Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Speaker System – Graphite/Silver

I'm very picky with my music systems. Theres just no way around it. I once spent an entire month shopping for the right system for my truck and then a whole day having it installed and tweaked in just about every way possible (different sub, different head unit, multiple speaker locations and sound settings, etc..) until closing time at the car audio store. And eventually paying them for their time and having the system removed because it just didn't sound "right". I've listened to so many systems in my day and found them lacking in certain ways that I'm almost jaded. ALMOST. Too mushy on the bass, not enough "warmth" in the overall sound, mids not clear/clean enough or too harsh, not enough detail/imaging (sound separation/blending), and on and on. I just had no EMOTIONAL reaction to them. My buddy once told me that I'm like a junkie looking for his "first hit". You know, it can never ever be quite as good as "the first time". So it sometimes goes with music gear.But then I come across a little gem like these Bose Companion 5's and realize I'm not as completely crazy as I (and some others such as my wife) actually thought. Here there is hope. For me anyways.Don't get me wrong - these speakers probably aren't the Holy Grail. But they offer so much listening joy that I have say that they have at least re-inspired me to keep searching for the perfect living room set up. I'm NOT impossible to please!Bose apparently did their homework when they thoughtfully built these well made speakers, and it's the stereo imaging that really sets them apart from the others. When playing Thorn In My Pride by The Black Crowes for instance, I can close my eyes and hear the notes of each and every instrument - first the guitar, then high hat, organ, percussion, more guitars, all dancing around my head. Then the vocals coming from...from everywhere! Many songs I listened to had this same affect, but this was the best early example and still one of my favorites to hear on the Bose. Other artists that sound great are Cat Stevens (Father and Son!), Faith Hill (Man's Home is His Castle - the piano and vocals!), Billy Idol (White Wedding, Eyes Without a Face). Harmonies can sound luscious too (The Belle Brigade - Losers). I'm talking about emotion here. There were some songs that brought tears to my eyes for the first time in years...I'm trying not to gush on these because they are not perfect. When I first hooked them up I was disappointed. I thought they sounded tiny and harsh and couldn't believe I spent that much money on them. Being used to disappointment I was planning on sending them back. But after going through the manual and setting them up properly with my Macbook Pro and being more careful choosing the quality of my source they sounded better and better. Now I'm noticing how tight the bass is and how it comes right up to where the four 2" drivers leave off. It's very well balanced.As a reference I have owned some Klipsch Pro Media 4.1 THX (never thought I'd sell them), Altec Lancing, and Logitechs. All sounded good to me but not really special. I even brought home some Bowers & Wilkins MM1's to compare side by side to the Bose. And while those did have some amazing little tweeters they didn't come close to the imaging and bass provided by the Companion 5's and I returned them.So I am keeping the Bose. I recommend them and also that people take the time to set them up properly and give them time to break in. And remember to use a good sound source like a CD or lossless MP3's. Also try a good music player instead of iTunes or Media Player. I am using Audirvauna and it does make a difference.I didn't mean to leave out movies. I just don't watch them on my computer much unless they are music videos lol! I did watch an episode of The Vikings on the History channel and I agree with most of the other reviews that it sounded really full and enjoyed it. Not exactly true 5.1 but very close.

Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Speaker System - Graphite/SilverThis is the second set of these speakers that I have bought within the past month. The first I placed in my study with a 27 inch Dell Windows 8.1 all-in-one computer. The second I placed in my bedroom with a Samsung 27 inch Windows 8 all-in-one computer. Thus the rooms are not really very big – studies about 12 x 12 in bedroom about 16 x 16 feet. The sound in both of these rooms is quite booming with great highs, lows, and base. Volume is quite good at about 25% and the neighbors will complain if I raise it above 90%.These are excellent speakers. The 5:1 surround sound simulation is quite good from only three speakers, and the entire assembly is quite simple. So, the five-in-one surround sound is a simulation, and to get the best performance you do need to configure the speakers appropriately in Windows – but that only takes about 1-2 minutes max time.For easy assembly, all cords are color-coded and shaped to fit easily and in only one way into the subwoofer. There is really no way to configure it wrong.The system consist of two desk speakers and a subwoofer that sits preferably on the floor. Assembly is as follows: plug all of the following cables into the subwoofer and place the subwoofer preferably on the floor.• AC power cable• Right speaker cable• Left speaker cable• Volume control that sits on your desk• USB cable that plugs into your computerPlace the volume control on your desk and a convenient location. Insert the USB cable into your computer. Insert the power cable into a convenient AC outlet. The volume control as a convenient large button on top to press to turn the system on.If you are using a Windows system go to your control panel and select sound. The sound panel will open you should see speakers 2– Bose USB audio. Highlight the speaker icon and set it to default. Then go to configure and set up and test your speakers. Make sure the distance between the two desk speakers are as indicated in the directions for the best surround-sound and separation.That’s it! :-) You’ve got wonderful surround-sound simulation (but sound is primarily from the front and sides and less so from the rear) with great volume, good separation, and great highs and lows depending on how you set up your equalizer and players.These speakers rock! :)