Bose has always tried to produce a more natural, less clinical tone and listening experience. The early indirect speakers did what they promised, a generous room-filling sound that felt quite real.
They used multiple cones, and indeed EQed them substantially. They also innovated in compact enclosure design, like the folded-path () Wave systems. I think some of the natural tone is those small cones, which avoid the need for a crossover and the phase problems. Also, a modest falloff in the high end would be more natural---highs do not carry well so listening to a live acoustic performance like a string quartet should not be loaded with sparkling highs but a sweeter midrange with some highs.
I like the earbuds from Bose---very warm and natural tone, not clinical. In the studio I prefer the surgical clarity of JBL, but I have an early Wave (a little tubby in the bottom for my taste but still a good sound) and would enjoy hi-fi speakers from Bose.
I do not think of Bose when I want power and efficiency, but their stick and subwoofer personal-PA design sounds really sweet, if it can do the job.
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