Customer Reviews

Bose Acoustic Wave Music System - Micro system - radio / CD - graphite gray

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have had this system for a couple of years now and I am not looking back.
I added a Sennheiser DSP 360 processor to give the system virtual digital surround sound for television and DVDs, just to give an extra pop, but it isn't a necessary add on.
Despite that little fix, the system is perfect. The sound is remarkable.
I have several snobby audiofile friends who scoffed when I first mentioned I bought this system. But when watching television (especially digital cable with it's exceptional audio channel) or a DVD, or listening to a CD, either through the DVD player on the included CD player, all of my friends have remarked how great the sound is.

I bought this system for my Mom some years back because I wanted her to have great sound with a no fuss, non-techie interface. It definitely delivered those. As can be expected from Bose, the sound was totally amazing. Especially considering the size of the unit it was coming from. I comes pre-equalized delivering deep bass you can feel and well balanced, spacious treble. My Mom is really into Classical music and every cd we threw in sounded awesome. The ultra-thin, credit card sized remote was also a total crowd pleaser. Very simple and intuitive, even for the technically challenged. I had struggled for years to teach my Mom the wonders of the personal computer but she took to this Bose really quickly and started to appreciate great sound.

The good:
- amazing sound
- super easy interface that delivers great sound everytime with minimal effort
- great handles and light weight make it easy to carry from room to room
- very easy to understand remote

The not so good:
- single cd. Now Bose offers a base attachment that comes with a 5 disc changer. However, at the time the single cd was a huge drawback. Also, the unit could not read MP3 cds. Cutting edge sound, just not a cutting edge cd player. At the time, you also had to purchase a base attachement if you wanted to connect the RCA jacks bringing sound from a VCR, DVD player, or an MP3 player. I couldn't see spending more money for a clunky, external MP3 player, plus the Bose base to be able to connect it. That would defeat the purpose of the easy interface if my Mom had to be fiddling with the MP3 player. Which brings me to my next point...
- the price. These now top out at nearly $1400 with the 5 disc changer, $1100 with just a single cd capacity. Quite a bit to pay but I imagine it caters to the similar demographic as Apple computers once did. A bit of a hefty price tag, but I suppose products that are attractively designed, super easy to use and mostly deliver great quality cost a little extra. It did sting a little thinking what an amazing component stereo system I could put together for $1400 (with Bose speakers, of course) but that would be a bit more complicated to interface with, right? I don't know that anybody who this system would be perfect for would care about what a tech savvy individual would consider "technical limitations". My Mom certainly didn't seem to mind. Which brings me to...

If you can afford one, it is the perfect gift or purchase. It definitely delivers amazing, large sound from a petite, portable unit with a simple, intuitive, no fuss interface.

Sound: This system produces some truly remarkable sound. The box is the size of your average boom box but sounds more like your full blown home stereo. The separation and spatial qualities are right up there with home speakers placed feet apart. The sound reproduction is clean with crisp highs and "thumpy" bass. The RCA jacks on the rear of the unit make connecting an i-Pod easy utilizing a $5 cable.

Design: Looks more like a piece of art than a "boom-box". There are no controls on the front to clutter up the look so the unit accents your bookshelf or refrigerator. The ease of use is unbelievable, the control buttons are all on top, clearly labeled and laid out. The operating instructions are almost superfluous!

Interesting Feature: works on 100-220 volts, take it worldwide!

Anybody who says that this system is too much money is crazy. I recently replaced my old acoustic wave system which I owned since 1984!! 20 years? that's right. not only that, but I called Bose to ask if I could send my old one for repair - they offered to upgrade my old system for a brand new one for 50% off the price! if that isn't standing by your products, then what is? not to mention how good this system sounds and performs. I will always recommend this product highly and will continue to be a loyal Bose customer.

I recieved one of this baby's as a gift last month and I was immediatly blown away. This music system delivers clear, rich sound you never thought obtainable.. The best part about it is that you could hook it up to your TV, or DVD player and enjoy quality sound from everything you listen to or even watch. Also the control is very easy to use, no complicated features or buttons. Anywone can work it. Now I really enjoy listening to my cd's, even the old ones are enjoyable to listen to.

I bought my Acoustic Wave Music System way back in 2000. Still using it now with no problem. Still brings out the great sound you expect from a system this expensive. For the money I paid for this, you could have assembled your own awesome sound system with a little bit to spare but I crave for simplicity. I hate a lot of dangling, complicated wires trying to figure which one is which. The Bose system is simplicity in itself. It plays right out of the box. It doesnt take much to figure out connections if you want to hook this baby up with you TV. Again, as I said before...simplicity. I have never regretted spending a lot of money on this. One of the better purchase I made in my lifetime as I am lover of good and nice sounding music. This system will blow you away!

I have to start by saying that I was completely open minded about this product, if not leaning toward the positive before purchasing because BOSE Stereo speakers actually sound very good.
I can say without reservation that I was shocked by the EXTREMELY poor quality sound of this system. I literally could not believe my ears....I thought perhaps I had not adjusted the sound properly, but no, THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE SOUND!! No treble, no bass, no midrange, no loudness...nothing....just a flat, tinny, plastic portable unit with no bass, harsh treble and nothing to recommend it. The sound quality is equal to about a $200 boombox...I am not exaggerating...it's that bad.
After speaking to a few knowledgeable audiophile friends of mine they agreed and said that the reason BOSE has sewn up the market is obviously because of hype and advertising, and because most people do not have good ears. It appeals to these people because of the ease of use....all you have to do is plug it in! Everything sounds the same....over compressed flat mush!!
I just want to warn you....this is a major disappointment if you love music....and even if you only want to use for background music...it's not worth the price.
There is one positive. They gave me a complete refund.

I was very appreciative that the seller packaged this so securely and sent it so quickly. It makes my CD's sound much better than the system I gave away because it was crackly sounding.