Bose Wave Music System - Graphite Gray

I bought the Bose system because I want something compact with very good sound. I was expecting a much richer sound for the price. I am accustomed to inexpensive but adequate systems; "inexpensive but adequate" is about what this baby delivers. Except with no sub-woofer and no way to adjust levels. Also, and this would be true of any self-contained system, I discovered I prefer my sound diffused between speakers, not coming from just one source. So it's back to the inexpensive-but-actually-sounds better no-so-sleek nest of wires and components I've been using for years.

I gave it three stars because it is neat and tidy, easily moved, and it does sound good--just not good enough.

I get a lot of use out of my Bose, moving it room to room easily, and getting decent quality sound. But, for the same price, I also got some audiophile speakers and receiver. This is not worth the price. For the same total price, buy a decent clock radio and a nice stereo and speakers on Ebay or Amazon instead.

If the person you are buying this for will be listening to rock or hip hop, or pretty much anything other than jazz or classical, then buy something else. Trust me, they will be VERY disappointed in the sound.

I have a cheap CD player in my bathroom that i listen to while getting ready for work. I think i paid $30 for it and it sounds better than this Bose. I'm not exaggerating. The Bose sounds empty and there is no EQ to adjust the sound to various types of music. Bose would arrogantly say that's because the system is already perfect and if you feel the need to adjust the sound, there must be something wrong with your ears.

There's nothing wrong with my ears. This Bose simply can't handle most of the music i like. I can't stand to listen to CDs anymore. I have to burn everything to an mp3 player because the mp3 player has an EQ and it somewhat helps the Bose sound like a real stereo, but it still falls short of my $30 boombox.

Also, for the price, i should be able to use this as a home theater, but there are no inputs for that.

One last major annoyance. There are no controls at all. You must use the remote. You can't even turn the unit on or off without the remote. If your battery runs out, it's useless until you get a new one. If your dog or kids destroy the remote, then your Bose is a paparweight until you buy a new remote.

If you listen to rock, buy something else. It's that simple. There is absolutely no justification for the price of this system. If you are still considering buying this, please do yourself a favor, find a bose store, bring one of your CDs with you and ask them to play it. If it's a rock CD, i'm betting you'll keep shopping.

I recently bought my second Bose system. The sound quality is outstanding. I can hear things in the music that never came across before. I just finished listening to Tchaikovsky's Fifth and it was like having the Cleveland Orchestra right there in the room. Frankly, I'm very surprised at the negative reviews here, but one thing I noted is that most seem to come from people who are unhappy about things other than the sound or serious audiophiles who are probably looking for a much more sophisticated system.

I didn't buy the Bose for aesthetics or as a bedside clock radio--I bought it for the sound and that is incredible. There are not many radio stations in my area so I have more pre-sets than I need and listen mostly to CDs, most of which are classical recordings where the subtleties of the music and the various performances are easily discernable and can be appreciated with the Bose.

I've had the new system for a year and the original one for at least six years. I've had zero problems with either of them. I do like the buttons on the older model, but where the new one sits (in a bookcase--the sound is still outstanding) I couldn't get to them anyway, so am quite content using the remote(s)--I have three so I can mute it when I pick up the phone, or manage it from the kitchen or den.

I find the clock reliable and the controls easy to use when power outage requires adjustment or Daylight Savings turns on or off, but it isn't my main timepiece. I have automatic wall clocks for that.

The Bose Wave system is so much better than a normal radio/CD player, I was no longer content with anything else after getting the first one and ultimately got the second unit plus CD changer so as to have on-going music when entertaining, or a choice of things already loaded for my own benefit. Whether played loud or soft the sound quality is all I could ask for. I think it's well worth the investment.

Don't buy it. I am still making monthly payments on this $500 unit and after 9 months the CD player broke so that now I see "READING DISC" and then "NOT PLAYABLE" or "DISC NOT PLAYABLE" or something to that effect. I called BOSE and instead of sending a new unit to replace it, they want me to send it in, pay the postage, and wait three weeks for the turnaround time, despite acknowledging that it is under warranty. Who knows what will happen during its trip to the shop and back again? I heard that BOSE was good but I cannot recommend this experience to anyone else. Curious, I asked the individual on the phone where my unit was made. He said "South Carolina". Another fine testimonial for the American worker.