compact, nice design, great sound

None

Great sound system! I've owned this system for more than a year and still love it. Someone complained about the lack of bass. Maybe, they don't have a descent receiver which will affect the sound system as well.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Yamaha

No "sweet spots"

none.

After reading the reviews for this it seems as though *most of* the people who give this product low ratings never owned it. They are either basing it on sheer rumors, word of mouth, or just out of spite. They never took them home, set them up *correctly*, and gave a real listen. Yea some bought them and set it up and then they say "I returned them that day." What kind of review is that. These speakers are pretty remarkable, I in my own opinion, I think they are definetly a contender. Also, people are saying "back in 1980 when I had my AM5, they were horrible, the bass suffered, etc". ok, well there are different series out for those who do not know this. Just to keep everyone awake here and try to stop people from falling into these visious lies by obviously incompetant reviewers. I know some of you are very competant, and you stated your opinion very well, but most of them are just like "they suck." Care to elaborate on why? Then they go and post the same opinion a few more times to lower the rating. Nice....

Similar Products Used:

jbl, advent, acoustic research, b&w

Small size

Everthing else

I have had these speakers for over 4 years and have been very unhappy with their performance(yes, even for their size there is no excuse). I have read few test articles on this product, it seems that the frq. response curve is very flat and uncolored, but listening to it is another story. The bass is surprisingly deep for 2 5inch drivers, but it has absolutely no definition. The mid range is the worst, in fact, I think it is completely absent(my factory car speakers sound better). If you are going to use it for classical music, forget it you'll hate it.

Similar Products Used:

Infinity kappas and definitive tech

Very stylish speakers, easy setup, surrounding, immersive sound

Price!!!! $600+ after sales tax, poor base responce, poor stereo imaging

I'm not a bose hater. I've got the Bose Wave Alarmclock/radio/cd, which EVERYONE hates, and I like it. I think it's the best sounding alarm clock sized "thingy" ever made (although I hear Cambridge Soundwork's radio sounds better.. with a built in sub, I'd believe it.. but that doesn't play CD's or wake you up), it's chock full of silly options and features that I LOVE.. so I'm obsessed with clever gadgetry... that's just me.

On to the Bose AM5 Series III.
The lack of powered subwoofer is startling. You immediately notice the lack of real base. The Direct/Reflecting idea didn't go over too well in my listening space, due to many interruptions by furniture, and various junk that we keep around. The result was virtually no soundstage at all. The sound wasn't unpleasant, the base WAS directional, the price was down right sinful.

I didn't find the construction as shabby as most. I looked at the jewel cubes Bose makes, which seemed atrociously cheap (the little guys come right apart, snap the grill off the next time you run into one, and stare down that silly paper tweeter). The AM5 SIII are heavy set little cubes with nice curves and solid construction.

If all that matters is style points (and sometimes they really matter), then Bose are great. If you'd rather have great sound, or sound on a budget, then look elsewhere.

Final Verdict:
After finding this great hifi store near my house, the Bose had to return to BestBuy.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm micro, atom, titan

Great size means you can fit these in any room. Entire room fills with good sound -- not just a 2' x 2' "sweet spot".

Not as crisp as other standard speakers.

Geez! After seeing all the negative reviews on the AM 5, I decided I had to toss my two cents in. I installed the system into my 2nd floor master bead room. It has whack-o angles and tight spaces. A traditional speaker system was out of the question.

While I have to admit that my Paradigm system on the main living level sound better under certain conditions, the AM 5’s work very well. The ability to direct the sound and find a “sweet spot” allows me to listen to music 25 feet down the long room. There would be no

It is my opinion that that Bose has run into the enigma of success. People love to have the guy on top -- be it the New York Yankees, Microsoft or Beanie Babies.

The AM5s sound great! Especially if you have a hard to equip room due to size or design requirements. Take these negative reviews with a grain of salt and know that there are countless happy owners who enjoy their systems. Three of my friends own them and they are as happy as I am.

I heard these speakers at a friend's house and like the sound of the Bose bookshelf speakers (301, series 2.2) better. The bass from the bookshelf speakers is tighter and more accurate.

On my "Worst Buys" list. Dull, unnatural sound. Would give it zero starsif the rating system allowed it.

HORRID! I've listened to many Bose products andI would say that they are the most over-rated,
overpriced speakers that I've ever heard. There
are many other speaker companys that produce
much higher quality products in the Bose price range and lower-Paradigm, NHT, Polk, and even B&W

I owned a set until I was fortunate enough to sell them. The sound quality is good for background "noise" only. Don't try listening for any details or imaging, it simply gets lost in the translation between the bass module and the cubes. I think the only advantage of these speakers is that they can be placed out of reach from small children's inquisitive hands. That was the reason I bought them when my toddler enjoyed pushing over my floor standing speakers. Unfortunately, I did not do enough research on 3 piece systems for sound quality. The Bose salesman got me on this one. Lesson learned: sales hype does not equal sound quality!

My experiance with the AM-5 is occasional as I have installed many systems over the last three years. In every case I heard a speaker system which
seemed oriented at cosmetics over performance. Regardless of the equipment
driving the AM-5, it always sounded as though I was listening to a speaker
intended for a small cafe, rather than a music or home theater enthusiast's
home. Overall the Bose system lacked low and high frequency extension,
soundstaging, or any semblance of timing. At 799.00, NHT, JBL, Infinity,
or any number of other companies offer better performance for the same or
less money.