- Lifelike sound from Bose® waveguide speaker technology
- Plays all your music sources: CDs/MP3 CDs, FM/AM--plus your iPod®, smartphone, computer, tablet or Bluetooth® device with optional accessories
- Includes CD player, advanced FM/AM tuner, headphone jack, remote, clock
- Now with: Touch-top on/off/snooze controls; dual independent alarms; displayed song/artist radio info
only model somewhere around 15 years ago and is still going strong in my shop. I bought my
second one with CD around 8 years ago, and was faithful up until 3 weeks ago. The radio just
conked out and died. I ain't complaining though, 8 years is a pretty good run. (My original
is still kicking perfectly though. Guess they don't make them like they used to!)
Which brings me here today. Looking to replace my dead one, I was pretty much floored to see
that Bose is still commanding a $500 price tag for 2004 technology. Yes, it sounds good.
Yes, it sounds VERY good, but at $500 this is bordering on craziness. And don't believe those
who say it can compete with a component stereo. It simply can't. They either need validation
and feel-goodness for their purchase, or they are whacko. Gotta be one or the other. Again,
I'm not here to crap on Bose. If your stuck on the brand name, and have a $500 wad burning
a hole in your pocket for decade old technology, then have at it. You will have a very good
sounding Radio and CD player. But after my 3 weeks of OCD analyzing, listening, reading,
searching, listening again, this is what I've came to the conclusion of. It's my opinion
only, so take it as that, but if it helps anyone out there, your welcome.
1. If you techno savvy, and up to date on the latest and greatest, then there's pretty much
no replacing the Sonos PLAY:5 All-in-One Wireless Music Player with 5 Integrated Speakers (S5, Black)
music system for $399. You'll need internet obviously, and a bridge of some sort, (Sonos bridge, Airport Express, etc..)
but with 5 speakers, versus Bose's two tweeters and a woofer, yes, it is definitely better than the Bose. Is it day and
night better? No. But definitely noticeable. Plus you have a plethora of more music choices such as Pandora, Spotify,
Last FM, your own digital music collection etc.... If your part of the "X" or "Y" generation, this is probably gonna
be your choice. Also has free apps to control from Iphone, Ipad or android. Plus Amazon has a great deal for $25 a year
for their Cloud Player with Sonos. You can import 250,000 songs at anytime. $2 a month for access to a quarter of a
million songs is pretty amazing if you ask me.
2. If your stuck on terrestrial radio and CD playback, with the possibility of digital music, then the Yamaha MCR-040DG Micro Component System (Dark Gray) is gonna be for you. While again, the sound of the Yamaha is not night and day better, it is definitely better. You can save some coin for not opting for the wireless adapter if your not the Apple carrying type. You'll score a better sounding product and have $220 to blow on CD's. This would be the choice if your stuck on the all in one sleek look, and do not have alot of space.
3. Which brings me to the choice I made. The Onkyo CS-445 CD Receiver Systemfor $205. I also added the Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black) for $100 and still had $200 left over from the Bose. Now this system does BLOW away the Bose in sound quality, in large part due to the subwoofer. Now some of you might not have the room for a sub, but if you do, it would be downright silly not to buy the Onkyo and pocket the extra cash unless of course your stuck on the Bose brand name.
In conclusion, Yes, the Bose is very good, but if you research and go listen to these, you can get SO MUCH more for your $$$$. Hope this helps.
Buy Wave® Music System III - Graphite Gray Now
I bought this system through the Bose website because they offer a 90 day no questions asked return policy which includes shipping, PLUS 6 month zero percent financing, so I could try it out and only put up a hundred bucks to decide if I want to keep it. The first thing I thought when I saw the different options were that the prices are RIDICULOUS. For one of these guys without the CD player, it's 350 bucks. You add a simple decades old technology CD player, and they bump it up 150 dollars. Insane. However, if you don't listen to CDs and use your iPhone or MP3 player to listen to the majority of your music, you can get the CD playerless model, and add bluetooth connectivity for 100 bucks, which totals 450 for the system. I opted to go for this model, partly because I can always add bluetooth later but can't add the CD, and because I buy most of my music through amazon and it's all burnable to MP3 format, so I have CDs with over 120 songs on them in alphabetical order that I listen to in my car, and it's a huge bonus that they all work on this CD player.So, moving along... Unpacking and getting it up and playing is as easy as the listing said it would be. Take the cord, plug it into the unit, and plug the other side into the wall, and voilayou're ready to go. One thing that I want to mention is that this does not come with an FM/AM antenna included, but the instruction manual says that you can plug one in, so that's something you may want to consider if you're living in the boonies or out in the middle of BFN. The unit uses the power cord as the antenna, and the manual states that the cord should be straight to get optimal results, but I haven't really had any problems with getting the stations I want to listen to, so it might be YP, but not MP. (My problem)
The design of the unit is very simple and seemingly seemless. There is a "touch pad" at the top of the unit, which is nothing more than an invisible button useful for the alarm functions, a slot for a CD, an lcd display, all on a clunky, though charmingly attractive box. The remote control is essential to this music player's operation, and Bose is probably counting on me losing it so they can wring me out for more cash. The remote is nothing special, and almost reminds me of those remotes I used to get when I had Kenwood CD players and disc changers installed in my car. Nonetheless, if you lose it, you won't be able to use this thing for much.
There are four inputs/outputs on the back of the system, and they are: FM antenna, Bose link, AUX in, and Headphones. The AUX in and Headphones outputs are both 3.5 mm, which is the smaller of the two main connectors, but if you have a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter (that costs like 2 bucks on amazon) you can plug in your digital piano, or guitar from the amp into the AUX IN. I've done both, and the sound, especially from my Casio Previa Digital Piano came out about a million times cleaner and more pleasing than the stock speakers. You can also use professional headphones with quarter inch jacks with the adapter, but that almost defeats the purpose of spending 500 bucks+ on a stereo set.
After taking the time to learn the components, the remote and operation, alarm functions and time setup etc. and finally getting to really listen to music, it's easy to remember why I bought this thing in the first place. The sound is as good as money can buy. I'm a leisure musician living with a family of musicians, and we all appreciate the distinctive Bose sound. The songs I've listened to seem to come to life, and the speakers don't miss a single detail. Playing Christopher Cross's "Sailing" turns the living room into a warm day in the bay, listening to Kenny Chesney takes me back to my roots in Tennessee, "Turkish March" transforms the space into a music hall, and the bass from Juvenile's "Back that Azz Up" really makes my house feel like the VIP room at the club. When I listen to my Wave, I like to just close my eyes and absorb the sound that you almost never get to hear in your car or from your ipod. It's ear candy.
Read Best Reviews of Wave® Music System III - Graphite Gray Here
We've all heard the wonderful commercials regarding the BOSE radio system. Well this is really a first in truth in advertising. This system is worth every dollar. The sound is incredible and where I live I never dreamed I would have such great reception and a choice of so many AM and FM radio stations. The CD is better than any complete (large) stereo systems we've had in the past. Try it, you will NOT ever return it.Want Wave® Music System III - Graphite Gray Discount?
I know this is very expensive. But you just can't beat the sound on this system. It is unbeilvable that something so small could sound better than a big stereo. Was really scared to purchase this because of the price, but after getting it I couldn't be happier, and glad I made the big splurge. Music has never sounded better.
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