Manage updates with the Download AppBose Companion 3 Series II (graphite)
Manufacturer: Bose Corp. Part number: 40279
- CNET Editor rating: Not yet rated
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 41 reviews
- More product information:
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Description:
- The Companion 3 Series II multimedia speaker system delivers top-of-the-line stereo performance from all your computer entertainment. Enjoy striking clarity and depth from MP3, CD and streaming music sources - plus podcasts, DVDs and games. Updated 3-piece design features two desktop speakers with stands and a hideaway Acoustimass module. Chances are, your computer is already a primary source of music ... Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 05/13/2013 |
User reviews
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One of the best multimedia speaker combos...
by jclayton76 on November 18, 2006
Pros: clear sound quality, small size
Cons: cheap connectors
Summary: The sound quality on these is the best of any multimedia combo set out there. The Companion 5's may be better if you don't need 5.1 sound ...
Summary: The sound quality on these is the best of any multimedia combo set out there. The Companion 5's may be better if you don't need 5.1 sound these are your speakers. I previously had a set of Klipsch Pro Media which I am replacing due to cheap connectors. These have an overall tighter sound to them compared to the Klipsch and the highs and midranges sound warmer and more natural, even from lower quality mp3's. My only complaint with these (and all multimedia speakers) are the cheap quality connectors being used. These RCA jacks are very low quality and the sound control module connector is a DIN style connector. I think using high quality wire and gold-plated RCA jacks as well as a robust module connector (perhaps USB) would have been better. I would have given these a 10 had the connectors and wiring been better. If you are looking for the highest sound quality buy these speakers.
13 out of 13 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Head-to-head: Logitech Z-2300 vs Bose Companion 3
by energymike4 on September 11, 2010
Pros: Beautiful design
Cons: Couldn't beat the Z-2300 in price or sound quality
Summary: I've never written a review on a product before but since I put a lot of effort into deciding which speaker system I wanted for my computer I'll ...
Summary: I've never written a review on a product before but since I put a lot of effort into deciding which speaker system I wanted for my computer I'll share my findings...
I bought both the Logitech Z-2300 and Bose Companion 3 Series II with the intention of comparing them and returning the one I didn't prefer. I set both of them up on my computer desk at the same time, and using a splitter on my computer's audio jack was able to have both ?control pucks? side by side in front of me so I could switch from one speaker system to the other instantaneously as I played various songs. I had one finger on each power button and would press both at the same time to switch speaker systems to discern how they handled the identical source material. Frankly, you can't get a better setup to compare two sets of speakers. I will now compare the two system in terms of sound quality, design and price and then discuss my conclusion.
Sound Quality
Out of 8 different songs, varying from rap to classical, I found I preferred the Z-2300 on 5 of them. I should note that I had the black cloth speaker covers off of the Z-2300. It was very close, and in many instances I couldn't tell a difference as I switched from one system to the other. On some I did notice the Bose having the ?tin can? type effect some have mentioned, while on others I noticed the Logitech's somewhat poor handling of mid-range. These aren't 4-figure speaker systems, but they sound pretty darn good for what they cost, they're both impressive and much better than I thought they'd be. I must say the Bose's bass was surprising as it hung in there with the much larger Z-2300 (the Logitech sub-woofer is about 4x the size of the Bose), though if I blasted it I could tell a difference. Winner: Logitech Z-2300 by a hair, almost a tie as I really had to strain to notice differences here and there.
Design
In terms of aesthetics, the Bose wins hands down. The speakers are so tiny they can fit comfortably on the smallest of desks and look cool. The Bose's control puck looks and feels much better than the Logitech's. As mentioned before, the sub-woofer is about a quarter the size of the Z-2300. It's really amazing Bose can get the quality of sound out of those tiny things as it does. If aesthetics is important to you at all (ie you're female or live with one or want to impress one), I would say the Bose's looks can more than make up for the slight loss in sound quality. Winner: Bose Companion 3 Series II by a landslide.
Price
In terms of price, the Z-2300 wins hands down. In Canada I paid $170 for the Z-2300 and $300 for the Companion 3 Series II. Winner: Logitech Z-2300 by a landslide.
Final Decision: I kept the Logitech Z-2300. They're both very solid systems. While I certainly appreciated the Bose's design, the fact that the Z-2300 could not only hang in there with the much more expensive Companion 3 but actually sound better on 5 of the 8 test songs allowed me to justify keeping the $130 difference in price. I should note that I have a very large desk (it's actually a small dining room table) so I didn't mind the extra bulk of the Z-2300. However, the Bose's design wins by such a large margin I could definitely understand, actually recommend, certain people with small work spaces, or who just like things that are pretty, paying the extra money and taking the ever so slight hit in performance by going with the beautifully petite Bose Companion 3 Series II system.4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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one of the best 2.1 speakers out there.
by jakeyy66 on April 7, 2010
Pros: AMAZING sound, If you could see where the sound was coming from you would think a multi thousand dollar stero.
Very nice designCons: Honistly... There's nothing to no like about the system. It would be nice to have a remote, But being a computer system a remote is not always needed.
Summary: The Bose Companion 3 speakers are fantasic, I have had mine for a few months and my god are they good.
Today i had them next to a nine hundred ...Summary: The Bose Companion 3 speakers are fantasic, I have had mine for a few months and my god are they good.
Today i had them next to a nine hundred dollar stero and the bose just blew the panasonic out of the water.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Small Speakers Great Output.
by arun_1459 on January 10, 2010
Pros: 1.Worth every penny
2.Compact
3.Mini home theater experienceCons: factory bass treble settings
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Perfect for classical music
by FranzSchubert on February 10, 2010
Pros: Great fidelity of orchestral instruments.
Cons: They're sensitive to iPhone interference.
Summary: I never write reviews, but these Bose speakers warrant some defense to the prevalent Bose bashing seen on the net. I compared these directly with the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 ...
Summary: I never write reviews, but these Bose speakers warrant some defense to the prevalent Bose bashing seen on the net. I compared these directly with the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 at home and was expecting to like the Klipschs better. My first impression was the Klipsch were better, but after more careful analysis using Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, the Bose won hands down. The voices of individual instruments came through with the Bose, while the Klipsh sounded LOUD, but muddy.
What's missing from most reviews is what type of music is being played and at what volume. For loud rock & roll, pop, or punk, the Klipsch are great. For classical music played softly (so the family can sleep), the Bose are superb. Plus, the convenient and functional volume control puck is an added bonus.
I firmly believe that one needs to assess speakers at a normal volume with your favorite music. And, as with music, speaker sound is very subjective.3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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very very good
by stu-83 on December 8, 2009
Pros: Sound quality is very good! small compact, adjustable bass, good set of speakers
Cons: Conectiong cable is cheap and nasty, and the price, but you pay for what you get
Summary: Right, where to start, I will try and keep this as brief a possible.
Got my Bose system about 2 months now. Very happy, amazing bass, very small compact, i ...Summary: Right, where to start, I will try and keep this as brief a possible.
Got my Bose system about 2 months now. Very happy, amazing bass, very small compact, i really like the puk thing, not nessersary but a cool little useful thing to have. Gives good range to any type of music genre.the bass box is also a nice compact size, and fits nice under a desk.
The bad things are really only minor things, which i do feel Bose just thought, "what the hell, just bang it in there!" This is the connecting cable. As i said not a massive problem, but if ur spending this much money on a system you would have thought they would have added gold plated connectors, like the Q2's I have. A shame, as the cheap connector I had to replace, became loose and crackly (I ony took it out 4 times, maybe it was just a one off thing...?). Also the price, but You pay for what u get...... Yes they are more expensive, but personally worth it!
Overall good solid product, buy one if u have the money, well worth it!!!!!!!2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Bose quality + Reasonable Price = A MUST HAVE!
by wvivz on January 28, 2010
Pros: Small form factor which still provides room filling sound! Easy setup!
Cons: That silly touch sensitive mute button i keep accidentally pressing whenever i change the volume. A button would be nicer and easier.
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Crisp, Amazing Sound!!!
by media_surfer on December 3, 2009
Pros: -Crisp and clean output
-Compact design
-Innovative remoteCons: Would prefer if the speaker plugs (RCA + 3.5 mm jack) were made of higher quality or had optical out.
Summary: If you are looking for impeccable quality without overwhelming bass, these speakers are for you.speakers take up no room, and the subwoofer although appears small, can produce some responsive ...
Summary: If you are looking for impeccable quality without overwhelming bass, these speakers are for you.speakers take up no room, and the subwoofer although appears small, can produce some responsive bass. Elegant and simple, an audiophile must have. Price seems a little steep, but is redeemed upon listening.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best computer speakers ever
by shanmill on April 26, 2007
Pros: Great sound, very loud and clear, make the floor shake!!!
Cons: maybe a little costly
Summary: I bought these speakers for my dorm room because the people down the hall continualy blast their music. After having them a week I am very pleased with the quality ...
Summary: I bought these speakers for my dorm room because the people down the hall continualy blast their music. After having them a week I am very pleased with the quality and most of all loudness of the speakers. the two inputs are great as well so me and my roomate can both share the speakers without always switching the cord.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Ten out of 10
by rohit_singh on April 19, 2007
Pros: Great Look and Feel, Sounds Great, Easy to Use, Perfect
Cons: you think twice to spend $250 for PC Speakers
Summary: Wanted to buy Com 5, ended up buying Com 3, I guess made a right choice... there may be a little difference... but u pay lot more for that. Got ...
Summary: Wanted to buy Com 5, ended up buying Com 3, I guess made a right choice... there may be a little difference... but u pay lot more for that. Got great bass, moved glasses from the shelf... love 'em
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Bose Corp.
- Part number: 40279
- Description: The Companion 3 Series II multimedia speaker system delivers top-of-the-line stereo performance from all your computer entertainment. Enjoy striking clarity and depth from MP3, CD and streaming music sources - plus podcasts, DVDs and games. Updated 3-piece design features two desktop speakers with stands and a hideaway Acoustimass module. Chances are, your computer is already a primary source of music and other entertainment. But you may be settling for so-so sound, especially if you're still using original equipment speakers. Companion 3 speakers are designed to upgrade your listening experience with a richness of sound that may surprise you. It starts with two stereo speakers with matching stands for superb performance and added desktop space. The small speakers deliver crisp highs for lifelike vocals and instruments. The compact Acoustimass module handles lower notes and effects with resounding depth and fullness - yet hides easily under your desk. Bose proprietary TrueSpace stereo signal processing circuitry adds spaciousness and ambience that most conventional computer speakers cannot match. The entire acoustic package delivers the richness you want from your music, and the audio excitement you expect from movies and games. Companion 3 speakers also feature an easy-to-use, multi-function control pod, no bigger than a computer mouse. Speaker volume control, single-touch mute, headphone jack and an auxiliary input for an additional audio source are all within easy reach.
General
- Speaker type PC multimedia speaker system
- Speaker type Satellite speaker,
Subwoofer - System configuration 2.1-channel
- Speakers included 2 speakers,
Subwoofer Features
- Speaker Type Active
- Woofer size (inches) 2 in
- Audio amplifier Integrated
- Connectivity technology Wired
- Controls Mute,
Volume,
Bass - Additional features Satellite magnetic shield
Connections
- Connector type 1 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ),
1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone 3.5 mm ),
1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone 3.5 mm ) Details
- Driver details Satellite speaker : 1 x Full-range driver - 2 in
- Driver details Subwoofer : 1 x Subwoofer driver - 5.25"
Compatibility | Accessories
- Included accessories Rubber pads,
Satellite speaker stand,
Remote control,
Audio cable - Cables included Audio cable
- Remote control Remote control - Cable
Power
- Power device Power supply - Internal
Battery
- Type None
PC Speakers (Extended Specs)
- Battery type None
- Cable(s) Included Audio cable
- Cables type Audio cable
- Component depth 2.5 in,
13.7 in - Component height 2.5 in,
8.5 in - Component weight 0.5 lbs,
14.8 lbs - Component width 2.8 in,
6.8 in - Power device form factor Internal
- Power device type [Feb 24, 2011 from CDS: Power Device] Power supply
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Bose Corp. products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Bose Corp.
- Address:
The Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701 - Phone: 1-800-999 2673
- Fax: 1-508-820-3465
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