Bose Computer MusicMonitor (silver)
Manufacturer: Bose Corp. Part number: 43329
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The tiny Bose MusicMonitor computer speakers are ideal for buyers who need the smallest possible speakers, but you can find better-sounding--albeit much larger--alternatives at this price.
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CNET editors' review
Bose Computer MusicMonitor (silver) price range: $399.00 - $399.95
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 04/01/2008
- Updated on:04/04/2008
The good: Compact Bose PC speaker system; tiny cast-metal cabinets; remote control for power and volume.
The bad: Very expensive; no headphone jack; size limitations affect sound quality for movies and games.
The bottom line: The tiny Bose MusicMonitor computer speakers are ideal for buyers who need the smallest possible speakers, but you can find better-sounding--albeit much larger--alternatives at this price.
If you're thinking about upgrading from the speakers that came with your computer and small size and high style rank among your biggest concerns, you're probably the ideal customer for the Bose Computer MusicMonitor stereo multimedia speaker system. Its minimalistic design severely reduces clutter, eliminating the need to mess around with a lot of wires and a subwoofer.
The system features a pair of speakers that stand just 4.8 inches high and weigh a little more than 1 pound apiece. We found the speakers metallic gray finish quite handsome and the aluminum cabinets had a quality feel to them. The minimalist styling is a refreshing alternative to some of the more garish PC speakers on the market. But the small size comes at a trade-off: The little guys manage to create a surprisingly big sound, with some semblance of bass. On the other hand, the performance limitations here are obvious when music, movies, or games demand to be played louder than the MusicMonitor speakers are capable of delivering. Given the $400 price of the speakers, you need to be sure that you're willing to pay a hefty premium for the small size and sleek styling.
The Bose Computer MusicMonitor speakers were designed to consume the absolute minimum amount of desk real estate. You get two speakers and all of the necessary connecting cables required to hook up the MusicMonitor speakers to a computer. (As with any "PC speakers," the MusicMonitors can also be connected to anything with a headphone jack or auxiliary line-out port--an iPod, MP3 player, or DVD player, for instance.) The fronts of the gray speakers are canted back to project sound up, toward the listener.
The MusicMonitor's left and right speakers look almost identical, but they're not. The right speaker houses the connection jacks (on the rear) and--stealthily located on the left side--you'll find the volume controls and power button. You can also use the included credit card-style remote control to adjust the volume, which causes the right speaker's indicator light to blink while you change it. It will blink twice once the volume has reached its highest or lowest setting. The remote can also turn the system power on or off.
The only real connection is a single 3.5mm stereo input. There's also a connector for the small external power supply, and a jack to connect the wire that's hardwired into the left speaker. Annoyingly, there's no headphone jack.
The MusicMonitor speakers utilize two small passive radiators in each speaker, which are aligned to cancel out each other's vibrations and enhance the bass, despite the system's small size. Indeed, you can see them through the vertical slots that run straight through the rear of each speaker from side to side.
We connected the Bose Computer MusicMonitors to our desktop PC and put them through the wringer on music, movies, and games. The Buena Vista Social Club CD sounded pretty sweet and the Cuban rhythms had a nice feel. The music's big bass came through with more gusto than we expected. Even better, the stereo imaging was good enough to make us forget about the speaker's tiny size. Sticking with the Cuban theme, next we tried Marc Ribot's Y Los Cubanos Postizos CD for its more electric, harder edged flavor. The MusicMonitor speakers held their own, so we compared them with the much larger yet far cheaper Creative GigaWorks T40 speakers. The bigger speaker didn't produce that much more bass, but the definition was better, treble detail was superior, and it could even play a bit louder. Whether it was because of the side-vented passive radiators, the ability to have both speakers set as far as six feet apart (the length of the hardwired connecting cord), or a combination of the two, stereo imaging seemed impressively wide.
Moving onto DVDs with Serenity, the larger speaker gained ground. When we turned down the speakers to a late-night listening volume, the MusicMonitor sounded fine. However, nudging the volume up, the sound felt cramped and harsh. Here, the GigaWorks T40's size advantage was more obvious. On the gaming front--we fired up Unreal Tournament 3-- the MusicMonitor did a little better, but it still lacked the overall power of the larger speakers.
If you're sold on Bose but want some alternatives, check out the bargain Bose Companion 2 Series II ($100) or the company's two 2.1 (subwoofer included) offerings: the $400 Bose Companion 5 and the $249 Bose Companion 3 Series II.
Editors' Note: This review has been changed from its original version to correct several details relating to the features of the MusicMonitor, which were originally--and incorrectly--confused with that of the entry-level Bose PC speaker, the Companion 2 Series II.
User reviews
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CNET Editor missed the point.
by jasonbru on January 9, 2009
Pros: 1. Best sound quality overall. (no competition yet)
2. Small & Light Weight (2 pounds total weight, easy for traveler)
3. Stable base easy to sit still (most PC speakers easily fall down)Cons: 1. Pricing. $399, no discount.
Summary: CNET Editor made an error in this product review, instead of comparing Apple with Apple. CNET compared this Bose small speakers with the Creative Gigawork T40 (which i also own ...
Summary: CNET Editor made an error in this product review, instead of comparing Apple with Apple. CNET compared this Bose small speakers with the Creative Gigawork T40 (which i also own and like), however, T40 is 2x the height, 1/3 wider, 5x heavier (2pounds of Bose vs. 11 pounds of T40). Guys, I love my Creative Gigaworks T40 but I cannot bring 11 pounds of speakers on my trips. So, pardon my being blunt, CNET editors were being lazy as they should compare speakers with similar size and weight. I happened to have a pair of I-Trigue 2200 which is a 30% taller than Bose' but about the same weight and overall dimension. By the way, Bose actually weights a lot less than however engineer put in artificial weight to "hold down" the speaker as the powerful voice of the speaker actually keeps the speaker falling off the table.
Comparing Bose with any small, light weight speakers, Bose's sound quality is far superior than any one in the market place. I could not find any speaker deliver sounds even half of what this speakers deliver. The decision for consumer is, if small size light weight is one of the "must have" along with sound quality, Bose is the ONLY choice. If size/weight is not an issue, you can get similar sound at half the price from other speakers.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good, expensive but worth it..
by rupesht on December 26, 2008
Pros: -Good Quality.
-Unbelievable how these small speakers can come out with such great sound
-Portable and very light. I also got the Carrying case which is very handy
-Sturdy die cast body.Cons: - Price is the only downside
Summary: Overall a good product.. Pls do not expect this product to give low and Mids as good as sub woofer systems..
Summary: Overall a good product.. Pls do not expect this product to give low and Mids as good as sub woofer systems..
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Another quality product from Bose
by DowningB on April 22, 2008
Pros: Small footprint, great sound
Cons: Wireless would be even better
Summary: Bose takes a lot of hits out there--it's tough to be on top--but I've been a fan for years. The MusicMonitors sound great, look great and compliment my ...
Summary: Bose takes a lot of hits out there--it's tough to be on top--but I've been a fan for years. The MusicMonitors sound great, look great and compliment my MacBook Pro perfectly. Well worth the price.
3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Must hear at the store
by waltshearer on October 22, 2008
Pros: Compact, incredible, full sound
Cons: High expense
Summary: Incredible addition to enhance computer sound, if able to afford
Summary: Incredible addition to enhance computer sound, if able to afford
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very compact, good sound
by dltillman on September 18, 2009
Pros: Small size, good sound balance, acceptable bass for such a small speaker. Not earth shattering, but very good.
Cons: Very expensive as compared to the Companion 2, with close to the same sound.
Summary: I purchased these several months after the Companion 2 system. I was very impressed with the sound of the original Companion 2's, running on an older Dell with a ...
Summary: I purchased these several months after the Companion 2 system. I was very impressed with the sound of the original Companion 2's, running on an older Dell with a NeoMagic sound card. When I connected them to the new AcerOne Aspire I was even more impressed. I then went to the factory store and listened to the MusicMonitor's using the Bose demo disc. The Monitor's sound more solid, full range, good balance, but the Companion 2 system had just as good sound range. I would not return either system, for performance, as they both live up to the Bose reputation. The bottom line is personal preference, the Monitor's are fantastic for their size, although expensive. My suggestion, if you have a local Bose outlet, and use a laptop, take it with you and listen to both systems, with your own music collection. If you want the Bose experence you will want to do this. Both systems sound very good, but remember that the sound card also can affect what you hear. Also, remember the lack of a headphone jack on a desktop speaker is not the end of the world, as I have read in other reviews, unless you want the remote volume coontrol, most headphone jacks are on the front or side of the computer in front of you. If you are spending the cash for a quality set of speakers, why are you listening to the headphones. My last set of computer monitors were Altec Lansing, inexpensive, very good sound with the subwoofer, but the point of the Bose system is very good sound, no subwoofer, small footprint and you can take them with you if you travel. I would rather have my own listening 'room" with me rather than listening to earbuds or the poor quality radios in most hotels. As I have a large collection of music tracks, audio books and movies that I enjoy, the Bose Monitor's are a welcomed companion.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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poor base, almost tinny sound in comparison to 2.1
by danman419 on June 15, 2009
Pros: small size, looks great, sounds okay for no subwoofer
Cons: has some low range, but still sounds really tinny compared to even the low end (harman/karmon) 2.1 system that came with my computer 6 years ago
Summary: For me, I can't think of a desktop situation where I wouldn't have room for a subwoofer hidden somewhere below/next to the desk (I got these speakers ...
Summary: For me, I can't think of a desktop situation where I wouldn't have room for a subwoofer hidden somewhere below/next to the desk (I got these speakers as a gift). These speakers sound good until you compare them to a 2.1 system. Once you make the comparison, you too will probably find yourself taking them back to the store.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Exceptional Build Quality, and Good Sound
by zbangando on June 4, 2009
Pros: Exceptional Build Quality.
Well balanced acoustics.
Bass is adequate for the size of the speakers.
Portable.Cons: The lack of a dedicated bass is aparent in some situations, but these speakers are about portability.
May not be as powerful as the compition in regards to output power, but then again its supposed to be a portible unit.Summary: The first thing that i thought when I saw these tiny speakers was, oh thaey look presentable. In fact this is one of the pros that these speakers have, but ...
Summary: The first thing that i thought when I saw these tiny speakers was, oh thaey look presentable. In fact this is one of the pros that these speakers have, but this is only half of the equation. The sound that is produced by these standalone speakers is quite surprising. The treble and mids are quite present when these speakers are playing. The bass isn't so present, but is above me expectations for a speaker of its size to produce. This speaker is able to produce decent bass because it incorporates 2 opposing radiators in its rear trunk. These two radiators bump out sound waves horozontally out of two opposing slits where they are visible. It is also quite entertaining to view these in action. I listened to a variety of songs through these things, from vivaldi to fantasia and Lady Ga Ga. They performed (to my ear) quite well in the classic stream and as well as a few movie scores. The thumpy thump of fantasia and Lady Ga Ga was good, but a little lacking in the low freguencies as you can expect. I think these speakers are exceptional for what they were desgined to be used as, which is a portable music stage; or in this case "monitor". Overall a good product.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best small speakers anyone can get!!!
by donk2k on March 10, 2009
Pros: Compact
good balance between the highs and lows
have a very durable feel to itCons: price is a bit steep
people who prefer to have more bass would best get something else...Summary: Best speaker i ever had in terms of sound quality.
The sound balance is just perfect and since all my previous speakers are pretty low cost, i would have to ...Summary: Best speaker i ever had in terms of sound quality.
The sound balance is just perfect and since all my previous speakers are pretty low cost, i would have to say that this speaker taught me the meaning of true sound quality. I would also say that it is pretty hard to find a speaker with this size to have the sound quality it has.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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It is a great product of marketing.
by panda2006 on April 11, 2009
Pros: Beautiful design
Cons: Extremely expensive, you pay a lot for speakers that should cost half, even less.
Summary: The Bose speakers represent the highest degree of marketing from a company like BOSE. I got them as a present, that is why I cannot return them.
Summary: The Bose speakers represent the highest degree of marketing from a company like BOSE. I got them as a present, that is why I cannot return them.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Stupendous sound from an elegant mobile product!
by jimstroup on October 6, 2009
Pros: Great, full sound, minimum footprint
Cons: Just wish it had Bose surround-sound.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Bose Corp.
- Part number: 43329
- Description: Introducing the Bose Computer MusicMonitor, Bose finest two-piece computer speaker system. It was created to satisfy the growing number of computer users who enjoy music and other entertainment from their laptops and PCs, take sound quality seriously, and want a space-saving computer speaker option for their desk and work area. Until now, rich, satisfying computer sound had been possible only from much larger speakers or three-piece systems with a bass module. The Bose Computer MusicMonitor has no bass module, yet offers surprisingly full, rich sound with deep low notes - and frees up space on and around your desk. The system's unexpected performance results from the latest in Bose amplifier technology combined with proprietary acoustic design, highly efficient neodymium speakers and Bose digital signal processing. Together, these technologies allow the Bose Computer MusicMonitor to deliver accurate, full-range sound surprising for its size. The system is unobtrusive yet elegant, with solid aluminum casing and a metallic finish. It complements your laptop or PC and fits nicely almost anywhere in your home. A handy remote keeps on/off and volume control at your fingertips. Or, use the buttons on the right-hand speaker. Connect the system to your computer or other audio source using the audio input on the back of the speaker. Hear the fullness and detail you may have been missing from your favorite downloads, Internet radio and much more - simply and elegantly.
General
- Product Type PC multimedia speakers
- Dimensions (WxDxH) / Weight Details Right channel speaker : 2.6 in x 4.8 in x 4.8 in / 1.3 lbs, Left channel speaker : 2.6 in x 4.8 in x 4.8 in / 1.1 lbs
- Enclosure Color Metallic silver
- Enclosure Material Aluminum
Speaker System
- System Components 2 speakers
- Speaker Type Active
- Output Features Bass Reflex
- Magnetic Shield Yes
- Audio Amplifier Integrated
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Controls Volume, Power on/off
Speaker System Details
- Speakers Included - Bookshelf, 2 x Right/left channel speaker - Indoor - Wired
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Audio line-in ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
PC Speakers (Extended Specs)
- Width 2.5 in
- Depth 4.1 in
- Height 4.1 in
- Cable(s) Included Audio cable
- Cables type Audio cable
- Color Metallic silver
- Component depth 4.8 in
- Component height 4.8 in
- Component weight 1.3 lbs, 1.1 lbs
- Component width 2.6 in
- Controls Power on/off, Volume
- Power Supply / Device Power adapter External
- Power device form factor External
- Power device type Power adapter
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Audio cable
- Included Accessories Remote, Power cable, AC power pack
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
Manufacturer info
- Bose Corp.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Bose Corp. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.bose.com/
- Address:
The Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701 - Phone: 1-800-999-2673
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