Stop the press! Newsflash! … I’ve been Bose’d! Yep, I’m coming out of the closet – the recently released $399 Bose Companion 5 multimedia speaker system is really, really neat. So just like you, Joe and Schmoe, I couldn’t help but notice all the new ads for this little desktop computer speaker system – though of course I was thinking it’s the typical Bose marketing coy. Armed with a genuine intention to get to the bottom of this, I went to a local Bose retail demo store and figured I’d give this little thing a fair shot.

Low and behold, I have to say this system ROCKS! I stood there in complete disbelief when genuine surround sound was coming at me from 2 (!) speakers. Bose used several movie scenes to demonstrate this effect -- most notably Tim Allen’s Santa Clause 2 -- in the scene you see him move from the center of the screen behind you! While not quite at the level of a dedicated 5.1 surround system, no doubt, most of the content was cherry picked as it probably worked best within the limitations, it never the less offered a fine experience. I for one am not all too happy about having 5 separate speakers, wires and stands towering next to me at my computer desk… I requested a review sample, hopefully Bose will accept.