycyclist4154]

I'm an audiophile buff. I recently owned a pair of Yamaha NS-6490 and they were amazing for the price $99. 00 at the time now they go for $129. many years later. I pass them over to a friend of mine cause he has a much larger space in hi own house. I live in a a small apartment and the Bose Acoustimass 5 - 2.1 series III is perfect the small space I live in. I like the three over the latest 5th version because I can direct the sound where I want it to go with small satellite speakers. I can have surround sound but the speakers would have to be that small. Plus I would have to run wires behind the wall. But now there are bluetooth speakers about the size of the Bose satellite speakers which for anyone with a small living room like mine. But one day I will have that surround sound when I move into a much needed larger space. Thanks for the info.

[@lunam7249]

no your NOT an AUDIPHILE!!!🎉😂🎉😂🎉🎉😂🎉😂🎉😂 your ignorant, or a straight out liar...you pick...🎉😂🎉😂

[@wyley87]

Hosest consumer here. I bought my bose earbuds without much research. They are ear buds thry work and sound fine. I've had cheaper earbuds that sound "bubbly" at times. I figured one and and done. I didn't even order it it online, I walked right in to the store and had them in hand when I left. I always struggled listening to music around others or in busy areas. I want to be able to hear what I'm listening without it having to be loud in order to drowned out the surrounding noise.

[@MrAngel2U]

What is an alternative to a Bose lifestyle system?

[@adamaj74]

For me it's the way Bose colors the original sound, alters it. Music sounds different on Bose equipment and I don't like that. I wouldn't like it as an artist either. And I'm not talking about something you can eliminate or neutralize with EQ settings, etc., like with other manufacturers. With Bose, no matter what you do, that Bose sound is always there. It's inherent to the design.

[@aaronloudnwireless]

Yea its the level of control they like to exercise over their products. In the past most of theor products dont even have an option for eq, except for the higher end tier. And even then it’s very limited tweaking of treble and bass.

[@possiblyinsane6995]

adamaj artists dont care they just want your money

[@shant]

Also not a fan of Bose products, but the wireless soundsport is amazing.

[@janmiszczak2015]

I also own them and they are only very nice

[@neilclark3243]

No highs no lows gotta be Bose. The used bandwith sounds good but its definitely missing frequencies. Just because your ear cant hear it doesn't mean it doesn't affect the harmonics

[@quintuplebanned4267]

I have a pair of Bose speakers from 1989 and they are excellent to this day. But, I have never felt that any bose speaker has lived up to the quality of the ones I bought back then.

[@i8nm3gp]

What about the quality of materials

[@len2842]

can bose accustimass 6 111 be paired with marantz sr 5006

[@JuanAlvarezMusic]

Thanks for sharing, I am a musicain working with bose since the L1 Classic came out. i received a lot of criticism from more experienced musicians and i still do. Bottom line is i started my career knowing very little about pro sound and Bose offered me a practical solution. When i would tell my customers i was performing with a bose product, 90 percent of them considered it a plus so i was able to sell more shows because i use Bose. Ive been using bose for twenty years now and i know there are many options out there. Funny thing ive seen all the other brands following the Bose design for pro Audio in my prosumer niche. My conclusion is that Bose has been very clever in marketing their product to me, the sold me the idea that i could sound fantastic out of the box, and i am greatful for that.

[@russsmith9042]

You mean your L1 didn't break wow! I got a subwoofer for the L1 if you need one the B1 module

[@lunam7249]

your a paid BOSE EMPLOYEE!!🎉🎉😂🎉😂

[@JuanAlvarezMusic]

@@lunam7249😂😂 I wish!

[@JuanAlvarezMusic]

@@russsmith9042still working great! I have now upgraded to a pair of model 2s and have the l1 classic installed at home for rehearsal

[@nmartins1972]

In 2020 i bought a new speaker system. Before that, i bought and listened different speaker brands. Everybody told me that bose speakers were crap. But since 2000 when i listened for the first time the bose small cubes i never after that, found that clean, pleasent and powerful sound in another speaker system, so in 2020 i bought the bose acoustimass 10 series 5, and paired it with my AV receiver Yamaha RX A1060, and i never regret it. Its amazing what these small speakers can do. Right now i will buy another 2nd hand bose system to create a 5.1.2 atmos system. If anybody ask me about bose, i will always recomend this brand.

[@dustindoing6076]

Can any of you snobby audiophiles recommend an alternative to Bose Acoustimass 5 Series V Stereo Speaker System? I'm a Bose addict seeking TV/Xbone speakers with quality sound under $500. Sonos just makes soundbar + subwoofer combos for $1000+

[@Kabooma1]

You can use Sonos play ones as rear speakers.

[@TassieLorenzo]

Buy a pair of cheap 8" powered studio monitors (KRK or nearly any other brand). The rich, detailed sound ought to knock the socks off the Acoustimass! ;)

[@Sc2God724]

Just buy a klipsch sound bar not bad for the price

[@lunam7249]

any used swapmeet, JBL, YAMAHA, POLK, MARTIN LOGAN, PEAVEY anything will beat 🦮💩bose, ANYTHING!!!

[@Letmetellu4842]

I am not an audiophile and I can tell you that Bose sucks! I have always been serious about sound. And just like this man explains, I was sucked into the marketing of Bose! I thought they were the best! I have had up to 11 Bose systems in my house at one time! When I discovered Klipsch and other brands, I was in heaven. I vowed never to purchase Bose again. And by the way, every Bose system that I own is broken! It plays, but there's a component that is not working on every system currently in my house! So people, do your research. Don't get sucked in by the hype of Bose!!

[@kdeuler]

Hi all. I have a pair Bose 201 Series II speakers. I'm considering replacing them with Emotiva's Airmotiv B1+, since I've read so many good things about them. Can anyone comment on the performance difference I can expect?

[@robertrohrs5929]

My wave radio was my first quality sound system. That said Having bought Edifier speakers, both budget ones and nicer ones as well as used Cambridge Soundworks radios which were designed to be wave radio killers (though didn't survive Boses' greater market share and marketing), the Bose is now my second least favorite sound system (ahead of the tivoli model one, all mother other systems including the Bose spoiled me to really appreaciate that). Yet the simplicity and semi-portable nature and still high quality for its footprint is still a factor of its worth. I recently looked for a back up system for my Church's prayer room that even the technologically averse could use with ease, and the Bose wave CD player from the 90's was the best fit for high quality sound and very simple controls. And bucking the trend of manufacturing cheaper components in a product to enhance profit, Bose actually put higher quality components in their more recent wave radios. That said, moving all controls to a remote is very disappointing to me as remotes are easy to lose. So for what it is, the Bose still has a legit place. It'd be nice if they charged less for their products, but ebay fixes that problem nicely!

[@fhwolthuis]

Very interesting video, Aaron!

[@aaronloudnwireless]

Thank you Frank!

[@TheWhiteRaver]

Ik ben een audiofiel en heb de gekste en duurste speakers hier gehad en ik heb echt respect voor Bose. Ik heb hier zelf nu een speaker installatie staan van €50.000,00 maar toch blijven die Bose dingen mij verbazen zoals de 501 serie 1. Deze zien er uit als bij zet tafeltjes maar kunnen toch een partij rammen echt geweldig. De hoge tonen en de mid tonen zijn inderdaad niet altijd even goed bij Bose maar dat maakt het ook zo speciaal en de bass is altijd erg indrukwekkend en flink laag en dat met die goedkope materialen echt serieus knap hoe ze dat doen.

[@jonathansalcedo8794]

I'm an audiophile and I hate nose because of its lack of the highs, most of its sound isnt clear either I hear it better on my JBL party speakers than my friends bose setup

[@zacharydarner7036]

Here's my favorite scene having to do with Bose kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4iolY2oitGWmKc

[@chrisclose7793]

I personally think audiophiles is a technical term for audio snobbery

[@Audiomainia2310]

@@chrisclose7793 As a true audiophile, I speak for many by laughing at such an ignorant statement. Now go play with your BLOWS / opps, I meant BOSE - well, it means the same anyway.🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisclose7793]

@@Audiomainia2310 mind you anything is better than svs or def tech

[@Audiomainia2310]

@@chrisclose7793 SVS - made in China. I utilize Canton ( made in Germany ) and KEF ( Q series - made in England).

[@tonywalker247]

I am a devoted audiophile. I was well aware of the Bose 901. I lived in England at the time, when that model lit the market, and NEVER considered Bose to be a serious faithful condenser. What do I think of Bose! - Not much to nothing. For what you pay, I have talked so many people out of buying Bose, over the years, and have designed multiple alternatives, saving them lots of money, in the process. Personally, I have never bought loudspeakers off the shelf in my life. My first was a Peerless kit at the age of 17. Every loudspeaker system until now, has been my own designs. I did own a loudspeaker company for a period, however it was short lived.

[@possiblyinsane6995]

Tony Walker wow did you design the speaker and components/circuit board

[@chrisclose7793]

I think the bose acoustimas surround sound systems were excellent but the 2 dual cubes and sub for 2 channel stereo couldn't really compete with the bose 201s and 301s or 901s. I also think audiophiles hate bose due to probably poor quality of components put through them as the old saying goes put rubbish in get rubbish out. Great video. I am a audiophiles I think bose are a unique brand I think their 201s and 301s are still one of the best bose 2 channel stereo speakers for the cost

[@UNKNOWN-le2tu]

one of the major things bose sucks is they dont want you to look at their speakers. every other speaker out there has removable front coverings and bose does not. people want to look at their woofers.

[@morphshag]

I’m just bought a second hand pair of Bose 301 V5s. I don’t have them set up correctly at this stage as they have to be in a corner so the sound reflect tweeters on the back work properly and I have to rearrange my room. First impressions. Very middy. Punchy mid bass but now low bass, no real highs unless I crank the treble on everything (but they aren’t in the corner like I said and are too low). I have a pair of thrashed JBL Control 5 speakers that have a smaller woofer but produce more low bass than the BOSE 301s and the JBL have sharper cleaner highs and they are just sat on the floor either side of my stereo. I’ll give them more of a chance as I did notice they performed better with certain types of music, and held it together better than my JBL speakers at high volumes, but at this stage I’m certainly not blown away.

[@andrewcraig3369]

I can't say I love Bose or hate them, I am running a set of Acoustimass 10 Series II speakers connected to my Yamaha receiver, my wife had these speakers before we got married. I was never blown away by the bass so promptly supported the passive sub with an active Polk audio sub which was a game changer. Later after picking up an Atmos receiver I picked up some Klipsch elevation speakers and them combined with the Bose surround and Polk sub sound great. My next swap out I think if going to be for a Klipsch center channel straight off my receiver as I think this is one of the main areas where this system struggles and that speaker is pushed.

[@donalddeorio2237]

When I got together with my girlfriend, she had a BOSE Acoustamass system, I had Infinity Interlude with separate components. She paid $2500 for the BOSE, some of my gear was used, the speakers were new, but clearance from Harmon Audio I had 2 towers, 2 bookshelf speakers and a center, was still not that much but better quality. When I set it up, she heard the difference in sound quality.

[@voodoochild1975az]

My impression... Sure, we can get technical about the trickery they are known for... The holes in the audio spectrum (low mids/high bass in the famous sub/sat systems is just a black hole of no sound). It's much simpler. They are good. Really good. Not great though. There is far better out there, and often for less money. Bose was very successful in marketing to consumers. Not quite as market hype BS as Beats... But most of their business success is marketing. They are good speakers usually... Better than most consumer audio. But there is almost always something better for that price. They feel overpriced.

[@josealvinjana4660]

I find BOSE good in sound in small package like Headphones, Soundbars , anf others ,

[@Audiomainia2310]

Then you never listened to a Senheiser soundbar. You would shake your head for advocating for Bose if you did.

[@johnmicheal3904]

I used to like bose becaue of their innovation but, they moved more to the electronic side to "make up the difference" in sims quality however, my gripe is that, if innovation does not lead to lower cost with similar performance, then it's a failure.

[@heavydownn2962]

I bought a pair of Bose Series VI 901 speakers years ago---along with the tulip stands. The problem I have with them is placement. The ones I originally heard were suspended from the ceiling; and they sounded fantastic! For the 1st time, I heard JBL100's, and...I gotta have them! I'll hang on to the 901's, (for nostalgia). But, the arrangement specifics required have made them impractical for me.

[@jeffreybrady927]

I have a friend who hung his off the ceiling and I told him to get stands and better wire .He has a large room and wants a live performance sound.Told him to get Klipsch LaScallas.Those Bose 901s play loud no bass no dynamic headroom and that's even with NAD amplification

[@lunam7249]

sell the bose 🦮💩

[@lauriecabbage29]

Heres a little different perspective..I have four Fisher STV 884 with 15s...since theyre so old...I get very little treble...BUT...now that Ive added three of the little "twistie" Bose speakers...I get perfect Bass Plus Treble...I know...its the CheaP way out....but my Denon doesnt seem to mind...

[@petercamacho1462]

bose 901 bose 601 bose 501s were the best speakers for the company everything else went down hill after that i own all three pair of these speakers and up graded each one Dam speakers blow the doors off in my house send more on vintage bose Big difference thanks for the video

[@markbarto]

The 10.2 series was considered some of the best, up there with the 901s and 601s. I have 2 pairs, Series I and Series II.

[@DaRkGrimm101]

Yow dude you deserve my subscribe! Nice reviews btw

[@aaronloudnwireless]

Thanks for the sub!

[@azmiamin111]

Hmmmm is interesting that you yourself own the Lifestyle v35 am I right? What do you have to say about Bose sound quality?

[@EARLandPEARL-c3i]

I I have Bose acumas 5s as my rear speakers in a 5.1 set up for close to 20 years…. i’ve never had an inkling to upgrade. They are discrete, which makes the sound feel like it’s coming from nowhere.

[@McMGC]

DOESNT THAT SOUND FAMILIAR?! proceed to show Apple logo, rofl lol lmao.

[@dishaant1413]

Hi Aaron, Sony XM3 vs discounted Bose QC 35 vs Audio Technica 50xbt Which is best for primarily watching TV and music listening also? Also is it really that crucial to have this surround sound effect while watching TV? THANKS A LOT !

[@LeondRANELson]

Sony XM3 The end

[@nintendoconvert4045]

I used to hate Apple with a fiery passion. I’ve been a techie who prefers to tinker my whole life. I now have an iPhone, iPad Pro and Apple Watch. I just got my first Bose products yesterday- a Soundbar 300 and Bass Module. There’s something to be said for simplicity and quality. I love that it sounds good out of the box and while I can tinker with treble, the only thing I did was up the bass a bit. After I bought it I went back to the store: I compared it to some other soundbars (all had demos available) and it seemed like the clear winner.

[@MusicTheoryInAMinute]

Bagging on Apple... while running FCP X... nice. LOL

[@Lobo243]

BOSE . Does a great job for people who doesn't like big speakers or a lot of things to connect....why not ....is like peanut butter some people liked some people don't like......

[@TassieLorenzo]

Speakers are supposed to be big though! :D

[@Lobo243]

@@TassieLorenzo All people are different...in a small room or house Bose make sense in a bigger place why not if you have the money

[@Later2u]

Thanks for your take on why people dislike Bose. I have 4 301's (from 1991) and 2 201's (Series V). They work well enough for me and I don't have to "research" what speaker is best.

[@jozefserf2024]

Good explanation. I feel Bose products are simple and good (like Apple) but also overpriced and underperforming. A tinted window on the sound which sometimes works really well, and sometimes not.

[@brochachoiii6657]

Apple chips been outperforming Android and Windows for years now with half the ram. I get the comparison, but apple is Deff not pushing out underperforming tech.

[@jozefserf2024]

No they're not. It's their restrictive walled garden software that annoys some people.

[@s1mp13m4n]

I grew up with the Bose hate. In the 80s and 90s, you could not talk to a stereo shop about Bose. Instant bias of hate, and always the same reasons. Similar to politics. Growing up I bought the Stereo Review and StereoPhile hype. I bought budget hi end gear. Now, thirty years later, I am 50. Now, I want simplicity. I do not want a rack full of gear, wires, six remotes, etc. I simply want decent sound that helps me enjoy music. I own two Bose items. QC2 earbuds and a Flex bluetooth speak. No, it can not compete with a rack of gear but it sure is easier to use and portable. Bose is not the best at anything, but does offer a nice all around solution. I am no longer a Bose hater. My hate was not justified.....just like politics.

[@brendanmckenna8719]

Every single speaker in my house is a Bose. My upstairs stereo system includes 5 Bose 901 speakers. It's perfect sound.

[@2081calin]

Brendan McKenna, you call “Bose perfect sound” you really don’t have any idea what is a good sound system

[@brendanmckenna8719]

@@2081calin It's not an argument, man. It's just a preference. No worries at all. 🙂

[@concretejungle6938]

They don’t HEAR you they are used to Shitty Speakers.

[@lunam7249]

im feeling so sad for you, deaf , you will never hear the beauty of mozart or eddie van halen guitar solo...sad, truly sad

[@cunawarit]

BOSE offers convenience, making it a great choice for those who simply enjoy music without getting too involved in audio technology. Brands like BOSE and SONOS are perfect for listeners who prioritize ease of use and a good listening experience without the need for technical expertise.

[@azzinny]

Because Bose is liked by many of their relatives and friends but is much cheaper than Wilson Audio, etc.

[@gildog]

Am an audiophile. Bose are ok. Have a pair of 201 series IV and they are decent of set up right.

[@LuisGonzalez-xl3gg]

What is the best bluetooth speaker for you?

[@simflightpro]

Good comparison on Apple and PC Building, it does feel the same for me.

[@keithmoriyama5421]

Bose positives: 1) Best Buy used to have a 5.1 "demo in a box". Not an actual box, but floating speakers surrounding your head 3' away from your ears, with a TV monitor right in front of you playing a specifically enhanced "Bose" program-- sounded amazing. Years later I heard that same system in a specially designed "Bose only room" again with a deceptive program and it sounded passable. 2) Bose lead the industry in noise cancelling headphone technology-- thanks to their high level involvement with military contracts 3) Decades ago we used to use their tiny 8 driver speakers (about the same dimensions as the original 901's) for trade show and business conventions requiring sound reinforcement. Did a superb job of speech reproduction along with non critical music playback. Thank God we didn't have to bring in the heavy artillery. p.s. I hate Bose

[@robertoroque516]

What you said is true but there is a deeper source of hatred of Bose that started during the height of the hifi domain in the 60’s somewhere in 68 and 69. You see when the 901 was first reviewed (I forgot the magazine) in the late 60s, it has initially garnered rave review from the reviewer. This is because, as you have mentioned this was an unusual design during that time (kind a revolutionary so to say). But then this magazine has a young competitor back then which was now an institution in the audio industry. The review came from a magazine which measured the 901 speaker and they found out that the controller was basically adding a significant boost to the drivers. But if you look at this, the controller had to be used, for the driver were designed in such a way that it was firing at the back at a certain angle with a single driver firing directly at the listener. It was inherent in the design of the system including the driver itself. The review from that magazine created mixed opinion on the bose 901. You see, most audiophiles are purist. They hate it when audio signal from source is being “manipulated” at the playback end, specially if a speaker is being manipulated and not being true to what the mixer intended the music to be heard. Well that is a long story but that basically started the hatred with Bose. But honestly, I love Bose. I’m not an audiophile. I red books and studied audio. But the more I found out, the more I realise that, music is science and perception combined. There is no end, unless you end it.

[@apollian]

Proud owner of a Bose AM10'S for 20 years now

[@Dukica-h4j]

For me, nothing but BOSE

[@bitsnbobsbobsnbits368]

Bose 101s are very good for the size, adding a sub to the situation, these speakers kick arse, and don't tell me but this and that, got Dali, bowers and Wilkins and so on, they are perfect

[@kevmichael2064]

Surround sound is done best whenUI face the Speaker away from U...not at U... Just like Sound Bars ...U can not Face Speakers to get surround sound....it has to be in the right direction to do that

[@lunam7249]

🤔, my post PhD IN ACOUSTICS and every proffessor and professional engineer disgrees with your wrong "ASSUMPTION"

[@diver3444]

I sold hi fi in the 70's/80's and hated bose 901's but not for the standard reason, because they were a difficult competitor to sell against they presented a convincing sound stage. Back then it was the series 1 which required big power that a receiver was not capable of. Think about it in order to boost the opposites ends of the audio spectrum cleanly with the eq at moderate to high volume u would need in excess of 200 watts rms per side. I listened to a pair driven by a phase lunatic 700 properly set up and they were indeed very impressive.

[@StarionX]

I am certainly no audiophile, but even I am not impressed with the more recent (meaning 90s and on) offerings Bose had. The only thing I felt they were great in was headsets. I have a pair of SoundTrues in green and use them as daily drivers to this day. Everything else Bose did felt empty.

[@chelovekrazumni9960]

Nice dude, precise explanation. :)

[@oot007]

Bose lifestyle are for those with more money than sense. My $700 Denon mini system and $700 Krix Equinox bookshelf speakers sounds far superior by orders of magnitude to any Bose lifestyle system that cost thousands of dollars more.

[@PSS521]

reality is what sounds good is good, not the spec sheets. you can buy 20hz-20khz speakers that sound like shit. people obsessing over stats, specs and numbers and not their ears. go and test out speakers at the store, buy what u like u'll be surprised how many "underperform" in the spec sheets.

[@sanchotomaroy1209]

Correct, that is where psychoacoustic came in to the mind of amar bose

[@verndebes892]

I’m in my seventies and have always used Bose speakers liked the sound and design thru the years! (Although I do have a set of poke audio in my tv area) over the years I’ve bought five sets of Bose speakers and have been happy with them, even if some of the designs were a little off the wall! Still have all of them, still look and sound great what more can you ask?

[@rbrouns9569]

Bose speakers are not for audiophiles because audiophiles want to creatie a perfect but onrealistic audioworld. I visited many concerts and can tell you that the sound that Bose produces is the same as in a concert. In a concert i can never pinpoint the single instruments nor can i hear the 3d depth audiophiles want to hear. In a live concert the music is simply everywere and consists of mostly reflected sound. But... for listening at home i realy enjoy the sound of my audiophile music system.

[@markbarto]

Then you never heard the 10.2s. I have 2 pairs. Series I and Series II. The clarity in sound is phenomenal and distinctive in pinpointing individual instruments, especially with jazz and classical. Try to find a pair somewhere and have a listen.

[@quitmanlott7394]

I like some of the BOSE products, but I would never buy a system from them. I own a set of BOSE 4001s, and use them as side speakers in my living room on a high end 9 channel system. I saw a BOSE system demo. The system sounded very good at moderate to lower volumes. I ask him how it sounded at if turn up a little more. He tried it, and the speakers crackled. The system's demo had been done at its highest useable volume. I recently bought a Klipsh system for my wife's 11 by 11 foot privacy room for $1800. A Denon amp (90 Watts X 7), seven speakers, and two 400watt 12 inch subs. At moderate, but very comfortable volumes, you can really feel the low frequencies (awesome bass). It can be turned up to live levels, and it is still more than impressive. It is noticeably larger than the BOSE systems, but on sound quality and volume versatility, it blows the doors off of any BOSE system I've ever heard. A BOSE system has an extremely small foot print, it's convenient simple and easy to install. But to get these fetchers, they sacrificed versatility, and audiophile level performance. BOSE caters to a particular crowd.

[@Smaug1]

You’re right. Bose found this niche: good sound + no fuss + elegant aesthetics. Everyone else who tried to do this got too cheap in one way or other.

[@cadetsparklez3300]

Ive heard many many speakers and I just want to say don't slander the old redline double cubes, sure they are locked into being used with a sub which doesn't match the cutoff range, but they have a great soundstage and low volume performance. The left right speakers have fairly good fr too, its just the surround ones which have the treble spike. After this bode found out marketing was more important, but I see so many people just say the old redlines are terrible just because of what brand they are having no information to prove it.