QuestionQUESTION: We want to replace our old system and we're considering the Bose Acoustic Wave
System II because it's compact and reliable. We listen to classical music and
opera. Is this a reasonably good system for that?
ANSWER: I refrain from making product recommendations because the sound performance is so subjective.
In the case of Bose, they are unorthodox designs and, in my humble opinion, do not represent very accurate sound reproduction. For a music lover who appreciates the proper tonal balance and nuance of the sound they are not so good. Again, it is just my opinion; many people love them and would not have anything else. My opinion originates out of an engineering perspective.
They are quite reliable and the produce a strong output; if that is what you are looking for then I would be the last to discourage your purchase. But, they are very expensive, even overpriced, again, in my humble opinion.
Best wishes,
C
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I realize you don't recommend specific products, but we're a bit lost about what
to buy that is good for the kind of music we listen to and not hugely expensive.
Can you give us any guidance?
And many thanks for your prompt answer.
AnswerIt is a question of the following:
- Budget
- Acoustic space (size and style of the listening room - which affects sound reproduction qualities)
- How many listeners in the room
- What are personal preferences for frequency range and loudness (some people like extra bass or extra treble, etc.)
- Ease of operation
- Ability to interface with other equipment (such as a pc or TT)
- Size of the system and where it will be installed
- Portability
- Stereo only or 5.1 or 7.1 playback
- Connect to tv or dvd player?
and perhaps others matters of your own choosing.
When you say classical music it conjures up many issues as the wide range of classical music is the most demanding of all genre. For example, pipe organ sounds require very strong bass reproduction capabilities as does bass drum. Bells, piccolo, clarinet sounds require extra solid treble reproduction. Voice, such a opera, requires a good mid-range sounds. For example, Paul Potts may sound very good on one system but Neil E Boyd would not. Andrea Bocelli sounds good, relatively speaking, on all systems!
Here is an interesting tutorial commentary:
http://www.decware.com/paper19.htm
and there are other such papers on the Internet.
Here is my suggestion: Check the reviews found by Internet search; study the past issues of Consumer Reports, search the google shopping site, visit a few stores that have products that you would be interested in - take one or two of your favorite CDs and have the store let you audition the sound on the floor - which may or may not be helpful, but can at least give you an idea of the differences.
Hope this will help you get started on the search. And, if the Bose system sounds right after you have made the investigation then I hope it fulfills your expectations!
C
PS: Individual components are often the best way to go; that way you have flexibility in the power, speakers, system addons, etc.
