Juanita may have the best use yet for these cubes.... or at least the one that makes the most sense.
Quality and Bose are not words to be used in the same sentence... (Whoops!)

I recently decided to replace my aging tower speakers, surround and center channel speakers with a 6-piece system from Bose. 5 small cubes (two front, one center and two surround) and a bass module. Crutchfield was having a special deal for $899 so I decided to order the speakers from them after listening to them at a local Circuit City. Crutchfield also has a return policy that allows you to listen to the speakers in your own home for 30 days and if you don't like them you can return them for a full refund. With Bose's reputation, I didn't think I would need to take advantage of the liberal return policy but after a few days of listening to these speakers, they're going back to Crutchfield.
I'm not an audiophile, but in my opinion, the Bose speakers sounded small and dull. Movies sounded good but I thought that music generally sounded awful. I listened to many different types of music - classical, jazz, rock and country and none sounded very good. The bass is ok but doesn't meld well with the rest of the sound. In short, the Bose lacked the richness and full sound of my older (and far less expensive) tower speakers. I played around with different placements of the bass module and angling the cubes different ways but in the end, the speaker sounded like toys. No comparison when listening to my old speakers, side by side.

In short, I was very disappointed with the speakers but I highly recommend buying from Crutchfield. The Bose speakers sounded great at the store but not great in my home.

Well I have to admit this site is amazing for the amount of people that bag Bose. I own the AM10, but before purchasing, as one does, listened to a variety of speakers in their price range to suit my requirements. I think they are amazing, however correct positioning of the Acoustimass module and 5 modules is extremely important. If you take your time and get it setup correctly you will have many happy hours of listening pleasure. But in the end, it just comes down to what you are happy with. The Bose AM10's do what they were designed to do and do it very well. So to all you BOSE owners out there..ENJOY and to all you BOSE whingers out there, get a life and choose the speaker you're happy with

This is in response to Wayne Boyd's review (the second last one) in the AM5 section. That page is filled up. His review drew my attention because he made a measurement of the frequency response of AM5 and drew theories and conclusions whatsoever. However, he used poor instrumentation that is not properly calibrated. His theory and judgement therefore are completely irrelevant. A more accurate measurement of the FREQUENCY RESPONSE CURVE of AM5 can be found in Consumer Report's speaker rating from a few years ago. AM5 showed the flattest frequency response from 50 Hz to 18 KHz for ALL speakers under $1000 including those much bulkier and heavier conventional speakers. AM5 was also rated much higher than any other satellite/subwoofer system. Since AM5 and AM10 are of the same design, I guess AM10's frequency response should be just as good.
Not only do these speakers have remarkable frequency response, their sound is very clean, neutral and detailed. There is not any coloration or noise, and absolutely no boom in the low end. Because of their cleanliness, you don't hear a lot of sounds that you hear from other lower quality speakers. This is perhaps why a lot of people call it "no high, no low, no mid, etc."

Some people ask why Bose use paper rather than synthetic rubber or titanium in their speaker corns. I would ask why you are wearing cotton cloths rather than polyester or nylon. That's because cotton and paper are of the same NATURAL fiber, cellulose. Naturally, natural fiber for a natural sound. Over, paper is the most difficult to process: it doesn't soften like rubber or titanium when you heat it.

Bose speakers are cheap, a lot cheaper than comparable sounding speakers. Thanks to millions of Bose lovers who share the R&D cost of these speakers with me. If Bose sound were poor and they sold less units, I am sure the price would go up, way up. For those speakers $3000 and up, pitty you, because only a few pairs are sold, no wonder it's so expensive! So you've got hi-fi because you paid $$$$, right? Close your eyes and ask someone to scratch a piece of paper, or clap hands, can you tell if the sound is from your speakers, or is somebody doing it for REAL? When you go to a THX certified movie theater, can you tell if someone sitting behind you is talking or is the movie talking?

I have quit searching for REAL sound from any speakers. However, my Bose sound pretty good besides a live performance. I have enjoyed listening for hours and years and still think they are superior to many others on the market. For those who can't bear Bose, just get some hi-fi that you think is reproducing the "real" music and quit making noise here.

Most other speakers are reviewed by those who own them. No wonder a lot of speakers that I bought and returned (when I was acquiring my Bose) earned five stars. So why are so many none-Bose owners rating Bose?

Most of Andy's comments don't deserve responses - but I feel compelled to respond to some anyway.
1) Why does Bose use paper cones? Because paper is a very cheap way for Bose to cut corners! Wouldn't other manufactures (especially the one's selling speakers for $3000 use paper if paper was better? Of course they would. But they make quality speakers, not cheap ones.

2) Bose Speakers are cheaper than comparable speakers - NOT! Have you ever honestly compared these speakers to quality speakers? I have against several others. The Energy Take Five for almost half the price is a much more fuller sounding speaker. The Boston Acoustics Micro 9000's are the same price, but are much better made and are MUCH better sounding.

3) Most other speakers are reviewed by those who own them. Non-Bose owners are reviewing Bose Speakers because when they began their quest for speakers, they tried everything and compared speakers intelligently. They reviewed the Bose Speakers in the stores and are sharing those reviews with everyone else. I agree there is alot of Bose bashing out there, but most of it is deserved.

When I got into home theater a year ago, I thought I wanted Bose Speakers. I listened to them in the store (circuit city) and they sounded good. But then I decided to go to real Audio/Video stores and compared the Bose to several other brands (most real Audio/Video stores don't sell Bose, but will have a set of the cubes setup for comparison purposes). I still think the Bose sound good (and I understand that the majority of people who bought them are happy with them). But MOST of the people who bought Bose didn't really go speaker shopping comparing different brands. They decided to buy speakers and before going to the store said - LET'S BUY SOME BOSE SPEAKERS. That is not an educated purchase. The Bose sound good, but for the sound quality, and considered what else is available, the Bose should be selling for half the price they're currently asking.

Considering the paper cones used, the sound quality, and sound quality of comparatively priced speakers, I'm rating them a generous 2 stars.

I couldn't agree with Glenn anymore as far as his comments on Andy's warped view on Bose speakers.
Andy, you got to wake up and smell the coffee: Bose speakers are cheap GARBAGE!! They are not good value for the money, and as Glenn has already mentioned, there are many brands of speakers for less money that sound far superior to Bose, and are built using much better materials too (Energy, Paradigm to mention a few).

About the Bose AM5, I don't care what the hell Consumer Report says about the AM5, I heard these speakers at my friend's house and they sound like f***in s**t!! My B&W CDM 1's ABSOLUTELY blow these speakers away!!! You can characterize the AM5 as follows: No highs, no lows, plenty of boomy bass, more holes in the frequency response than Swiss cheese, and generally, a very irritating, shrill sound. If you actually think that the AM5 or AM10 or any Bose speaker actually sounds good when compared to other quality speakers, then God help you because you are either tone deaf or F**kin retarded or both!! Cheap plastic enclosures and cheesy plastic speaker cable clips...you call this quality???...get real man!

The best thing about Bose speakers is that they look good, that's it!! They are not fit for sound reproduction of any kind, so if you are looking to do a little more than interior decorate, then you've got to look elsewhere, pal.

Bose, not "better sound through research", But, "better consumer rip-offs through marketing hype"

Five Stars to Glenn for his common sense, he obviously knows what he's talking about. One Star (because I can't post a review otherwise) for Bose AM10, AND no stars for Andy for being an idiot!!

I have listened to numerous speakers and I would have to confess for what the Bose AM10's were desighned to do, they do it extremely well. I love them. 5 stars Bose for producing a damn good system.

I was reading an early posting on this site about how "great" Bose AM-5 was reviewed in a previous Consumer Reports (gee, isn't it funny that he didn't mention about the one that was previous that was so horrible that Bose took them to court...). If you note most movie theaters use sound treatment to get rid of accoustic reflection (and Bose is direct/reflecting), THX cerfications products (for a more accurate playback of movie source materials), and subwoofers hooked-up separate from sats (not amp to bass module to speakers). If you also do some more research you will also note that not one (count'em) recording studio uses bose speaker products. Nasa uses Bose for sound cancelling (a lot different that accurate sound reproduction). Bose uses paper drivers because they are cheap (look at the Fisher 424s at Circuit City, in a salvage yard the older cars from 60-80s, Pyramids, budget car cone speakers at Best Buy, etc...) and much easier to make. What most people that buy Bose is really impressed with is actually the sound of the Accoustimass module (disconnect the sats and replace them with any other speakers just for kicks) which really is an upper bass-lower midrange resonnance projector (if you disconnect the sats you will hear a lot of voices being played thru, a big no-no for HT or music). For the uninitiated, this is really a big step-up as these are really just your paper TV speakers placed further apart (all about speaker positioning). I disagree with most of the others who say this should be half-priced as there are many selections out there that sound better at even this point. The sad fact is even if you buy this set-up you will still need to buy a sub for LFE effects for good home theater reproduction for producing bass. Here are some suggestions for lower price for performance that is at worst equal but better sound reproduction: Cambridge (cheaper, better performing Bose clones that have evolved to just a higher step of the evolution ladder of speaker performance), Mirage AVS/Energy Take 5/Nht Nextwave (pretty much clones of one another and will easily blow away this Bose and their new AM-15 with no problem), Atlantic Technology compact theater I (makes Bose sound like your TV for movies and far better for music), Boston Accoustic Microes (Not as good as the AT for movies, but better for music), Polk (they have 2 packages, but can't remember the models and is far better), Optimus Pro-X(88/55/44 pick your model and though I don't recommend their sub it still beats every bass module Bose offers), and even (GASP!) the horrible Optimus XTS-10 (Bose clone twist-sats with a real tweeter and midrange not the hybrid BS that Bose uses) which for $79/pair ($49/pair on sale) when mated with the Optimus SW-14P (a passive sub at RS normally $149, sale $99 which should only be used in pairs on each side of the room so you won't suffer the "localization" effect as much which plague poor sub/sats such as this and Bose) would easily blow both the AM-10 and AM-15 in both music and HT (compare this in your home side-by-side since RS has a very liberal return policy). Don't forget this received HT magazines worst performance rating (Jan 98, though for ergonomic ease of placement it did very well but you buy speakers to listen/not place) as well as many other "non-biased" magazines (if you note most magazines won't give a non-recommendation but HT magazine does, even the companies that advertises in them). If you do buy this Bose product take it to any true Hi-end dealer in your area and do a side by side in their listening room to any of their products of equal or lesser price point to see what the rest of us is commenting about (you will be very disappointed that you chose Bose, but hey you can still return it). I didn't replace my car speakers with better products just so I can move it into my house and neither should you. For sound quality 1 (sounds like my TV speakers), price 1 (you can't find a worse product at this price point, unless it's another Bose), build quality 1 (hey it occupies a point in time/space), stadium use 1 (there are better cheaper), marketing 5 (better than Adolf Hitler in longevity, but just as bad in atrocities), movies 1 (not used in any movie theaters and horrible for home), music 1 (not used in any studioes and horrible for home), and overall 1. If you want direct-reflecting aim your speakers at your wall and use the hall/stadium/arena DSPs on your AVRs to get the same effect. Trust me for those of you unfortunate enough to own this product you didn't buy it for the sound quality, you bought it for the name and marketting unless your deaf you bought it for the looks of the small package.

This product along with anything else from Bose should be avoided at all costs.Listen to Boston Accoustics, KLH, JBL, or Polk Audio(or anything else for that matter) before making a purchase.

The uneducated consumer is Bose' best friend.

This system is worth no more than $200

I am giving 1 star only because 0 is not an option.

I recently picked up a set of Bose AM-10, Series II speakers and they sound really good. They are being driven by a JVC-1028vbk receiver. After adjusting the receiver settings, fine tuning the speaker setup, and correctly placing the bass module, I am quite satisfied with the results. The bass is actually very good, though I've read below that others are not happy. It has very much to do with the room and surroundings, but in here it fills the room and it sounds just like a good movie theatre, so I'm quite happy. I am considering buying a Cerwin Vega HTS-15 subwoofer to really shake the walls, but after watching 6 DVD movies in the last two days, I'm really thinking I've got all the bass I need. It can be felt throughout larger size house. Clarity is excellent, and the sound is just great. I feel I made a good purchase on these speakers. One upgrade I'll look at is the larger Bose center channel speaker. Proper setup, proper placement, and a little patience will yield excellent results.