None

Everything

A friend of mine loved the look of these things and brought them home on a trial basis. I have to admit, they looked interesting. The first several hours of the audition we assumed that they needed breaking in. The sound was somehow harsh and muddy at the same time! They did improve a bit over time but, at the end of the review period (one month) we couldn't discern any highs or lows and the midrange had a megaphonic characteristic that was most annoying. For the price of these speakers, I'd expect at least SOME redeeming virtue. There was none. I've heard worse speakers but they were less than 1/5 the price of the Bose. My friend ended up getting Paradigm (can't recall the model) and it was a welcome relief. As horrible as this sounds, if you can only afford $200 speakers, compare them against the Bose. You'll be ecstatic with your choice! I know different people hear differently, but I'm ashamed to say that I can't imagine how these things have sold so well. If this is the best that can be had from Bose, I need listen no further.

Similar Products Used:

None

Adaptable to a room

Way too much money for the poor sound

Does almost buying them count? I did put money down (which I got back)on AM 15's. Besides if I did buy them I would have taken them back. So, i guess it counts. When I fist started looking I was a novice so I checked the AM15's. At first they sounded good since my comparitor was a single TV speaker. However after alot of looking at other systems, similar but lower price, I realized how bad these AM15's sounded. Especially with music. Don't be taken by the statement 'they sound great for movies' They may be acceptable for explosions and dialog but don't forget most movies have music in them and many many are known for their music soundtracks. That's why it pays to get a system that sounds good in music and movies.

Similar Products Used:

Boston Acoustics system 9000

Please read my review of this speaker at the AM-15 under HOME THEATER. I do also want to add that you can also go to Radio Shack and buy the XTS-10 for $79/pair (usually $49/pair on sale) and the SW-14P sub for $149 (usually $99 on sale) which is identical to the AM-5 but with a dedicated tweeter and a sub that can actually go down to 30 hertz. Most people blindfolded couldn't tell the difference of the XTS-10 and the BOSE twist-cubes by contact but the XTS-10 does actually sound better (but not very much). The main difference you will notice is the sub vs bass module which is really no contest as the SW-14P can really move some air. So let us review, if you wait till RS puts this setup on sale and buy them then it would cost (3 pairs of XTS-10 at $49/pair = $147 and SW-14P = $99) a grand total of $246 (though I recommend 2 subs to reduce speaker localization for a new grand total of $345) vs BOSE AM-15 for $1099 (the lowest I've seen BEST BUY sell them for) meaning you should be able to buy a very nice Denon 2700/3200/AVR95 (last one at Sears), Yamaha 2095/992, HK-AVR55/65, Kenwood VR2090, Pioneer 906S, etc...
My suggestion buy both at the same time if your budget allows, and demo them at your home and simply return the one you don't like (don't be surprised if you return the BOSE because two of my friends tried a similar thing to this and did return the BOSE) since RS and the seller of BOSE products usually have great customer return policies. Use the BOSE easy setup program to setup the the RS product (the main thing most beginners like about BOSE). If your budget doesn't allow you to buy both at once, buy the BOSE first so you can learn the setup and try it for a week then return it and get the RS setup. The only thing that BOSE have over the RS setup is AM bass module is smaller but hiding it from site will not hide it from inaccuracy and some equate small electronics to be better appearing electronics. Don't worry about returning the products as most speakers do have a high mark-up and the profit loss is minimal (think about it speakers we are mentioning are made of particle boards, copper wires, paper woofers, and plastic connectors all very low cost materials plus the next buyer might be very happy to buy the reduced customer return). If you prefer a powered sub with small "footprints" instead of the SW-14P, check energy ES-8 (about $300), Yamaha (usually about $400 or less), or whatever budget sub they have at BEST BUY or CIRCUIT CITY (sorry, I assume that is where most people buy BOSE products) because the total will still be less than the $1099 sale price of the BOSE product (heck you could be adventurous and buy a thunderous sub such as M&K V-75 MkII, Definitive PF15TL, NHT 2Pi/SA-2, ACI-TITAN, HSU-RESEARCH, and any other sub for $950 or less).

Because of my personal experience with many of the products that I have personally experienced and some that I hope to experience (a friend bought the new Mission 775s which I can't wait to review) I can't recommend this product from a performance or price standpoint (again check my submission under AM-15 HOMETHEATER). I do give this product a two (I have now experienced this and found out how to properly submit a review) because it has a powered sub (great first step BOSE) now they need to add a true midrange/tweeter (not the hybrid they use) for better midrange and high frequency response (these really to lack a true transparency to other more modest priced speakers), lower crossover point from the sub to the sats (close your eyes and you can actually hear voices come from the sub unless it is using the RCA input which you will notice the sats lack a low-midrange resonance for prominent male voices: Sean Connery, Arnold, Bruce Willis, etc...) and a dedicated center channel. Bose you are an innovator with the sub/sat product but almost all your competetors have seen your lead and improved dramatically the performance and most at lower price. I know you can do better and please try to end these debates of the "bashers vs defenders" as you have shown that you know what a tweeter, mid-range, and woofer arrangement can do (model 701, which I am looking very forward to hearing) and print your approximate specs so people can at least set the crossover on their subs easier.

Below you will find a listing of milestones in the history of Bose. I think it is in the best interest of prospective buyers to read over this carefully before shelling out their hard-earned cash.
__________________________________________________________

1964-Founding Of Bose
In the 1950s, Rev. Dr. Amar Buffet Bose IX observed loudspeakers didn’t deliver natural sound. Extensive research into the science of sound, lasting all of 20 minutes, led to the formation of Bose Corporation.

1968-Birth Of A Legend
The legendary 901® Direct/Reflecting® speaker is introduced, coming down from the sky playing "Carmina Burana." It reflects 89% of the sound off walls – similar to a live concert taped by a bootlegger with his Fisher Price tape deck – for natural, lifelike sound.

1969-Double Blind Test
Bose pioneers the double blind test, wherein Bose speakers are placed in a room and our competitors' speakers are placed in a high school gym. The first man to hear our speakers leaves the room saying: "No highs, no lows -- it must be a Bose."

1972-Pro Loudspeakers
Bose enters the professional ranks by producing a loudspeaker system designed exclusively for the demanding, discriminating tastes of the professional musician.
Unfortunately, these people didn't buy our products.

1972-Syncom® Testing Computer
Bose establishes the proprietary Syncom computer to acoustically measure speakers against a laboratory model to guarantee a level of consistency and reliability. The next day the computer crashes and is never repaired.

1973-Promotional Offer
Bose invents potato salad. This comes free with any purchase over $5,000.

1975-World’s Best-Seller
The 301® Direct/Reflecting® speaker system is launched into space following the Apollo 17 mission. Renowned Bose technologies, versatile design and affordability make it one of the world’s best-selling speakers. Too bad it doesn't sound very good.

1982-Moving Sound
Bose introduces a custom-designed, factory-installed system specifically for automobiles. Some of the world’s most luxurious cars today, including Hyundai and Yugo, feature Bose sound systems.

1983-Immobile Sound
Hyundai and Yugo drop our speakers from their available options, as a result of their quality control standards.

1984-Acoustic Waveguide
Bose designs acoustic waveguide technology and brings component system sound to a compact system with a side order of fries. Experience full sound with rich bass from an extremely small enclosure which sounds just as bad as you've come to expect from Bose.

1985-Advertising
Bose dupes 101,031 people into buying our speakers as a result of an aggressive advertising campaign.

1986-Acoustimass® Speaker Technology
Acoustimass speaker technology is born at 3:05 p.m. weighing 6 lbs. 3 oz. Room filling sound is available without a room full of equipment. Virtually Invisible® speaker design includes cube speaker arrays and compact module. By cutting out the insides of the cube speakers, they can be used to make high quality ice cubes at no additional charge.

1987-Inventor Of The Year
Acoustic waveguide technology creates a stir in the scientific community, earning Dr. Bose and Dr. William Short “Inventor of the Year” honors. Those who determined the "Inventor of the Year" picked up their checks in the mail shortly thereafter.

1989-Acoustic Noise Cancelling® Headsets
Bose Acoustic Noise Cancelling headsets are created to bring clear communication and protection into the cockpit for pilots and on the ground for air and ground crew.
They work incredibly well at cancelling all sound in the headsets. Plane crashes have increased every year since.

1990-Lifestyle® Systems
Bose develops Lifestyle® systems. Our proprietary system design approach and Virtually Invisible® speaker design create an unmatched level of performance and design, unless you include any speaker that is made by our competitors.

1993-Wave® Radio
The Wave radio, the world’s finest sounding radio (in our unbiased opinion), is introduced. Acoustic waveguide technology delivers rich, deep sound – not previously heard from an enclosure this ridiculously overpriced.

1994-Auditioner® Audio Demonstrator
Auditioner audio demonstrator is created by our renowned engineer Mortimer M. McMarmocet. You hear the exact acoustic performance of a building’s proposed sound system before the building is constructed for the amazingly low price of $1 million dollars plus a $200,000 surcharge for installation. Potato salad not included.

1995-Jewel Cube® Speaker
Bose designs the Jewel Cube speaker to bring high performance sound down to size – easily hidden behind your hand, which a lot of our customers requested, since many routinely play hide & seek with their speakers.

small, sound good

Not perfect

There seem to be alot of people buying these, saying there rubbish and returning them?

Or are they actually buying this product?

Or are they commenting on a product they haven't actually bought?

Why bother?

Come to my house - I will show you a DVD - if you say it sounds rubbish - I will say you have different ears to me

Similar Products Used:

Celestion, Kef

Low bass and sound space that kick ass !

Traditional stereo reproduction, too expensive. No upgrade to 6.1 system.

My „Accoustimass-15” is plugged to YAMAHA RX-V800 A/V Receiver and it just fill my entire 230 sq. feet room with great sound, especially in DVD movies and concerts reproduction. The bass is just fantastic, You can hear it everywhere in the room, and that is the way it supposes to be! The “cube” speakers play 5.1 tracks in DD and DTS with real brand new experience to me. There is a lot of space in the sound.
Well all the people below, who says that BOSE is a crap should spent little more time to place and set up these speakers in the right position and directions in their room. First when I plugged these without it, the sound seemed weak with no bass. But after an hour of setting up the positions of each one, in every minute the sound became more realistic. Finally even great “Bach – Organ concert” recorded in 48/96k/26bits format went through my heart like a storm.
Lack of bass? What are you talking about? Place the subwoofer facing wall and you will be surprised with the great deep bass.

The fact is that BOSE AM-15 system needs more attention when installed. Bad positions of cube speakers may produce bad sound, so anyone can be disappointed. But believe me when you set them up then correctly, they are worth this price!

Shame that in Poland we have such a price rip off or Bose speakers. Guys from US are lucky at this point! Enjoy.
Comments, write to me: eskwadrat@poczta.onet.pl

Size

Sound

I bought these speakers to replace my 12 year old set of DCM speakers, for which i paid about $200. These are absolutely the worst sounding speakers I have ever heard, bar none. They are ok for surround sound, but music sounds horrible. They made my CDs sound like and AM radio. I don't understand how Bose stays in business peddling this crap. I'm just thankful that the merhcant had such a great return policy.

small, good sound

not perfect

It is clear that people with negative reviews either:

1. Do not have the AM15 speaker system ( and correctly setup )
2. Just dislike Bose so comment on this speaker package also for some unknown reason

I thought this site was a consumer review site for intelligent reviews. This means you must have the speakers to comment in the first place.

Mr Rich - resorting to bad language.
Mr Rich - dislikes Sony and JVC also
Mr Rich - we are discussing here not Bose but the AM15 speaker package which you clearly have not used to watch DVD's with

When I play a DVD such as Phil Collins live in Concert or the Matrix - I found the AM15 speakers provides good sound for me to give me enjoyment in my home cinema

I comment because I have the package

Similar Products Used:

Kef, Celestion

http://wwww.geocities.com/trustnoho/boseframes.html

My name is Rich, not "MR RICH", "RICH JR", "RICH IV", "DR RICH"---RICH, R-I-C-H. Do you need me to make you flashcards?....

Okay, what was the point of the previous three posts? Character attacks on my short fuse and low tolerance for stupidty? Hopelessly trying to strip credibility from my name because I: (1) don't buy garbage speakers and, (2) curse? These guys are just as fanatically infatuated with the name "Bose" as I hate it. The main difference is that I present CONCRETE evidence in support of my defense, where all these too clowns can do is screw off on unrelated tangents. I think once you read my AcoustiMass article, you'll be able to judge who is more qualified to review these speakers. Also in response to Tim, after testing it, you can take the AcoustiMass apart carefully, and put it back together carefully and the dimwits at Best Buy will never know the difference.

Tim and Slaw--whatever, quit wasting everyone's time reposting meaningless trash that add nothing to the AcoustiMass review board. There's something called "email" that allows to screw around on your own privately so that others don't have to be annoyed by it.

Norbert, please delete all posts in this string.

Small, sound good

not perfect

Slawomir Surowinski says it all - read his review

And he has actually bought them

Similar Products Used:

kef, celestion