Bose Companion 2; Multimedia Speaker System

by Bose

Product Details

Product Manual [777kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 7.6 x 3.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00062QY5W
• Item model number: 35734
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (128 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #28 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Accessories > Computer Speakers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Odds are, your computer is a primary source of entertainment. So why rely on standard computer speakers when so much rich content resides at your fingertips? Step up to Bose's Companion 2 speakers and unleash your computer's true potential with powerful, full-range sound for CDs, DVDs, MP3s, streaming videos, games, and more. Companion 2 speakers enhance the subtleties in your music while also enriching the rousing resonance of movie and game sound effects. Think of them as giving new voice to your computer. And with Bose TrueSpace stereo signal processing, that voice really has some reach. Whether you set the speakers next to your monitor or place them farther apart, you'll enjoy a spacious, dramatic soundstage that seems to extend beyond the desktop.

The sleek and compact speakers fit easily in their surroundings to save useful desk space, while the dual inputs connect to both your computer and portable audio sources at the same time. The system also features a volume control and headphone jack on the front of one speaker to provide easy control over your listening experience. And users won't have to worry about video interference, as the speakers are magnetically shielded to ensure a crisp, uninterrupted picture.

Features include:

• TrueSpace surround digital processing circuitry helps maximize audio performance by widening the image of closely placed speakers
• Ported cabinet design delivers clear, deep low musical tones and movie/gaming special effects from a small enclosure
• Dual inputs for connecting to computer and portable audio device simultaneously
• Convenient control and jack placement offers easy access to volume, headphone jack, and connection for second source
• Magnetically shielded design lets speakers sit in close proximity to monitor without interfering with the picture quality
• Automatic tonal balance adjustment automatically adjusts tonal balance for rich, convincing audio performance at practically any listening level

What's in the Box
Powered speaker, accessory speaker, audio input cable with mini plug, audio input cable with RCA plugs, speaker cable, AC adapter, rubber feet, user's manual.

Product Description

Companion 2 Series I multimedia speakers offer a quality sound upgrade over your computer's original speakers. Enjoy rich sound for music, movies and games. Dual inputs provide connection to a second audio device, such as an MP3 player. Speaker includes headphone jack and volume control.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

270 of 280 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Sound from a Tiny Package, December 3, 2004

By 

Bill "william5916" (Newport News, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bose Companion 2; Multimedia Speaker System (Personal Computers)

If thundering bass is desired, these aren't the speakers to consider. However, if your main goal is pleasing, balanced sound in a compact package, look no further than the Bose Companion 2. Audio quality is stunning for a package so small. Highs are crisp/clean, and bass is commendably decent--surprisingly so, when you consider the tiny modules that are reproducing this bass--but it's what I was expecting from Bose before turning these on for the first time.

This system won't shatter the house frame, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, a speaker system that I purchased last night by a well-know manufacturer, complete with a monstrous subwoofer, is being returned tomorrow. I honestly prefer the sound of this diminutive Bose system--and as icing on the cake, it includes a spare set of input jacks for connecting another audio device, as well as a headphone jack.

Marvelous sound, attractive design, and an excellent value. I'm very happy.

1/9/2005: Brief addendum--one month after the purchase, I'm still very pleased with these speakers. They're a worthy replacement for the Boston Acoustics BA-735 speakers that have served me well for several years...and a bit of computer space has been reclaimed in the bargain, since the Bose speakers don't utilize a subwoofer, which I haven't missed in the least...I'm still in awe that speakers this small can reproduce such big sound.

I rarely comment on another review, but I couldn't help but notice a blanket condemnation of these speakers from a self-appointed "expert." In checking that individual's other "reviews" at Amazon, I was struck by the number of Bose products that this person goes out of his way to trash...a disgruntled former Bose employee, perhaps?

The term "cheap electronics" was used by this "reviewer." Of three speaker systems that I tried before settling on the Bose (one from Aletc Lansing, which was a nice unit otherwise, and one that was distributed under the Compaq name), this was the ***only*** one of the three that didn't sporadically pick up some type of amateur radio interference...Bose is doing something right that two other manufacturers couldn't manage.

Try the speakers for yourself. Unless boombox bass levels are desired, I think you'll be pleased. This was my first Bose purchase, and it won't be my last.

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good Two-Speaker Solution from Bose, June 18, 2006

By 

A. Wirtanen (Cape Cod, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bose Companion 2; Multimedia Speaker System (Personal Computers)

The Bose Companion line of speakers currently features the Companion 2 and the Companion 3. The Companion 2 features two medium-sized speakers and the Companion 3 features two small speakers, a subwoofer, and a "puck" for inputs and volume control. I chose the Companion 2 because I did not have room for a bass box. I do not regret this decision.

I recommend the Companion 2 if you are looking for a good quality two-speaker solution for your computer or multimedia device. Here is my list of pros and cons...

PROS
+ Small, good design.
+ Good range in sound. Impressive for a small package.
+ Bass can be controlled by moving the speakers toward and away from a wall.

CONS
- You cannot turn them off (unless you unplug the AC adapter).
- No bass/treble controls (however bass can be controlled--see PROS).
- Expensive.

Overall, $99 was a bit much for these speakers. I also expected the ability to turn them off! But, for a two-speaker solution these are not bad.

If customer service and the compact design are not important to you, then look at the following computer speakers from Logitech:
Logitech X-530 5.1 Speakers ($54.99 on Newegg, $47.94 on Amazon)
Logitech Z-5500 505 Watts 5.1 Speaker ($238.99 on Newegg, $257.99 on Amazon)
Logitech Z-2300 200 watts RMS 2.1 Speaker ($83.99 on Newegg, $96.99 on Amazon)

94 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Has its Perks, but Not Worth the Price, June 15, 2006

By 

Bon Clay - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bose Companion 2; Multimedia Speaker System (Personal Computers)

I received this speaker as a gift, and have used it for about a week. It is a nice little speaker that delivers decent sound. The advantages of this speaker include:

(1) Small size - it will occupy a minimum space on your valuable desktop.
(2) Relatively attractive, clean design - I don't like the space-age designs of some computer speakers. This speaker has a clean, streamlined look, which will go well with most systems.
(3) It also packs quite a punch for a small speaker.

Unfortunately, these merits quickly become insignificant when you consider the downsides. This speaker has several unfortunate characteristics:

(1) In order to pack relatively strong bass, Bose sacrificed the sound clarity in the middle and high range. As you increase the volume, the sound gets mushy and muddy. If you mostly raps and hip-hops, this may not become an issue, but if you listen to classic or vocals, it *will* negatively influence your listening experience. At or above half the volume, this speaker becomes quite *un-listenable*.
(2) Please don't get me wrong. This is still not a bad speaker at all. For normal computer use (but not listening to music), this will serve most people very well. But, if you want to have a set of speaker that could deliver high-quality sound, and you thought the well-known name (=Bose) would deliver that to you, you might be proven incorrect.
(3) Basically, this speaker--like most other Bose products--is gravely over-priced product. If this speaker is priced at or below $30-40, it may qualify as a great product. However, at $100 (quite hefty for a pair of computer speakers), this simply does not provide the value you should get for your hard-earned money. With $100, you can get much better speakers. For example, M-Audio's Professional monitor speakers can be bought at $60-120, and will deliver five times better sounds than this speaker (and M-Audio's speakers are made of Wood not plastics like this one). Swan also makes great speakers at this price range.

Again, Bose don't make terrible products as some of the reviewers here criticized. However, it is absolutely true that their products are very much over-priced. Because of the heavy advertising costs and the costs of operating retail stores, Bose has to charge a higher price for their products.

The bottom line is: If you like how this speaker looks, and like the brand name, and do not mind paying a premium (a lot of premium, it is), this may be the speaker for you. For most others who want to get the best product for their hard-earned money, you will be better off looking somewhere else.