The reason is similar to why Windows sells so well. It's "good enough"
for undiscerning use, and heavily marketed.

While I agree with your "good enough" characterization, there is an
important difference. Microsoft has a true monopoly on PC operating systems
and no competitors. Unless you build your own box or buy Apple, Windows
comes pre-installed on the computer. (And how many other OS's are available
for Apple?) Certainly there are numerous flavors of Unix and Linux
available, but for average Joe/Jane that's not a realistic option. You
really have to be a systems kind of person to get an alternative OS up and
running.

The last test of monopolistic behavior is price. In an industry where
everything has become less expensive, the cost of the OS has steadily crept
upward. My copy of DOS 1.1 (dating myself) was $50, XP runs $200. My new
computer costs half as much as my first.

By comparison, Bose has many viable competitors. But in many retail
situations (From Sam's Club to Best Buy), Bose appears to be the high end.
They advertise in publications other than those specific to home theatre and
music, thereby getting market penetration/recognition their competitors
cannot match (or afford). They are certainly the 800 pound gorilla of the
speaker trade (I doubt their 3 closest competitors can equal their sales
volume). Their marketing model reflects capitalism at its best and worst.
But at least the consumer isn't stuck with Bose. There are many attractive
alternatives in the marketplace and it doesn't take a systems engineer to
get them up and running.

R / John