300 out of 301 people found this review helpful.
Is it Live or is it Bose?---Bose Acoustic Wave Music System
Date of Review: Apr 2, 2001
The Bottom Line: This system is as close to reality as you can get. Well worth every penny you'll pay.
Well, it's been three days and I have turned it up and I have turned it down. I have blasted my home with Megadeth and soothed myself with Wolfgang. I've twanged and fiddled and listened to a Fender or two and even detected the harmonious sound of a flute. I have come to the conclusion that my Kenwood will have to take a hike.
Late last year I wrote the review on my Bose Wave Radio/CD. I still have that and as of this week-end, it has retired indefinitely to our bedroom. It is a wonderful piece of technology and I love it. But now I have the Bose Acoustic Wave Music System.
There is no way I could ever afford to shell out over $1,000. bucks at one time for a stereo. But with the offer that Bose is advertising now, they made it possible for me to own, yet another one of their magnificent products. With the plan that they have now on the acoustic music system, you pay it out at $82.92 per month for 13 months. That comes to a whopping $1077.96 dollars. Does this sound out landish? Does it sound like I have lost my mind? Maybe so, but it is the best, craziest thing that I have done since I paid $500.00 for the Bose Wave Radio/CD. That is interest free too, folks! The terms include a 30 day free trial.
In my personal opinion, the achievement in advanced technology of sound that has been accomplished by Bose is unsurpassed by no one else. They have managed to take the sound effects of many components by the top companies in the business and compacted that sound into mini systems and have done it better than the others. Much better.
The Bose Acoustic Wave Music System is larger than their Wave Radio/CD. But not by that much, really. Smaller than a microwave, if you will. And unlike the two speaker smaller system, this one has four. The sound is great with the Wave Radio/CD, but they have really out done themselves with the music system.
According to Bose, there is a 7 ft. long tube that is entwined inside the shell of the music system which is how they achieve the wonderful sound results that are produced. They call it an integrated signal process. It is extremely simple to operate. Can you say that with all the components you have to have in order to try to get that live sound with other system brands? No, I don't think you can. There are adjustments here and there with others. Always tweaking trying to get that realistic sound. Most times never reaching that goal. You don't have that problem with the Bose Acoustic Wave Music System. Just plug it in and it is automatically balanced with no need for tweaking. As a matter of fact, there are no buttons or knobs to adjust it with. Perfect balance always.
With this system, I also received a pedestal to sit the system on. The pedestal has connections for your t.v. and vcr. And there are two other sources for other things also. I have it connected to my big screen right now and I have to say that I have been able to achieve that theater sound with this small system. I have no need for the surround sound set that I was contemplating buying.
As with the Wave Radio/CD, the Wave Music System comes in two colors. Platinum white and graphite gray. For some odd reason the gray is only made available in North America. Odd. The gray is near being black.
A accurate digital clock is on top the system and is one of the easiest clocks to set that I have ever used. The remote is the size of a credit card and if you should ever happen to lose it, they cost $29. for a replacement. It uses a 3 volt battery. I am still using the original one that came with my Wave Radio/CD last year, so they last a very long time. Of course from your remote, you are able to control the radio and CD player. There is an auxiliary button, am/fm buttons, a sleep button, track/tune buttons, and 10 preset channels. (5 am and 5 fm)
The CD player which holds only one, is oh so simple to use. It provides repeat and continuous music modes, skip and scan. The system size is only 101/2"H x 18"W x 61/2"D. Every button that is on the remote is included on the top of the system too.
Lets talk about the sound. The Bose Acoustic Wave Music System has the richest, most realistic, true to life sound that I personally have ever heard. The separation of tones is amazing. The clarity is such that you would not believe it. You can hear the slightest tap of a drum or the single high note of a flute and all that is separated so that you can enjoy your music completely. Separated, I say? Yes, but combined in a most brilliant way. The sounds all come together to perform for you and give you the sensation of being there. Being at that concert or being in the balcony at the symphony. Or if feeling like Garth Brooks is playing in your living room is more your style then the Bose Acoustic Wave Music System is for you. It certainly is for me!
The Bose Acoustic Wave Music System will free up a lot of space for other important items that you may not have had room for with your large bulky stereo system. That is a big plus for me. You can sit it just about anywhere and it will look nice sitting there. It has a nice shape and it will add a delightful appeal to any decor.
There are optional accessories that you can purchase in addition to the system. An extra remote will help if you have kids like me that tend to lose the things. You can also purchase some things such as a power case, powered microphone, rechargeable power pack, and travel case. The system is battery capable and is small enough to take with you where ever you may want to take it.
Well, I certainly hope that I did the Bose Acoustic Wave Music System justice in this review. I am a large Bose fan and I can't sing it's praises enough. Yes their products are expensive, but I feel it is well worth the money if you value a high quality, realistic sound from your music or in the case of connecting it to your television, your movies. The bass is rich and you will wonder how you have done with out it for so long.
The Bose Acoustic Wave Music System does carry a limited 1 year warranty and all parts defective in material and workmanship is covered. The warranty is fully transferable providing the current owner furnishes the original proof of purchase from an authorized Bose dealer.
Enjoy!
