Bose Companion 50 Multimedia Speaker System, Graphite/Silver

I have bought, and still own, other Bose products, which have given me no end of faultless listening pleasure, over the years, but the Companion 50 Multimedia Speaker System is a shocker. I am surprised that Bose is willing to risk its reputation putting out such a mediocre product.To say that I was surprised at the performance, or rather the lack of it, would be a gross understatement. I was, and still am, shocked at just what a poor performance it delivers, out of the box.Even with the controls properly adjusted, when I first set it up the sound was boxy, the mid-range was dull, the top-end and the base were MIA, and the sound-stage was about as big as the box it was delivered in. And to cap it off, the right channel output was only two thirds of the left. Really, just awful, and not worth the shipping cost, never mind the purchase price.I just couldn't believe it was that bad. There had to be something else wrong. So first I played around with the location of the satellite speakers on my desk, and the sub-woofer underneath it, as well as re-configuring the audio drivers on my PC. After about an hour, I had it about as good as it was going to get. And, considering the cost, it was still VERY average. In fact I'd heard better sound coming out of a Rs.10,000 PC sound system.So, next I changed out the Bose aux cable, which the system came with, for an IBRA premium quality, dual shielded cable with 24k gold plated connectors. WOW, what a difference! Still a little disappointing, but a HUGE improvement.The problem seems to be that the output of my PC Aux is insufficient to drive it and produce a reasonable quality sound-stage and presence. So, not one to be easily beaten, I've ordered a Sabre 9018 USB DAC, which I have heard are very good. If that doesn't do it, I am going to return it.*** OMG moment 3 days later! ***I first want to say, I just reconnected the system to my computer via a Sabre 9018 USB Dac and the improvement is awesome. Totally awesome!Clearly, its definitely not Bose's fault that the sound output of my motherboard is not sufficient to drive their Companion 50 Multimedia Speaker System. BUT, driving it with the Sabre 9018 USB Dac, which is a simple plugin -- one end into a USB port and the other into the Aux cable -- improves the performance beyond recognition.The top end is "real", the mid-range very present and pure, with no 'boxy' colouration, and base is solid, but not 'boomy'. Not a very technical explanation but I hope you get what I mean.I am sitting here streaming my Shakira playlist at the moment and Shakira (plus the band/backing/audience), are right here in the room with me!!! I can't believe the difference it makes.It would be niggardly not to give Bose 5 stars for the system, just because of the 'el cheapo' Aux cable, so I have uprated my review.IMPORTANT: Don't try and drive this system with just raw Aux output from your computer. If you don't already have a sound card, get a "Hifime Sabre 9018 USB DAC" and connect it to your Bose system with an IBRA "Aux Cable 2M 3.5mm Stereo Premium Auxiliary Audio Cable", not the one Bose provides.That's an extra Rs.6,000 to invest, but you'll be very VERY glad you did.

Reviewing after almost a year of using the speakers.The sound clarity hasn't dropped yet. Still the same. Bass is excellent and is more than enough for an average size hall, but you may need to adjust the bass manually for different types of sounds, which is a drawback. Bose could have developed a remote or an app for companion 50. Also the surround sound is quiet good. Control touch pod works good and base of the pod has a sticky kinda surface which doesn't slid around. You do need to adjust the speakers in a position where in it can acoustically sound the best. I hooked it up with a 55" tv and I am having an wondering experience.Overall it is worth the money and a very good product from Bose.

Very Clean and loud Sound but feel artificial sound. tweeter sounds like metal. not pleasant for ear. i hv swans speaker gives very natural sound.

within 1 month my dream Bose Companion 50 is dead(not working). I have tried all customer call centers, service centers, and all bose stores in Chennai. No one is responding. regarding this I have mailed to ": [email protected]" still no response. I am totally disappointed. customer support is very worst. do not waste your money. I never expect this kind worst attitude in such an Iconic brand (BOSE)

Everything from the packaging to sound quality screams quality. Punchy bass with clear lows and highs. Mids are clear if you lower the bass control. Totally worth the price. Sound can get really loud. Even for a house party, you can use these speakers. Just totally go for it even if it means selling your kidney.

Following was my review which I wrote few days after receiving the product in December 2017."No wonder about the audio quality and impact, it's very rich. If it could have been a wireless devise then I must say that's it's worth for every penny.Yet, I am happy with this devise."Now come to the reality. My personal experience says don't get carried away by the brand name....My system broke down two weeks back (Third week of March). Internal malfunction occurred within 3 months from purchase of this product "BOSE". When I took the system to the service centre they excepted the product and showed of so much like they are the most valuable and sophisticated organisation in the world.After collecting the system only when I played it for the first time I remain totally stunt....... This Rs. 32000 system does not sounds like BOSE from any dimension. It sounds like Rs. 6500 5.1 channel creative multimedia speakers which I bought back in 2008. I am still not able to convince myself that why I spend 32000 for a piece of garbage.After this horrible experience I wrote an email to Bose customer care and got second surprise.....they don't bother about replying to customer complain.... "At least my complain". After two days when I called their customer care they nicely said that "your query has been escalated to higher team for their review and you will surely get a response by tomorrow (which is 9th April)". Its been two day's, no response from the fancy brand "BOSE".This incident force me to think "can I trust American products or should I trust the Japanese quality"???