Proof positive of the power of advertising, Bose has made a name (and money) for itself by designing mediocre quality audio equipment.Unlike AKG or Sennheiser and other high-end manufacturers, Bose uses cheaper parts and less than average electrical engineering principals. These are highlighted especially in their speakers. Their principle of direct-reflection, while novel in 1969 is now incredibally antiquated and is far surpassed by high and mid-end manufacturers whose products outperform Bose. The company was so humiliated by Consumer Reports who compared Bose with other products that it sued (and lost).Someone once said "There's a sucker born every minute". Now that's appropriate.