Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers - for PC (with 3.5mm AUX & PC Input) Black

I have been a PC gamer for over 30 years. The first few years audio was horrible, just beeps really. Then sound cards came along and it was better, but PC speakers were always a problem. I went through a dozen sets from about 1995 to 2015, and honestly they all really sucked. I always got cheap ones that were ugly, weak, and full of distortion, or mid- tier ones with a sub-woofer that were still ugly with wires everywhere, and still had distortion issues, but at least they were loud. Either way swapping to headphones was almost always a pain. They were all compromises so none lasted more than 2 years. One day in 2015 I got tired of the endless string of bad speakers so I decided to finally do it right and I bought these Bose speakers. It's been nearly 7 years and I haven't even begun to consider replacing them. They look good in any space. The wiring is easy to manage. They can be placed vertically beside a monitor or horizontally below one . The controls are simple. The headphone access is easy to use. They sound fantastic, loud with no distortion at any volume I would ever use. They are just 100% winners. Yes they lack modern features, but that is exactly what makes them so great. They work exactly perfectly for their intended purpose, with no expensive and unnecessary features. Place them on the correct sides of your monitor, connect the right speaker to your PC or monitor, connect the two speakers to each other, plug the power cord into power and the right speaker and turn up the volume.... Done. Okay, there is one possible small problem. If your PC is to the left of your monitor it is annoying you have to run an audio cable all the way to the right, then another cable back to the left speaker. But it's not that big a deal and you can always buy a longer audio cable if you need it. Point being, if you think all PC speakers suck, spend the $$$$ and let these ones change your mind

Just what I wanted, clear great sound, ease of setup, plug and play, knob on one speaker to externally control sound and shut off, headphone jack, and because they are wired, will always be reliable, faithful as it was in the 'old' days without all the 'pairing' or troubleshooting many electronic set up's require today.

My wife ordered these for me two days ago. You gotta love Amazon Prime! I have them set up on my desk at work. I've always worked better with some decent music in the background. The space I occupy does not pull in a radio station other than a today's Top 40 broadcast, which just isn't my cup of coffee, and built in computer speakers just plain do not cut it. Tinny sounding is being generous. I'm no audiophile, but I can still hear when the music sounds good or bad. My previous setup was a Sony AM/FM/iPod docking unit playing music from the computer through the AUX IN connection. Not a bad sound, but I knew it could be better. I hooked the speakers up in very short order (I think it took me longer to unpack them than it did to set them up) through my laptop's docking station headphone jack. Everything was plug-and-play; no need to purchase, cut or otherwise mess with any speaker wires. As everything sets on top of my desk, I had no problem with cord lengths as others have reported. Using Windows Media Player, I picked a variety of tunes to listen to (Adele, Boston, Spyro Gyra, AC/DC). While I won't use over the top hype, such as "I was blown away!", I can honestly say these are the best computer speakers I've ever heard, bar none. Those I've had in the past have always had problems handling bass. With the volume down, the bass would not come through; with the volume up the speakers would rattle. Not these. Being near 60 I'm not inclined to thump the bass, which is good for a corporate office setting. But the bass was there at the lowest of volume. Of course, I have not (and unless I bring them home, probably will not) cranked them up to level 10, but I have no doubt they can handle it. I'll report further if I ever conduct this test. The music, both instrumental and vocal, was crisp and clear throughout. I was able to hear subtleties in Boston tunes I had been listening to for years that I had not heard before. And it also beat the previous Sony set-up I mentioned. I can see where the connection cord might be a bit short if you're using a computer standing on the floor. Easy work around is a headphone extension cord which might set you back an additional $10. If you spent $100 on the speakers, the additional $10 will be worth it. My opinion is these are worth the price. Bose makes some great products, most of which I'll never be able to afford. These speakers are a great way to treat yourself to the fabulous Bose sound without boosting the balance on your credit card. I'll be getting plenty of use from these. Thanks, honey.

I'm not sure I can be considered an audiophile, as I am likely not trained enough to pick up on what these speakers might be lacking. I can say that I don't like ugly sounding speakers, and these are far from it. For my purpose, I generally use these speakers either to watch videos, enjoy movies, play games, or listen to music. For videos and movies, I find them excellent, which is generally par for the course with PC speakers. Voices are clear, and background music is noticeable for sure. Games are going to be fairly hit or miss, depending on what sort of title you are playing. If footsteps are necessary to be tracked, you're almost always better off using headphones, especially when considering these speakers. Otherwise, I find them average to good in most situations. Music is where it's generally hit or miss, and noticeable even for me as an auditory layman. I do want to mention that, despite the lack of a sub-woofer, the bass on these things aren't too bad. This is likely affected by the settings I use in my sound card (currently a Creative Sound Blaster Z), so I'm not sure how relevant it is here, but the speakers are the ones putting out the sound after all, and it requires little boost from my settings. Though it doesn't matter too much compared to their sound output, the visuals of the speakers are very attractive. If you've got a nice, mostly-black themed set-up, these low profile satellites will fit in quite nicely. The branding itself is very minimal and sits only at the bottom of the fronts. For the price, and for my purposes, I find these speakers to be a good purchase. They sit quite comfortably in this odd price bracket, well above the cheapest of the bunch but just below the mid-range; however, I find nothing unacceptable in their performance. Wherever they fail, I would generally find myself using my good headphones anyway, so really they're as good of an option as you can get at this point. Try them!

II'd give these 10 stars if I could, had them before but Bose discontinued them. I usde them in a nursing home for elderly residents to sing hymns or songs they love from the past. They got damaged in moving and Bose now offers more expensive alternatives I could not afford.. These were refurbished and carefully packed before they were shipped to me. My residents said they loved the sound. Everybody sang! THANKS for professional product and service. You make a lot of residents and me so happy. Bless you.

As an avid gamer and someone who spends significant time at their workstation, finding the right audio setup has always been crucial to me. Recently, I made the leap to the Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers, and I can confidently say they've transformed my gaming and work experience for the better. Let's talk about what matters most: the sound quality. While I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile, I do appreciate clear, immersive audio, and these speakers deliver just that. Whether I'm engrossed in the latest AAA title or listening to my favorite tunes while working, the sound quality from the Bose Companion 2 Series III is simply outstanding. The bass is punchy, the highs are crisp, and the overall clarity is impressive, making every gaming session or work task a more enjoyable experience. One thing that's particularly notable about these speakers is their reliability. Unlike cheaper alternatives I've tried in the past, the Bose Companion 2 Series III doesn't suffer from annoying crackling or hissing noises, even at higher volumes. This consistency ensures that my gaming and music sessions remain uninterrupted and immersive, without any distractions. In terms of build quality, these speakers are rock solid. The sturdy construction instills confidence, and the sleek black design adds a touch of sophistication to my workstation setup. They may not have flashy RGB lighting or extravagant designs, but the understated elegance of the Bose Companion 2 Series III fits perfectly with my aesthetic preferences. Now, onto the one downside I've encountered: the absence of an LED light for power on/off. As someone who occasionally forgets to turn off their speakers, a visual indicator would be a welcome addition. I imagine this might not pose an issue if your setup resides in a well-lit space, but for those in dimly lit environments, I'm certain you can empathize. However, it's a minor inconvenience that doesn't overshadow the overall excellence of these speakers. In conclusion, if you're like me—an avid gamer and music enthusiast who values quality audio without needing audiophile-level precision—the Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers are a fantastic choice. They deliver exceptional sound quality, reliability, and durability, enhancing both gaming sessions and workstation productivity. They're a definite upgrade over my previous $25 Logitech speakers and I would recommend them to anyone seeking an immersive audio experience for gaming and work alike.

I love the sound it makes.

UPDATE 7/19/2015 - After over a year with the speakers they are still going strong! Yet, I found myself in a Bose store the other day and purchased the more expensive Companion 20 speakers. Look below for my comparison of the two. ORIGINAL REVIEW I own a pair of bose QC 15 headphones which have spoiled me and made me discontent with the mediocre sound systems around my house. So, I wanted some bose speakers to connect to my wireless network at home via my airport express and airplay. Well, I am happy to say that these $100 Bose speakers sound GREAT! The sound is spacious, deep and CRISP. The high notes sing and one can feel the base. ARE THEY LOUD ENOUGH? Some reviewers complain that they do not get loud enough. I thought the same at first and then realized that my music was turned down at the source. Now, I have the volume all the way up on my iPad and then adjust the volume on the speakers themselves. I have to tell that they get extremely loud with no distortion. The volume only needs to be up half-way on the speakers for the volume to shake the room and tickle my eardrums. ARE THE MIDS DECENT? Just to clear-up another misconception - the highs and lows are reproduced extremely well. Both the high notes and the bass are VERY pleasing. Ragtime Piano, for example, sounds excellent on the speakers. The weakness is indeed with the mids. Nothing bad, but the speakers do seem to equalize (True Space technology) in such a way where the mids do suffer. For example, Josh Groban's incredible voice looses some of its magic on these Bose. The same is true on my QC 15 headphones, by the way. For me, this is a minor thing that I immediately tolerate because the other sound strengths more than compensate. SHOULD YOU PURCHASE THESE? Indeed, buy these now. You will not regret your purchase and will feel that they are well worth $100. Especially if you are new to Bose, then you will love this entry level product. _________ BOSE COMPANION 20 vs COMPANION 2 Serries III The wonderful Bose Companion 2 Series 3 computer speakers have graced our home ever since they first came out. We have really enjoyed them. Not at the computer but instead for inconspicuous bookshelf speakers in a small room. the Speakers were souced wirelessly via an Apple Airport Express router and AirPlay. Though they were great for this function, recently I have been itching for an upgrade. So, the other day I visited a Bose store and came home with the larger and more expensive Companion 20 speakers. So, how do they compare? Here are some detailed impressions... SOUND QUALITY OVERVIEW The less expensive Companion 2 held up pretty well when first compared side-by-side with the 20s. In fact, at lower volumes the two speakers sounded nearly identical. After a while, the supiorority of the Companion 20's became clearly evident. They are much more rich and crisp than the 2s. After hours of listening to the new speakers I switched back to the 2's and they sounded tinny and shril. Especially at moderate and higher listening volumes. HIGHS and LOWS First about the lows. Again initial impression led me to think the base sounded nearly identical on both speakers. It wasn't until I played bass heavy music that I noticed the difference. The 20s bass is much tighter and gives a cleaner thump. In their promotional material Bose states that when one walks into a room where 20's are playing they will look around for a base module. This is true. Especial when the rear of the speakers are placed near a wall or a corner. My Companion 2s are spread nearly three feet apart on a bookshelf. Each speaker is slightly angled towards eachother with the backs up against the corners of the shelf. This is the sweet spot for the room. As to the high, the 20s are also the clear leader. Female voices SHINE on these silver speakers. High notes on the 2s by comparison sound like they are distant as though the singer is behind a closed door. In general every musical detail (highs, lows and mids) are better detailed and distinct. Play a song with complex instrumentation, for example, and you will distinctly hear most every nuance of each instrument. On the Companion 2 speakers similarly complex tracs sounded blended together where the details were muted or lost. BUILD QUALITY I thought the 2s were well built but, oh my goodness, they look like toys next to the aluminum 20 speakers! The quality becomes especially apparent when you feel the weight and heartiness of the build. This is best showcased by just the control module on the 20. The knob feels substantial and turns smoother than any dial I have ever used. Really, you must try it!. This buttery smoothness is balanced absolutely perfectly with proper resistance and responsiveness. The module further boasts a touch sensitive on/off "button" which is also amazingly responsive and instant. In short, looking at the Companion 20s and controlling them are just as pleasant as listening to them! The 2s are solidly built but their look and feel is only average. FURTHER COMPARISONS I own several othe Bose products including he Bose sound link mini, the QC20 in-ear headphones, and the Bose QC15 over-the-ear headphones. So, how does the sound of the Companion 20s compare to these other products? Soundlink Color - The 20s win easily. This is remarkable because I think the Color sounded better than the Companion 2's eventhough the it is a small Bluetooth speaker compared to a wired 2 speaker system. The color has better clarity than the 2s and overall boast a higher fidelity. The 2s did have better stereo separation (obviously) and can play at a higher volume. On the other hand, my new Companion 20s just sound better than the Soundlink Color in every single aspect. Quiet Comfort 20 - The similarity between the Quiet Comort 20 headphones and the Companion 20 computer speakers comes in warmth of sound. Both boast a warmth that is very pleasing and Senheiser like. This is where the comparisons end. The QC headphones win in the area that they sound a little more natural and balanced. Though, the Companion 20s beat the QC20s in crispness and detail. When I have a choice between the two, I enjoy listening to the speakers over the QC20 in-ear headphones. Quiet Comfort 15 - Now, here is where the Companion 20s begin to fall short. The best sound I have ever heard comes from my QC15 headphones. They are astonishingly impressive. These companion 20's get me much closer to that great sound quality. In fact, the Companion 20s sound warmer and a tad richer than the QC15! Unfortunately, the music is not as detailed nor crisp. I do find myself debateing whether or not to enjoy music via the QC15 headphones or via the Companion 20 computer speakers. By comparison the Companion 2's always sounded decent but I never purposely chose to go listen to them over any of the other Bose products that I own. CONCLUSION Though Companion 2s have seen series of re-iterations through the years, the Companion 20s are still the original speakers first introduced in 2011. To me, the fact that a Companion 20 series 2 does not yet exist hints that there is not much to improve with the current speaker. Give these speakers a serious try and I think you will agree. PS - A note about source volume. The manual for the 20s instructs to place the source volume at a maximum of 80 percent. This is key! Use the control pod to crank up the volume. There will be no distortion not even when turning the dial all the way up. With the 2s the sound the sound improved with the source volume at 100 percent and the knob on the speakers at slightly over half. All this to say that the more expensive 20's do a better job of signal processing and improving the source signal into that distinctive rich and Bose sound. By the way, the 20s top volume is about twice that of the 2s.