Product Review: Bose Wave CD And Radio Music System

Many people tend to feel overwhelmed by the daunting task of finding the best music system that's available out there for their personal needs when there are so many options to choose from, making it all more difficult in determining what's the best for quality, features and more bang for your buck. The well-known Bose Wave CD and Radio Music System, for instance, is often one that many will often consider and add to their ever-growing list of possible choices, especially due to its Bose's reputable and long-standing history. However, when it comes to weighing the pros, cons, quality and overall price of the system against everything else that's out there, is the Bose system actually all that they're cracked up to be?

There is much to be considered when it comes to any system, but many seem to be flocking to Bose for not only what is known to be superior and room-filling quality, but many of its updated features that are in the latest version being offered. Taste of music and preference to how one may listen might also be a thing to think about when it comes to selecting the right system. While it is always best to check things out in person, here are a few noteworthy points to have a look at.

Features

Bose has truly set out to make this particular system with higher-quality sound yet in the same conveniently compact package as the original version. Only now it features a sleeker button-less design, having replaced the buttons from the original version and exchanging with a new credit-card-sized remote control. The once top-loading CD player has now been replaced with a more sophisticated-looking one that loads at the front, adding to the system's contemporary design factor. The system itself comes in three color choices: graphite gray, titanium silver, or platinum white.

They have also taken it one step further when it comes to updating all of the gadget-like bells and technological whistles. The system now boasts different packages that offer anything from multiple CD changers to a customized, self-charging iPod docking stations, and even wireless SoundLink USB adapters that will play anyone's favorite tunes without being connected directly to their personal computer. With the system's CD player, users are able to play both regular audio CDs as well as MP3 ones, while the radio functions have next and previous scan buttons to flip back and forth between stations and will also store up to six different stations in both AM and FM.

Another well-designed feature that the system gives buyers is the inputs/outputs area located at the back, which allows for an external FM antenna (in case of poor reception), a 3.5mm headphone jack, a Bose link connector (SoundLink adapters), and an AUX IN input for superior sound quality of one's favorite audio devices such as TVs, DVD players, game consoles and more.

Sound Quality and Performance

One thing that seems to draw many to the Bose system is their waveguide technology, thanks to its folded speaker design. This reproduces a realistic and lifelike high-quality sound within small areas, especially with low-registering sounds for excellent and natural-sounding percussion and bass. However, it should be noted that it may not do well for those who prefer their music louder than loud due to bass issues and level of volume of this particular system. This is more meant for playing and hearing specifically in one area, or room-filling, and may do well with more mellow types of music such as classic, jazz, pop music and so forth. The bass is certainly there, but maybe not quite as well for the likes of rap, metal or hip-hop, for instance.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Realistic Sound: Many buyers have reported excellent sound quality when compared to other systems on the market, giving what is often referred to as "realistic" sound.

Audibility: While the system has great room-filling sound that can be heard virtually anywhere within that room, it may not suit those who are into blaring it loud enough to hear clear across the house.

Streaming Music: Consumers have reported that it does well at playing streaming music, using the SoundLink adapter.

Reputation: Bose is a well-known and highly-reputable company.

FM Features: Some people have reported issues with the FM reception, while others claimed it worked great, but this may be avoided with an external FM antenna or could be due to the person's location.

Price of System: Many consider the system to be high-priced, though many have also said they find it's worth it.

Trial: Bose offers a risk-free trial to test the system out in your home for a 30-day period.

Remote Control: Some love it while others lose it!

There are numerous mixed reviews, whether by professional critics or the actual consumers, although the good seem to outweigh the bad. Mixed feelings can also pretty much be safely said for a number of electronics out there or sound systems. It is often recommend that one tries taking the system home, using the risk-free trial, and testing it out in their own place. By doing this, a person can test out just how well the sound carries through specific rooms, and to also see how it does with a house's acoustics. Try to ensure that the system itself is not close to or up against any walls, as this may cause vibration issues due the speakers enhancement for low-bearing sounds. Another thing to think about is also checking up on customer reviews throughout various websites yourself.

If you are trying to decide between the Bose Wave CD and Radio Music System and others, always make sure to do a proper and thorough research, as well as try and test out the competition in stores to help guide you on the right path. While the reviews may be mixed, it seems that the majority either love it or hate it. Those who seem to love it, not only love it, but they seem to buy several at a time. It's pretty safe to say that, unless a person is into loud music at ear-splitting levels, then the Bose system might do well for a person if it's within their budget.