Bose, are you just paying for the name

[rhythmdevils]

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"Klipsch is the best" which is why "Klipsch has been hired to do all the sound at the Olympics."  Riiiiiight.  And Coca Cola tastes better than French wine because it's an official sponsor.  

lol!

 

[maggior]

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You're definitely just paying for the marketing + name.  If you tell your friends you just spent $1500 on a Stax setup, they'll call you crazy (What is Stax?).  If you told them you spent $1500 on a Bose audio setup, I bet they'd congratulate you and ask when you'd invite them over for a listen.  But then again, these are the same people who are content with their built-in T.V. speakers for movies.  To each his own, I guess...

Yep, and it's why companies like Monster Cable are still in business.  Now that I think about it, I'll bet many Monster Cable products are used to interconnect Bose products.
 
People don't want to trust their ears - they want somebody to tell them "this sounds good.  You get what you pay for.".  $$$ doesn't automatically equal sound quality...but we all know that.
 

 

[Uncle Erik]

I actually had to live with a Bose system for awhile. My (thankfully) ex-fianceé had one of those little cube systems. When we moved in together, I brought my DIY ribbons. We had this glorious living room with a 12' ceiling. I set up the ribbons about four feet from the walls and they were simply glorious. When you were in the sweet spot, it wasn't "you are there," it was more like "they are here." Visitors were slightly freaked out because the sound seemed to come from nowhere (like dipoles do) and the ex spent hours, agape, going through her music collection.

However, the ribbon placement was "unacceptable" and the poor ribbons were banished to the basement. The little Bose cubes were "better" and put out instead. They sounded like reheated vomit smells, but they didn't destroy the living room arrangement.

 

[MacedonianHero]

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However, the ribbon placement was "unacceptable" and the poor ribbons were banished to the basement. The little Bose cubes were "better" and put out instead. They sounded like reheated vomit smells, but they didn't destroy the living room arrangement.

Which is exactly why my "friends" with Bose systems always come back with: "my wife likes them because they're not that big and bulky"....they sound like crap....but they're small.

 

[Ishcabible]

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Which is exactly why my "friends" with Bose systems always come back with: "my wife likes them because they're not that big and bulky"....they sound like crap....but they're small.

 
WAF is such a hassle.
 
But I don't see how one could argue against speakers like the Gallo Reference:

 

 

[MacedonianHero]

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WAF is such a hassle.
 
But I don't see how one could argue against speakers like the Gallo Reference:

 

No one would ever see or hear of me again! As nikongod put it, my wife "would bury me in them".

 

[Ishcabible]

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No one would ever see or hear of me again! As nikongod put it, my wife "would bury me in them".

Wasn't that the Klipschorn? Those are pretty low on the WAF scale. The References could possibly pass regular box speakers, still not tiny, but hey, 4 feet tall isn't too bad. I guess.

 

[maverickronin]

I'd say these probably have the best WAF to SQ ratio.

 

[maggior]

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WAF is such a hassle.

 
Which is why it's nice to have a "man room" or "man space" where such factors are irrelevent .  In such a place, Crate and Barrel, cinderblock, and/or milk crate furniture is acceptable.

 

[Bostonears]

 

I'd say these probably have the best WAF to SQ ratio.

Magnepans have awesome sound quality, and they're not unattractive, but they are HUGE, and for optimum sound, they need to be placed well out into the room (away from the walls). Unless your significant other is a fan of 2001: A Space Odyssey, a couple of giant monoliths in the middle of your living room usually doesn't go over too well.

 

[maverickronin]

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Magnepans have awesome sound quality, and they're not unattractive, but they are HUGE, and for optimum sound, they need to be placed well out into the room (away from the walls). Unless your significant other is a fan of 2001: A Space Odyssey, a couple of giant monoliths in the middle of your living room usually doesn't go over too well.

I think they'd still win, even squished up against the walls.  They're just so thin you can hide them in a corner or something like the lifestyle satellites.  They won't sound their best, but they'll probably sound better than any conventional speaker with the same footprint.
 
I probably should have linked to the wall mounted ones though.

 

[Bostonears]

Don't get me wrong. I actually like Magnepans. I used to own a pair of 1.5 monoliths that I often regret selling. But even mine with off-white socks and nice oak trim weren't high in WAF. As much as I despise Bose, I have to admit that they've been very successful pitching high WAF with their "lifestyle" approach.

 

[TheAudioDude]

I don't know if this has been said yet or not, but I think it's all about form over function.  People are willing to pay more money for something of inferior quality just because it looks 'good' or goes well with their room.  I mean, take a look at the iPhone 4G...

 

[Ishcabible]

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 I mean, take a look at the iPhone 4G...

I know that was sarcastic (right?) but the iPhone's gone a long way! It finally has cut and paste!

 
And about the Magnepans, I'm pretty sure the Tympanis can pass as a nice room divider...or something.

 

[aqsw]

I have 901 series IV,
and have had them since about 1984. I love these speakers, and do not want to get any (better) ones. Bose has been very good to me and replaced the equalizer three times for free, as they have a lifespan of about 5 years!!.
 
I thought about the bose headphones, but I listened at Futu****op, and the other headphones were sooo much better and 1/2 the price.
 
My favorites are Shure SRH750 DJ Closed can
    (I want LCD-2) maybe some year!!
 
I still love my Bose 901s when I'm throwing a party, and most all the guests seem to like them too!!