# Experiences with Bose Wave Music System? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 10, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317 "2010-09-10T18:29:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/1 "2010-09-10T18:29:29Z")
Anyone have the Bose Wave Music System? Especially the ones that play MP3’s? I’ve looked at Bose several times in the past 15 years. The price has always seemed excessive. [http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop\_online/digital\_music\_systems/wireless\_systems/wms\_soundlink/index.jsp#input\_output](http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/digital_music_systems/wireless_systems/wms_soundlink/index.jsp#input_output) I’ve gotten more interested since they’ve added MP3 capability. Unfortunately it only seems to support CD-RW. Not USB thumb drives. ☹ I’ve learned from this GQ car radio thread that not all MP3 players are alike. Some can be fussy about the type of MP3’s they’ll play. Also, I know CD-RW can be unpredictable. Some players will only read certain brands or Discs created on certain burners. > **[Car stereos with USB](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=577633)** > > This is probably an obvious question, but do all car stereos with USB ports play whatever file is coming out of the attached device? I just need to know that if I connect my iPod, it will play the AAC purchased iTunes files. I assume that the iPod... How does the Bose Wave do reading CD-RW? Does it seem to read most brands? How about the MP3 player? Can it handle all the bit rates? Is it fussy about which MP3’s it can play? Can it handle playlists? What type? I usually create .m3u files. Bose always seems a bit behind the tech curve. This is 2010 and they don’t have a dvd data drive? They still rely on CD-RW. No thumb drives. Their IPOD Sound Dock accessory seems way over priced. I’m also looking at their wireless option. They provide a USB Key for your computer that sends music around the house. Anyone have this? Does it require their software on the computer? Or can you use your own media player? Bottom line. Is it worth $600? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/2 "2010-09-10T22:45:04Z")
Bose is to music as Sony is to TV. Both decent products, but way overpriced. Bose has the added detriment of being of poorer quality than many other systems. $600? No freakin’ way. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/3 "2010-09-10T23:32:25Z")
No highs, no lows… ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/4 "2010-09-11T09:02:33Z")
Price has always stopped me from buying a Bose. They’ve been around at least 20 years or more. I may stick with my big system. Five years ago, I bought a Marantz integrated 75W amp (my old kenwood amp was shot). My Denon tuner & cd changer were bought in 1998. I’m still using some Sansui speakers I bought in 1977. my speakers are similar to these. Sansui made some great sounding speakers. [http://www.samsaudiolabs.com/images/small/sansuiSPX7000speakers.jpg](http://www.samsaudiolabs.com/images/small/sansuiSPX7000speakers.jpg) My biggest issue is playing mp3’s. My Denon cd changer reads CD-R’s fine. But, only standard audio tracks. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/5 "2010-09-11T11:56:51Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > No highs, no lows… I get the no lows, as the speakers just aren’t big enough–but why no highs? I mean, I can understand that you might need a smaller speaker for good highs, but what purpose would they have for not including them? Also, can you add a subwoofer to a Bose all-in-one system? Because I have one just sitting around since my DVD player crapped out. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/6 "2010-09-11T12:21:58Z")
This Onkyo micro system: [http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-325-CD-Receiver-System/dp/B0016K990K](http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-325-CD-Receiver-System/dp/B0016K990K) plays mp3s. It doesn’t have USB; there’s a 525 version that does, but that isn’t available in America. There are other companies that make similar products, mainly Denon, Yamaha and Teac, but they usually cost more. Sony and Insignia make some cheaper ones, but I don’t know if they’re any good. I don’t know how good the speakers are. I bought just the receiver part on Ebay for about $100 because I already had good speakers. I don’t use mine for mp3s so I don’t know how it is with those. Buy that and you have $400 left over ($500 if you just buy the receiver on ebay) for upgraded speakers, a subwoofer (it does have a jack for that), wireless stuff, or an mp3 player. What do you want to do exactly? How small or portable does it have to be? Do you want to play CDs? How big is your mp3 collection? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/7 "2010-09-11T14:29:42Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Price has always stopped me from buying a Bose. They’ve been around at least 20 years or more. > > I may stick with my big system. Five years ago, I bought a Marantz integrated 75W amp (my old kenwood amp was shot). My Denon tuner & cd changer were bought in 1998. I’m still using some Sansui speakers I bought in 1977. > > my speakers are similar to these. Sansui made some great sounding speakers. > [http://www.samsaudiolabs.com/images/small/sansuiSPX7000speakers.jpg](http://www.samsaudiolabs.com/images/small/sansuiSPX7000speakers.jpg) > > My biggest issue is playing mp3’s. My Denon cd changer reads CD-R’s fine. But, only standard audio tracks. Oh man, I had Sansui speakers for many years. Wood cabs and grillwork on the front. When I finally relegated them to “B” status, I bought a pair of huge [Cerwin Vega! D-7E](http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Cerwin-Vega-D-7-E-speakers-/390237395045) studio monitors. I listened to them in a room full of speakers, and the sales guy demonstrated the big difference between the CV and the Bose 501s that were similarly priced. No comparison. The Bose speakers had poorer sound and worse response. ---
**Author:** ![banjoDavid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@banjoDavid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/banjoDavid)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/8 "2010-09-11T15:00:20Z")
_Up front disclaimer_ I’m an audiophile and can be a snob about it! But I’m not with this! I friend of mine got the Bose wave with an added on CD changer, no mp3 player. I was open minded, and listened to it. Boomy and thin, no real stereo separation. The sound changed a lot depending on where in the room it was placed, (as do all speakers.) The corner was the worst. The CD changer broke after a little more than a year. She sent it back, it took a couple of months, and over $100 to fix. I have an old pair of Bose 901 speakers as the rear speakers in a surround-sound set-up. They have 9 small drivers, 8 of them facing to the rear. They sound pretty good. Bose developed a wave cannon subwoofer system for pro sound reinforcement, and it tanked. The company is more about hype than quality. They develop some OK products, then turn them over to the MBA types to overprice them and slickly market them. You can find better sound for less money if you take the time to look. David ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/9 "2010-09-11T15:10:02Z")
I have one. My husband bought it for me for Christmas. He was actually the one who wanted it, bugger. He knew I’d never spend the money, on such a thing, when we have a perfectly good stereo. But, I have to say, it is nice. The sound is great, but I’m no audiophile. It seems to be good, no matter where you are in the room. It plays CD’s and MP3’s, which he likes, as he can burn me a music CD with tons of music, plays for ages, for when I’m doing home repair. It is also conveniently portable. Very easy to unplug and relocate to another room if, for some reason, the urge strikes me. I would still say it’s a little dear, but definitely glad to have it, and am enjoying it. ---
**Author:** ![Nightfall1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@Nightfall1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightfall1)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/10 "2010-09-11T15:17:03Z")
Want to say upfront I’m NOT a stereo buff. I can listen to music on anything… a little transister in the garage is fine by me. I bought the basic Bose wave music system with cd player for my house. I’m completely happy with it. I like not having any buttons to set for anything. Depending on where I put it in the room makes it sound different. I can hear the stereo separation from other rooms in the house. Classical music sounds like I’m at a concert. I really enjoy it. I was put off by the cost ($500) but my wife and I both work so I thought of it as a gift to myself and went for it. I can tell the difference in sound from a cheap radio but I can’t tell the difference from one high priced unit to another high priced unit. Glad I bought it. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/11 "2010-09-11T15:59:00Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > why no highs? I mean, I can understand that you might need a smaller speaker for good highs, but what purpose would they have for not including them? It’s not an issue of “not including smaller speakers”. They’re just cheaping out on the drivers. On another note, their “Direct/Reflecting” approach is a load of hooey. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/12 "2010-09-11T16:43:02Z")
I wouldn’t bother wasting money if you’re gonna play mp3 music. An mp3 file is condensed and Bose is specializing in bringing out the richness, so you’re spending money on Bose to get “quality” sound and you’re playing a file that lacks the ability to deliver the quality. All mp3 players should be able to play any mp3 file (unless it’s somehow subject to DRM - digital rights management). You may want to also search the forums at [hydrogenaudio (dot) com](http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/). These are hardcore audiophiles and you can learn a lot there. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-bose-wave-music-system/553317/13 "2010-09-11T23:34:39Z")
That’s a good idea. This Yamaha is similar and has the features I need. Including usb drives. A lot cheaper than Bose. 🙂 [http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-MCR-230BL-Micro-Component-System/dp/B001N5RWQQ](http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-MCR-230BL-Micro-Component-System/dp/B001N5RWQQ) I’ve got maybe 2000 or so flacs and mp3. I’ve given up trying to find anything that plays flac except my computer. I can easily convert them to mp3. I’ve been hesitant to plug my cheap mp3 player into my good quality hi fi system. I worry about hiss or noise burning out my tweeters. mp3’s are not the cleanest sound unless you get 320kb compression. Even then there’s really no benefit in playing them through a really hi end system. I much rather have a smaller player in my office with speakers I don’t have a lot of money invested in. So, once again Bose is off my shopping list. 😉 just too darn expensive > [@thirdname](#): > > This Onkyo micro system: [http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-325-CD-Receiver-System/dp/B0016K990K](http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-325-CD-Receiver-System/dp/B0016K990K) plays mp3s. It doesn’t have USB; there’s a 525 version that does, but that isn’t available in America. There are other companies that make similar products, mainly Denon, Yamaha and Teac, but they usually cost more. Sony and Insignia make some cheaper ones, but I don’t know if they’re any good. > > I don’t know how good the speakers are. I bought just the receiver part on Ebay for about $100 because I already had good speakers. I don’t use mine for mp3s so I don’t know how it is with those. > > Buy that and you have $400 left over ($500 if you just buy the receiver on ebay) for upgraded speakers, a subwoofer (it does have a jack for that), wireless stuff, or an mp3 player. > > What do you want to do exactly? How small or portable does it have to be? Do you want to play CDs? How big is your mp3 collection?