Design and Features
Getting "the greatest possible sound from the smallest possible speaker" was the aim of the engineers of the new Bose Computer MusicMonitors, and to begin with, they certainly got the small part right.
The speakers measure 122mm by 65mm by 123mm each and fit easily in the palm of your hand. They're constructed from aluminium and feature a silver finish. The speakers are quite heavy at 500g each, and this is also partly due to the hefty neodymium magnets inside. These are audiophile-grade drive magnets and no doubt contribute to both the unit's sound and cost.
To get better bass out of the small speakers the company invented what it calls "dual internal opposing passive radiators". These are basically two drivers facing each other and cancelling out low-end vibration -- this stops the speakers from physically moving around on your desk.
The controls and ports are quite sparse with only a single 3.5mm input to plug in your PC or MP3 player, volume up/down buttons and a power switch.
In addition to the speakers you also get a minimalist remote control with volume and power controls.
Performance
The speakers capture human voices particularly well, with plenty of presence and "breathiness". You won't be fooled that the singer is in the room with you but at least you can locate where in the sound field they might be sitting.
Good quality recordings are served best by the Bose speakers, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seed's magnificent "Red Right Hand" has all the menace and intimacy it needs. The strong bass line remains propulsive and Saint Nick sounds like he could be whispering in your ear.
Bassy music or other material -- such as computer games or action movies -- isn't as successful. While the speakers give you the sense of bass and really good "punch", the speakers small size means it is physically unable to provide gut-rumbling low frequencies. On an A/B comparison between the Bose speakers and a pair of Wharfedale 8.1s driven by a Pioneer receiver, the Wharfedales had a lot more atmosphere during Quake Wars: Enemy Territory and added authority as shells exploded about us.
As the Bose system lacks any EQ controls or subwoofer output, a dedicated amp and speakers would give you more flexibility. If you're looking for a better set of multimedia speakers for similar money, though, then you need to go pro: Wharfedale Pro is the recording industry arm of the aforementioned hi-fi manufacturer, and they make some great-looking monitors for the same or less money. For example you can get an active pair of Wharfedale 8.1s for more than AU$100 less than the Bose duo.
As an upgrade to laptop speakers, the Bose Computer MusicMonitors will do nicely. They're compact, good looking, well built and relatively portable -- if you don't mind toting the power brick around. But they are very expensive.
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Rickster
06/06/2008, 11:26 AM
rating
5/10
Bottomline for me...get these speakers if you absolutely have no room on your desk for anything else AND if you have a pretty good size bank account AND if you just want to look cool. C'mon who doesn't know BOSE®
Pros: Small package, crisp clear sound.
Cons: The arm and leg you need to give up to get one.
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israeljamesbond
24/03/2008, 10:09 PM
rating
5/10
I own a bunch of Bose products: Bose Companion 3 and 5, Mediamates, Cinemate, Wave Music System, 201 Bookshelf speakers, Triport In Ear Headphones and Quietcomfort 2 Headphones. (I used to own the QC1 but exchanged them for QC2s). Apart from those, I own Klipsch Promedia 2.1. That lets you know I understand sound quite well, and have a very good brand to compare those Bose systems: Klipsch, which is THX Certified.
I thought these speakers would be good, so I ordered them about a month ago. I am sorry and I feel bad to say this, but I had to return these. If these are the best speakers Bose has come up with, I wonder why they are outperformed by every single one of the other systems I have, some of them costing just 1/4th or half of their price.
For their size, these speakers are good, also for their remote control and their looks, but that is where it ends. They are lacking way too much volume to be worth $400, the $100 Bose Mediamates (now the Bose Companion 2) sounds about as good, while going much louder than these and also offering a more spacious sound and dual RCA inputs. These speakers are also lacking a little on the lowest end of the sound. Apart from that, they have a very good balanced sound, but if you are going to listen to rap or hip hop with really deep bass, dont expect them to rattle or thump, and for $400 they should no matter how small they are. The Bose Companion 3 and Companion 5, both at $250 and $400 respectively, completely outperform these speakers, in spaciousness, clarity, deepness and resonance of bass, but most importantly, they sound nearly 3 times as loud. If you are going to compare to the cinemate just for $100 more, or the Bose 201 Bookshels speakers (paired with a good receiver) there is just NO comparison to make, they are outperformed in every single way. So my advice to you, as a Bose owner is the following: DO NOT BUY THESE SPEAKERS. These are completely overpriced and surely arent the best bose can make, considering the bose mediamates (only twice as big) were made in the 90s, and they sound just as good if not better, and louder than the Bose MusicMonitor, for 1/4th of the price. If these speakers were a replacement of the Mediamates and Companion 2, they would still need to sound just as loud as them to justify paying the $100 the Companion 2s are worth. DONT BUY THESE SPEAKERS! Let Bose know they have lost their mind and their focus with these! Go out and Buy Companion 3s, Cinemates, 321s or 201 Bookshlef speakers instead of this.. if you can afford the MusicMonitors, you would be buying much better sound with those products. However, if you are in need of space, or cant afford any of those but still want the sound of these MusicMonitors, just try to find the Bose Mediamates online or buy the Companion 2, you will be pleased with those and just for $100.
Pros: Amazing looks, tiny, remote control. Balanced sound.
Cons: Volume output is too low for $400. Soundstage isnt wide enough, and they are lacking surround sound for movies and games. The lowest end of bass is barely audible, when it should be thumping and resonating. Completely overpriced (should cost $80-$100, unless they had louder volume output, then up to $150).
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Eduardo Compio
08/03/2008, 04:42 AM
rating
6/10
I have laptop computer stations in 3 different places which I've wanted to install especially tiny, excellent sound producing speakers permanently in each. Though the perfect size, the Bose
MusicMonitor is too pricey and short on bass and doesn't work well with movies.
Pros: Excellent size. Great brand name. Generally good sound.
Cons: Too pricey. Short on bass. Not fitting for laptop movie watching.
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firi
24/01/2008, 04:01 PM
rating
9/10
Great design, great sound. It will be perfect for my coming MacBook Air
Pros: Portability, that's main idea of the product and people who buy them should have that as #1 priority
Cons: You have to pay a primium for portabilty
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David Winn
12/01/2008, 03:37 AM
rating
4/10
My wife bought me these for Christmas for my new laptop. They are pretty good - but for $400 they should be pretty great - and they aren't
Pros: Compact design, attractive
Cons: Tinny sound compared to my Harmon Kardon soundsticks which cost half as much. I will return these. The Bose name isn't worth $300 - which is the difference between the list price and what these should cost ($100)
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hayyy
01/12/2007, 01:51 AM
rating
10/10
Best desktop speakers i have ever purchased. In use with my 24 inch iMac which is a superb combination, they look great and sound even better. Definately recommend to anyone looking for a quality set of desktop speakers with design in mind.
Pros: Excellent sound
Gorgeous design
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