Bose Wave Radio

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 26 Mar 2004, 20:28

Has anyone ever bought/heard a Bose wave radio (as seen in countless magazines)? I want one for the kitchen (so cute, takes up no space) but the Ã‚Â£400 price of the CD version is huge! Does anyone who has heard it think it's worth the money? I'm tempted to buy one on the 30-day exchange promise but it's - let me say it again - Ã‚Â£400! It's not a lot of money for a hi fi but it's an AWFUL lot of money for a clock-radio.

Surrealist · Post by **Surrealist** » 27 Mar 2004, 01:25

Down in Leith on the same block as the Cameo bar is a Chinese buffet restaurant which uses one as its stereo for the restaurant. I thought it was a bit noisy (ie just distorts at high volume) and not at all rich sounding.

There was no bass either. I had a ghetto blaster 15 years ago which cost 1/4 of the price which had 10x better bass.

I think you'd be much better off with either a midi system or an expensive "ghetto blaster" type thing - and for Ã‚Â£400 you'll be getting top whack.

Why not go down to the Chinese buffet and preview it? (It's just over the bridge on the same side as Black's camping place) - so even if you think it's bad you'll have had a nice meal.....

But if you're after a status symbol - go ahead. Carter from ER has one by his bedside.....

Dakota · Post by **Dakota** » 17 Aug 2005, 20:36

I've heard one! I'm just back from staying in a holiday cottage which had a Bose Wave Radio/CD. Sounded magnificent - easily a match for a starter hi-fi system.

But why is it so EXPENSIVE?

<SIGHS>

Keep saving, I suppose.

xxxx · Post by **xxxx** » 17 Aug 2005, 21:21

My father did the 30 day trial, and I have to say it was nothing special in itself, and ridiculously overpriced for what it was.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 17 Aug 2005, 21:43

I won't be investing in anything like the Bose until I see how wireless works out. Like Dada I had and have had a number of superb ghetto blasters (all Panasonic) going back 25 years, it was murder lugging them around but well worth it.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 17 Aug 2005, 22:11

Porty wrote:I won't be investing in anything like the Bose until I see how wireless works out. Like Dada I had and have had a number of superb ghetto blasters (all Panasonic) going back 25 years, it was murder lugging them around but well worth it.

I wondered how you got those muscly shoulders.

Dakota · Post by **Dakota** » 18 Aug 2005, 16:52

Yes, it IS vastly overpriced, but it's a niche product and you pay for the design as well as the sound. I want a discreet radio/CD that will fill the room with sound and yet be totally unobtrusive. In terms of sound quality, everyting is subjective, and I agree it doesn't compete with a high-end hi fi system.

But what it does do is (1) look incredibly unobtrusive (2) take zero effort to instal (unlike, say, streaming radio from my PC or cable box) and (3) provide vastly better sound quality than any other radio/CD player I've ever heard.

But why does it have to be so EXPENSIVE?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 18 Aug 2005, 17:12

During my house extension I got some rooms mono wired. So we can have non-stereo music in 4 rooms with inline ceiling speakers. The system is limited but has a number of sources including a DAB radio. The whole thing cost about Â£500 including an Amp and although its not Hi Fi, due to digital, the sound quality is very good.

B&O, like Bose, have made a fortune out of design rather than sound quality. Each to their own i guess.

Dakota · Post by **Dakota** » 18 Aug 2005, 17:37

I think you've hit the nail on the head, Porty. You can't justify it on cost, except as a lifestyle accessory. Bizarrely, the B&O analogy had never occured to me.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 18 Aug 2005, 19:24

Maybe you can justify it on cost - cos when people come over you not only wave the Bose at them but also the receipt !

Or maybe it's "reassuringly expensive".

xxxx · Post by **xxxx** » 18 Aug 2005, 20:04

Its called 'exclusive pricing'.

It says you bought it 'because (you can afford it) you're worth it'. However, having heard one, I think bose are pushing the limits somewhat.

They're a big name in pro audio though, which is why I was was suprised at their mediocrity.

If you're in it for looks, why not go for these:

The Bose Acoustic Wave Cannon. Discrete minimalism is so last year

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 19 Aug 2005, 09:28

To be fair on B&O and Bose I ought to have included Innovation along with design.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 19 Aug 2005, 10:05

Innovation? That freebie magazine which gave folk an opportunity to waste their cash on 'ideal' presents such as pens which doubled up as a watch?
Are you sure?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 Aug 2005, 10:39

A triumph of style over substance. Oops, sorry - wrong thread!