List of Bose computer speakers

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Bose has sold various computer speaker products since 1987. Most models consisted of two small satellite speakers, sometimes with a subwoofer.

Models[edit]

MediaMate[edit]

MediaMate speakers (either side of a CD player)

The computer speakers from Bose was the "MediaMate" system, which was released in 1987. The MediaMate included magnetic shielding so that they could be placed near a CRT computer monitor without causing the monitor's image to distort. They had dual inputs and two sources (such as a CD player and a computer game) to be played simultaneously, with a dial to adjust the relative level of the two sources. There is no on/off switch for the MediaMate speakers or any tone controls.[1] Production of MediaMate speakers ended in 2005.

In Japan, the MediaMate was sold as the "MM-1". The MM-1 included an "enhance" function, which basically acted as a tone control.[citation needed] An "MM-2" system was also sold in Japan, which included a subwoofer.

Wave/PC[edit]

Main article: Bose wave systems § Bose Wave/PC

Companion 2[edit]

The "Companion 2" was released in 2005 as the replacement for the MediaMate.[2] The Companion 2 speakers had two input ports, however (unlike its MediaMate predecessor) there was no control to adjust the level of each source.[3] Virtual surround sound emulation ("TrueSpace Stereo Everywhere") was included.[4]

The "Companion 2 Series II" were introduced in 2006.[5] The appearance changed from round speaker grilles to rectangular speaker grilles.

Compared with the similarly priced M-Audio Studiophile AV20, the Companion 2 speakers were found to have inferior sound quality but the benefit of being able to play two sources simultaneously.[6]

Companion 3[edit]

The "Companion 3" system was released in 2003 and consisted of two satellite speakers and a subwoofer.[7] Control is via a wired remote.[8] Dual inputs allow two sources to be played simultaneously, however it is not possible to adjust the relative level of each source.

The "Companion 3 Series II" was introduced in 2006.[9] Changes included smaller satellite speakers with similar appearance to the Companion 5 system and the speaker grille on the subwoofer changing from circular to square shaped. Sales of the Companion 3 Series II ceased in 2016.[9]

Companion 5[edit]

The "Companion 5" system was first listed on Amazon in 2004. It was a 2.1 system consisting of two satellite speakers, a subwoofer, a wired control unit and an inbuilt sound card, which connected to the computer via USB. The subwoofer was very similar to that used in the Companion 3 Series II system, however the Companion 5 used larger satellite speakers.

In Europe and Asia-Pacific, a "Companion 50" version of the system was also produced.

Companion 20[edit]

The "Companion 20" system was released in 2011 and consists of two satellite speakers and a wired control unit (called "control pod" by Bose).[10] It was discontinued in 2021.[11]

Computer MusicMonitor[edit]

Computer MusicMonitor

The "Computer MusicMonitor" system was sold from 2007 and consisted of two satellite speakers and a remote control. The Computer MusicMonitor system was judged to have a convenient small size, but sub-standard audio quality for the price.[12] Sales of the Computer MusicMonitor ended in 2017.[13]

In Japan, a similar model called the "Micro Music Monitor (M3)" was released in 2006. The M3 was able to operate on battery power (unlike the Computer MusicMonitor).

References[edit]

  1. ^ "MediaMate manual" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  2. ^ "Bose Companion Speakers". Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  3. ^ "Bose Companion 2 2012 - TopTenREVIEWS". Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  4. ^ "Bose - Better Sound Through Research". Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  5. ^ "Companion® 2 Series II multimedia speaker system". www.bose.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  6. ^ "Bose Companion 2 Series II (Graphite) review: Bose Companion 2 Series II (Graphite)".
  7. ^ "Companion® 3 system". www.bose.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  8. ^ http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/bose-companion-3/4505-3179_7-30806360.html?tag=subnav [dead link]
  9. ^ a b "Companion® 3 Series II system". www.bose.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  10. ^ "Bose Australia - Computer Speakers - Companion 20 multimedia speaker system". Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  11. ^ "Companion 20 multimedia speaker system". www.bose.co.nz. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  12. ^ "Product reviews, how-tos, deals and the latest tech news".
  13. ^ "Computer MusicMonitor®". www.bose.com. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
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