...as it causes me to search for things I normally wouldn't care about...this is a case in point...

Specs, yes let's talk specs. I visited a few of the names I constantly see bandied about here and there and what I found isn't surprising to me...many speaker mfrs. don't quote freq resp numbers...Of those who do, some give the category as "bandwidth" which is meaningless unless a tolerance is stated. Some say 20Hz-20kHz, some say 20Hz-50kHz and others say 20Hz to beyond ultrasonic(?). So much for the validity of specsmanship! Others who give a +/- Xdb qualifier specify loading characteristics, with or without port plugs that sort of thing...and just how are these numbers reached? Are they composites?...Are they strictly quoted as paperwork estimates based on individual driver response specs with the crossovers factored in? Are they anechoic responses? Are the woofers close miked, measured and then spliced to the remaining limited bandwidth of the other drivers? Unless they reveal the measuring protocols, they don't mean zip!

Bose are Bose, everything else is something else...you can't compare apples and oranges...they are completely different in design and application, in fact you really can't listen to either type and base your opinion of one based on the paradigm of the other...it does not work...period. If you don't like Bose, don't buy them, don't listen to them but, let others make up their own minds...that's why there is vanilla and chocolate...

I've heard Acoustimass stuff and they seem OK, particularly for most HT(which is a hideous abberation anyway IMHO), the Waveradio is overpriced, but sounds remarkable if set up properly: I actually have one...won it in a contest, probably would never buy it. Nice clock-radio...Then of course there's the WAF...you really can't beat them on the decorating front and most of us must make some compromises in life.

The older 901s are pretty damn good IMO, but again if you're looking for the simple boom and tizz of direct radiators, it ain't gonna' happen...the bottom can be quite good outright, but they do require a different mind-set to fully appreciate them.

Are they overpriced...well advertising costs $$$, everything you buy has those costs factored in and guess who pays?

"Research"? Bose doesn't have a monopoly on that word...others have used it to the same end...and there certainly is R&D...even if it's finding new ways to make things cheaper or develop marketing strategies...

As I recall Polk and Infinity used to be some of the cognescenti faves, but have fallen off their respective pedestals because they "sold out"...fickle lot dem audiopiles!

As long as the market is there, they will carry on...and be "hated" all the way to the bank! Sob...

FWIW, I don't think Ma and Pa Kettle really care about horsepower...they want a nice looking, safe and comfy vehicle...mileage is another story. Unfortunately, those EPA numbers don't really mean squat...

jimHJJ(...and BTW, one of those mfrs. sites I visited, badmouths one of their own, who produces "little plastic boxes" while extolling the virtues of their own single enclosure which can psychoacoustically fool you into beliving it's producing five channels of surround sound!...I wonder what that specs out like?...)