Bose Companion 20

Reviews: 2.0, 2.1 and 3.1 Speakers

The release of a new multimedia-oriented product from Bose is something of an event, as the American manufacturer is one of the rare tech brands not to have fallen into the habit of updating its products every six months. So when the opportunity comes along to test a pair of PC (and Mac) speakers as good as the Companion 20, we're careful to savour every minute of it! This latest Bose computer speaker set is a nice, innovative update of the compact and pretty impressive Music Monitor speakers. In a rather typical Bose style, each Companion 20 satellite speaker is finished in a blend of matte grey and black materials and a sandblasted aluminium grille. The effect is subtle but stylish, as the speakers have a sleek, modern look—it's a far enough cry from your dad's hi-fi to look pretty cool, without falling into the trap of using shiny black plastic, which is often disappointing. With each speaker weighing it at a kilo and standing 20 cm tall, this isn't the most compact kit on the market, but that's the price you have to pay if you want decent sound without a subwoofer. The wired remote that accompanies the speakers has the same basic deign as the one seen in similar Bose products. In other words, it's a kind of round box with a smooth, easy-to-adjust dial around it for changing the volume.