Apple/Bose Roommate speakers

[macman142]

Who has a set? What's the sound quality like?

As far as I know, they were originally intended to compliment the Apple IIGS...

Were they ever sold outside the US?

Also, going through photos, some have an Apple rainbow logo and others have an Apple rainbow square...? Any ideas?

 

[NJRoadfan]

I have never seen a set with the actual Apple logo, just that rainbow box. Reviews of them said that they weren't much to write home about. They are self amplified and the sound quality was apparently so-so.

 

[kissmyash933]

BOSE: Buy Other Sound Equipment.

They honestly look to me like what Bose calls their outdoor speakers these days. I know lots of people are fans of Bose equipment, but I will be honest here and say that I've never enjoyed listening to anything they've ever built. Still, It's pretty cool that they have an Apple logo on them -- I was under the impression that the only relationship apple had with Bose was with the TAM.

 

[mcdermd]

No highs? No lows? Must be Bose.

 

[macman142]

Seems everyone agrees they're not much to listen to!

I recently scored myself a set (wanted some for a while). But mine have the Apple logo, instead of the bars/box...? Weird.

I can't vouch for the sound of them (unfortunately) as they're 110v. A slight oversight by myself. And no, I didn't plug them in to find out, I read the label first...!

Considering they're not great sounding speakers anyway, I might find a good sounding set of cheap-ish logitech speakers or something and swap the guts in. Not that I'm bothered but at least then I could use them at my desk.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I'm diggin' that rainbow square. :approve:

 

[NJRoadfan]

A photo of the speakers with the actual Apple logo would be nice.

Please don't gut them. They are a unique bit of Apple history and pretty rare these days. These speakers are what triggered the lawsuit between Apple Records and Apple Computer.

 

[macman142]

 

[CC_333]

[rant]

It's a shame Apple Records was so litigious in regards to this.

In my opinion, Apple Computer was in no way, shape, or form entering the music business by incorporating a MIDI synthesizer (or anything even remotely related to music, such as some sort of audio input of semi-decent quality).

It really hampered what could've been a wonderful evolution of the Apple II line, which may possibly still exist today in some form if not for Apple Record's complaints.

Of course, that wasn't the only thing that contributed to the Apple II's demise by any means, but it didn't help!

[/rant]

Regardless, those are very nice looking speakers!

c

 

[James1095]

I can't vouch for the sound of them (unfortunately) as they're 110v. A slight oversight by myself. And no, I didn't plug them in to find out, I read the label first...!

If you don't want to modify the speakers, the current draw should be well within the range that one of those cheap little 50W travel transformers ought to work to power them. Just don't use one of the higher power more compact converters for hair dryers and such, those work like a light dimmer and will not be happy running any kind of electronics.

 

[olePigeon]

I was digging out crap for computer recycling at work, and I found a set of non-Apple badged version of those speakers. It also has adjustment knob on the left speaker for volume. I think I'll hold onto them for my IIgs for the heck of it.

 

[shred]

To answer one of the OP's questions: yes, the speakers were sold outside the US. I'm in Australia and remember having a pair with the rainbow square logo at my place of work back in the 90s. The speakers were crazy expensive in Australia, but ours were purchased in a run out special Apple had around 1990 or 1991. Unfortunately, the speakers suffered from that weird "Bose sound".

 

[jsarchibald]

Send them this way, I have a step down transformer that I use for my compact Macs at 110V - and my wife's US bought Kitchenaid.