I have to admit it: I am spoiled! In times when generate an iPhone or HTC One a linear frequency response and reasonable music sound, where in every price range one can great headphones are spoiled for choice and an adult amplifier / LS-combination used for almost 300 get at EBay ( Denon PMA 510 + Elac BS 63 bookshelf speakers), my expectations for 220-PC-speakers are high. However, I was disappointed by the sound Bose Music Monitor.
Equipment, processing, design
The speakers are absolutely wertig processed and simple but elegant designed. The housing consists of bolted aluminum plates - great! It is also for PC speakers at real tiny. This can be seen already on the product pictures, but in real life they look even smaller. Just for comparison: the base of the front corresponds to the area of an iPhone 5 / 5s / 5c.
Power cord, phone cable and the cable to left speaker plug into the right speaker - so it should be with premium components. The cables are designed thick and robust. The cable from the left speaker is permanently installed; but the connection and the cables look very solid and I think that cable break should not be an issue with a PC speaker anyway. It is a cheap plastic remote control. I think it is not bad that Bose saves here: The remote control is working properly and the boxes react immediately to button pushes. In short, here Bose does everything right.
Sound characteristics: Description
I now read in several reviews and also in serious intentioned magazine tests, the speaker sounds full "for their size". Considering the absolute insignificance of Böxchen, the value of this statement tends towards zero. The question is: How much sound is sacrificed in order to get to the size? Provide the speaker enough sound for listening '? Because that's probably the reason to spend more than 200 for PC speakers when you might otherwise get by on 40.
For this reason, I will absolutely judge the small speakers, that is creating new standards as to hi-fi systems. This may seem exaggerated at first glance, but only succeeds so the description of sound characteristics really. Afterwards I create my subjective scale and make it clear on what points I was particularly disappointed the boxing.
The reproduced frequencies only start really in overemphasized fundamental range. This is to cover up the lean upper bass and nonexistent bass. During the mid and high frequencies are also a few swallows. This makes for some shots where characteristic peaks were blended, to the fact that these stand out unduly and spoil the overall sound. A height-peak (probably the notorious 8kHz-peak) to create the illusion of fine detail reproduction. About 10kHz but is actually like in the deep bass range, most swallowed the shimmering overtones in the album "Silent Treatment" from Highasakite are mostly no longer audible and edible.
The stereo separation is very good. A "stage" but neither arises in the middle of the listening area even beyond the boxes, the speakers remain clear at all times locatable.
The fine dynamic is unremarkable but OK. Grob Dynamically the MusicMonitor® meet the expectations of small disposable speakers.
Especially clearly emerge the sonic disadvantages in demanding rock music, for example, in the piece "Overture 1928" from Dream Theater album "Metropolis Pt. II". The powerful kicks in the bass drum cover the broadband distorted electric guitar and much of the mid and high frequencies; the light blended E-Bass stands by while the raised fundamental range of boxes out way too strong. The result is a true sonic mush. Now the boxes sound almost like 10-Brüllwürfel same size: tinny and dosig. One can listen to the postulated engineering tricks at failure.
Sound characteristics: personal conclusion
The lack of lift is absolutely bearable for small PC boxes, fine and coarse dynamics also go for the price range in order.
Nevertheless, I have allowed myself to be blinded by the many positive reviews. Bose can not overturn (surprise, surprise ...) physics. Particularly serious for me the low frequency spectrum: One hears many aspects of access not simply.
Can such tiny PC speakers without sub so permit sound characteristics? In any case! Can 220 PC speakers to allow that? In my opinion not: The frequency response undermines my musical enjoyment, and that was finally my reason to put a lot of money on the table. Bose was here apparently too ambitious and has the size of the speakers too scaled down. The suggestion that, despite the tiny size of the speaker, the sound of adult sound transducer is achieved, has turned out to be wrong.
Here we see the disadvantage of Amazon: In the electronics market, I would have taken five minutes to decide against the boxes, now I have more work and I have to send it returns ...
One reason for the popularity of Bose speakers: clever marketing
After this disappointment, I had to ask myself a question: How is it that I at my claims - have resorted to even these tiny boxes - actually as much sound for the money? I suspect that, among other things behind it a highly skilled target group analysis.
The Benefits of Music monitors are that they take up little space, look good on the desk, and that out of these tiny boxes at all sound is taken out. This should appeal to a very large intersection of buyers to whom I count myself to. The size is sent marketed; by the praise of sound tricks like the electronic sound enhancement and passive membranes, the impression is created that the laws of physics are overridden. That they only slightly better, in some disciplines, such as the frequency range in the bass and treble even worse than my old, larger 30-Logitech PC speakers, is circumvented sent. In addition the brand image: The production of very small speakers is finally Bose core competence. The pricing applies probably a sweet spot: To the 200 expected for many buyers the maximum be that they want to spend on quality PC speakers. The B & W MM-1 to 380 are for example currently beyond my budget.
I have already heard some sample Bose products, including an iPhone dock, a compact radio with "Wave Guides" and a high-priced 2.1-box system for the stereo. All these components have one thing in common: They swallowed frequencies and compared this with hörpsychologische tricks like adding certain housing resonances, said keynote raising in order to disguise the lack of bass, and electronic controls as preset equalizer from.
Why is that bad? High quality stereo components allow a, details from the music to hear, from which you previously did not even know that they exist. Even a Stereo Amplifier for 150-250 Yamaha, Onkyo or Denon (depending on taste) works wonders here. Then combined with cheap boxes of Magnat, Heco JBL or that does not cost the earth and you get an excellent value for the money.
Bose makes it different: they produce extremely small systems that satisfy hörpsychologisch seemingly without really reflect much of the recording. There's no shame in that they require a lot of money for their average quality; no buyer is entitled to an outstanding price-performance ratio. However, it is a shame that they do not show inexperienced music listeners who are willing to spend more money for an enhanced listening pleasure, what is really in their shots! Here fast food is sold with flavor enhancers rather than good food. This can sometimes taste, but is sad, if it remains, despite higher cash investments there. The goal of a hi-fi brand but should be to raise the demands of listeners, to sharpen the senses and enhance the enjoyment, not to stifle the claims in the bud, so that the listeners will never realize what they're missing!
That it may be a better way, for example, shows the beats headphone range. They also sell the sound measured overpriced products. But they said new groups of buyers, which would otherwise miss their standard cell phone headsets much of the music, and provide them with a real sound enhancement. Also beats earned arm and a leg, but, love Bose people: if they did, then so!
*** UPDATE 20/01/2015 by: My PC speaker Alternative ***
In my original review, I put on this point, the bottom line is that I can find no reasonable alternative with my budget well. However, I have now discovered a pair of (used) Audioengine A2 for me. Their successor model A2 + is currently included feet (which I consider as mandatory) for approximately 280 available at Amazon. For this you get at the Audioengine A2 +, an internal digital / analog conversion with a USB port (thus bypassing the PC sound card) and a subwoofer output in order to retrofit later on. Sonically but make me and the A2 is no longer available new (no D / A conversion and subwoofer output) fully satisfied - only very deep bass heavy music like Peter Fox, etc. bring them over is not good, I hear this but very rarely.
The A2 will need about as much floor space as "normal" 2.0 PC-speakers of the caliber Creative Gigaworks etc., but give a sophisticated look like good bookshelf speakers. In fact, they look like the radiator shrink from machined hi-fi speakers and feel fortunately so on. However, they are not as inconspicuous as the Bose Music Monitor.
Strengths of the Audioengine A2:
- The "stage" in the near field acts big and grown - that is for me especially at higher volumes the Mitreißendste to the speakers, I feel "in the middle" in the music.
- The second great strength: a beautiful, fine treble - emphasized but not annoying or intrusive. Fans neutral or scrollable heights are however not satisfied.
neutral:
- In the middle neutral and quite detailed. Can be a little harsh at higher room volumes, but by no means catastrophic.
- Upper bass present, but not in the foreground. Level of detail still OK.
- Sound tuning neither warm nor cool; Listeners who prefer a warm tone (raised fundamental tone and upper bass range), will not be happy.
negative:
- Volume control + On / Off button on the back; no remote control!
- No stage outside of the near field; not suitable for room sound, but only for the desktop.
- No bass: Affects next Peter Fox (see above) is negative at every bass-heavy music. Test, I have two tracks from Skrillex alluded, where the bass has been practically "cut off" and almost completely disappeared. Caution Bass Heads: Your definitely needs more volume.
- Very subtle natures can have a weak tendency to "lisp" notice (also depends on the highlighted heights together). For me, not critical or flashy, but some are just as susceptible.
Of course, also remain remembered that one pays his confidence a small US company - disadvantages for example in the supply of spare parts after the warranty are to take approvingly accepted. For me, that's fine, because here a niche is occupied, which would otherwise remain unfilled, and the quality is right.
My conclusion: The upgrade from my normal computer speakers to this baby was worth it for me - the properties are in line with my requirements, I'm thrilled. I would have been willing to spend for such a sound 280 - I can do without the features of the A2 + and generally used purchases'm not averse, but I have even done this way a bargain.
For those who are looking for other alternatives: Above the Audioengine A2 + are the B & W MM-1 to about 380, which are designed to provide a louder bass supposedly. For 400, the Audioengine A5 + are to have, which should provide more bass because of their significantly larger volume, but also require a lot more space. Still further are another major field monitors as the Nubert Nupro series, ELAC AM 150, Artist Adam etc. For this you need in addition to the even higher monetary investment but also significantly allow extra parking space.
