Gone are the days when wires trailed across your floors linking the amplifier and tuner to the speakers in your new stereo system. Just as home interiors have become more sophisticated and streamlined, so too have sound systems.

Today, it’s more about concealment and choosing systems that fit in with your lifestyle. These factors helped determine the latest product releases from Bose, a company renowned for its high-performance, good-things-come-in-small-packages approach to design.

Bose New Zealand territory manager Gary Wicks says the company has always had good-looking products that have enabled the sound in several rooms to be run from a single system.

“The house featured on these pages highlights the way our new Bose®link audio networking system can make whole house audio simpler and less expensive,” he says.

“The owner has opted for a number of different Bose systems. These include two Lifestyle 48 home theatre systems, a 321 GS-II entertainment system, a new Wave music system in the bedroom, a music-only system in the formal living room, and systems in two separate outdoor areas. Other areas can be wired for sound at a later date.”

The Jewel cube speakers shown above, are part of the Lifestyle 48 system. Less than 12cm high, these direct reflecting cubes are small enough to fit in your hand, and are designed to improve the overall sound experience. By turning one of the cubes towards a wall, the sound waves are reflected back into the room, creating a natural, live sound, says Wicks.

This home theatre system also features Bose AdaptIQ® audio calibration, which analyses and adjusts the system’s sound to suit the size and shape of the room, where the speakers are placed, and where you sit.

The television room, shown above, incorporates the Bose Lifestyle® 321 GS Series II DVD home entertainment system, which features two small Gemstone™ speakers and one hideaway Acoustimass bass module.

“Combined with the TrueSpace™ surround digital processing circuitry, these speakers deliver a quality surround-sound experience, which is ideal for any smaller area needing a home theatre,” says Wicks.

“Adding a PMC II remote control to this room lets you enjoy the CDs stored in your Lifestyle system. You can instantly access your entire music collection or enjoy personalised music selections with the uMusic™ intelligent play-back system.”

Other Bose products featured in this project include the new Bose Wave® Music System located in the bedroom. This has a slim, sleek profile and a slot-loaded CD player.

“This replacement for the renowned Bose Wave radio provides an even fuller sound, and combines top performance with a clean, sleek look,” says Wicks. “In addition, it can be hooked up to your CD collection with the Boselink network.”

Bose products also feature in the loggia of this house. As this area is partly exposed to the weather, Bose 151.SE Environmental speakers were specified. These outdoor speakers have a slightly curved array to provide wider sound coverage, They are fully waterproof and are frequently used on boats, says Wicks.

Outdoor sound is further maximised by the use of Bose Freespace 51 waterproof speakers in the garden. These circular speakers distribute sound evenly and can be concealed among plants.

Both types of outdoor speakers can be linked to your Boselink system.

For further information, contact Bose, phone 0800 501 511. Website: www.bose.co.nz.