We Bought an Acoustic Wave Cannon

Quick Overview

The video demonstrates the impressive low-frequency output of the Bose Acoustic Wave Cannon system, highlighting its ability to produce deep bass up to 25Hz and its unique directional sound projection, contrasting it with standard omnidirectional subwoofers and ultimately showcasing the superior performance of SVS subwoofers.

Key Points: The Bose Acoustic Wave Cannon system is a unique sub-bass speaker system capable of producing deep bass up to 25Hz. The system utilizes a long, 12-foot tube design to project sound directionally, unlike standard omnidirectional subwoofers. Testing revealed that while the Bose system produced sound, its output was less impactful and less efficient compared to modern SVS subwoofers. The SVS PB17-Ultra 17-inch ported subwoofer demonstrated significantly more bass output and a more impactful low-frequency response. The video compares the Bose system's performance to a smaller 10-inch Mackie subwoofer, finding the SVS subs to be vastly superior. The presenters concluded that while the Bose Acoustic Wave Cannon is an interesting novelty, it is ultimately outperformed by modern, more practical subwoofer designs.

Context: This video explores the capabilities of a unique and somewhat obscure audio product: the Bose AWCS-1 Acoustic Wave Cannon System. The presenters, Linus Sebastian and DMS, acquired this system, which consists of a long, tube-like enclosure housing a subwoofer and a separate controller. They aim to test its performance, comparing it against modern subwoofers like those from SVS, and to understand its design and purpose.

Detailed Analysis

The video begins by introducing the Bose AWCS-1 Acoustic Wave Cannon System, a vintage audio product from the late 1980s. Linus Sebastian and DMS unbox and set up the system, which features a 12-foot tube and a separate controller. They express initial skepticism about its effectiveness compared to modern subwoofers. The core of the video involves testing the Bose system's sound output, particularly its bass response, using audio sweeps and comparing it to SVS subwoofers. They discover that while the Bose system produces sound, its output is less powerful and less impactful than expected, especially when compared to the SVS PB17-Ultra. The directional nature of the Bose system is noted, with the presenters explaining how the tube design aims to focus bass frequencies. They also touch upon the system's original marketing and intended use cases, such as in movie theaters or DJ clubs. Ultimately, the video concludes that despite its unique design, the Bose Acoustic Wave Cannon is significantly outperformed by contemporary subwoofer technology in terms of both sound quality and efficiency, making it more of a novelty than a practical audio solution.