Bose Companion 5 multimedia speaker system - Graphite/Silver

by Bose

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12 x 20 x 16 inches ; 26 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 26.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000IE8Z4Q
• Item model number: 40326
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (151 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #49 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Accessories > Computer Speakers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 22, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Bose® Companion® 5 multimedia speaker system - Graphite

• Our best computer speaker system for 5.1-encoded games, movies and music delivers immersive sound
• Two small computer speakers fully assembled on stands for more useable desktop space
• Hideaway Acoustimass® module delivers emphatic low-note performance
• Versatile control pod includes volume, single-touch mute, headphone jack and auxiliary input

Bose - Better Sound Through Research

The premium multimedia speaker system from Bose delivers multichannel sound that seems to surround you—without the clutter of five speakers. The Companion 5 system is designed to give you the excitement of surround sound content right at your computer.

Exclusive TrueSpace® surround digital processing circuitry spreads the sound around you, so the enveloping effects seem to come from areas where there aren't even any speakers. The experience is developed especially for computer listening—putting you right in the middle of the music, the game, the special effects.

Companion 5 speakers reproduce enveloping sound from just two visible speakers, putting you right in the middle of your favorite movie's special effects.

Easy to set up. Easy to use.

Hookup requires only a single USB connection from the computer speaker system to your PC or laptop—no special software or hardware upgrade needed. (For optimum performance, we recommend Windows XP or later. For Macintosh computers, OS X 10.4.6 or later.) The small, elegant computer speakers come mounted on stands for optimum performance and extra desktop space. And the Acoustimass module can be tucked out of the way under your desk.

Control at your fingertips

A convenient control pod features rotational volume control and one-touch mute. Dual inputs let you connect headphones and/or a second audio source, like an iPod® or a tablet.

Get more from your music. Get more into the game or movie. Whatever your computer entertainment passion, get more engaged with Bose® Companion 5 multimedia speakers.

Product Highlights

• Specially engineered speaker arrays come fully assembled on stands for optimum performance and more usable desktop space.

The small, elegant satellite speakers come mounted on stands for optimum performance and extra desktop space.
• Versatile control pod houses volume control, single-touch mute, headphone jack and connection for a second audio source such as an MP3 player or tablet.
• Compact Acoustimass module provides clean low frequencies, allowing the desktop speakers to be very small without sacrificing performance. Module can be hidden neatly under your desk.
• Proprietary TrueSpace surround digital processing circuitry reproduces enveloping sound from just two visible speakers. Engineered for computer speaker listening, it creates a dramatic acoustic environment for games, DVDs and music.
• Single USB connection links the system to your computer. No special software, adapters or complicated wiring needed.
• Digital 5.1 audio playback brings music, games, movies and other 5.1-encoded material to life with much of the performance you'd expect from a five-speaker system.
• Magnetically shielded satellite speakers prevent monitor interference or damage to magnetic media.
• Proprietary integrated signal processing delivers lifelike performance at almost any volume level.

The Companion 5 system is designed to bring the excitement of surround sound content to your computer gaming.
• Compression circuitry keeps your music clear and undistorted at high volume levels.
• Active electronic equalization balances low, mid and high frequencies for more natural tone and clarity.

Product Details

Dimensions	Each satellite speaker: 8.9 x 5.8 x 3.8 inches; 1.9 lbs Acoustimass module: 8.5 x 6.75 x 16.75 inches; 15.4 lbs
Weight	19.2 lbs
Shipping Weight	26.5 pounds

What's in the box

• 2 satellite speakers with stands and cables
• Acoustimass module
• USB cable
• AC power cord
• Control pod and cable

Comparison features

	Computer MusicMonitor®	Companion® 20 multimedia speaker system	Companion® 5 multimedia speaker system	Companion® 2 multimedia speaker system
Speaker configuration and stands	2 speakers	2 speakers	2 speakers with stands, Acoustimass® module	2 speakers
Digital 5.1 audio playback			✓
Audio Inputs	✓	✓	✓	✓
Headphone jack		✓	✓	✓
Single-touch mute		✓	✓
USB connectivity			✓
Magnetically shielded speakers	✓	✓	✓	✓
Control/connectivity	Remote, plus volume and power controls on speaker.	Control pod for volume, with single-touch mute. Headphone jack, second audio input.	Control pod for volume, with single-touch mute. Headphone jack, second audio input.	Volume control on speaker. Headphone jack, second audio input.

 

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

385 of 421 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best thing my ears have ever heard, February 23, 2008

By 

T. Mannello "Luxuriously abundant minimalist" (Thousand Oaks CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bose Companion 5 multimedia speaker system - Graphite/Silver (Personal Computers)

In this review: an in depth comparison of Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 THX, Logitech Z-2300 THX, Bose Soundock, Bose Companion 3's, Bose Companion 5's and Altec Lansing t-612

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I'd like to offer a review somewhat different than what you've read before. It's a long one so if you're looking for something quick, you may want to stop here. Otherwise hopefully you'll enjoy the perspective. My thanks go out to those who let us know who you are and what you do in your review, and how you use the system, it really makes a difference. It's important to know the story behind why someone is buying something and what they are looking to do, otherwise you get mismatched needs and solutions. My story begins during the first month of 2008, when I got myself into a bit of a speaker craze while searching for a sound solution for every room of my house. Three years ago I put my life's music collection in digital format on iTunes to the tune of over 5000 songs with perhaps the widest array of music than anyone else I know: Jazz, Hip-hop, R&B, trip hop, electronica, techno, country, audio books, Tony Robbins, metal, rock, dub, enigma type stuff, lounge, new-aje, world music, caribbean, Latin and on the list goes. So, when I say I've tested these speakers over a wide variety of music, you can take my word for it.

My demographic: Male, business owner (custom Italian leather journals, guest books and photo albums: see epica . com ) and hip-hop dancer choreographer, 30 years old, Southern California. Creative, very into pleasing the senses.

After growing up with stereo systems that catered to more bass than clarity, my initial goal was to discover what would be the most clear, best, space filling rich sound I could in each room of the house while still being incredibly aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive at the best price. I wanted to turn up the volume and be amazed at what I heard without any distortion and I wanted to be thrilled at the lowest volumes as well. I wanted to feel like I was there, to have a music experience every time I turned something on. The best price part went out the door rather quickly.

So here's what I did: Apple sells a device called an Airport Express that among other things such as being a wireless router, also allows you to stream iTunes music to it wirelessly. All you have to do is plug in a stereo mini plug to one end and an audio source to another. Give it a name like living room and it appears in iTunes. you can have several of these devices all over the house. In the past I have always hooked up big stereos or shelf systems to it for sound but now in the age of tiny computer speakers and iPod doc systems, I've realized you can connect anything to it and have taken the experience to a whole new level. There are now 4 airport expresses in the house in different rooms along with an apple TV which also features this Airtunes feature in the living room, bedroom, second bedroom, kitchen and hallway... yes the hallway.

After having spent hours in the Apple Store and Best Buy listening to different sound docks and speakers with my iPhone and collection of music, I just decided to purchase and used every single unit that caught my interest with the decision that those which didn't give me everything I was looking for, I'd just return. (The manufacturers must love me.) Because what can you really tell about a speaker or sound system in a 30,000 foot warehouse with sound and people all around you? Are you kidding? Nothing. You've really got to setup these systems in your environment.

It's also important that you test your purchase in different places and positions all throughout your house. You won't believe the difference in sound from having say, a SounDock in your bathroom vs. a bedroom. Move the subwoofer around, adjust the bass on it, move the speakers, be creative. you'll surprise yourself.

Finally, a word about Bose. Of all the sound companies that I read reviews for, and I read about 400 before making a purchase, I have never seen such a contrasting fan base. You've got people who detest anything Bose and people who would buy it without listening to anything else. For the record I am neither of these people. I have owned Bose products in the past and enjoyed them as I have with other companies but was not biased towards or against them prior to purchase.

The Systems:

The Klipsch Prop-Media 2.1 speakers were my purchase. I was attracted to what I knew about the Brand, the subwoofer control on the actual satellite speaker and the $150 price point. I got them home and aesthetically I was just never really attracted to the speaker. My place has a very Asian-Zen and modern feel and these just kind of stood out in the wrong way wherever I placed them. But we're talking about sound so I looked past that. It's got a pretty large subwoofer, and the satellites where small enough to go anywhere. Klipsch does a great job with their horn tweeters and it really let's the highs soar. I tried them in my home office and bedroom for a week before I returned them. Why?
I loved that they were THX, which means there was no hissing whatsoever and they were dead quiet when music was shut off. I was also pleased and could not believe the power. These speakers have so much gain and get so loud, that I don't think full volume would even be tolerable to the human ear. But that was the thing. They seemed to distort at the higher volumes I tend to enjoy and didn't seem to fill a room at low volumes. The subwoofer is recommended to be set at 8 o'clock (very low) and if you adjust that any higher the bass is quite over powering. The sound coming from the Klipsch speakers was not a bad or poor sound, it was great, it was ridiculously powerful but it just wasn't the best sound I had heard for music. They ultimately went back to the store, and I give them a 4 star rating, but I'd be open to trying them in again in a different setting. I think I found them to be to cumbersome as well.

To their credit, RoomGroove wireless for $300, is their latest version of what I am doing with the airport express where you can link multiple room grooves up and they'll wireless send sound to each other. Points to them for finally getting something like this on the market.

Logitech Z-2300 THX: WOW. I was a little biased at first because I thought, Logitech? Really? The people who shine at making wireless mice and keyboards? How can they compare to these other big sound companies? What can they possibly bring to the table? Five stars no question. Here I had nothing to go on other than the $150 price point. I brought them home and unpacked. Ok, the subwoofer with this speaker set is not for the faint of heart. It is absolutely enormous and well suited for a larger office or larger room. It's got two attractive enough (without the grills) aluminum speakers, and a similar wired remote to the Bose only this has the subwoofer control on it (fortunately) and a headphone jack. (no external auxiliary mini plug)

Where to begin. This system has started off in and remains to this day in my office. At low volumes it is rich, deep, clear, and not overpowering in any respect. The music soars no matter what you're listening to. It's an absolute pleasure to sit before these speakers and I should start leaving them playing some sort of music more often because it really really sounds tremendous. And that's only the beginning.

Once the staff goes home and I can crank these up, every wall in the building shakes. The other bathrooms sound as though there is an earthquake and we should evacuate the building. I know it sounds like I'm a big bass person but this is the least of my desires. The clarity, much like the companion 5's just keeps getting richer and richer as you turn the volume up. Artist's vocals scream out at you and this system is the loudest of any I have heard. Interestingly it's also the most tolerable at high volume that I have heard as well.

I love the fact that it's got RCA jacks for speaker cables which allow you to easily extend them if you want them more than a few inches apart or want to place the subwoofer farther away than right at your feet. I love the power and clarity of these speakers, I love that the remote has the bass on the module and you don't have to adjust it behind the subwoofer. Five golden stars are easily awarded. Go Logitech.

Altec Lansing T-612 and Bose SounDock Portable:
Having tested the Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks, JBL On Stage, Klipsch iGroove, the Zeppelin monster, iHome, logitech pure fi and many others, these are the two I wound up bringing home.

Technology is great. We give birth to new ideas which create new ways we listen to music like iPods and iTunes, and that stimulates thought to a new level and we create devices made especially just for these things like the wide array of docking stations, something we had no need for in the past, and then we give birth to new ideas again and say wouldn't it be great to have our music collection on our phone and eliminate devices, and that get's created, and one company wins out over all the others and soon that creates a new problem: cell phone interference and shielding and that gives birth to the first of a new line of products: the iPhone safe Altec T-612. The first docking station to not be affected by sound interference from cell phones.

It worked well. I give it 5 stars for innovation, sound, it's own bass and treble controls on the unit that can be controlled by the remote control, size and a pretty unique look. (Which I am personally not attracted to) This purchase lasted 24 hours before it was returned. It was going to be used as a... Read more ›

65 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Virtual 5.1 system with only 3 speakers! Must hear to believe!, January 29, 2007

By 

Michael J. Wood "Flight Surgeon" (Kaneohe, HI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bose Companion 5 multimedia speaker system - Graphite/Silver (Personal Computers)

The Bose Companion 5 speaker system is a fantastic addition to a multimedia home computer system. I've had several different sets of computer speakers, including one other Bose set, and this is hands-down the best set.

The Companion 5 set consists of two desktop speakers and an acoustimass-type sub-woofer unit or module. The module is the heart of the system -- not only does it control the speakers and bass, but it also functions as an excellent soundcard. The module connects via USB and not through the computer sound card because of that, and will function as the primary soundcard for your computer. Per the directions, they need to connect through a USB port directly on the computer, and not through a hub or docking station. The instructions do not specify why, but I presume it would be due to the delay present in most hubs. Additionally, one needs to make sure that your computers sound and audio settings for the OS and software are configured properly to make sure the speakers work properly. It should occur automatically when the speakers are set-up. The directions are all very clear on how to ensure this happens in a step-by-step process, and include a good troubleshooting guide in case problems occur. It took less than a single minute for me to set up when I did it as almost everything was handled automatically by the speakers. It is important to note that you must follow the provided directions if you want these speakers to work properly. Most of the negative reviews posted seem to point out what happens when you don't follow directions. However, once you follow them, you'll get unbelievable sound from the system. I had to get up once and check the door behind me because I thought I heard someone knocking, only to discover that it was sound coming from my game that I had heard.

PROS:
- Superb, full spectrum sound from a small, compact system
- Very rich sound when used with DVD movies, CD's, MP3's, and games
- Accurately conveys 5.1 sound when media/software uses that format
- Subwoofer provides excellent very low frequency sounds
- Uses very little desk space
- Very attractive appearance
- Excellent high-end sound card for all but the most specialized applications

CONS:
- Price (though I don't have "buyer's remorse" now that I have the system, and considering a soundcard is included makes the price more reasonable)
- Weakest area of the virtual 5.1 coverage is directly behind head
- No microphone input (important for those using online games in particular)
- No on-off switch; unit can go into a "mute" or "standby" mode, but seems like a waste of electricity
- Will disable/by-pass an expensive sound card if one is on your system

OVERALL: Highly recommended if you can afford it
Alternatives: If one of the problems above is a showstopper for this system, my recommendation would be to look at the Klipsch systems.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Oustanding speakers, but..., April 11, 2009

By 

J. Lawson (Pittsburgh, Pa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bose Companion 5 multimedia speaker system - Graphite/Silver (Personal Computers)

The Bose Companion 5 speakers have the best sound I have heard on any set of computer speakers. The glowing praises given by many of the other reviewers are right on target.

I do listen to most of my music through these speakers, which are connected to my one year old Alienware computer. And if that was all I needed from my speakers, I could not be happier.

However, as a person who also spends more than 30 hours a week using other USB devices, including a Plantronics headset, a Wacom drawing tablet, a scanner/printer, mouse and keyboard, I would not recommend these speakers for the simple reason that the Bose speakers take a very large amount of USB bandwith. Before I owned these speakers, I was not aware that USB bandwith would ever be a problem.

Practically speaking, I cannot fully use programs like Ventrillo while I play online games (WOW and WAR); I cannot listen to music with WMP while using any voice messaging program (MS Messenger); and I cannot listen to music while using my Wacom tablet with programs like PAINT and such.

I do give this product 4 stars, though I still waver over whether I should give it only 3. By the way, this issue is acknowledged by BOSE on their web site, with no work around given, other than to limit the use of any other USB device.