As a kid, I was always fascinated with Bose speakers and their sound quality. Being a premium audio brand, their speakers were only available at select audio stores.
I would always wonder if speakers from Bose would last a lifetime, and that’s why they’re sold at a premium. I know a few people whose Bose speakers are over 35 years old and still running flawlessly.
However, with modern electronic equipment and wireless technology, can the same be said about newer Bose speakers? Let’s find out!
If you plan to purchase new Bose speakers, I’ve listed some pointers that can help you increase their lifespan by a few more years.
How Long Do Bose Speakers Last?
Bose speakers can last 5-30+ years with proper care and maintenance. As a premium audio brand, Bose uses high-quality drivers, magnets, and electronic components for their speakers. Hence, you can expect them to last longer than budget speaker brands.
One of my closest friends had a Bose Companion 5 speaker system. He used it every day for 8 years without any issues. The speakers worked flawlessly, and he sold them after 8 years. They could still be in working condition even now.
Several Reddit users have also reported their Bose speakers lasting over 5 years. One user posted that his Bose Acoustimass 6 surround sound speakers are 19 years old and still working.
Can Bose speakers last forever?
Speakers, in general, aren’t very complicated. A speaker needs very few components to work. It includes a driver, cone, magnet, suspension system, electronic circuits, cabinet, and cables. If assembled correctly, there are hardly any things that can go wrong with a speaker.
However, with modern technologies, speakers have also become complicated.
For example, the Bose Smart Soundbar includes multiple digital and analog input ports. It has numerous features and technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa support, Dolby Atmos, and more.
Apart from the speaker, it has numerous electronic circuits to make it work. Thus, if any of these electronic circuits fail, the whole soundbar can become unusable, even though the drivers are in working condition.
On top of that, modern speakers aren’t designed with reparability in mind. If possible, the faulty part gets replaced, or the speaker becomes useless.
Factors That Affect Bose Speakers’ Longevity
1. Dirt & Dust
Dirt and dust are the biggest enemies of speakers and electronic equipment.
Speakers need to move air to produce sound.
Hence, most speakers have an opening that allows air to move in and out. The exact opening is also why dirt and dust accumulate inside the speakers.
Over time, dirt, dust, and grime gather inside a speaker’s cabinet and on the drivers. It affects the speakers’ performance and longevity.
Since Bose speakers are expensive, I recommend taking extra care and cleaning them regularly. Once the warranty ends, it could cost a bomb to repair the speakers.
2. Poor Earthing or Grounding
Most people realize it is too late that their house or apartment has poor earthing. Earthing or grounding is crucial because it sends excess electric current to the ground.
If earthing isn’t done correctly, the extra current can flow into your Bose speakers and damage them. The excess current can overheat the electronic circuits and reduce the drivers’ lifespan.
3. Moisture
Bose speakers include numerous electronic circuits & components, and moisture is one of their biggest enemies.
Moisture refers to small traces of water vapor in the air that can enter electronic components. Moisture corrodes the electronic circuits, thereby rusting them.
If you accidentally spill water or liquid on your Bose speakers, immediately clean them with a microfiber cloth and only start the speakers once completely dry.
You can also place a few silica gel packets behind your Bose speakers, which will absorb moisture around the speakers.
4. Termites
Modern Bose speakers are made entirely of high-density plastic and metals. But, a few older models are still made with wood.
A speaker’s cabinet is made with MDF wood for improved sound performance. However, the wood is prone to termites and can damage the speaker in the long run.
MDF wood is made with sawdust and glue and covered with laminate sheets. However, termites could enter the cabinet and wreak havoc if the speaker cabinet gets chipped from the corners.
How to Improve Bose Speakers’ Lifespan
Now that you know the factors that can affect Bose speakers. Let’s discuss a few things that’ll help you improve the speakers’ lifespan.
1. Correct Placement
Placing your Bose speakers correctly is crucial since it can significantly impact your audio listening experience. But it can also affect their lifespan.
Remember the friend I talked about who owned the Bose Companion 5? During the first few months, he had placed the subwoofer on a glass shelf and a few books on top of it.
Due to this, even at 25% power, the subwoofer would vibrate the whole glass, and the heavy books would hamper the overall experience.
I suggested he place the subwoofer on the ground and wall-mount the two satellite speakers. This simple modification changed his audio experience entirely. Now, he could increase the power to the subwoofer up to 80%, which would cause a rumble through the whole room, as it’s supposed to.
While the above example isn’t a grave mistake, incorrect placement can affect your Bose speaker’s longevity.
Here are a few things to keep in mind about correct placement:
- Always place the subwoofer on the ground
- Do not place the subwoofer in a cramped corner
- Do not place your coffee mugs, ice cream jars, or other eatables on top or next to the speakers
- Ensure there’s ample space on all three sides of the speakers for proper airflow
- Make sure direct sunlight doesn’t fall onto the speakers
2. Using Surge Protector or Power Conditioner
Even if your electrician claims your house has flawless wiring, electric surges can happen anytime due to power grid fluctuations.
A surge protector will prevent your Bose speakers from unexpected power surges and short circuits.
It has a built-in fuse and overload protection circuit, preventing excess voltage or current from entering your Bose speakers. A simple surge protector costs around $10-15.
On the other hand, if you own a costly Bose speaker setup (>$1000) and want the utmost protection, I’d recommend getting a power conditioner.
A surge protector prevents overload, but a power conditioner provides clean power to your expensive electronics and appliances for the utmost performance.
A power conditioner regulates voltages, reduces electrical noise, and filters out spikes, dips, and interference from the incoming AC power. Thus, your Bose speaker system gets stable and clean power, which is ideal for improved performance and longevity.
In simple terms, a power conditioner is like a water purifier that takes in tap water and transforms it into drinkable water.
A power conditioner costs around $150, and I always recommend it to my customers for their high-end speaker setup.
3. Regular Cleaning
Apart from dust, grime, and dirt, speakers in a typical American house or apartment can get dirty due to pet hairs, carpet fibers, dead skin, food crumbs, body oils, etc.
You can’t prevent your Bose speakers system from getting dirty, but you can clean them regularly.
A simple cleaning with a microfiber cloth every week can add a few years to your Bose speakers’ lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bose offer a lifetime warranty on its speakers?
No! Bose doesn’t offer a lifetime warranty on its speakers. You get a limited 2-year warranty on most Bose speakers.
Should I buy used Bose speakers?
You can buy used Bose speakers if they’re in good shape and under 3-5 years old. You’ll save considerably and still get a high-quality speaker system. However, do proper due diligence when buying older Bose speakers.
Conclusion
Bose is a premium audio brand and an aspirational buy for many. Thus, you should do proper due diligence before buying a Bose speaker system.
Unlike budget brands, Bose speakers have a higher probability of lasting longer due to the use of premium and high-quality components.
While the speakers can easily last for 5-10 years, proper TLC can increase their lifespan by several years.