Two single-cube speakers standing just 3 inches high are elegantly designed to blend with virtually any furnishings. Patented Acoustimass speaker technology delivers the ear-pleasing low tones of a bassoon or the deep, dramatic effects of movies. Best of all, you can easily stash the Acoustimass module behind furniture or in a corner, and the system's lifelike sound will appear to flow from the tiny cubes.

Hookup couldn't be simpler: route left/right speaker wires (supplied) from your integrated amplifier or surround receiver to the back of the Acoustimass module (essentially a passive subwoofer), then run two more lengths between the Acoustimass module's left/right speaker outputs to the 2 cube speakers. All three units use convenient clip-type speaker terminals.

When you hear the Acoustimass 3 Series IV system, you'll be surprised that such a huge sound can come from such small speakers. These Virtually Invisible speakers are the definitive answer to the question of how to combine spacious sound with space-saving design. It's all the result of Bose's years of intense research and testing.

The tiny cube speakers can be wall-mounted or displayed on speaker stands using the optional Bose UFS-20 universal floor stands, UTS-20 universal table stand, or UB-20 wall/ceiling bracket. Now or in the future, you can turn your Acoustimass stereo speakers into a home theater set by simply adding the compatible Bose VCS-10 center-channel speaker. For full 5-speaker surround sound, add the VCS-30 center/surround speaker package.

The system's four 20-foot lengths of speaker wire should accommodate most living rooms. For longer cable runs, however, Bose recommends using 2-conductor, 18-gauge wire (30 feet), 16-gauge wire (45 feet), or 14-gauge wire (70 feet), for a hookup that maintains a maximum frequency-response deviation of +/- 0.5 dB. (Cable thickness increases as gauge decreases.)

What's in the Box
Two cube speakers, 1 powered Acoustimass module, 4 lengths of speaker wire (20 feet each), 4 adhesive rubber feet, and a user's manual with warranty/registration information

Connected these Bose speakers to my 25 year old Yamaha 500 RX receiver and an old Toshiba DVD player. The system sounds great. In addition to CD and Tuner, I bought a cable that allows me to connect the receiver to my laptop computer, and now I get the best sound I've ever heard from all my Internet radio stations, CD's, ITunes, and games.

And best of all, these speakers are small enough that they don't take up hardly any room in my home office. Little cubes are on the side of the room and are not obtrusive. Acoustimass module shoved in the corner.

Only really down side I can see is the cost of Bose products. These are pretty expensive and you can probably find speakers that sound just as good for less money. But, I guarantee you they will not be as small and fit as well in your room.


Great, robust little system   October 19, 2006
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

I am always amazing at the amount of flaming that Bose products seem to instigate on message boards. Clearly, people buy the stuff and so perhaps it is just that web noise.

I have had a set of AM-3s for 11 years. I originally bought them for a rehearsal area where space was tight and I wanted something I could put on the wall, but I got more than I bargained for. As you might guess, I am a musician.

I have been using these in my main parlor/music room area now for 6 years and I am always pleased. They produce a remarkably full sound that is clear and emotional, and they occupy virtually no space. Instruments and voices are rendered with admirable neutrality, and music of all types and time periods sounds just plain good. They can play at surprisingly high volumes without complaint connected to my 150 watt Pioneer receiver.

My only beefs: The single cubes are a bit directional at high frequencies, but not overly so (the bigger double-cube AM-5s solve that). Bass is full down to about 60hz and falls off sharply below that. However, I cannot think of another $200 set of speakers that is so musically satisfying overall. I recommended them to my friends who almost always turn their heads and say, "That sounds great. Where are the speakers?"

11 years and no problems. That speaks for itself. For $200 the AM-3 just can't be beat.


Nothing Plays the Beatles Better than Bose   April 8, 2005
 13 out of 21 found this review helpful

Every morning I'm up with the dawn. A quick cup of coffee, then I'm at my iBook tap, tap, taping on the keys, writing away, slaving over that novel that one day is going to propel me to the stars. And while I'm doing this, I've got Billy Holiday or the Beatles playing low, so that I don't wake the woman I love or the baby.

And though Billie was meant to be played with the volumn soft and the lights turned down low, the Beatles were not. They were meant to be played loud. They were, they really were. But if you're up before the sun and you crank it up, not only will you be at trouble at home, but your neighboors might not appreciate it either.

So what to do, what to do?

Get a Bose Acoustimas speaker system, that's answer. In all of my listening experience, nothing handles the Beatles better when you can't turn it up than Bose. The reflecting sound fills the room without rocking down the house. And your hear it all, every lickin' stichin' bit of the music. John, Paul, George and Ringo never sounded better on a quiet morning. And as an added benifit, later on, when everybody is up, you can turn the music up too and it sounds super. And on the special occasion, when you are home alone, you can rock out and play it loud, loud enough so that the neighbors might call the cops if you don't watch out.


bimbo electronics!   December 23, 2004
 11 out of 29 found this review helpful

About the only thing Bose has going for it is pretty packaging...the sound, build, and electronic quality is mediocre at best given its outrageous price point.

My sister refused my advice and bought this system. Then I bought her a cheapo JBL powered sub and cheapo JBL satellites which cost about the same...and she was stunned! I just felt bad for Best Buy, they had to absorb the loss.


I just don't understand   August 4, 2005
 8 out of 19 found this review helpful

This system has a very strange sound. The satellites are tinny, with very bad frequency response and the bass module is boomy & rumbles a lot. The culprits are very cheap drivers used. (...). Tiny single cone drivers and small bass module drivers. What happens is 2 major "holes" in the sound, around midbass and upper treble.

(...)