features :
- TrueSpace surround digital processing circuitry delivers multi-channel, immersive sound
- Simple USB connectivity-no sound card upgrade, extra software, adaptors or wiring needed
- Two small speakers and compact module deliver sound you might expect from a five-speaker system.
- Handy control pod houses volume control, single-touch mute, headphone jack and auxiliary connection.
- Acoustimass module produces deep low frequencies and can be hidden almost anywhere in the room.
Customer Reviews
| 92 of 96 people found the following review helpful  Virtual 5.1 system with only 3 speakers! Must hear to believe!, By This review is from: Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Speaker System - Graphite/Silver (Personal Computers) The Bose Companion 5 speaker system is a fantastic addition to a multimedia home computer system. I've had several different sets of computer speakers, including one other Bose set, and this is hands-down the best set.The Companion 5 set consists of two desktop speakers and an acoustimass-type sub-woofer unit or module. The module is the heart of the system -- not only does it control the speakers and bass, but it also functions as an excellent soundcard. The module connects via USB and not through the computer sound card because of that, and will function as the primary soundcard for your computer. Per the directions, they need to connect through a USB port directly on the computer, and not through a hub or docking station. The instructions do not specify why, but I presume it would be due to the delay present in most hubs. Additionally, one needs to make sure that your computers sound and audio settings for the OS and software are configured properly to ma ke sure the speakers work properly. It should occur automatically when the speakers are set-up. The directions are all very clear on how to ensure this happens in a step-by-step process, and include a good troubleshooting guide in case problems occur. It took less than a single minute for me to set up when I did it as almost everything was handled automatically by the speakers. It is important to note that you must follow the provided directions if you want these speakers to work properly. Most of the negative reviews posted seem to point out what happens when you don't follow directions. However, once you follow them, you'll get unbelievable sound from the system. I had to get up once and check the door behind me because I thought I heard someone knocking, only to discover that it was sound coming from my game that I had heard. PROS: - Superb, full spectrum sound from a small, compact system - Very rich sound when used with DVD movies , CD's, MP3's, and games - Accurately conveys 5.1 sound when media/software uses that format - Subwoofer provides excellent very low frequency sounds - Uses very little desk space - Very attractive appearance - Excellent high-end sound card for all but the most specialized applications CONS: - Price (though I don't have "buyer's remorse" now that I have the system, and considering a soundcard is included makes the price more reasonable) - Weakest area of the virtual 5.1 coverage is directly behind head - No microphone input (important for those using online games in particular) - No on-off switch; unit can go into a "mute" or "standby" mode, but seems like a waste of electricity - Will disable/by-pass an expensive sound card if one is on your system OVERALL: Highly recommended if you can afford it Alternatives: If one of the problem s above is a showstopper for this system, my recommendation would be to look at the Klipsch systems. 480 of 528 people found the following review helpful The best thing my ears have ever heard, By This review is from: Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Speaker System - Graphite/Silver (Personal Computers) In this review: an in depth comparison of Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 THX, Logitech Z-2300 THX, Bose Soundock, Bose Companion 3's, Bose Companion 5's and Altec Lansing t-612Thank you for taking the time to read this. I'd like to offer a review somewhat different than what you've read before. It's a long one so if you're looking for something quick, you may want to stop here. Otherwise hopefully you'll enjoy the perspective. My thanks go out to those who let us know who you are and what you do in your review, and how you use the system, it really makes a difference. It's important to know the story behind why someone is buying something and what they are looking to do, otherwise you get mismatched needs and solutions. My story begins during the first month of 2008, when I got myself into a bit of a speaker craze while searching for a sound solution for every room of my house. Three years ago I put my life's music collection in digital format on iTunes to the tu ne of over 5000 songs with perhaps the widest array of music than anyone else I know: Jazz, Hip-hop, R&B, trip hop, electronica, techno, country, audio books, Tony Robbins, metal, rock, dub, enigma type stuff, lounge, new-aje, world music, caribbean, Latin and on the list goes. So, when I say I've tested these speakers over a wide variety of music, you can take my word for it. My demographic: Male, business owner (custom Italian leather journals, guest books and photo albums: see epica . com ) and hip-hop dancer choreographer, 30 years old, Southern California. Creative, very into pleasing the senses. After growing up with stereo systems that catered to more bass than clarity, my initial goal was to discover what would be the most clear, best, space filling rich sound I could in each room of the house while still being incredibly aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive at the best price. I wanted to turn up the volume and be amazed at what I heard wit hout any distortion and I wanted to be thrilled at the lowest volumes as well. I wanted to feel like I was there, to have a music experience every time I turned something on. The best price part went out the door rather quickly. So here's what I did: Apple sells a device called an Airport Express that among other things such as being a wireless router, also allows you to stream iTunes music to it wirelessly. All you have to do is plug in a stereo mini plug to one end and an audio source to another. Give it a name like living room and it appears in iTunes. you can have several of these devices all over the house. In the past I have always hooked up big stereos or shelf systems to it for sound but now in the age of tiny computer speakers and iPod doc systems, I've realized you can connect anything to it and have taken the experience to a whole new level. There are now 4 airport expresses in the house in different rooms along with an apple TV which also feature s this Airtunes feature in the living room, bedroom, second bedroom, kitchen and hallway... yes the hallway. After having spent hours in the Apple Store and Best Buy listening to different sound docks and speakers with my iPhone and collection of music, I just decided to purchase and used every single unit that caught my interest with the decision that those which didn't give me everything I was looking for, I'd just return. (The manufacturers must love me.) Because what can you really tell about a speaker or sound system in a 30,000 foot warehouse with sound and people all around you? Are you kidding? Nothing. You've really got to setup these systems in your environment. It's also important that you test your purchase in different places and positions all throughout your house. You won't believe the difference in sound from having say, a SounDock in your bathroom vs. a bedroom. Move the subwoofer around, adjust the bass on it, move the speakers, b e creative. you'll surprise yourself. Finally, a word about Bose. Of all the sound companies that I read reviews for, and I read about 400 before making a purchase, I have never seen such a contrasting fan base. You've got people who detest anything Bose and people who would buy it without listening to anything else. For the record I am neither of these people. I have owned Bose products in the past and enjoyed them as I have with other companies but was not biased towards or against them prior to purchase. The Systems: The Klipsch Prop-Media 2.1 speakers were my purchase. I was attracted to what I knew about the Brand, the subwoofer control on the actual satellite speaker and the 0 price point. I got them home and aesthetically I was just never really attracted to the speaker. My place has a very Asian-Zen and modern feel and these just kind of stood out in the wrong way wherever I placed them. But we're talking about sound so I looked past that. It's got a pretty large subwoofer, and... Read more 38 of 39 people found the following review helpful  Oustanding speakers, but..., By This review is from: Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Speaker System - Graphite/Silver (Personal Computers) The Bose Companion 5 speakers have the best sound I have heard on any set of computer speakers. The glowing praises given by many of the other reviewers are right on target.I do listen to most of my music through these speakers, which are connected to my one year old Alienware computer. And if that was all I needed from my speakers, I could not be happier. However, as a person who also spends more than 30 hours a week using other USB devices, including a Plantronics headset, a Wacom drawing tablet, a scanner/printer, mouse and keyboard, I would not recommend these speakers for the simple reason that the Bose speakers take a very large amount of USB bandwith. Before I owned these speakers, I was not aware that USB bandwith would ever be a problem. Practically speaking, I cannot fully use programs like Ventrillo while I play online games (WOW and WAR); I cannot listen to music with WMP while using any voice messaging program (MS Messenger); and I cannot listen to music while using my Wacom tablet with programs like PAINT and such. I do give this product 4 stars, though I still waver over whether I should give it only 3. By the way, this issue is acknowledged by BOSE on their web site, with no work around given, other than to limit the use of any other USB device. |
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