Customer Reviews

Bose Companion 2; Multimedia Speaker System

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

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.

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)

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.

If you are looking for a small set of accurate sounding speakers for musical purposes, search no more. If you are looking for more versatile speakers i.e. for gaming, then look elsewhere. Also, and this is important, if you are looking for speakers that project well, these are NOT for your. These speakers have an incredible sweet spot when you are situated about a foot and a half to two feet at most from either one of the speakers. This is not a good choice for a speaker system to fill a small bedroom. Do not expect to plug your iPod into these and replace a real stereo system. These are perfect for sitting directly in front of while at your computer.

After reading several reviews, I'm amazed on what the expectations are. First off, these are desktop computer speakers. These are not speakers you put in the yard or in some auditorium. The Bose name speaks for itself. The quality and sound are superb. Quoting the Owner's guide, "Bose designed these speakers to sit on your desk, where their angled shape directs sound toward the listener."

The bass it adequet for the purpose as a desktop speaker. These speakers can provide excellent sound to an entire room and can handle all types of music from metal to classical. I'm not a gamer, but I have no doubt these speakers will outperform your current speakers. Why have the best sound card on cheap speakers anyway? Know what your intentions are before you buy. If you're looking to rock the house, upgrade to more powerful speakers.

Hope this helps.

When I saw that BOSE had a 2 speaker set that also had dual input sources, I ran to the nearest store! As I write this review, I'm listening to some Celine CDs on them in fact. The speakers have a good dynamic range of sound and I'm quite impressed by them. I also heard their companion 3 speaker set which had a lot of bass compared to these, but too much bass isn't a good thing for a desk at my office - it would disturb others. These speakers look great, sound clear - and have a little bit of heft to them - there's some quality for you.

I'd say its the best sound your going to get for an office environment without subwoofer (which are a pain for an office anyway). For home computers for normal listening, they would be suitable as well. It all depends what you do - I wanted accurate music reproduction - so I'm pleased. If I was a big movie watcher, I'd probably go with their Companion 3 or another brand's offerings. The dual input is perfect for my two PCs at my desk :-).

The only negative (which might be a positive for some) is that there is no light on the front indicating that it is plugged in. Also - no way to turn them off from what I can tell...just a volume nob. Regardless, I'm very pleased and looking forward to many years of great music listening.

I have listened to just about everything in the metropolitan Atlanta market under $150.00 and this is the first set of speakers I've heard that didn't screw something up by trying to sound like more than what it is. Most stuff is boom, boom, boom with a very forward and nasty midrange coupled to a nonexistent or shrieking top end. Every system I heard today had so much glare that it actually hurt my ears.

Wonder of wonders these things simply sound normal. No booming, screeching or gravelly mutilation of the music. They have a very pleasant tone without any ugly surprises. The current crop of pc speakers are trying to defy the laws of physics, common sense and simple economics. In manufacturing you can only get $100.00 to go but so far. It can't build a 400 watt 5.1 that sounds like anything but crap.

These speakers are not trying to pretend that they are something they are not. They are what they are and nothing more and I like the way they sound to me. (I prefer neutral sounding equipment). I have never been a Bose fan but this time they won out even if they are a little overpriced.

Don't bother with the Companion 3 speakers. My friend dished out the extra $150 for them, and my Companion 2 speakers sound just as good. These speakers have plenty of bass if that's what you like (they can make my computer desk shake), but I actually turned the bass down with the equalizer on iTunes to suit my personal preference (after all, that's what an equalizer is for).
These speakers sound great, and as a musician, I appreciate this very much.

Can't complain too much about Bose Companion 2 multimedia speakers. Overall, I am satisfied. My primary purpose for buying the portable speakers was to use it with my iPod. Secondary purpose was to use it with my laptop. I tested all the portable iPod speaker systems (where you can dock your iPod into a portable speaker and can listen to it while the iPod recharges)from $30 to $300 range. Believe me, they suck. I went to Best Buy and blasted my iPod in like a dozen docking systems (e.g. Logitech mm22, Altech Lansing IM3, JBL, Bose SoundDock, etc) and the sound quality sucked. Regarding the ones in the $100 to $150 range, bass was weak and at a volume high enough to fill your living room, sound became distorted. The SoundDock ($300) which had comparable sound quality to the Bose Companion 2 wasn't that portable. It was heavy and required a ridiculous amount of batteries. Just get the portable speakers. Even one of the Bose Companion 2 is better than the iPod specific speakers. Thus it's just as portable. Who needs batteries? Unless you plan to use it outdoors, you can always find an electric socket. Okay, back to Bose Companion 2 specifically: Sound quality is a plus - has decent bass and treble and stays crisp even at high volume. Versatility is a plus - can plug an iPod or laptop directly to the speakers. Light weight and portable size are a plus. The downside is that it doesn't have a bass/treble control knob. But you could control it on the laptop or use the equalizer on the iPod so it wasn't a big deal for me. I initially bought a Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 PC Speaker System for the same price, but exchanged them for these because the AC adapter connection on the Klipsch was flimsy. The connection hole wasn't deep enough so the power disconnected at the slightest movement of the speakers. But the connection on the Bose is solid. I've had the Bose for a week and so far I am satified. I gave it four stars instead of five because they should lower the price. I suppose we're paying a little more for the reputation of the company.

The speakers are nice, no question about it; the sound is good for the size; the range is what you might expect from speakers this size (perhaps even better than expected). However, I am still a little disappointed when you come down to the overall feeling I get from the purchase.

To start with, I bought these for my wife to use with her iPod. There are no incompatibility problems and they work fine. I do find the lack of a way to turn them off, short of unplugging them a bit of a shortcoming. The range of response seems a little limited to me (changing the EQ setting on the iPod produces a definite change in the sound, but I would expect a little more richness in the changes). The size is a bit more than I expected from Bose, a company that excels at putting good sound in small packages. Lastly, I feel that the speakers were over priced for what I got (unless there is some inherent benefit in the Bose label that I don't know of).

Bottom line, I have a better set of speakers, in the Creative Labs I-Trigue 2200 2.0 Speakers, on my computer (at least to my ears), for less than half the cost. So think hard and shop around before you jump on the Bose name, or better yet, if you can, try them out first.
P-)