I went to Guitar Center to check out the Bose Compact....I must say..I was impressed with the sound..even the bass response..Point blank in front of the unit..it kicked..solid sound , clear..A big sound from a small "array" of speakers and I guess a small sub woofer (maybe 6 1/2")..
I was ready to buy..even though being ripped at list price..
I walked around the room..back 20-25 feet ..to the right..to the left...The honeymoon was over....The bass dropped rapidly off at 20 feet...and that "same sound anywhere in the room"...wasn't true at all...No miracles...sound disbursement is like other systems...I believe that the mids are more noticeable..giving it the impression the sound fills the room...In fact that is the same scenario with the Podium 802's..
What makes the Bose sound good is the proper tone mix EQ..actually pretty much "right on"..
When I left Guitar Center"..empty handed..I headed back to my place..Set up my 802's..and as always..they made me glad I had them..EQ is the trick with the 802's...EQ ing the bass...the 802's kick butt...The 802's also have more power..Both the 802's and the Bose Compact can be too much for nursing homes...so beware when the gray haired lady gets wide eyed..
Final thoughts from me...Yes the Compact is nice..and will be great for most small jobs..It won't make me sell off the 802's for it...and to think ..pay more than I would for 4 pair of 802's..NO WAY!!!!
If you are happy with paying list price, happy with hype...and don't own 802's...It can be ok for you..
DonM..when you get a chance test the Compact next to a pair of 802's..keep in mind ..the EQ is just as important on the 802's as it is on the Bose...See if your results are the same..bass drop off, and overall volume drops as it does with conventional systems (802's)...