Size and Power

NO True SUB BASS
NO Upper Freq
Deceiving Marketing Strategy

I once was a BOSE fan, and now a convert to the anti BOSE movement.
I had these speakers for almost 3 years and loved them through these years. I never knew what I was missing because I never compaired them. They sounded much better than my old speakers, but those were Realistics From radio shack.
I found this web site and couldn't understand the big flame war over BOSE. Most of the time nobody offered any real compeling reason for their arguments that was until I went here... http://www.geocities.com/trustnoho/boseframes.html
I read the review by Richard Wang and my mouth dropped.
I called BOSE direct and asked them for specifications and any technical papers on the AM15's. They said they do not publish their specification. OK, I asked what the Frequency response of the speakers were. The technician said he didn't have that information. Wait a minute here. A large corporation like BOSE that has a mass market speaker like the AM15's does not have or publish specifications. What is this an X-FILE conspiracy ???
I decided I needed to find the truth by myself and bought a couple of Boston Acoustics Micro 90x speakers. I chose them for their size, power, and frequency response.
I put them side by side with the AM15's Front Speakers. Turned every other speaker off except two BOSE speakers plugged into the "A" front channel and two BA 90x Speakers Plugged into the "B" front channel. I chose 2 types of Music and Two DVD's and sat and listened to both of the speakers constantly flipping between the two.
To make a long story short, I am now putting my AM15's up for bid on ebay, and buying the Boston Acoustics home theature setup consisting of all Micro 90 Speakers.
The proof was in the pudding. The AM15's didn't have the upper frequencies and sounded muddy compared side by side to the BA's. I wish I did this sooner or before I bought the BOSE.
I have to admit that the BOSE speakers are Good. They are not the evil hell spawn most anti BOSE people make them out to be. But they are not worth the price tag and the Marketing is deceptive. Do your howmework and listen to them side by side with comperably prices systems.
For your $1200-1400 buy a Boston Acoutics 9500 system, well worth the money. If you can buy a BOSE AM15 for $500 then your getting your moneys worth as well.

Similar Products Used:

Boston Acoustics Micro 90x

Size,size,size! I REALLY can't think of anything else to coomend them on.

Sound and value.There's a vast array of HT systems today(for the same or less money) that can blast this system outta the water.

First off, I would like to thank Voice of Truth and FD for their reasonable critiques of this system...well said.

I wish some Bose fanatics would realize that this system(and the other Acoustimass systems) can't cut the mustard. You could pick up the new,highly-rated Energy Take 5.2 HT speaker package for $900 or less and team it with a mid-level A/V Receiver and you'd have a system that you could live with for years to come....unlike this Bose system. Phase Tech's HT speaker package(around $1000) is another great system...the list could go on and one...get the point? (IMO) Bose is for people who don't know what they're doing and just follow the herd. There are literally hundreds of speaker manufacturers today which offer HT speaker packages that are far superior and far less expensive than the Bose. For example,(take note,I'm a big Aura Sound fan)...you could pick up (4)Aura LSB-527M's for mains and surrounds,an Aura LSC-537M Center Channel,a BIC DV1010,a BIC DV1210,or a Dahlquist 12" powered sub. This would give you a nice,tight and economical system which would absolutely destroy the Bose system in HT and music reproduction. You can pick up all of this stuff on uBid for around $350(shipping included). You could even pick up a Sherwood RD7106 or RD6106 A/V Receiver on uBID for an additional $140-$175. That would give you nice,solid system that you could enjoy for years to come and it would only set you back around $500...less than half the price of the overhyped Bose. The Aura LSB-527M's are only 11"H x 6.75"W x 8.5"D so they'd blend into any decor. You REALLY can't go much smaller than that and expect to receive great,room-filling sound reproduction. If the 527M's are too big for you then you must have some serious space constraints. The 527M's 5.25" woofer provides tight,punchy bass and nicely-detailed mids to go along with their highly-regarded Lineaum monopole tweeter.The Aura LSC-537M Center Channel has received rave reviews in the magazines...most notably from Ken Pohlmann a couple years ago in Sound and Vision when he was evaluating the Aura HT speaker package against three other $1000 systems(Energy,Jamo, and ?)...the Aura system won...they DO make nice stuff.

Anyway, I'm echoing the sentiments of many others who've tried to get their point across about Bose products. Please do some shopping around(online stores,auctions,magazines, and brick and mortar stores) and you'll see there's a large array of viable alternatives to Bose. There's a reason why Bose gets trashed in here...think about it...do your homework...don't get sucked in. I have nothing against Bose but I hate to see people throw away their hard-earned money on an inferior and overpriced product. (IMO) That's the main objective of this website...to learn,evaluate and educate others on A/V gear. I use this site all of the time when I evaulate a product that I'm thinking about adding to my system. Don't be offended when we bash Bose gear..we're doing it for a reason.Good Luck and Happy Listening.

Similar Products Used:

Aura LSW-828M large bookshelf speakers(three pairs),Aura LSC-537M Center Channel(2),Aura LSB-527M small bookshelf speakers,an old(but still great-sounding) dbx Soundfield 3x2 sub/sat system,BIC DV1210 Powered sub and a Sherwood RD7106 A/V Receiver.

The Crap Good Throw at People Go in take picture. It good also put in fire at winter. They cheap also.

They make from bose.

It is make bose and it good throw in fire at winter. The bose crap is no buy good. Don't Ameirca buy it. It chitty.

Similar Products Used:

Afgan-Star RK-3, EliteAfgan IJ-91

Small size, wide sitting area sweet spot, great natural sound with all sources.

Bass doesn't shake plaster off the walls. Price is a little high.

I first heard Acoustimass technology back in 1986 at a friends house. His father purchased these tiny speakers when they first hit the market. I was astounded by the sound. And he pointed out that the sub woofer hadn't arrived yet. Which was a bit obvious, but bass was still heard. Every where we walked in the room felt like it was the perfect listening spot. It was remarkable sound that no large tower speaker I've heard can reproduce.

Later on in life, I listened to just one driver at a department store. (Apparently some kids vandalized one of the drivers!) From just one speaker, I noticed how wide the listening area was. Compared to other speakers I've listened to which pretty much have to point directly at you or you will loose the highs, Bose Acoustimass 15's are the only speakers that have this wide listening stage. I can sit anywhere in my living room and not one area is more targeted by the highs or the bass is excessivly boomy.

The bass is present, and accurate. The subwoofer module has dual 5 1/4" drivers, so I didn't expect them to shake the house down like 10" or 15" drivers would. Which they don't even come close to. But what the sub woofer does is fill the room with natural sound enhancing the beautiful sound from the dual cubes. For 5 1/4 drivers they sound fantastic. The sub woofer is best described as always being heard, even to the lowest notes, but not felt. I would back this system up with a second powered sub if you are a bass head or expecting pictures to shake off the walls.

I'm absolutly enjoying these speakers for listening to TV, CD and DVD's, Cable Radio, and FM Radio. I've listened to several inexpensive speakers from Koss, Phillips, Boston Acoustics, and JVC, and not any of those can compare to the Bose Acoustimass 15's. I know I paid nearly double to what my friends did with their lesser inexpensive speakers. But I am ten times happier with my stereo system then any of them are. And they would agree.

If you want excellent overall sound from any listening position at your home, aren't looking for speakers that are excessivly bright (like horn speakers can be) or are excessivly boomy (like your high schooler's car stereo) these speakers will be perfect for you. I highly recomend them. The reason I bought these speakers is because they produce better sound then any other speaker. And that sound is excellent no matter where you sit in a room.

Similar Products Used:

JVC, EPI

small, does not interfer with decor

Not the greatest sounding HT package for the price.

It goes without saying that with a name on the front, it will sell. The AM-15's are no exception. Not the end all be all in sonic preformance, and not the cheapest set up on the block. The sound for HT was passable, I rate it a step up from using the speakers in your tv. Nothing really jumped out sonicly, as the highs were truncated and moist, with a haze over the trebbel region. The midrange seems to pour out of the bass modual, which if placed behind the viewing area, works fairly well. However the bass is very sloppy and would not shake the room if it had to. In the age where we want it fast and easy, the AM-15 will please most people when watching a few Tapes, but fall short when DVD's are used. If small speakers are your cup of tea and you can find these speakers used, then get them. But do not for a minute think you will get great sound, as you will be dissapointed if your expectations are high. The overall sound is average, like one of those Boomboxes in your kid's room, but if that sounds good enough for you, then you will be happy with the AM-15's and a VCR. Popcorn not included..

Similar Products Used:

none.

Small good and open sound

Not perfect but what speaker is

If you look at these reviews, the bad reviews are from people who do not have the speakers in their house but wish to comment for some reason - don't ask me why?

I have the AM15 and they are the only small speaker package I have listened to that do not sound like small speakers - they sound very OPEN and provide GREAT sound from DVD's whether music DVD or movie DVD

I have looked at other speakers and they are no better than the AM15 - but the AM15 offer stylish good looks and hide away appearance - really are ok for a living room

I find it funny now that other manufacturers are trying to copy the AM15 but alot do not come close to the Bose technology

I even listened to the large 901 and they sounded better than the normal speakers you get from manufacturers - they were playing some jazz and it really sounded like the instruments were in the speaker

I am happy with my Bose products and I don't think it is right that Bose get knocked for being innovative - I am the type if person that likes innovation and think it is right to be innovative

Similar Products Used:

Kef

Excellent sound quality

high price

I have this set longer than a year and I'm happy with its quality and performance. The price of AM-15 is high but for me it was worth the investment. Coupling it with a nice receiver like Onkyo TX-DS676, you get outstanding sound quality. I see a lot of bad reviews here, but I guess many are disappointed with its high price. Nothing has high price without a reason. Everyone watching DVDs or hearing CDs at my house feel that the sound is very natural and crisp. Remember, if you hook it up to a nice sound receiver with minimum amount of noise and distortion, this speaker set is the right match!

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer

Small size. Can be hidden very well. surprising sound

Money VS. Quality

I have written a review about this product before, but now I have gained more knowledge in audio.

First off. I do believe the sound quality of bose system is great. The size of the speakers make it hard to locate. That is the great things about these speakers. The highs and mids are great. But I can't stand the subwoofer. It does sound good though, except for the turbulance at high volumes.

To me those are the only good points to this system. The main problem is the price. If bose sold these speakers at a cheaper... much cheaper price this system would be excellent. For maybe $400, I would definately consider buying them. You can hide the speakers anywhere, making the room sound like the speakers are built into the walls. I would give them a 3 to 4 star rating if the price wasn't so ghigh

they make good building blocks for young children to play with

.....at a price

Be serious! Why would anyone of reasonable intelligence purchase these speakers.

For those of you who read this thread looking for a quality speaker. I challenge you to listen to every speaker which falls in this price range. I am certain that once you have completed this task you will not buy bose.

great speakers to listen to:

Paradigm
polk audio
PSB
Infinity
KEF
Definitive Technology
Tannoy......

and the list just goes on and on... Any speaker in the same price range as the bose by virtually any company out there will out perform the Bose.

popular bose sayings(just for fun)

Bose Blows
friends don't let friends buy bose
no highs no lows must be bose
just follow your nose crap smells like bose
I got hosed by bose
those bose gots to goes!

hope you enjoyed this review.

Similar Products Used:

alarm clock radio

Comapact, Easy to install, Clear and powerfull sound in low and high frequencies. Great for DVD movies.

Price, not the best for music.

If you are looking for Home Theater speakers, then the AM15 will give you good performance with out taking to much floor space. If you are only listening to CDS then look for good floor speakers that cost $2000 and above.

The Bass is deep and clear (I have the Yamaha RX-V596 receiver), and mid and high range sounds good and clear.
Comparing to my previous Boston Acoustics SabSet 7, the Bose sounds much better. The bass on the Boston was directional and not natural, with Bose you want be able to locate the bass unit if it's hidden because the low frequencies are spreading even in the room.

The AM15 are good compromise between space, Home Theater and CD music.

Similar Products Used:

Boston Acoustics SabSet 7.