Generally recognized as over-hyped, over-priced, and smirked at by the "experts," but lapped up by the uninitiated.

Macs.

---

"Man is a little germ that lives on an unimportant rock ball that revolves about a small star at the outskirts of an ordinary galaxy. ... I am absolutely amazed to discover myself on this rock ball rotating around a spherical fire. It's a very odd situation. And the more I look at things I cannot get rid of the feeling that existence is quite weird. -- Alan Watts

I never bought a Bose product directly, but both my cars have Bose speakers (Mazda CX-5 and Volt). And I wasn't gonna dismiss these acrs just because they had Bose speakers. And my new job provides a $350 allowance for noise-cancelling headphones and before I had a chance to decide what I wanted to get, they put a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 II on my desk, no questions asked. I started using them and I like the sound.

they may not be the best on the market but my ears are definitely not getting better so I won't be able to tell the difference anyway.

Monster cables.

Beats headphones. Though they've gotten a little better.

Mercedes of Cars
Miller, the Champagne of Beers

Heineken is overhyped p--- water.

---

San Antonio, TX (in the old city)


"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
“Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." - Eli Weisel

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." - Theodore Roosevelt (1918)

"I don’t want to see religious bigotry in any form. It would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it." - Billy Graham 1981

"Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise" - Barry Goldwater

Quote
Rolando

Heineken is overhyped p--- water.

Have you ever had it on tap in Amsterdam?

It's a very different beer.

Quote
freeradical

Have you ever had it on tap in Amsterdam?

It's a very different beer.

What freeradical said!

QC35s are terrific and can be shown to be top of the line.

beats are closer - but I think their middle line products cover use cases Bose and Sony avoided until recently.

I have had some small Bose speakers connected to my computer for several years. Love 'em. Smirk all you want.

Rolex, maybe. Maybe our forum expert could weigh in on this one.

Prof. Bose was a crusty old bastard. He and I got into it more than once about phase issues.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/13/2018 12:41AM by morlock.

I bought a pair of Bose 301's in (roughly) 1984, and they lasted nearly 20 years, including my time in college. Unlike a lot of Bose products, those were a more traditional woofer-and-tweeters deslgn, and they sounded great. But they were of a time when Bose was a relatively small company and hadn't gone all-out for the mass consumer market and were made before they took manufacturing overseas.

That said, I tried a set of used 901's once, and hated them. Exactly on Bose's bad-reputation cliche: "No highs, no lows, must be Bose." I never cared for their satellite-and-subwoofer combinations, either.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/13/2018 06:23AM by Will Collier.

Rolex, being an iconic brand like Apple, is a target, a brand people love to hate.

Wear a Rolex, and there will always be That Guy, or two, that will go out of their way to tell you there are cheaper watches that keep better time, their Timex only costs $10, I can buy a counterfeit for a lot less, there are other watches that have 'more status', blah blah blah. 'I see you have a Rolex. Ya know...' 'Is that the new iPhone? You know they ripped off Samsung' ad nauseam. There's a reason for that sort of behavior, and it's nothing to do with the brand itself.

Never mind that you didn't ask for their opinion. You just had the temerity to wear one and let it be seen. Oh the humanity. Say you have a Mac or an iPhone, and there's That Guy again, feeling the need to 'inform' you. There's a reason for that sort of behavior, and it's nothing to do with the brand itself.

Unfortunately, being an iconic brand like Apple, or any high end car brand, means you'll pay more than something similar but not the same. It's a choice.

Unlike Bose, Rolex has offered a quality product for decades, and the craftsmanship and SCOC rating were not accidents or flukes. Bose does offer some decent products, but historically that hasn't been true.

The Rolex brand is expensive for what it is, but they're solid products, and not the Bose of watches.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Any wine that costs over $30 a bottle.

Quote
Mike Johnson
Rolex, maybe. Maybe our forum expert could weigh in on this one.

Which one? There are several, I believe. But, I'm no expert.

---

So get back to work and sweat some more
The sun will sink, and we'll get out the door
It's no good for man to work in cages
Hits the town, he drinks his wages
You're frettin', you're sweatin'
But did you notice you ain't gettin'?

Coldplay and Beyonce

---

"one door closes and another window opens"
Vlad the Impailer.

"I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion."
Alexander the Great

Quote
RAMd®d
Rolex, being an iconic brand like Apple, is a target, a brand people love to hate.

Wear a Rolex, and there will always be That Guy, or two, that will go out of their way to tell you there are cheaper watches that keep better time, their Timex only costs $10, I can buy a counterfeit for a lot less, there are other watches that have 'more status', blah blah blah. 'I see you have a Rolex. Ya know...' 'Is that the new iPhone? You know they ripped off Samsung' ad nauseam. There's a reason for that sort of behavior, and it's nothing to do with the brand itself.

Never mind that you didn't ask for their opinion. You just had the temerity to wear one and let it be seen. Oh the humanity. Say you have a Mac or an iPhone, and there's That Guy again, feeling the need to 'inform' you. There's a reason for that sort of behavior, and it's nothing to do with the brand itself.

Unfortunately, being an iconic brand like Apple, or any high end car brand, means you'll pay more than something similar but not the same. It's a choice.

Unlike Bose, Rolex has offered a quality product for decades, and the craftsmanship and SCOC rating were not accidents or flukes. Bose does offer some decent products, but historically that hasn't been true.

The Rolex brand is expensive for what it is, but they're solid products, and not the Bose of watches.

You get that a lot, Ram? Seriously, watches like Rolex are jewelry too as well as timepieces. I have a TAG Heuer for jewelry and Timex and Casio for everyday use. Not yet rich enough for Rolex!

---

Disclaimer: This post is checked for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Any attempts at humor are solely the responsibility of the author and bear no claim that any and all readers will approve or appreciate said attempt at humor.
My name is DP, and I approve this message.

"Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime."- Lavrentiy Beria

Quote
Fritz
Coldplay and Beyonce

Kanye West too!

Quote
space-time

Quote
Fritz
Coldplay and Beyonce

Kanye West too!

toooo many to list.

---

"one door closes and another window opens"
Vlad the Impailer.

"I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion."
Alexander the Great

.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/14/2018 12:49AM by Mike Johnson.

Cmon over sometime and we’ll share a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

You get that a lot

Not a lot, but enough to get really tedious.

It wasn't so bad years ago, because most people really didn't know the brand. Over the years it became well known enough more people notice them, and just have to edjumicate me.

I've put it (only one, LOL) away, as it's 40yo and needs a cleaning. I've remarked from time to time that Apple watches have been so practical that I've stopped wearing my mechs.

Not a collector as such, but I've bought mechs that just appeal to me because firstly, their looks. Then, various other factors.

I wear no jewelry ever, except watches. No diamonds, no flash, no bling, all with either express utility, or what is in my view, understated elegance.

I used to see Jose Conseco and other people I don't know wear nugget watches. I can't stand them a bit. But it's their choice. They're happy, it's all good, as the kids used to say.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Quote
tahoedrew

Quote
freeradical

Have you ever had it on tap in Amsterdam?

It's a very different beer.

What freeradical said!

Thanks you both for the education! If I get to Amsterdam, beer would not be near the top of my list, but OK!

---

San Antonio, TX (in the old city)


"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
“Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." - Eli Weisel

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." - Theodore Roosevelt (1918)

"I don’t want to see religious bigotry in any form. It would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it." - Billy Graham 1981

"Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise" - Barry Goldwater

I have the Bose QC35's and I love them. They sound great, the bluetooth connection is super reliable, and they are comfortable to wear. I also have the Bose SoundLink portable speaker and am blown away by the sound given the size. Both were completely worth what I paid for them.

I can't speak for their older speaker line. Reading the audiophile forum's I see them frequently bashed for using paper cones but I listened to a podcast with a speaker designer who claimed paper was an excellent material for making speakers so who knows.

As for products that are simply not worth their cost the first thing that pops into my head is gold plated audi wires selling at crazy prices. Pillows are another product that can sell for very high prices but there's no definitive way to say one is better than another. Same with mattresses. Oh, how about DACS (Digital to Analog Converters). Again, can anyone definitively say one is better than another once you go over say $100?

---

Ukulele music I couldn't find anywhere else.
[colquhoun.info]

Bose noise-cancelling headphones are almost universally considered the best available.

---

It is what it is.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/14/2018 05:05AM by N-OS X-tasy!.

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!
Bose noise-cancelling headphones are almost universally considered the best available.

But many consider them, like other brands, to be overpriced because of their “rep”: maybe a 25% to 50% better product, but priced 100% to 200% higher (or more).

I'd far rather have some Bose speakers than Monster Cables or Beats headphones. YMMV.

---

Quote
DeusxMac

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!
Bose noise-cancelling headphones are almost universally considered the best available.

But many consider them, like other brands, to be overpriced because of their “rep”: maybe a 25% to 50% better product, but priced 100% to 200% higher (or more).

They are competive with a number of the offerings in this review: [www.techradar.com]

---

It is what it is.

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!

Quote
DeusxMac

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!
Bose noise-cancelling headphones are almost universally considered the best available.

But many consider them, like other brands, to be overpriced because of their “rep”: maybe a 25% to 50% better product, but priced 100% to 200% higher (or more).

They are competive with a number of the offerings in this review: [www.techradar.com]

The fact that there are others at a similar price does not establish that they are, or are not, overpriced. All similarly priced could themselves fall into the above 25% to 50% better, but priced 100% to 200% higher.

The QC35's are fine 'cans, not disputing that.


I'd far rather have some Bose speakers than Monster Cables or Beats headphones. YMMV.

Sure, but that's like saying I'd rather have some Bose speakers than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

That's like comparing apples and hickory or birch. LOL

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Quote
DeusxMac

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!

Quote
DeusxMac

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!
Bose noise-cancelling headphones are almost universally considered the best available.

But many consider them, like other brands, to be overpriced because of their “rep”: maybe a 25% to 50% better product, but priced 100% to 200% higher (or more).

They are competive with a number of the offerings in this review: [www.techradar.com]

The fact that there are others at a similar price does not establish that they are, or are not, overpriced. All similarly priced could themselves fall into the above 25% to 50% better, but priced 100% to 200% higher.

Alrighty, then.

---

It is what it is.

This thread has run it's course but I'll add one other. Tube amps are popular now thanks to marketing and people who remember their youth wistfully. Yes, and sound quality for some.

Anyhow, in a review in Stereophile about 20 years ago of a Cary tube amp (the 300B, IIRC) when that market was just starting to ramp up again, John Atkinson tested the amp and remarked that it wasn't much more than an expensive tone control.

That got some people's dander up. Just a bit. But a number of people view tube amps as overpriced, underperforming equipment.