From list@sevush.com Sat Dec 27 05:47:50 2003
Subject:Bose "PA" system

Bose, as many of you are aware, is excellent at getting big bucks out of
small manufacturing costs. For example, the Bose 901s used NINE 4" drivers
to get enough surface for the bass, allowing Bose to make a gazillion of
those drivers very inexpensively.

I've looked over their website and their approach very interesting, but I'm
HIGHLY skeptical, due mostly to Bose's history.

They are applying their omni directional approach - which allows them to
use lower quality components since frequency response can NOT be measured
on axis anymore and so huge dips and peaks are expected - to large spaces.

One of their theories is that the sound disperses as it gets "out there",
but I don't see any horn type enclosure. Yes, I guess it's possible to
design individual smallish drivers to do this, but again, I'm skeptical.

And their "one size fits all" approach to the mixer is going to frustrate
many bands. They appear to be saying the guitarist and bass player plug
directly into this mixer. Yeah, EVERY guitarist is going to do that in a
second.

And the prices.. yup, it's Bose, at it again. You know what, I hope
Cambridge Soundworks decides to compete with them on this product, as they
did w/the radio. Cambridge Soundworks' radio is $200, sounds amazing, and
is one THIRD the price of the Bose.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge advocate of small, controlled in ear
monitoring with a feed to the FOH for consistent monitoring. If I could get
all guitarists and bass players to use FX and preamps to their heart's
content and then plug into a decent monitoring system, I'd be very happy.
But I want MORE choices, not less, and that's what Bose's approach is
about - here's the best toaster you'll ever need, it's $2,0000. You need
more power? Just spend another $2,000.

Okay, I'm done. For now.

> I have heard it is awesome and have checked out the
> www.bose.com website. $1999.00 for one tower with one
> subwoofer. I haven't even bought a Bose WAVE radio yet!

> Hi all,
>
> Has anyone looked into the new Bose Cylindrical Radiator
> system? They claim monitoring is not necessary and the band
> and the audiance hear the same thing. I saw one at the
> Guitar Center but didn't have a lot of time with it. Mix
> magazine online did a review that sounded promising. Right
> now it is out of my price range, but for a group??