Bose® Wave® music system -- SoundLink Review

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(More customer reviews)My parents sent me a Bose Wave music system with SoundLink for Christmas. It arrived a bit early so I took it into my office and set it up. I listen to music while writing software into the early hours of the morning. This isn't something I would have bought for myself, but it was a well-appreciated gift as I'm listening through some small Altec Lansing speakers currently.
A couple of notes about the product below:
Aesthetics - The system looks like an oversized alarm clock. If I were frozen in the 80's to be thawed out today, I would have reason to believe that nothing had changed as far as alarm clocks go. That said, this is more than _just_ an alarm clock so this is forgiven. I was surprised to see that the SoundLink device was an external device. It seems to me that a radio receiver could easily be internalized into the main radio appliance. While the Wave music system is more than an alarm clock, you wouldn't know that much by the clock interface on the front. The big LED numbers with an AM/PM indicator and accompanying LED indicator of the source seem out of touch with the reality of a device this costly in this modern era. Compare the aesthetics of this device vs. the elegance of other devices costing the same. I think you'll agree that 'looks' were likely the last thing on the Bose technicians' minds.
Setup - This was likely one of the easiest devices I've set up in ages. I expected there to be, at the minimum, some software to install and some cumbersome UI to work through to get sound pumping from my computer to the appliance. This wasn't the case. I literally plugged the power and the SoundLink device into the appliance, plugged the USB transmitter into my computer and I was off to the races! That said, I was confused why the SoundLink device had a DC power input, but no DC power cord. Perhaps there is something I'm missing in why the input is needed but it wasn't a big deal since the system works without one.
Use - The appliance itself has no buttons on it which bothers me a bit. Perhaps Bose was trying to avoid the complete appearance that this was just an alarm-clock radio. That said, the concern is that if I lose my remote control, I'm screwed till I find a replacement. Since this device is sitting on my side desk (literally right beside me) the effect of using my remote control to use the device seems absurd. This wouldn't be so bad if Bose had thought to make the remote control dockable to the system and allow you to use the remote as a front or top panel control when docked as such. Setting the time and alarms on the system is also very archaic. This uses that same tired 'rewind/fast forward' type alarm setting that your clock radio does -- again reinforcing that this is just an expensive version of the same. Apart from that, I was happy with how easily my music just seamlessly streams from my computer to the appliance. I don't need to configure my software. I just run my normal apps (Zune Software, iTunes, etc.) and it just works!
Sound Quality - When I first plugged this in, I was quite happy with the sound. However, shortly into my first song, I started hearing frequent cracking and popping. I didn't have the device cranked. I'm at work so I couldn't possibly put it above 50% output on my computer with 30-50 on the device itself without the music starting to waft out of my office and into the hallways. That said, the cracking and popping was actually louder than the music which makes the device output more annoying than soothing. I tried listening to a variety of music from classical to heavy metal. I tried adjusting the volume. I even tried cranking it a bit higher at other times of the night when no one else is here. No matter the volume levels on the computer or the radio, the crackling and popping persists making this device practically useless for my purposes. Looking at the website, this appears to be a regularly enough occurring event that they included it in the FAQ: [...] Their solution was to 'reset' the device. I tried this and the popping persisted. Lest you think this is was just a bad unit, start searching the internet for other unhappy users and you won't have to look far. On top of the cracking and popping there appears to be an occasional 'skip' in sound. I haven't yet determined if this is caused by the SoundLink transmission or the radio itself.
Summary - The Bose Wave radio is, in my opinion overpriced for what it provides. The aesthetics are behind the times. There is no 'wow' feature to the device and that unfortunately includes the sound which is the primary purpose of the system. The remote-only control of the device is scary. There is a lot of wasted potential here. My recommendation to you would be to buy a regular clock radio. At least if it crackles and pops, you won't be out so much money.
My recommendations for Bose would be: 1) Integrate the SoundLink receiver into the main appliance 2) make the remote control dockable/lockable into the top of the system so it can be used as a front/top panel input on the device itself 3) Bring the front-instrumentation of the device into the modern era with some music visualization options and a less static LCD-centric display 4) Fix the primary purpose of the system (there is absolutely no reason why I should spend several hundred dollars to hear this when there are many other lower-cost music-listening options at my disposal) 5) Allow me to set alarms a bit more reasonably than scrolling through a 60-minute-times-24-hour-rolling interface. Perhaps put a bluetooth radio in the device and let me set it through my phone or computer. Or just give me an easy hour-then-minute-then-am/pm interface.
Original review posted December 23, 2009 - updated January 5, 2011:
Per one of the comments to this review, I attempted to connect to the Bose Wave Music System through standard Bluetooth rather than through the provided SoundLink USB key. This has proved to remove the crackling and popping. While this does limit the distance that you will get through wireless (limited to 30 feet as opposed to the reported 60 feet with the SoundLink USB Key), it does make the device more effective within it's range, in my opinion). I highly recommend this option. You can find instructions for setting the Bluetooth into a discoverable mode on page 24 of the owner's manual that accompanies the device.
- I still keep my rating where it is for the same reasons described in my review above. This is a below average device in a highly above-average cost. I don't recommend purchasing this device. Perhaps the next itteration of the system will include some of the recommendations given in my review and in others to improve the value.

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Acclaimed Bose sound, now for your computer music. Wirelessly.Presenting another great reason to own a Wave music system: wireless audio from your computer. In addition to CDs and FM/AM, the Wave® music system -- SoundLinkTM puts a new world of entertainment at your command. iTunes. Internet radio. Any music on your computer can be enjoyed in the room of your choice. Imagine: all your listening options available from one central system--in lifelike Bose sound.
Plug and play simplicityJust plug the small USB key into your computer and the SoundLink adapter to the Wave music system. In seconds, you can enjoy your favorite playlists and more in a different room, away from your computer. It's quick, convenient and easy. There's no software to load and no networks to configure.
Acclaimed performanceYour music comes to life with Bose waveguide speaker technology, the innovation that has made this compact system one of the industry's most praised creations. Rich Warren of News Gazette said the Wave music system "...will flat out seduce you." Now, hear what it can do for your music downloads and favorite online stations.
A handy remote controls all system functions and even navigates your computer playlists. There's an auxiliary input for your MP3 or other portable player, and a headphone jack for private listening.
The Wave music system -- SoundLink: legendary performance with added versatility. It could be the only system you'll ever need to enjoy all of your music.
What's in the box--Wave® music system --SoundLink adapter--SoundLink USB key--AC power cord--remote control--demonstration CD

Buy cheap Bose® Wave® music system -- SoundLink now.

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