Reviews for Bose Companion 3 Multimedia Speaker System

Bose Companion 3 Multimedia Speaker System

Strengths: All-in-One control pod is very convenient, providing an easy way to mute the speakers and adjust the volume. Also has convenient headphone and line-in jacks.

Weakness: Makes a low frequency hiss when idle. Not a big deal, but kind of annoying for such high-priced speakers. The price is also a weakness--these would be more aptly priced around $100.

The speakers look nice, with compact satellite speakers and a convenient control pod. The sound is good--there was a noticeable difference between these speakers and my old set, which was similar in composition (2 satellite speakers + subwoofer). Unfortunately, like most Bose items, this set is overpriced. $250 is just too much for a set like this.

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Good speakers, steep price

Strengths: Bose name, good sound, attractive styling, small satellite speakers, setup is a breeze.

Weakness: Steep price, bass control is out of reach.

I had tried them out in the store and the sound wasn't the best. But I had seen mixed reviews of these speakers and wanted to give them a shot for myself. I got home and set them up as in the directions. The system looks really nice. I played a Windows Media file and was not impressed at all with the sound. I had the volume cranked up in Windows and on the system itself and I could barely hear anything and it sounded very muffled. I couldn't believe it! I paid $250 for this?! I could've hooked my internal computer speaker up to a Pringles can and had gotten better sound than that! I played w/Media Player settings and it still sounded the same.
I was about to pack them up and take them back when I decided to pop a music CD in. I had forgotten to turn the volume control back down so when the music came on I nearly jumped out of my seat! It was extremely loud and crisp. Luckily, when I jerked, I accidentally tapped the control pad and it muted instantly. Turned the volume down slightly and was very impressed by the sound. It sounds much better at home than it did in the store. It has very good bass (could be that I set the subwoofer pointing towards the wall helped w/this) and the mid-ranges and highs are extremely clean. I listen to different types of music w/my computer so I tried out different genres: rock, blues, rap, and even a little classical. The sound is very impressive throughout every one.
I do a lot of gaming too. So I popped in FEAR and gave it a whirl. There are sounds in this game that I couldn't hear on my old speakers(which I think are pretty decent) that came in loud and clear w/these ones. Even real low rumbles could be heard/felt very well. Now this game freaks me out even more! I am impressed w/the sound from these little speakers. It's some of the best sound that I've heard come from PC 2.1 speakers. I also noticed the sub doesn't really "thump" on hard, heavy, low bass, like a lot of speakers do. It's hard to describe, lows still sound good and can be heard/felt well, it's just different a little more smooth sounding. Maybe it's just me, but it sounds a little better when I'm a couple of feet away from the speakers. So I set the speakers back farther on my desk.
It has a bass control on the back of the subwoofer which is a little inconvenient for trying to adjust it to the way you like it, since you're supposed to have the back of the unit about 3-inches from the wall. (unless you point the back of the unit towards you, which is still impractical sitting at a desk) I just barely set the knob above it's mid-point.
I don't know why the Windows Media Player files sounded so horrible. I don't ever use that program so it doesn't bother me. Mp3s sound fine through it(WMP).
One of the big factors is the price. $250 is almost too much for computer speakers, especially a 2.1 system. I do like this system, but would be a much better deal at $150 or even $200. I know Bose used to be made in the USA so I could understand the higher price in the past, but these were made in China, it probably costs them at least 10x less to manufacture each unit over there, I'm sure they can afford to discount these speakers from their regular pricing scheme. I almost didn't buy these speakers for that reason alone. But everyone that I know who has Bose speakers loves them, so I got them. Plus, I could return them if I didn't like them.
You can get a lot of 7.1 systems that sound as good for this price or less.(And is in SURROUND SOUND) I don't have room for a 7.1 system though, otherwise I would have gotten one of them. I'm not an audiophile. I'm an ordinary person who doesn't have a huge surround sound system or a great stereo. So to those people who are audiophiles, this system probably sounds like poop. But it sounds great to me.

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Companion 3 Multimedia 2.1 Speaker System.

Strengths: Compactness, sound quality and the mute “touch” feature. The brackets for side mounting of most monitor are included.

Weakness: The price and no other bracket types are included.

What a great little system! I am totally blown away by the richness of the lows and the crispness of the highs in this compact system. I thought for sure that once I got home from the showroom floor the sound would be completely different and disappointing but when I played Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber off the Modern Strings album the detail and fullness of the strings came shining through with such clarity I could hardly believe it. I quickly followed up with Stoppin’ the love by KT Tunstall from the Eye to the Telescope album and was pleased to have the speakers take me in and immerse me in the complexity of the sound that is her song. I stopped there and decided to write this review. And I am here to tell you that I am very happy with this system and highly recommend the buy for those who are looking at purchasing anytime in the near future. If the price is the issue, spend the money…it’s worth it in my opinion.

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Cheap import

Strengths: Bose nameplate

Weakness: average sounding and high price

I had a chance to get one of these today at a discount. Went to Best Buy and listened to the Bose and others side by side. It did not sound any better that much cheaper systems. And to top it all off, this Bose thing was made in China like the others, but at a much higher price. The volume control was scratchy and made pops when turned. Bose goes down the tubes with others!
Too bad!

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By member: fraczekp - Jan 7, 2007

Pricey but worth it

Strengths: Power and clarity of sound, compact design.

Weakness: Proprietary "true space" sound doesn't allow for different music tastes. No way to mute the sub, volume never turns off if you lower it -- to kill the sound you have to mute it.

I went through over 10 computer speaker systems (no joke!) until I got this one. Overall, I am satisfied with it as I abandoned my hopes for perfection. I listen mostly to classical and this system seems like the best companion I had so far. If my musical tastes were different or if I was looking to use it solely for gaming, I would think twice about buying it. Don't get me wrong, it's a great system but everyone has different needs. So as you read along, keep in mind that my tastes and expectations are most likely different from yours but I am writing this review with a clear intention of being as objective as possible. So with that said, here we go:

I believe that Bose targeted audience with specific tastes of music when designing this system. Gamers should probably look elsewhere as the cost of this system is high above most of the 5.1 systems and the advantages are minimal. However these 3 speakers are the nicest thing to listen to if you are a classical, jazz or even big band fan. You will truly feel the “oomph” that is left out so many times from the orchestral pieces. Lots of modern instrumental pieces are nicely reproduced too, but it varies on the instruments. Others (like R&B, Dance etc) sound very boomy and sometimes the proprietary "true space" sound processing makes the speakers sound like little tin cans. Again, no biggie if you stick to classical and alike.


Sadly, like most of the systems today designed for PC, this one too doesn’t allow you to mute the sub completely…. Oh well…. Too bad.


This system has very poor functions of the volume shuttle: Vol Up/Down & Mute. It's impossible to turn the sound off unless you mute it/shut it off completly.

The shuttle needs to have integrated subwoofer control instead having to crawl under the desk. Paying 3 times as much as a standard 3 piece PC speakers I would expect little more consideration from Bose. The bottom of the shuttle is lined with a "gel pad" of some sort that does not really stick to the desk and has you cleaning it endlessly so that the remote stays put during operatingion.


Finally, mounting brackets are solely designed to hook the speakers up to the monitor. Quite poor flexibility -- what if I want to mount them under shelves? Again, lack of consideration from Bose.


As a final note, I quickly recognized that the positioning of these speakers is 50% of your listening pleasure. Simply pointing them in a direction determined by the layout of your desk is not good enough. Because of the Bose sound processing you will have to play with the arrangement so that you get the best sound reproduction.

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Bose Companion 3 | graphite/silver

Experience a new level of audio performance from your computer. Our premium multimedia speakers provide exceptionally clean, high-quality audio while freeing up valuable desktop space. Satellite speakers can attach to your flat panel monitor or right on your desk. A compact Acoustimass® module fits neatly under your desk and delivers impressive lower tones that make movies and games come to...

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Bose Companion 3

Testseek.com has collected 6 expert reviews for Bose Companion 3 and the average expert rating is 82 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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