Bose Wave music system (graphite gray)

• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 14 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 5 stars

  Great sounding unit but with a major design flaw

  by rfguru on December 26, 2005

  Pros: Good sound, stylish

  Cons: No function controls on the main unit, workmanship, reliability

  Summary: This brand new, $500.00 alarm clock caused me a major embarassment in front of my wife and Christmas guests when it stopped responding to the remote control after about ...

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  Summary: This brand new, $500.00 alarm clock caused me a major embarassment in front of my wife and Christmas guests when it stopped responding to the remote control after about one hour of use (and the remote control battery was not the problem).
  
  I am an electrical engineer and I bough the Wave Music System as a Christmas gift for my wife wanting to impress her with the exquisite quality of a luxury-class sound system, mind you this was the first time I purchased a Bose product. I opted for a factory new system from a Bose outlet, as opposed to a refurbished one, which the outlet also offers, thinking that it will decrease the chances of something being wrong with the unit.
  After my wife unwrapped the radio, I set it on the kitchen counter, plugged it in, popped in a CD, and turned it on, and out came this wanderful, crisp and full sound. My wife was impressed indeed. All was fine until about an hour later when she called me over and showed me that the unit was not responding to the remote control anymore. I tried resetting the battery, brought the remote control closer to the unit, moved the radio to a different direction, all of no avail. Today I purchased a new battery for the remote control, but that didn't do it either. Tomorrow, I have to drive 110 miles away to return the whole kettle and caboodle back to the outlet.
  The fact that the radio has no control buttons built in is a major design flaw. A failure of the remote control becomes a system failure. And since the remotes are made in Mexico, guess what are the chances of it failing? Also, if you misplace or lose the remote control, the radio becomes a useless piece of furniture antil you get a new remote control.
  I give Bose Wave Music System a 10 for sound quality and style and a 0 (zero) for workmanship and system design which averages out to a 5.
  I just want to add one more thing: my old, $50.00, no name stereo system purchased from Costco, has been working flawlessly for years.

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  6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 9 stars

  Unbelievable Sound, Incredible look

  by malex930 on December 29, 2005

  Pros: Sound quality is unsurpassed...sleek design...alarm function is top notch

  Cons: No bass or treble control...no buttons...doesn't scroll the songs when playing mp3 CDs

  Summary: This is an absolutely fantastic desktop radio. At first, I was a bit dismayed when I realized this sounded as good (if not better) thank my large surround sound stereo ...

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  Summary: This is an absolutely fantastic desktop radio. At first, I was a bit dismayed when I realized this sounded as good (if not better) thank my large surround sound stereo system in my living room! That was until I realized a similarly priced Bose system would be about $4000. But I digress.
  
  It's unbelievable that such rich, deep, and impressive sound can come from such a small radio. Everything sounds amazingly clean, no matter what the volume is. The light of the clock will automatically dim in low light (so it's not emitting this blinding light in a dark room). The alarm is great: you can set the time, wake mode (FM, AM, or CD), and alarm volume. The alarm comes on at a very low level and gently rises until it reaches the volume you specify. There is an AUX jack in the back, to which you can connect any type of component (TV, DVD, mp3 player, etc.).
  
  There are only minor issues: no bass or treble controls, the lack of buttons on the player itself (relegating all use to a remote control), and the fact that the song names do not scroll in the display when you are playing mp3 CDs. The first two, however, are relatively insignificant. The sound is such that you won't adjust the bass or treble anyway if you could (perfect setting). And let's face it: this unit is $500. If you have that kind of money to spend on a unit like this, you are probably a grown adult. Which means this: take care of your remote like a grown adult and don't lose it. Simple as that. However, I would recommend paying an extra $40 and springing for the backlit remote that is 3 times larger than the original.
  
  The sound of this player, the sleekness of the design, and the alarm function make this the best possible desktop radio/CD player you could buy.

  Updated
  I gave this unit a 9 out of 10 because of the problem reported by another user, in which he said that the remote control simply stopped working. In that case, there's nothing you can do except return the remote/unit for another one. However, I think buttons anywhere on the unit would detract from its fabulous design.

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 9 stars

  Little Wonder!!!

  by ccramu on January 14, 2006

  Pros: Small size, elegant design,

  Cons: small remote, no controls over the main unit.

  Summary: I reside in UK and i bought it during christmas. I opted for black colour. The system is compact and the sound it produces is astonishing. The unit is compact, ...

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  Summary: I reside in UK and i bought it during christmas. I opted for black colour. The system is compact and the sound it produces is astonishing. The unit is compact, clutter free with out any buttons on the main unit.
  Coming to down side, it is irritating when u cannot mute, pause or stop the alarm when u dont find the small remote. The only way is to switch of the power.
  The Bose claimed that we can assign a particular track as alarm tune, but you have to load the same CD which contains the track every night before u go to bed if u want that particular song. this does not make any sense. Atleast they should have some memory to store that particular track.
  At least they should have one button on the main unit, atleast Power button to switch it off or on in emergency.
  But at the end of the day you will forget all these flaws when u listen to your favourite track in your BOSE music system because it is different!!!

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  2 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 8 stars

  I am very surprised!!!

  by bkluever on May 7, 2010

  Pros: small foot print
  very easy to use
  made in u.s.a.
  sound is very good
  0% intrest

  Cons: i wish it had a regular rca input jack
  it is a little pricey

  Summary: This system i bought for my new bar room in my basment and i wasnt sure at first about getting it, I read all the reviews and you know with ...

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  Summary: This system i bought for my new bar room in my basment and i wasnt sure at first about getting it, I read all the reviews and you know with bose it seems there are thoughs that hate them or love them. I have to say that it dose everything they claim it dose fill the room with great nondistorded sound at any level and it will fill a large room rather well. the stereo seperation is extremly good. the base is surprising nice not too boomy and not too weak. it is the best sounding system for the size i have ever heard and i have tried many. bose is over all a great co to deal with there customer service is very good it is made in u.s.a hey these days you just dont see that i t is a very solid all around system with great tecnology.

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• 9 stars

  GREAT SYSTEM FOR THE SIZE...WOW!!

  by TemujinScott on June 3, 2007

  Pros: Great sound and great design...Great customer service as well!

  Cons: A little pricey...but you have to pay for quality!

  Summary: I have been seeing this WAVE radio for quite some time now. On QVC, Bose.com, crutchfield. The price was always discouraging. I have read some reviews -- and I ...

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  Summary: I have been seeing this WAVE radio for quite some time now. On QVC, Bose.com, crutchfield. The price was always discouraging. I have read some reviews -- and I will say some people are a little too picky. This system is very small. You place it across the room from where you sit or lay and you WILL be impressed. It is a nice design. There have been complaints about the remote. Bose currently has a special where they give you a bigger remote with a backlight for free!
  For people who love to listen to their music on a great sounding system..BUY IT!
  
  Bose's customer service is great. I had to send the unit back because the cd player would malfunction. Before I could finish my statement/complaint, they had shipped a brand new system out to me -- Got it in 2 DAYS!!
  
  People -- buy the system -- you won't be dissapointed.
  
  Remember -- it is about placement of the unit, to get the BEST sound!!!
  
  And, Bose has a great payment plan option!!!
  The unit has great features in it - that you will discover when you plug in the system!

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• 8 stars

  My first intro to BOSE sounds

  by pueblo99 on January 25, 2007

  Pros: Great sound on local radio and CDs

  Cons: The only thing is not able to play MP3s

  Summary: I have the older model with top loading CD, I think I prefer this method to he letter box.
  It's in my bedroom and used every day from wake
  ...

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  Summary: I have the older model with top loading CD, I think I prefer this method to he letter box.
  It's in my bedroom and used every day from wake up time which is very early, I use either Radio or my own CDs.
  The sound is crisp and clear, although there are no bass or treble controls the sound is consistent for easy listening.
  No need to fiddle around just adjust the volume level and enjoy.

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• 8 stars

  overall great

  by yanni1234 on January 20, 2007

  Pros: great sound, power for it's size, and clarity

  Cons: can't thunder out bass tones, if it could it would be totally perfect.

• 10 stars

  Great Radio, Great Features, Great BOSE Sound

  by bose120 on April 12, 2006

  Pros: CD, A/M/F/M, Auxillary, Better Than Wave Radio I

  Cons: Really None

  Summary: I Bought This Radio. It's Great! Sometimes, I'll Plug My IPod Into It. It Sounds GREAT! I LOVE IT!

  Summary: I Bought This Radio. It's Great! Sometimes, I'll Plug My IPod Into It. It Sounds GREAT! I LOVE IT!

• 9 stars

  Great, Simple

  by wishalis on February 13, 2006

  Pros: Not Available

  Cons: Not Available

  Summary: I have mentioned all the Pros and I want to expand on the cons.
  
  1) There are no operating buttons on the system itself so, it is really inconvenient. You
  
  ...

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  Summary: I have mentioned all the Pros and I want to expand on the cons.
  
  1) There are no operating buttons on the system itself so, it is really inconvenient. You have to fetch for the remote every time you are near the system and want to perform some operation. I solved this inconvenience. I bought another remote (costs just 10$) and stuck it to the system using a back to back sticker. I wish BOSE makes some kind of accessory to tie the remote to the system neatly. I should get an award from BOSE for coming up with something like this!!
  
  2) CD loading is like in the car i.e., the system handles the eject (slide in and out). It is not a top loading CD so it is impossible to clean the lens manually. Just for cleaning the lens, I may have to send the system to BOSE for which they are going to charge a lot but, I guess you get CD cleaners for this purpose in the market. It may not be very effective though, I am assuming.

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• 9 stars

  Incredible Sound

  by Computant on January 17, 2006

  Pros: Small, excellent sound, streamlined appearance,

  Cons: Price, no buttons on the machine itself

  Summary: The Bose Wave is an incredible little system that can pick up a large variety of stations clearly. The sound is truly amazing considering the size of the speaker cones ...

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  Summary: The Bose Wave is an incredible little system that can pick up a large variety of stations clearly. The sound is truly amazing considering the size of the speaker cones inside the unit. The $500 price tag is enough to turn some people off but this unit is well worth the price considering its size and quality.

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