Is the Bose Wave Radio/CD Worth It?

Sunroof · 12-01-2008, 12:40 PM

The Bose wave radio with single cd disc player is a pretty pricey unit these days, but I have to wonder if they are worth the price. The only way to really know is from personal experience and getting feedback on the ups and down's on the price versus quality sound and construction. I have yet to hear one of these units, but know of Bose sound quality and engineering.

Anyone out there own one and want to provide an opinion?

Thanks

Bob

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Hype. Listen to one, then decide if it fits your needs.

einreb · 12-01-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunroof

Anyone out there own one and want to provide an opinion?

My wife got one using some 'points' she gets from work. I laughed it off since I am a guy and think that Bose sucks.

Its actually pretty nice and I use it a lot... no complaints. I was shocked at how much they cost though.

Rot 911 · 12-01-2008, 12:51 PM

They sell them over on Amazon.com The reviewers are pretty honest about what they think. A number of people have problems with the CD player and even the people that like the sound say the unit is overpriced.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

I have had one for over 10 years. Works perfect. Sounds fantastic for a clock radio. Does not compare to a real stereo on any level.

I use it daily as an alarm clock and take it with me to pool parties and such with the Ipod.

It's a nice little unit that is 20% manufacturing costs and 80% marketing.

IROC · IROC's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

I have had one for over 10 years. Works perfect. Sounds fantastic for a clock radio. Does not compare to a real stereo on any level.

I use it daily as an alarm clock and take it with me to pool parties and such with the Ipod.

It's a nice little unit that is 20% manufacturing costs and 80% marketing.

+1. Probably the nicest clock radio out there, but don't confuse it with real quality sound. If they were less than $50, it would represent some decent value...

Dottore · 12-01-2008, 01:26 PM

Check out the Tivoli Audio products for a small radio/CD unit.

Beautiful pieces that sound much better than the Bose wave.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Have one on my desk at work. I like it. It cranks when I want it to (it's more than enough to fill up this entire 2000 sq. ft. office with sound if I want it to - generally after hours).

A bit spendy I think (you're partially paying for the name), but I can't say I'm disappointed. It's a decent product.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

I have one that came through the shop I use with a cd changer, wouldn't have it if I hadn't gotten it used.
Jim

SlowToady · 12-01-2008, 01:36 PM

Those iPod docking stations have better sound, and I'm not kidding. Avoid it, and the inflated cost.

creaturecat · 12-01-2008, 03:15 PM

Bose.........no highs..........no lows.

mthomas58 · 12-01-2008, 04:26 PM

Bob, you're welcome to stop by for a test listen, we've got one. If you decide on one, the outlet store up 400 would be the way to go. I think they're a little overpriced as are all Bose products. The company is a marketing machine.

ramonesfreak · ramonesfreak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottore

Check out the Tivoli Audio products for a small radio/CD unit.

Beautiful pieces that sound much better than the Bose wave.

+1. was gonna suggest this as well. much nicer

Rot 911 · 12-02-2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottore

Check out the Tivoli Audio products for a small radio/CD unit.

Beautiful pieces that sound much better than the Bose wave.

+2. I even started a thread on the Tivoli products a year ago when I got mine. Tivoli Audio: Anyone Else Have One?

rammstein · 12-02-2008, 05:37 AM

My father has one. I do not think it is worth it at all. There are SO many good products out there at tht price point. Hell, they even have some super sexy tube-amp stuff that you can drop your ipod onto now. The Bose is, IMO, not worth it.

VincentVega · 12-02-2008, 06:51 AM

Ouch

If you think Bose is expensive, the Tivoli Audio CD player is $$$

SlowToady · 12-02-2008, 07:07 AM

It's not that the Bose unit is expensive, per se, but rather that it's expensive for what it delivers. In car terms, it'd be like paying $50,000 for a Toyota Corolla.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I disagree with that assessment. More like $50,000 for a nicely appointed Lexus. A little overpriced, but not as horribly as you say.

The Bose stuff I own (including a wave radio, as mentioned above) is all of good quality and the sound really is quite good. I'm sure if I had a $10,000 ear as opposed to a $1,000 (or maybe $2,000) ear maybe I'd care, but I don't. By that I mean that I really don't hear that much difference between Bose-level equipment and the uber-expensive stuff. Maybe some people can discern it, but I can't. Certainly not worth double, triple the cost. For me, the Bose is about as good as I'm going to get. Bit expensive yes, but I like it. It's about as "fancy" as I'd ever get.

FWIW the factory sound system in my Mercedes is Bose also, and it's similarly quite good and has good sound reproduction fidelity across the entire power output/volume spectrum. Again, no regrets. And don't even get me started on the noise-canceling headphones (both the Aviation X which I use when flying and the QC3 which I use as a passenger). They are absolutely top-notch and worth every penny.

myamoto1 · myamoto1's Garage

+10 (or whatever we're up to) on the Bose not delivering the bang for the buck. they're decent, but not great. however, it ultimately comes down to 2 things - how you like the sound and where you're going to use it. even a $30k system will sound like crap in an echo chamber of a warehouse and the crappiest system can sound half way decent at lower volumes in a smaller neutrally acoustic area. If you like the sound of it in the store, try it out at home – just make sure you can bring it back if you don’t like the sound of it in your environment. There are plenty of cheaper options out there that sound just as good, if not better, depending on how/where you intend to use it.

Sunroof · 12-02-2008, 12:42 PM

Appreciate the interesting responses. We were considering the BOSE for the bedroom but for $499.99 a pop, a cheaper system can probably do the trick! For that kind of cash, it has to make coffee or bake as well!

We have a set of BOSE speakers in our sailboat and the sound is outstanding within the cabin so I do agree with many on the quality of sound BOSE produces providing you have an excellent acoustical environment.

Thanks

Bob
1973.5T