Bose VideoWave hands-on preview

September 28, 2010 By David Elrich

Bose VideoWave

The first TV to wear a Bose label takes the company in a bold new direction by combining a display and audiophile sound system in one wall-mountable panel.

Bose has unveiled what could arguably be the most dramatic home theater product introduced since the Blu-ray Disc player. The new VideoWave Entertainment System is a 46-inch LCD HDTV with an amazing sound system built into the back. It uses advanced speaker design and DSP technologies to create an outstanding 5.1-channel experience without a forest of speakers scattered around the room. Not only that, the VideoWave has a newly designed remote that’s as clean as can be for controlling your attached sources (see photos). Hit the Click Pad and only the commands for your specified device appear onscreen, then you make the adjustments you’d like. The remote looks like a throwback to the ‘60s but it’s as advanced as can be as it can handle DVRs, set-top boxes, iPods and BD players. You can play with it yourself at Bose stores October 14th.

Bose brought a group of around 35 press people from 10 countries to their HQ on The Mountain in Framingham, MA to get a sneak preview of the VideoWave. Sitting in the demo room, the initial shocker was seeing a 46-inch LCD HDTV mounted on the wall with a Bose logo—a first for this audio company. Then we were told how the home theater is only in 30 percent of U.S. homes with one of the biggest obstacles to greater acceptance being the hassle of controlling all of the devices simply. Santiago Carvajal, business director of Bose Video Products, showed us a newly designed remote and how easy it was to control a TiVo box and an iPod. He then stated the obvious–Bose wouldn’t haul us here for a new universal RF remote. He then proceeded to play a variety of music and movie soundtracks with the screen as the centerpiece. The demo room had five black cloths that looked as if they were covering the typical five speakers of a 5.1-surround system. He then lifted the subwoofer resting in the corner, showing it was hollow. He then tore the cloths down revealing the excellent sound was coming from the back of the HDTV, nowhere else—there was nary a speaker in sight. I admit to being rather jaded, having seen many, many introductions and demos over the years—but this one was a killer. Great sound, good picture, easy to use, no wiring hassles. How bad is that? After about three hours of technical presentations, we found out how bad–how does $5,349 sound?

Click pad remote control Before you keel over, realize you’ll get white glove delivery service where they’ll set it up and take your old TV away, if you’d like. The set-up is not simply connecting wires as the VideoWave uses ADAPTiQ technology to adjust the system to the specific acoustics of your room (it takes about 15-30 minutes to do it right).

Bose is never known for doing anything bargain-priced, witness $300 noise-canceling headphones and $400 clock radios. But $5,349 is a breathtaking number. Bose executives candidly admitted this was hardly for everyone and you’ll never see a VideoWave on the “TV wall” at WalMart. Initially it will be available at the 130 Bose stores in the U.S. The execs thought the VideoWave would do well in Japan and Europe where space is a premium.

As for America, the challenge is a bit more daunting. A 46-inch Mitsubishi Unisen LT-46265 1080p LCD HDTV with a built-in sound bar costs around $2,499. The Mits is edge-lit and has built-in Wi-Fi while the Bose has no Internet connection and uses CCFL backlighting (it still was an excellent picture). The Unisen does not have the very cool Click Pad remote/interface nor the dramatic 5.1-sound feel. Still that’s a very big price difference. But I can easily imagine the VideoWave positioned neatly on the wall of wealthy urban dwellers who want good performance and high style.

The VideoWave Entertainment System—the result of 10 years of research according to Bose–consists of the screen and a console that’s connected to it via a proprietary cable. You then attach your sources to this box and interact via the remote. It accepts five high-def devices. The audio system integrated into the HDTV consists of 16 speakers, 11 switch-mode amplifiers and 11 channels of digital EQ. It uses a new variation of the WaveGuide system found in Bose table radios to pump out very solid bass. Given all the gear and materials needed to prevent the screen from vibrating, this HDTV is 6-inches thick, not nearly as svelte as the recently reviewed Sharp Quattron. Hanging on the wall or sitting in the supplied stand, this depth shouldn’t be an issue.

Five grand for a television is a lot of money but you owe it to yourself to experience the VideoWave Entertainment System. It’s a true breakthrough.

Showing 11 comments

Jordan Rushing at 5:46pm 24th November 2010 Ok, for those of you who say you have seen the demo I'm talking strictly to you. I went to see this the other day at my bose store. Here's my take: 1. The demo is in an enclosed, very cramped room where the accoustics are about as perfect as possible. 2. When you had the demo did you notice that it actually did not simulate 5.1? There was no sound behind you, which is THE key reason for getting 5.1. Otherwise this is essentially "3.1" 3. They point out in the demo that the subwoofer sounds amazing. Guess what, it doesn't. It does a decent job, but nothing an actual dedicated subwoofer has the capability can do. 4. You say this is for the people who don't want to deal with wires. Well guess what? Usually the people who don't want to deal with wires (really? You can't connect 2 wires per speaker?) don't want to spend $5,000+ nor can they actually afford it. That's a car or down payment for some people. 5. I said before this was in an enclosed room. Now what does this actually sound like for most people who have wider rooms than 10'? Not to mention rooms that are open to other rooms? Will you be able to have 3.1 (5.1 to those of you who think you are getting it) with open archways or walls 20+ feet away? It's a nice idea but I really don't see this working for 95% of people out there. Two more points. For those who can afford this tv but aren't willing to deal with wires and such, would most likely be willing to pay for a Best Buy installer to install everything for them, which would still cost much less than this "tv" and sound better too. Finally, most people who see the speakers recognize that there is a system in that room. If the average person does not see outside speakers s/he will not recognize the 3.1 that is hopefully coming out of your tv and not recognize the tech that is really at play.
Wayne Beavers at 6:47pm 21st November 2010 I watched the demo yesterday. I do not presently have HD and the only sound system I have is whatever is built into the TV. With cathedral ceilings, and no attic crawl space, I have no viable way of installing surround sound. I know how, but my house just won't let me. Irregular shaped rooms, with no square corners don't help either. The only viable alternative I have to getting this quality of sound is to move, which would cost a lot more than the $5,300 price. If the product does not meet what I expect it to do in my environment, I would have until January 30, 2011 to return it for a full refund. Where can I buy a wireless surround sound system, that attaches to the ceiling with a 7 foot drop from the mount point to have the speakers 9 feet off the floor, and if it just doesn't cut it, I can return it with no cost to me. Not a bad deal, for those of us that do have the budget.
highdepp at 12:52am 20th November 2010 <div class="idc-message" id="idc-comment-msg-div-110819112"><a class="idc-close" title="Click to Close Message" href="javascript: IDC.ui.close_message(110819112)">Close Message Comment posted. <a class="idc-share-facebook" onclick="IDC.ui.fb_wrapper(110819112)" href="javascript: void(null)" style="text-decoration: none;">Share on Facebook or <a href="javascript: IDC.ui.close_message(110819112)">Close MessageThis thing in my oppinion blows everything out of the water. And theres no denying that everybody knows that Bose is the one of the best if not the best in sound engineering. The pic is great and those who are saying it aint good enough, obviously dont havent seen nor heard the bose video wave or are just trying to defend there ole rink-a-dinky tv. You not paying just for luxury here, u are paying for the attention to detail. Yes it is expensive, but thats not the debate here. its the pic and sound quality. this is the best thing i ever heard in tv. Knock until u try it. as a matter of fact bring in your tv and put it next to it and then judge.
@l3it3r at 9:31am 12th November 2010 All of you that say it's over priced have NOT heard this system. Goto your closest Bose store and sit through the demo. I did it twice. It's absolutely groundbreaking technology that will shock you the first time you hear it.
KYager at 2:21pm 8th November 2010 Mitsubishi blows this tv away in features and the picture! The sound is not out of the box as good but add a really good sub and it's hands down the better sounding unit as well. Costs 2,500 with a sub. Half the price!
1. highdepp at 12:38am 20th November 2010 All I have to say is go hear it. I know experiences are relative, but i think that you will agree that the size wont matter to u after u sat through a demo. promise.
Bamboo Jim at 9:29am 19th October 2010 I agree with John Anderson. For people who can be bothered with separate speakers and subwoofers, then this is not the right product. However, for a huge number of people who don't care about tweaking this and that and whether it's got the latest this or that, then this is a great solution. Many people who will buy this would probably never have bothered with home cinema at all if it wasn't available in a package like this.
John Anderson at 2:34pm 14th October 2010 You guys above me obviously don't know anything about home theatre.. So what if it sounds good? 70% of homes don't have a home theatre because they don't want the hassle of the speakers, wires, setting it up... etc.. This tv eliminates everything! It's not for the average person.. Its for the upperclass who want home theatre sound but dont want the hassle of speakers and wires through the roof... Some people these days are ignorant... On a last note.. This sound technology is GROUNDBREAKING nobody can do it.. Tv is easy.. I wouldn't be surprised if a year from now bose releases a 3d tv or plasma with the same tech, cause the video part is easy.
Ronald Jefferson at 4:25pm 29th September 2010 Bose is delusional if they think they'll find a market for this TV in the U.S.! 46 inch LCD TV? Anybody who knows anything about TV's know that plasma produces the deepest blacks, better contrast and smooth motion on the screen... so what if it sounds good? Video quality is of the utmost importance in a TV and this just leaves a lot to be desired!
Jose Rojan at 3:56pm 29th September 2010 This is way overpriced! A 50 inch Panasonic Plasma, A Definitive Technology Soundbar, Subwoofer and a Denon Receiver will give you plenty of bang for your buck and superior video quality! A 46 inch LCD with a refresh rate of 120hz is a cheap wedding present these days! I hope they sell a lot of them in Japan and Europe cause in here only suckers would pay that kind of money for such a poor video performance display. In my opinion, this would have been a potential contender when Pioneer Plasma TV's were costing $5,000.. Today it is nothing but a hugely overpriced TV!
I.D.M at 8:41am 29th September 2010 If they thought it would fare better in Europe they maybe should have paid more attention to the European market. TV's without tuners are virtually unheard of. Many top end sets now come with multiple tuners integrated and with wifi networking and limited internet (via widgets) services. 46" is not a popular size in general and the set seems to be so bulky and fly in the face of what people are actually asking for. It may have been 10 years in the making but it is already 5 years out of date. They should stick to what they know best making audio systems. Having said that they also seem to have lost their way there too with the recent shambles of the new Lifestyle systems offering nothing new but a nice osd and the new 235 system being massively overpriced too.