On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 19:57:20 +0000, Farrell8882 wrote:

A friend of mine asked me "Why _not_ Bose?" and I really don't have an
answer for her. I know audiophiles routinely revile the brand, but
that's not an excuse I'm comfortable sharing. It's not one I can either
defend or expound on.

I recall reading a very good point-by-point analysis here (or somewhere
people here would be familiar with) that takes apart Bose (both the
speaker and the myth), exposing what a really shoddy piece of
workmanship a Bose speaker is. It's technical, but not incomprehensible.

I only paid partial attention because I'd never buy anything by Bose, so
I had no reason to read any more deeply. I've seen it a couple of times
in the last few years, including sometime this winter.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

__________________________________________________ ________

Bose has excelled at doing frequency response manipulation based on
some intense study. There are some frequencies that the Female gender
is slightly more sensitive to..Dr. Bose has used these studies to
manipulate a number of areas in the audio spectrum to create rather
cozy and pleasant sounding devices.

Back, somewhere in the early '70s I think Admiral radio had used a
fairly elaborate "ducted" low frequency system to present a very
impressive bass from a tabletop radio. A friend of mine that owned an
office supply company had one in the large open space that most Office
supply houses have...it was impressive in the low end. I was very
impressed...having lived around some Altec-Lansing A7 theatre systems.

This was a ducted system that had been used World
Wide with variations. I always assumed it was a kind of "public
domain" and could be used by anyone. However, Dr. Bose was able to
"modify" this ducted system and get a patent in the U.S. Many have
wondered how this was accomplished.

So, to shorten all this, by manipulating the mids and highs and
implementing the lower-frequency ducted system he has been able to
turn out speakers/radios, etc, that, on initial hearing...they sound
very pleasant, etc.

However, if your hearing is a bit critical you will soon discover
that something is missing in this type of manipulation..things are
just not all there. However, some people get used to all this..and
swear by it! Such is life!

I'm sure there is more to this story that this...however, this is
as I have observed through the years.

So, if one listens around in a serious manner and decides the Bose
is best, over a period of time, then by all means go ahead buy
it..keeping in mine that you might well want to trade to something
else with a year!

Leonard...