Bose

I know the Bose range and their sound quality which is surprising considering their size. And here, this is exactly at the heart of the matter – a small, extremely compact powered speaker which offers an astounding sound projection. As usual, its power remains undisclosed but 103 dB is far from little. I first tried it in a shop. For a total 6.5 kg (roughly 14 lbs), it’s very easy to transport with its handle, softcase and power supply. Two instrument or mic inputs plus a line or Bluetooth (very easy to pair). The sound is very good with an electroacoustic guitar. It’s important to carefully set the incoming levels and the signal can then be modified using the treble and bass settings. Caution, frequency correction is VERY efficient and you can get either a very good or very bad sound depending on your input level. The Tonematch mini-EQ is to be selected on both inputs for an instrument, a voice or the neutral mode. The room reverb can be useful, but is to be used with care to add a certain depth (which can quickly go up to gymnasium-deep) to the sound An integrated gyro allows, depending on its position, to cut or boost the low frequencies. Frankly, I tried all three settings and failed to notice a real change in sound. Composed of a 6.5” speaker and two twitters in front of it, like a small-sized line array, and slightly angled so as to disperse the sound following Bose’s usual process (as I saw through the grid!). How I’ve used it: - solo use with an acoustic guitar and voice, all in live use: good result, clear and powerful - as a cab for a Yamaha THR10 amp: the line in is too powerful, it’s preferable to use the instrument input (which input level can be set), but the result is very interesting! The Yamaha sounds more punchy and powerful, and most important it gains lows! All this in spite of a slight his which source remains to be identified. - as a complement to my Bose L1 B2: well, I haven’t tried it yet… In the end, I’ve tried it in a bar with a female singer and myself, an acoustic guitar two other small Yam amps and a cajon: with so little gear used, the level and power were very good, as well as the sound clarity. I’m happy of how compact it is, of the sound quality-for-power ratio (be cautious when using the EQ to get a good lows/mids ratio). In the same product range, I’ve used products by the Box, accute Audiophony, Prodipe... As to the price, some will say it costs two Mackie or Yamaha 10” power speakers: as usual, choosing one solution means renouncing to another, and I love this small Bose.

Being a satisfied user of the L1 model 1 (two L1 systems with two B1 each at the mixer’s out), I switched to this model II with a B2 for each. The cons (yes, there are): P - No possibility to mix 4 ins without Tone match like with the model I. A jack in, and this is it. Not a problem for me as I do the mix before, at home. - No more column locking system (at its base and between both), so it’s more sensible in case someone would inadvertently push it. - The B2 sub is heavier, but I knew that from the start and it remains very easy to transport The persisting flaws: - still no secure in (like XLR or speakon). For the price… - still no detailed technical specs - connectors still unprotected (in case someone spills a drink for instance) The improvements: - The base is lighter and easier to cram in reduced spaces - The horizontal sound dispersion is more homogenic thanks to the staggered speakers, and less full-on when facing exactly the system (with model 1 you had better be off-center) - More aesthetical (especially the base), and the B2 look much better - The B2s: a real change! Didn’t try the “-” mode but standard mode offer at least as much volume as a B1 but wider, and you start to feel the physical effect of the low frequencies – something which almost didn’t happen with the B1s. In “+” mode the bass level is getting serious, yet a little less accurate (which may still be fine for some kinds of music or DJing, but for rock I still have to try it in a live situation). Anyway, finally the kick really kicks…! After this small comparaison, my quick review on the whole system: Always clean and accurate, almost hi-fi, the different instruments sound distinct. True to the concept of this PA, the sound very slowly decreases with the distance (you can stand 3 ft away without getting too much right in the face, even at high volume). Very easy to set up, transport and equalize, it sounds well easily and the sound is not too much distorted when listening from the side or move. It’s not too much feedback-prone either. In a nutshell, it’s almost a dream system for a 150 to 300 attendance (with two L1/B2). Others tell me it can work for way bigger crowds… I didn’t have an opportunity to try so won’t take a stand on this. I never needed a stage monitor so far. Of course, not needing it doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a little more comfortable using one, but you really can do without for at least, this way, there’s no feedback problem at half-power with the vocalist’s mic 7ft from the columns (using Sennheiser e855 and e945 dynamic hypercardioid microphones). Overall: The columns are better, but nothing revolutionary The bass are getting really good! I believe model 1 users should only switch to model 2 if they need more low end presence (drummer, full band to mix, possibly a synth although it’s my case and it’s not really a necessity for that). For the record, the B2s can be used on a model 1 after upgrading the system (through Tone match or at your retailer’s), but it’ll only work in “normal” mode (no – or + mode).

I received a pair of the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 headphones for Christmas in 2006, six months after their release. These were my first pair of noise-cancelling headphones and they did not fall short of my expectations. A smaller, more compact product than their predecessor (the Quiet Comfort 2's), the QC 3's improve on both the quiet and the comfort. Designed as an on-the-ear device, the QC 3's rest on your ears with a soft, cushy pad that covers the speakers and is, after a while, ignored by the user in favor of the clear, colorful sound produced. In terms of the sound, the bass in these headphones is unbelievable, and with a little EQ boost from your favorite mp3 player can really bump. And even when playing on full volume the sound transmitted through the headphones remains clean and expressive. As far as portability goes, the QC 3's come with a handy carrying case that, along with storing the headphones folded flat, contains two audio cables, an adapter for dual 8th inch airplane conversion, an 8th inch to quarter-inch adapter, and the lithium battery recharger. However, heading towards the down-falls of the product, once the case eventually gets misplaced (if you are as clumsy as I am sometimes) the headphones can not be safely stored anywhere else. Even around one's neck causes unwanted strain on the joints that allow for smooth rotation of the ear cups. In addition, the 25 hour battery is rechargeable - sweet! - but is only able to be recharged via the wall plug-in charger. Although it is fairly standard and recharging the battery doesn't take too long, it is inconvenient when you want to listen to music on a plane and the battery light begins to flicker. When the battery finally dies the music cuts out immediately and you are left with no way of plugging in and getting the noise-cancelled sound you want. Finally, although it's sound is great and it is a comfortable pair of headphones, the Bose Quiet Comfort 3's are even more expensive than their predecessor and unfit for proper music production. But if you have money to spend and want a high quality way of enjoying your favorite tunes, this is a great option.

I am a bit of a headphone aficionado and collect for fun. As every pair of headphones has different EQing and structural qualities that shape the timbre of the sound, it is fun for me to listen to as many different kinds as I can. As with most of the headphones I own, I received a pair of Bose Quiet Comfort 2's used from a friend who had recently acquired customized Dre Beats and didn't want his five year old QC's anymore. I gladly took them off his hands but quickly found out that the mini-phone to 8th inch cable was badly frayed around the jacks on both sides. Unfortunately this drastically affected the sound quality, creating a strange left - right balance that was uneven and uncomfortable to experience. However when I purchased a replacement cable the stereo output went back to normal and left me with a signal that sounded as if it was sent through a high pass filter. That is not to say that the mids and highs weren't rich and colorful, but just that the lows were lacking for my taste. This could've been due to wear and tear over the years, but I listen to my music on them anyway as an effective test of a song's mid and high ranges. All in all the Bose Quiet Comfort 2's are certainly a great product and a poster child of noise canceling headphones with a comfortable over-the-ear design, but have become a little out dated in today's ever expanding market. Unless you can obtain these used, I don't think it is worth paying the large sum of money for a new pair. One thing I can say is that like the other Quiet Comfort products by Bose, the QC 2's make for a much more enjoyable day at the airport.

The Bose T1 ToneMatch is a 4 channel mixer with 3 microphone inputs, 1 stereo channel and over 100 presets built into it. After about a weeks worth of learning the unit in full, I started to mess with some of the effects and man there are some good ones on here. This unit is very easy to use and understanding it will not take long at all. It only took me a while just because I didn’t have time to sit down all at once and learn everything about it. It does come with the manual, but it is not that big of a book and you really don’t need it. This is the type of mixer that you just need to dive in head first and start messing with it if you want to learn how it works. UTILIZATION I love the design of it; it is something different from Bose. They have really tried to switch things up with this T1 unit. The EQ system on the T1 is where I think I really got my money out of this unit. It has an “Intelligent EQ” system that can get your a better sound with better accuracy. Even if you just use the EQ presets you will be amazed on how good they are, and you can always edit a preset and get it sounding exactly the way you want it to sound. SOUND QUALITY Because this is a Bose mixer you can bet your money that it is made well and will not have any issues. Yes, it is pretty expensive but when it comes to Bose no money is really too much because they have proven themselves time and time again on how great the quality of the equipment they make is. This mixer is great, you can even get free driver and preset updates online free of charge from Bose’s website. OVERALL OPINION I love the quality and build of this mixer. I know it will last a long time and I am looking forward to using it for a long time. I would make this choice over and over again if needed. The quality for the price is spot on!

I am a competent DJ and have used several loudspeakers from competing brands. I have used the Mackie SRM 450s and found them to be too harsh. The dB loudspeakers I had tend to be similar but the bass was muddy. The Bose Panaray 802 Series III loudspeakers I use now deliver a clear, clean sound throughout the room. They are also really easy to tear down, and the portability makes them a cinch. The only drawbacks I've found is the bass response can be poor. The rooms acoustics seem to affect it a fair bit, but it's difficult if you need the 802s in a specific place for high-mid coverage. The way I resolved this was to purchase the MB4 bass units. I was looking at 502B - but they were big and didn't extend deeper than the 802s. From experience of them in the past the omni directional nature tended to cause bar staff to go crazy at the level of bass. The MB24 was another consideration, had the sound but was too loud and too heavy to take to mobile DJ events. I settled on the MB4 because of portability and performance for the size. Together the 802/MB4 system provides great sound for about 500 people, even at nightclub volume levels (110dB A) The 802s tend to have a warm, less harsh sound than their counterparts. However I have found them to require a huge amplifier to cope with the extra EQing the Controller puts out. Overall through, the system never fails to perform and 802s have always been reliable for me and many of my DJ buddies who have used them for years. I use a QSC 2450 RMX to drive these speakers - and have found it a good match. I think a lot of the time with the 802s you just need the right set-up, correct placement and good amplification to get those cones moving. They do the job very well

The Bose 301 Series IV are a set of high quality home stereo speakers. I currently have these speakers in my home audio set up and even though I am an engineer, I don't use these in my home studio - I strictly use them for listening purposes and I would recommend that you do the same if you have these. Don't get me wrong - these are very good sounding speakers and will give you a nice sound to listen to records on, but they aren't adequate for mixing or monitoring for recording. They have a full sound, but are clean enough across the board as they lack the low end that you would look for in a set of studio monitors. As far as for listening goes, these will work perfect for your home stereo set up as they have a good sound and aren't too big to move around. Bose is known for making great sounding speakers for home audio and even though these are some of the older speakers that they have made, they still have a great sound and will give you a pretty accurate picture of what something sounds like for listening to Cds and records. The Bose 301 Series IV are no longer made, but they do have some newer models of the 301 available that I'm not familiar with, so I can't speak to how these compare to the newer versions. These aren't incredibly expensive speakers if you can find them used, but I would definitely recommend listening to them and trying them out before you buy them as there are a lot of options out there in this price range. All in all, Bose 301 Series IV are a nice set of home audio speakers and they are definitely worthy of a listen.

I've been using the Bose Intra in ear headphones for about a year and a half for listening with my iPod and I've found them to be a nice set of headphones. I got them at a discounted rate, so I decided to try them out and see if they were worth having. While I'm not 100% sold on the sound quality of the Bose Intras, as I find that the low end presence is a little bit much for my taste, they still do sound good and are definitely worth a try to see if you like the sound from them. I got sick of the standard Apple iPod headphones that just aren't comfortable and don't sound good at all, and these turned out to be a welcoming new pair of headphones that I could actually hear the full spectrum of what I was listening to. They are also pretty comfortable, especially when compared to the standard iPod headphones and the plastic caps come with a few different sizes to correctly fit your ear size. Like I stated before, I got a discount on these from a friend who worked at Bose, and I probably wouldn't have bought them otherwise because the normal price is pretty expensive. Bose makes some pretty good headphones, but most of them are too bottom heavy for my taste, with the Bose Intra in ear headphones included in that. If you are looking for a set of in ear headphones, I would definitely say that these are worth a try, but would also encourage those interested to look into some of the other options out there to compare them to, as these probably are not for everyone. Overall, the Bose Intras are a nice set of headphones that are bound to be popular because of their sleek design and the Bose name.

(Originally written by Blackmen/translated from Audiofanzine FR) - How long have you been using it? About three years - Which feature do you like the most / the least? This system doesn't convince me, it has phase problems, a lousy sound balance, a very colored response and very fragile transducers, which can't manage high power inputs. - Did you try any other models before buying it? Yes and it was a mistake to buy this product. - How would you rate its value for money? The price is way too high considering the quality, but then again marketing isn't cheap... - Based on your experience, would you buy this product again? After three disastrous experiences, I won't ever buy this brand again.

If you are looking for powerful bass, this is the sub you need to get. I have always been a huge fan of all Bose products so it was not an issue for me to spend the money on this one. If you have the Bose L1 model system or even the Model II system then this is the sub you need to go with those set ups. This sub looks great and sounds even better. If you need to get more low end out of it you can easily switch it to the + position and make your bass even deeper for your drums which is mainly what we used it for. You can leave it in the – position for normal modes. This is one of the most powerful subs that Bose has come out with and definitely is for the Model II and L 1 systems. You will get very low frequencies and deep hard hitting bass with this woofer and it is all packed into a woofer that only weighs 45 pounds. This is what Bose does; they make the best possible products using the best possible materials! You will pay for it though because it is not cheap, and nothing from Bose is ever cheap. I have used Bose products for over 15 years and everything they make is very good and has never given me any issues. If you buy from them the customer support is absolutely free and cost you nothing. Someone will be able to assist you on the phone without a problem. I also recommend purchasing directly from them for the best possible customer service, because if any issues arise the place where you purchased it form will most likely tell you to call Bose anyways so you mine as well save your self some time and purchase directly from them and that way you can even get a warranty plan (which I recommend when spending this kind of money).

Anytime you are dealing with Bose, the first thing you should look at is the price tag. This speaker system is very expensive! It cost almost 3000 dollars. The sound on the Bose L1 Model II system is very good, it is clean and the bass is amazing. The design of this system is worth a lot of money alone, you can fit this whole system in the trunk of your standard size sedans trunk because its not a big system and it looks a lot bigger in a picture than it really is when it shows up at your doorstep. The base speakers alone weigh 25 pounds and the two loud speakers weigh a little over 15 pounds a piece. They are all well built and beautifully constructed. The balance of Tone is amazing and the sound is great for multiple home purposes. The sound that will come out of this system seems to spread and fill a room very well. If you are just trying to listen to some tunes from home, then you have got to have this system. You can take this system from room to room with you or wherever you want and it will deliver a top of the line sound that only Bose knows how to do it best. Setting up the Bose L1 Model II was actually pretty easy though it does look difficult when you are looking at the manual. For some reason the manual for this system makes it look like rocket science but you don’t even need a manual to set this up. Using this system it wont matter where you take it, it will sound great. From outdoors , clubs, or home use it will give you a big clean sound for your listeners. But the bad part is that the price is so high, there are other systems out there that do not sound as good as the Model II but they can get close, but the best part is they cost about a 1000 dollars less than the Model II. So if you are tight on money I would not stress over having these. There are other systems out there that have similar sound. Everything from Bose is just so expensive.

The Bose Companion 2 speakers are a pair of small desktop speakers with two RCA stereo inputs, 1/8' input, and headphone outputs. I bought these speakers at Best Buy for $100 so that I would have a good pair of consumer speakers to reference mixes on at home. These speakers are a very good representation (as a mixing engineer) of what the typical consumer is listening to music on. They have decent clarity in the mid to mid-hi's. The angle at which the casing places the speakers makes it have a good dispersion angle for such small speakers. These actually sound a lot like a good pair of headphones which makes them great for referencing mixes. These have a somewhat inaccurate bass response. It gets a little 'Drone-ish' around 100-120kHz which isn't typical. I like the idea of 2 RCA inputs but wish there was a way to switch between them without having to unplug - if you leave both plugged in then you will get both sources at once. Solid build - looks clean and has good functionality. Feels very sturdy and all components on the backside are solid and well built. Bottom Line? If you're looking for some basic speakers and aren't too concerned with your listening environment or extreme accuracy - these Bose are great. They work perfectly as a reference monitor to check your mixes before you finalize them. At $99 they are probably the best sounding computer speakers you'll get at that price. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com