Bose Companion 2 Series II Multimedia Speaker System
by BOSE
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Bose Companion 2 Series II Multimedia Speaker System
Customer Review: Some people are just going to hate you for being number 1
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought these speakers because I specifically did not want to have a subwoofer attached (2.1) system for my laptop. It is super annoying when I am moving around alot to have the extra couple of cables and a woofer box that is bigger than my laptop.
Of all the 2.0 speakers I compared at Fry's electronics (huge store, massive selection) these impressed me the most. They had a rich quality about them and the bass response on these is pretty ridiculous from what I've experienced. If you are someone who likes rap and likes to impress your friends with ear-blasting bass, then these are NOT the speakers for you. Get the massive $400 Klipsch set with the giant woofer if you demand bass that your neighbors can hear, but if you are into rock and metal these should be great.
I can't believe so many people are dissing these speakers, they perform like a champ with about 1 minute of quick equalization on winamp, and they are definitely the best compact speakers I've ever owned.
This is my first Bose experience and alot of the people who are giving 1 star reviews are probably people who hate bose simply because they are number 1. If you look around, you will see people hating Beer (budweiser) Retail stores (Wal-mart) Operating systems (microsoft), etc. because the corporation happens to be number 1. Is bose overhyped garbage that is just all style and slick marketing? Absolutely not. Are Klipsch speakers that cost 50+ dollars more going to sound better, Sure.
These speakers make my music sound AWESOME! I can hear subtle details in instrumentation that I couldn't hear before without wearing my $200.00 sennheiser headphones. I've also discoverd nuances in my different guitars when using this with my LINE 6 amp software that I couldnt hear when hooking up to my Marshall or other conventional guitar amp. Unlike most, even high end guitar amps, there wasnt constant hum and buzz. When mixing a song, it handles bass guitar sounds in a way that most 2.0 speakers simply can't.
When doing a final mixdown, I will usually switch over to my M-Audio Bx8a Deluxe speakers which sound way better but are also the size of a doghouse and cost five times as much if you compare their prices at a typical retail store.
The 59.95 price point for a refurbished set of these bose speakers was pretty sweet too.
Customer Review: Perfect for it's application
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought these for my daughter when she started getting into music to replace the $30.00 3 piece system. I was impressed at the store, and impressed when I hooked them up. I really don't know what the negative reviewers are wanting, but you just can't expect Home Theater sound from just 2 speakers for $100.00.
If it's room shacking bass you're looking for, these aren't for you. If it's great sound with a small foot print along with portability, then you can't go wrong with these little babies.
While these are a bit pricey for a 2 speaker system, your not just paying for sound, you're paying for durability & reliability, all known in the Bose name.
Being a Sound Tech, I know how to manipulate sound using enhancers Eq's Etc.
I also know that all sounds are not created equal. I use DFX Audio Enhancer on my PC's to get the best sound from any given source. That way I get the most of of these speakers. I can fine tune them with an enhancer and my players EQ. to dial in what I want.
I've had to go in several times to tell my daughter to turn them down cause they were jamin'!
I haven't really given them a comparison to other systems, mainly because I don't have a compatible 2 speakers that match the Bose without getting something much bigger, such as the M-Audio Studiophile AV 40.
Comparing them to a 2.1 system is not in the same category.
Since I already know there are better speakers out there, I'm not after the better, I'm looking at what will do almost as good without going to a 2.1 system, or spending more money on a better 2 speaker system.
While it doesn't have a power button, you can pick up an "On/Off" switch at your local Hardware store.
I use one on my Kliphse Pro Media 2.1 because the switch is down on the sub and I'm not bending over to flick it every time.
I think these speakers do an excellent job for what they are, and you can't go wrong. But don't expect more than what they are, after all, a Honda isn't a Mercedes, but hey are both nice rides!
Pros:
* Great sound with a small footprint
* Enough power to fill you small room.
Cons:
* No Power button.
Customer Review: Bose in name only. Not in sound.
Summary: 2 Stars
I have and have used a lot of speakers, including those for computers. I have just tried out these Bose speakers. They are very disappointing for the price. I believe that the Altec or Creative types for around 30 bucks just as good. These are highly overrated. I like, Bose, too. I have two different pairs of their headphones and love them. But, you can do a lot better than these speakers for the same amount of money (like a Logitech model with sub) and just as well for less than half (check ALtec or Creative. I'd give the edge to JBLs.) If you want to do something a bit novel, and speaker separation is not an issue for you, the Altec inMotion IM9 that runs about the same cost as these will give you dramatically better sound.
Addendum since first post:
Well, Not to be unsatisfied, I went out and bought similarly priced set of Logitech's. I got the Z4 system. It is one of their mid priced ones with a sub-woofer. And, sure, I know what you may be thinking. It is unfair to compare the Bose Companion 2s to a system with a sub. Further,I have NO DOUBT that with the satellites for the Z4 system, I am giving up some quality of midrange. However, the comparison is sharper. For same price as these Bose speakers, you can get a better overall sound for less money with the Z4s. If you go up to their Logitech's Z-2300 (I think the model number is), you will get vastly better sound. In fact, CNET says those sound best of all computer systems they tested (sound systems built for computers), outdoing systems costing upwards of 2000.00. That set up runs around 150.00. I didn't want a 12 by 12 inch sub-woofer.
Back to the Companions. They are disappointing for Bose. Very solid and rich middle with little bottom end and a somewhat tinny top end. Bottom line. I think these Bose Companion 2s are okay, if you were paying one half the price for them. At around 100 bucks, they do not give you what sound you'd get in other options, including the InMotion 9 built for iPod (but works great as computer speakers) or the Logitech Z4s.
Customer Review: Surprisingly Excellent Sound
Summary: 5 Stars
I love Music. The type varies from Jazz ... to Country ... to Soul ... to rock ... to electronic ... to classical and so on. I usually listen to music through really good headphones so I can hear everything in the music. But after a while that gets tough on the ears so I decided to get speakers that were better than the ones I had. I was tired of the built-in, underpowered laptop speakers I was using (when I didn't use headphones). I used to plug in my Altec Lansing speakers and sub-woofer with my laptop, but found it was just too much for my apartment. Besides, it was tough controlling the mids and highs I wanted from that set of speakers (even though there were bass and treble adjustment knobs on it). So that left me longing for a set of speakers that DID work well.
I came across these Bose Series II speakers one day and they looked like something I could use. They didn't cost too much and I'd done well by Bose products in the past so I bought 'em.
I gotta say, I was REALLY surprised at the full sound coming from these speakers. The sound was rich, deep and colorful. There's plenty of amplification pushing the sound through and I was thoroughly impressed by that. I finally got the mid and high ranges I wanted and didn't even need a separate sub woofer! These 2.0's already produce PLENTY of low end. EQ can ease out any heaviness of the sound.
In summary, I'd buy them again. They sound great when plugged into my DVD player, XBOX or computer... They're small enough to travel with ... and they deliver REALLY GREAT SOUND without requiring that you turn the volume way up. This is great for apartment dwellers. Some reviewers might call them underpowered, but I'm definitely disagreeing with that. This set of speakers has plenty of power to go around. Especially for what they're designed to serve as. Bose seems to pioneer the art of packing big sound into small packages. These speakers aren't the typical, hollowed out pieces of plastic with cheap stuff inside. So Thanks to Bose for another great product.
Customer Review: A Sleeper In Hi-Fi
Summary: 5 Stars
I very rarely ever write a review of anything. I have had these now for over 6 months and they still surprise me in terms of the sound they deliver and especially considering their price. I go back a pretty long way in Hi-Fi, tube equipment, audiophile stuff, etc. These are truly amazing for their price and size. I confess I would seriously consider other Bose amplified products, seeing these are so good.
I listen primarily to classical music, including full symphony orchestra. I bought them primarily because of our tight space requirements, and the price seemed OK, and I have been wondering for some time how a Bose amplified product would sound. I have Acoustimass 5 speakers by Bose, and they are quite good, and I use them with a small Onkyo integrated amp. In an amplified system the amplifier can be matched to the drivers and compensation can be made to get a better response, hence my curiosity as to how these would sound.
I downloaded some free Mp3 church music, and some of the recordings are quite good. Some contain organ and or piano and vocals. I was particularly stunned by some of the vocals, the realism of which were quite impressive to say the least. No, they will not get close to 30 Hz, and no they do not do everything perfectly, but they are amazing for their price and size. Give them a shot and trust your ears. They usually have a free trial period, so you have nothing to lose. They sound good immediately, but they do improve after some hours of playing, so be aware of this. Also you might try experimenting with placement.
I have owned Rogers LS3/5a's (15 Ohm models), tube electronics, etc., and in terms of sound for the dollar for a new item, this is the best money I have ever spent.
I play an Mp3 player through them and a DVD player which we use to play CD's as well. If you like the music you throw at them, you will have a difficult time listening to the "speakers" as you will be too involved with the music. These are a "sleeper" in Hi-Fi indeed.