Bose home audio products

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Home audio products sold by Bose Corporation are listed below.

Contents

2.1 channel amplifiers

From 1990 until the early 2010s, Bose sold several 2.1 channel audio systems, which used two small satellite speakers and a subwoofer. Early systems used an in-built CD player, followed by a DVD player and later models were AV receivers (which used external audio sources).

CD players

The first 2.1 audio system from Bose was the "Lifestyle 10", which was released in 1990. The Lifestyle 10 included a single-disk CD player, an AM/FM radio and "Zone 2" RCA outputs which could be configured to output a different source to the primary speakers.

A 6-disk magazine-style CD changer was introduced in 1996 and a touchscreen remote was introduced in 1999.

DVD players

The first 2.1 audio system from Bose to include a DVD player was the "3-2-1", released in 2001. [1] The "3-2-1 GS" model was introduced in 2003, named for its use of Bose "Gemstones" small speakers (which have two drivers pointing forward and one pointing to the side). [2] [3]

The 3-2-1 was replaced by the "321 Series II" in 2004, which included two small speakers and a subwoofer. [4] The 321 Series II was praised for its performance for movies, but was criticised for its performance with music and for lacking a HDMI connection. The 321 Series II GS had similar outcomes, however it was also criticised for value for money. [5] [6]

An internal hard drive for storing music (in mp3 and wma formats) was introduced in 2005 for the "321 GSX" model.

The "321 Series III" replaced the Series II in 2008, adding an HDMI output connection. [7] [8] A "GSXL" model was introduced with a larger hard drive advertised as having a capacity of 200 hours of music (however the bitrate used is not known).

AV receivers

The first 2.1 AV receiver system from Bose was the "Freestyle", which was introduced in 2002 and used S/PDIF and RCA inputs. The system used the same speakers as the 3-2-1. [9]

The Freestyle was replaced by the "CineMate" in 2005, which has only RCA connectors and uses the same speakers as the 321 Series II. [10] A fibre optic input was added for the CineMate Series II, which was released in 2009.

The "Lifestyle 235" was released in 2010 and added an AM/FM radio, iPod dock and HDMI inputs. [11] [12]

5.1 channel amplifiers

From 1994 until the mid-2010s, Bose sold several 5.1 channel audio systems, which used four small satellite speakers and a subwoofer. Early systems used an in-built CD player, followed by a DVD player and later models were AV receivers (which used external audio sources).

CD players

The first 5.1 audio system from Bose was the "Lifestyle 12", which was released in 1994. [13] The Lifestyle 10 included a single-disk CD player and an AM/FM radio. Beginning in 1996, some models were sold with a 6-disk CD changer (using a magazine, so playback needs to be stopped when changing CDs). In 1999, the "Lifestyle 12 Series II" models added a coaxial S/PDIF input.

DVD players

The first products to include a DVD player were the "Lifestyle 28" and "Lifestyle 35" models, which were released in 2001.

The Series II versions of these products, released in 2004, used a "BoseLink" audio output instead of the previous "Zone 2" RCA outputs. The Lifestyle 38 was one of 22 products to be listed in the Sound and Vision Magazine 2004 Reviewer's Choice Awards. [14] The Lifestyle 48, along with the Boston Acoustics Avidea 610, was a winner of the Home Theatre category in the 2006 AudioVideo International "Hi-Fi Grand Prix Awards". [15]

In 2006, the Series II models were replaced by the Series III models, however the amplifier unit itself was unchanged.

The Series IV version of the DVD-based models were introduced in 2007 and saw HDMI inputs and outputs added to some models.

AV receivers

The first 5.1 AV receiver from Bose was the 1998 "Companion" model, which used RCA, S-Video and Composite connections. The Companion was one of 100 products listed in Popular Science's 1996 "Best of What's New" article. [16]

In 2007, the "Lifestyle V20" and "Lifestyle V30" products added HDMI and S/PDIF connections. [17]

The "Lifestyle T10" and "Lifestyle T20" models, released in 2010, added a USB audio input. [18] The "Lifestyle V25" and "Lifestyle V35", also released in 2010, added an iPod dock [19] and two USB audio inputs.

Speaker packages

Mono

2201

The "2201" was released in 1966 and was Bose's first speaker system. [20] It consisted of 22 five-inch drivers and was designed to be located in the corner of a room, using reflections off the walls and floor to disperse the sound. [21] The system included tone controls and a switch to attenuate frequencies below 50 Hz. [22] [23] [24] The 2201 was a failure in the market and was discontinued after three or four years. [25]

Stereo

901

The "901" was released in 1968 and was a conventional design consisting of two floorstanding speakers. [26] The system has nine drivers per channel, a separate amplifier unit, and an equalizer. [23] [27]

Unlike other Bose speakers, the 901 Series was not intended to be used without their included 901 Active Equalizer. While the speakers included metal pedestal stands, ceiling mounts were also available.

It was sold until 2016, when the 901 Series VI was discontinued. [28]

A review of the 901 by Stereophile magazine in 1979 concluded: [29]

If we were to judge the 901 in terms of the best sound available, then, we would say that it produces a more realistic semblance of natural ambience than any other speaker system, but we would characterize it as unexceptional in all other respects. It is ideal for rock enthusiasts to whom sheer sonic impact is of paramount importance, and for classical listeners who want the next best thing to ambient stereo without the cost and the bother of rear-channel add-ons. However, we doubt that the 901 will appeal to perfectionists who have developed a taste for subtleties of detail and timbre.

In the 1990s, Bose manufactured a "Lifestyle 901" system that integrated two 901 speakers, the 901 Active Equalizer, and a Lifestyle stereo receiver that integrated an A/M-F/M radio tuner and a CD player, as well as a remote control.

301

The "301" bookshelf speakers were released in 1975.Impedance 8 OHMS Cabinet, Height: 17" Width: 10.5" Depth: 9.25" Woofer: 8" Tweeters: 3" The Bose 301 Series II is a classic and powerful direct/reflecting speaker system delivering ultra-clear sound with stereo effects of remarkable quality. Direct/Reflecting speaker technology in these Bose stereo speakers lets you experience a live music concert in the comfort of your home. Asymmetrical design of the Bose 301 Series II offers balanced sound effects throughout the room. Integrated 8-inch woofer in this direct/reflecting speaker system provides rich and powerful bass effects. High-sensitivity tweeters of these Bose stereo speakers facilitate wide scattering of the sound, letting you feel the surround effects even if you are at a distance. Dual frequency crossover network in the Bose 301 Series II offers outstanding sound clarity by optimizing output frequencies. [30] The most recent version, the "301 Series V" has been on sale since 2002. [31]

201

The "201" bookshelf speakers were released in 1982.[ citation needed ] Similar in design to the larger 301 Series, the 201 Series featured smaller drivers (speakers). The most recent version, the "201 Series V" has been on sale since 2015. [32]

Acoustimass

Acoustimass 5 Series I Bose Acoustimass 5 Series 1.jpg
Acoustimass 5 Series I

The "Acoustimass 5" was released in 1987 and consists of a bass module and two "double cube" satellite speakers. [33] This was followed by an "Acoustimass 3" system in 1989, which consisted of two "single cube" satellite speakers and a smaller bass module. [34]

As of July 2019, the Acoustimass 5 currently remains on sale, in the form of the Series V version. [35] The Acoustimass 3 was discontinued in 2016. [36]

The original Acoustimass bass module featured a wooden ported enclosure round port (which later changed to a new cabinet design with a round port) while the current Acoustimass module features a larger, square port (the Acoustimass 3 and 5 systems still use the older-style Acoustimass module). The cube speakers (called "Jewel Cubes") were recently redesigned with a slimmer profile, and are no longer adjustable. New mounting brackets allow the newly-designed speakers to mount nearly flush to the wall. [37]

In the past, Bose has manufactured a 7.1-channel Acoustimass system, the Acoustimass 16, which featured five "double cube" satellite speakers, a single center-channel speaker, and an Acoustimass bass module. [38]

Surround sound

The company's first surround sound speakers were the "Acoustimass 6" and "Acoustimass 10", both released in 1996. [39] [40] Both products were 5.1 systems, with the Acoustimass 6 using "single cube" satellite speakers [41] and the Acoustimass 10 using "double cube" satellite speakers. [42]

The "Acoustimass 15" 5.1 system was sold from 1998 until 2006, [43] and the "Acoustimass 16" 6.1 system was sold from 2002 until 2006. [44] [45]

Other Stereo Speakers

Bose has manufactured several other stereo speakers.

Environmental Series

First introduced in 1994, the 111 Series Environmental speaker was an indoor/outdoor version of the Model 101 Music Monitor, which was introduced in the late 1980s. The 111 was replaced by the 151, which featured a similar design, but a revised metal speaker grille.

In 2004, the 151 was replaced by the 151 SE, which now featured "Direct/Reflecting" speaker technology for wider coverage, as well as the versatility of vertical or horizontal mounting using the included flushmount brackets.

Also introduced in 2004, the 251 Series Environmental Speaker was a larger version of the 151 Series.

The 131 Marine Speaker was a flushmount speaker that was meant to be installed on a boat, and could be connected to the boat's receiver.

The Freespace 51 is an "in-ground" landscape speaker that features omnidirectional, 360-degree sound projection, as well as a bass port. The speakers are designed to blend in with outdoor landscaping, and the wiring features "Posi-Tap" connectors, so that speaker wiring can be hidden underground.

"Virtually Invisible" Series

In the early 2000s, Bose introduced the 191 Virtually Invisible in-ceiling/in-wall loudspeakers. These speakers included both round and rectangular speaker grilles that could be installed according to the homeowner's preferences.

The 191 has since been replaced by the "x91 Series" Virtually Invisible in-ceiling/in-wall loudspeakers (which include the 591, 691, 791, and 891 loudspeakers). Unlike the 191, which included two different styles of speaker grilles, the x91 Series included different models made specifically for in-wall or in-ceiling installation.

The speaker grilles can easily be painted to match the homeowner's decor, and the 191 Series could also included in a line of "installed" surround-sound systems in new home construction.

Related Research Articles

Subwoofer Loudspeaker designed to reproduce low-pitched audio frequencies

A subwoofer is a loudspeaker designed to reproduce low-pitched audio frequencies known as bass and sub-bass, lower in frequency than those which can be (optimally) generated by a woofer. The typical frequency range for a subwoofer is about 20–200 Hz for consumer products, below 100 Hz for professional live sound, and below 80 Hz in THX-certified systems. Subwoofers are never used alone, as they are intended to augment the low-frequency range of loudspeakers that cover the higher frequency bands. While the term "subwoofer" technically only refers to the speaker driver, in common parlance, the term often refers to a subwoofer driver mounted in a speaker enclosure (cabinet), often with a built-in amplifier.

Amar Bose American engineer (1929–2013)

Amar Gopal Bose was an American entrepreneur and academic. An electrical engineer and sound engineer, he was a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for over 45 years. He was also the founder and chairman of Bose Corporation.

Bose Corporation is an American manufacturing company that predominantly sells audio equipment. The company was established by Amar Bose in 1964 and is based in Framingham, Massachusetts. Bose is best known for its home audio systems and speakers, noise-cancelling headphones, professional audio products and automobile sound systems. Bose has a reputation for being particularly protective of its patents, trademarks, and brands.

Dolby American audio technology company

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. is an American company specializing in audio noise reduction, audio encoding/compression and spatial audio. Dolby licenses its technologies to consumer electronics manufacturers.

Harman Kardon is a division of US-based Harman International Industries, and manufactures home and car audio equipment.

DTS (sound system company) series of multichannel audio technologies

DTS, Inc. is an American company that makes multichannel audio technologies for film and video. Based in Calabasas, California, the company introduced its DTS technology in 1993 as a competitor to Dolby Laboratories, incorporating DTS in the film Jurassic Park (1993). The DTS product is used in surround sound formats for both commercial/theatrical and consumer-grade applications. It was known as The Digital Experience until 1995. DTS licenses its technologies to consumer electronics manufacturers.

Denon is a Japanese electronics company started in 1910 by Frederick Whitney Horn, an American entrepreneur. Denon produced the first cylinder audio media in Japan and players to play them. Decades later, Denon was involved in the early stages of development of digital audio technology, while specializing in the manufacture of high-fidelity professional and consumer audio equipment. Denon made Japan's first professional disc recorder and used it to record the Hirohito surrender broadcast. For many decades, Denon was a brand name of Nippon-Columbia, including the Nippon Columbia record label. The Denon brand came from a merger of Denki Onkyo and others in 1939. In 2001, Denon was spun off as a separate company with 98% held by Ripplewood Holdings and 2% by Hitachi. In 2002, Denon merged with Marantz to form D&M Holdings. On March 1, 2017, Sound United LLC completed the acquisition of D+M Holdings.

Bose has sold aviation headsets since 1989 and consumer headphones since 2000. The current range of headphones/headsets consists of over-ear, in-ear, aviation and military models.

Home theater in a box

A home theater in a box (HTIB) is an integrated home theater package which "bundles" together a combination DVD or Blu-ray player, a multi-channel amplifier, speaker wires, connection cables, a remote control, a set of five or more surround sound speakers and a low-frequency subwoofer cabinet. In 2016, they are manufactured by most makers of consumer electronics. Budget HTIB's with generic or lower-price "house" brands may be a "2.1" system. Many, however, are a full "5.1" system and some higher-end packages even have a 7.1 system. Some popular manufacturers of HTIB's are RCA, Philips, Panasonic, Sony, Yamaha, LG and Samsung, all of which make a variety of mid-price range packages. Bose and Onkyo make higher-end, higher-priced HTIB packages.

Bose has sold various computer speaker products since 1987. Most models consisted of two small satellite speakers, sometimes with a subwoofer.

AV receiver Consumer electronics component

An audio/video receiver (AVR) is a consumer electronics component used in a home theater. Its purpose is to receive audio and video signals from a number of sources, and to process them and provide power amplifiers to drive loudspeakers and route the video to displays such as a television, monitor or video projector. Inputs may come from a satellite receiver, radio, DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, VCRs or video game consoles, among others. The AVR source selection and settings such as volume, are typically set by a remote controller.

A&R Cambridge Ltd (Arcam) is a British manufacturer of hi-fi equipment based in the Cambridge Innovation Park, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, England. It was established in 1976 by science and engineering students from the University of Cambridge. Since July 2017, it has been a part of South Korean company Samsung Electronics through its American subsidiary Harman International Industries.

Shelf stereo products sold by Bose Corporation are listed below.

Luxman is a brand name of Japanese Luxman Corporation (ラックスマン株式会社), a company that manufactures luxury audio components. Luxman produces a variety of high-end audio products which include turntables, amplifiers, receivers, tape decks, CD players and speakers

Tivoli Audio is an American manufacturing company notable for producing a line of up-market tabletop radios and related audio products. It was founded in 2000 by Tom DeVesto in collaboration with Henry Kloss, who perceived a gap in the consumer audio market for a high-quality, well designed and affordable AM/FM radio. Tivoli Audio is best known for its Model One Radio.

Technics is a Japanese brand name of the Panasonic Corporation for audio equipment. Since 1965 under the brand name, Panasonic has produced a variety of hi-fi products, such as turntables, amplifiers, receivers, tape decks, CD players and speakers for sale in various countries. It was conceived as a line of high-end audio equipment to compete against brands such as Nakamichi.

AirPlay Proprietary wireless streaming protocol developed by Apple Inc.

AirPlay is a proprietary wireless communication protocol stack/suite developed by Apple Inc. that allows streaming between devices of audio, video, device screens, and photos, together with related metadata. Originally implemented only in Apple's software and devices, it was called AirTunes and used for audio only. Apple has since licensed the AirPlay protocol stack as a third-party software component technology to manufacturers that build products compatible with Apple's devices.

The portable audio products sold by Bose Corporation have been marketed as the SoundLink models. These wireless speaker systems are battery powered and play audio over a wireless connection from a separate source device. Most models use Bluetooth to communicate with to the source device.

The "VideoWave" was a television sold by Bose from 2010 until 2015. It consisted of a 46-inch LCD television with an enlarged Bose Wave Radio attached to its rear surface. Also included was a Lifestyle control center that allowed for connection of additional sources, an Apple iPod docking station, as well as A/M and F/M radio.

Apple Inc. has produced and sold numerous music and multimedia speakers, available for standalone purchase and bundled with Macintosh products.

References

  1. ↑ Schnell, Bill (2001-12-05). "New Bose DVD Home Entertainment Systems Feature Cirrus DVD Video Processor". Cirrus Logic. Archived from the original on 2008-04-16. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  2. ↑ Electricpig - Bose Lifestyle 235 Home Entertainment System
  3. ↑ "Bose 3-2-1 GS Series I". zdnet.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010.
  4. ↑ C|NET Review - Bose 321 Home Entertainment System
  5. ↑ "Bose 3-2-1 GS Series II Review - Home Theater Systems". www.cnet.com. 19 March 2014. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "Bose 3-2-1 Series II Review". www.cnet.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012.
  7. ↑ Barker, Dennis (2008-07-11). "Bose Intros Enhanced 3-2-1 DVD Systems". electronichouse.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  8. ↑ "ElectronicsMe Review - 321GSX III". Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  9. ↑ C|NET Review - Bose FreeStyle PC multimedia speaker system
  10. ↑ C|NET Review - Bose CineMate
  11. ↑ "Update Manual" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 25, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Bose Lifestyle 235 Specs". www.cnet.com. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  13. ↑ "Lifestyle 12 system - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  14. ↑ "2004 Reviewer's Choice Awards Page 7". 15 December 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-12-31. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  15. ↑ "26th Annual Hi-Fi Grand Prix Awards". Archived from the original on 2007-04-06. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  16. ↑ Bose updates home entertainment products, extends sound offerings to PCs Archived February 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ↑ "Bose To Simplify Home-Theater Setup With Onscreen Displays". Archived from the original on 11 June 2010.
  18. ↑ "Bose Unify - the simpler home cinema system?". www.pocket-lint.com. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  19. ↑ "2201 speakers". www.bose.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  20. ↑ "Direct/Reflecting™ speaker technology". www.bose.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  21. ↑ http://products.bose.com/pdf/customer_service/owners/og_901.pdf
  22. 1 2 Bose 901 loudspeaker By J. Gordon Holt November, 1979 Stereophile
  23. ↑ Sound all around: the new multi-directional speakers
  24. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-12-02. Retrieved 2012-10-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. ↑ "901 Direct/Reflecting® speaker system". www.bose.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  26. ↑ "901® Direct/Reflecting® speaker system - Home Stereo Speakers". www.bose.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  27. ↑ "901® Direct/Reflecting® speaker system series VI". www.bose.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  28. ↑ "Bose 901 loudspeaker Page 4". www.stereophile.com. 7 November 1995. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  29. ↑ "Model 301 Direct/Reflecting® speaker system". www.bose.com. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  30. ↑ "301® Series V Direct/Reflecting® speakers". www.bose.com. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  31. ↑ "201® Series V Direct/Reflecting® speaker system". www.bose.com. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  32. ↑ "Acoustimass 5 speaker system - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  33. ↑ "Acoustimass 3 speaker system - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  34. ↑ "Acoustimass 5 Series V speaker system - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  35. ↑ "Acoustimass 3 Series IV speaker system - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  36. ↑ https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/speakers/home_theater/acoustimass-10-speaker-system.html?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r#v=am10_v_black
  37. ↑ "Acoustimass 16 Series II home entertainment speaker system - Bose Product Support".
  38. ↑ "Acoustimass 6 home theater speaker system - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  39. ↑ "Acoustimass 10 home theater speaker system - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  40. ↑ "Bose Acoustimass 6 Series III (black) review: Bose Acoustimass 6 Series III (black)". www.cnet.com. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  41. ↑ "Bose Acoustimass 10 Series IV speaker system Specs". www.cnet.com. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  42. ↑ "Acoustimass 15 home theater speaker system - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  43. ↑ "Acoustimass 16 home entertainment speaker system - Bose Product Support". www.bose.com. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  44. ↑ "Bose Acoustimass 16 home theater speaker system". www.howstuffworks.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2007.
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