Amar Bose

[Analogous]

Whether you have love or disdain for Bose Audio products his story is fascinating…

Amar Bose: The MIT Genius Behind the Bose Audio Revolution

Amar Bose, a name synonymous with high-end audio systems, embarked on a remarkable journey that began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

yourstory.com

 

[VRavichandar]

I never understand the disdain/hate for Bose products. QC20 was my last Bose purchase and it worked well for nearly 6 years of regular use.

 

[sachinchavan 15865]

Whether you have love or disdain for Bose Audio products…

They really build their products very well. A ten year old Soundlink is still going strong. Hardly ever heard someone complaining a Bose product went bad.

Also, the sound is good enough for the masses who prefer the brand’s trust. As for audiophiles, I’d think there are others here too who transited through Bose before they understood its limitations and graduated to component stereo system eventually.

And of course, the designs themselves have always been elegant, yet contemporary. The Bose Wave was so distinct a design, and yet so popular.

As a business they are savvy. It’s not easy to maintain a premium unless you are very good at branding and marketing. Also it used to be always a nice experience visiting a Bose experience center (which I haven’t done in years now), staff being always courteous and eager. With Bose, one can see a good synergy between all parts of its business model.

 

[Analogous]

Similarities with Bang and Oluffsen ?
Maybe less expensive and not as evolved design wise but a combination of Lifestyle and decent sound

 

[Lizard King]

They really build their products very well. A ten year old Soundlink is still going strong.

2 Bose Bluetooth speakers died soon after warranty period. Could not be repaired.
Bought JBL at much less price, sounds better.
Bose were absolutely cool looking though. As someone said, they are cheaper B&O. There for the looks, not for quality. Average engineering, great marketing.

 

[keith_correa]

Infinitely more innovative than his audio products was his electromagnetic suspension for automobiles.

 

[prem]

I am a fan of Bose. I liked his 301 and 501 speakers. I have owned both of them.

The first time I heard the 901 was at Pankaj Udhas’s house in early 90s. He was playing back his new recordings. It sounded very good.

 

[Saiganesh]

Whether you have love or disdain for Bose Audio products his story is fascinating…

Amar Bose: The MIT Genius Behind the Bose Audio Revolution

Amar Bose, a name synonymous with high-end audio systems, embarked on a remarkable journey that began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

yourstory.com

I have a lifestyle 235 - more than a decade old now (purchased in 2010-11) . Its a 5.1 system with just 2 cubes. Reliability had no issues. Working good till date.
And regards the sound quality...hear my story.. i had it installed in my living room where family dint allow me to open this beast...recently shifted it to my dedicated room and after calibrating it sounded close to the system that was more than 4times its price and the sound stage was immaculate and faaar better than the system i had....

Its a system thats not being used for what its made by the ones who bought it

M still a fan of their wired in ear earphones...the best comforting sound and can listen all day. The wires dont laast more than 3 years. Went to their after sales thrice and got it replaced for a charge. After sales bose experience is very good. They are exoensive but worth on long term. They would repair onky if its worth the cost.

Have their bluetooth neckband almost a decade old now and still working good.

Their soundlink used by my father - has serious hearing problems , but loves them a lot and even i like soundlink performance.

With all their products so far i would say their vfm is something people dont know until they use it for long term...and with regards to the comment from audiophiles and enthusiast...they need to give it sometime to understand what kind of sound its offering...bose are totally good in any direction looked at from my experience

 

[Analogous]

Infinitely more innovative than his audio products was his electromagnetic suspension for automobiles.

First I am hearing about these! Will read up

 

[sachinchavan 15865]

First I am hearing about these! Will read up

“Bose's commitment to long-term research and development was evident in projects like the Bose suspension system for cars, which aimed to enhance ride comfort through advanced engineering.”

- from the article linked in the original post.

 

[Analogous]

“Bose's commitment to long-term research and development was evident in projects like the Bose suspension system for cars, which aimed to enhance ride comfort through advanced engineering.”

- from the article linked in the original post.

Thanks. Tunnel vision I guess

 

[General_sound]

While Bose may not be liked by many, their Acoustimass 5 passive speaker system, at one time, sold more units than complete sales of all electronic items in the USA! While the story may be hard to believe, these speakers, with two foam surround 5 and a quarter inch woofers and two small satellites with a bulb protection circuitry and limited frequency response found their way into millions of homes and many early pieces still survive. I have heard these extensively and it does sound good, even though they cost upwards of 26,000/-₹ before being discontinued. Their Wave Radios and Soundlinks had a larger than life sound and were very popular. I fact I have no hesitation in purchasing a Bose product.

 

[Nitin K]

While Bose may not be liked by many, their Acoustimass 5 passive speaker system, at one time, sold more units than complete sales of all electronic items in the USA! While the story may be hard to believe, these speakers, with two foam surround 5 and a quarter inch woofers and two small satellites with a bulb protection circuitry and limited frequency response found their way into millions of homes and many early pieces still survive. I have heard these extensively and it does sound good, even though they cost upwards of 26,000/-₹ before being discontinued. Their Wave Radios and Soundlinks had a larger than life sound and were very popular. I fact I have no hesitation in purchasing a Bose product.

I had the AM 5 series and did enjoy it for approx 10 years. It even had a decent resale value of ₹ 5000 when I sold it after 10 yrs. Bose is good as a compact gear. Their earlier 901series were good too.

 

[efernand1]

Whether you have love or disdain for Bose Audio products his story is fascinating…

Amar Bose: The MIT Genius Behind the Bose Audio Revolution

Amar Bose, a name synonymous with high-end audio systems, embarked on a remarkable journey that began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

yourstory.com

I owned the Bose 301 series III for brief period of 4 years, picked the same from our old fellow Member Derek who owned the same for some 15+ years.

I sold the same to an audiophile in Bengaluru and traded up to a Bose 301s Series V which is still in warranty till Jan 2025. The sound is awesome and one of the best bookshelf speakers made to handle almost all music genres and does well for movie playback too.

One of my Neighbours owns the Bose AM 5, Bose 301 Series III and Bose 201 Series IV. They are hooked to a Stereo Yamaha Integrated Amp (AX892) + EQ 550. It's been 25+ years and still it sounds good and punchy. He may let go of them possibly in the near future and I have already placed myself as 1st customer!

The Bose Jewel Cubes when first introduced via Lifestyle 50 system was a craze then. Today some use this system as bedroom sets. (including the V35 system).

I know many hate Bose products but there are some really good products which work well even today. Many locally have tried to copy designs etc. and some were successful. (Telome / DNM / Panda Audio etc.)

Well, this is my hands on experience Bose and honestly no regrets so far.

 

[keith_correa]

IMO, overpriced, half decent sounding (AM-5, 301, 601, Wave Radio, ANC headphones), well marketed, aspirational products which were innovative. Nothing else! Oh, and going by people's opinion - lasting too!

 

[Analogous]

IMO, overpriced, half decent sounding (AM-5, 301, 601, Wave Radio, ANC headphones), well marketed, aspirational products which were innovative. Nothing else! Oh, and going by people's opinion - lasting too!

In other words good for many but not for snobs?
I started with Acoustimass 3 and was thrilled with them. I wanted the Wave radio (?) but couldn’t afford them at that time. By the time I could I found other options as I became a snob by then

 

[prem]

Bose is doing something right. Last year turnover was USD 3 billion with over 7000 employees. In comparison B&W had a USD 0.3 billion turnover with some 350 employees

 

[Sean de Silva]

IMO, overpriced, half decent sounding (AM-5, 301, 601, Wave Radio, ANC headphones), well marketed, aspirational products which were innovative. Nothing else! Oh, and going by people's opinion - lasting too!

You couldn't have been more succinct especially with the 'overpriced' and 'half decent sound'. It's a very acquired taste. I cannot define it. Either you love it or hate it. I've never liked the 'Bose sound'. I experienced it at my cousin's place with those godawful sounding Bose mini double cubes and then later on with copycat audio manufacturer Telome coming up with a poor man's Bose mini double cubes which were as bad.

 

[Analogous]

So, like many other companies Bose has made its share of dud models and a few outstanding speakers (901)?
And they have their own copycats too!
As someone said that’s the highest form of flattery.
I am still struggling to understand the hate for the brand among some.

I do note some obvious bias and prejudice among a few reviewers who emphasis “made in the US or UK” and disparage “made in China” (sometimes deserved, but not always)

Samuel Johnson (? In the context of British politics) said “Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels” when all else fails call upon patriotic and nationalist fervour….A but harsh but in the context of a globally connected economy and supply chains maybe it’s time to re-examine long held opinions and prejudgements? Bose could be a starting point…

 

[chander]

I am still struggling to understand the hate for the brand among some.

Hatred - Could be following reasons -
1 - Bad experience
2 - Bashing parade - just being part of it - trying to fit in with the "cool" crowd- just cause you can
3 - Genuinely dislike their sound to the point of repulsion
4 - Sour Grapes

Bose did a few things right. Their Acoustimass series was something else - whether you could afford it or not, everyone wanted a demo and came out saying - "then they removed the panel and there was a very small speaker in there". Their portable speakers were a rage. Their HPs were with every "cool kid in a Lancer" during our college days. Their 901s still have a fan following. Their pro speakers actually sound very good.

But can you get the same or "better" sound with other gear - for a lot lesser, you obviously can, "value" is always subjective - but then that is almost a universal fact that applies to all products.

Bose were cool once - now they are just polarising.

I would happily buy their portable revolve speakers, but then there is JBL Charge that does it all and a little more at around half the price.

Do I hate bose? No I do not think so, not a fan either.

Do I think they sound good? Most Bose products do not, but then that would be the case with absolutely any company, maybe other than Audiolab

Will I buy bose? NOT for myself, I doubt it, unless they go back to their groundbreaking roots and come up with something never seen before by the masses as they did once. However, I almost always recommend them to older people, my friends who want zero hassle. For them Sonos & Bose is always my highest recommendation.