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Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

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Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#191
post #32
post #8

This is how "end of support" should be handled. Instead of turning devices into e-waste, open-source them and let the community extend their life. Kudos to Bose for setting a good example. More companies should follow this approach - especially as right-to-repair becomes a bigger issue.

I agree, but there can be IP rights involved that make this difficult.

If they know they have to do it up front the ip rights issue disappears.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "Bose blows" is a popular comment amongst the audiophile community but, to me, it seems like they don't blow at all[0] That comment is not wrong, you are imo just not making an important distinction that the criteria on which audiophiles judge Bose as “blowing” (which is almost purely the sound profile + a few other smaller things like physical comfort/connectivity/price/etc.) vs. what you judge it on (which is mor…

Build quality of Bose products is good in my opinion. The headphones are alright but so are Sony, Plantronics and Apple. I love the sound of Airpods Pro in particular even if they don't want to stay in my ears [1] and the pairing experience even with the iPhone isn't what I expect of >$100 headphones in 2016. If you want really good stereo or 5.1 sound there is no substitute for big speakers that can move a lot of ai…

Agreed on pretty much all points. There is no "ultimate audio equipment piece" that is just perfect in all aspects, and the choice criteria are spread across both user preferences and specific use-cases as well.

I love the new airpods pro for my daily commute (subway, not a car; just clarifying before I get hammered down in replies for driving and using airpods at the same time), doubly so given their compactness+heavily improved ANC.

For home, I love my open-back Beyerdynamic DT1990Pro pair, due to the audio profile + insanely good physical comfort when worn for prolonged periods of time.

For gatherings with friends for when I need a somewhat-portable bluetooth speaker (that also happen to look good when sitting on a bookshelf outside of active use), I have a TE-OB4.

If I had a larger living space, I would consider getting a pair of high-quality speakers again too.

But there is not a single "this is it" piece of audio equipment that would just replace everything, so you gotta pick and choose your poison.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#193
While laudable, the release of the documentation is completely useless. The protocol is rather simple and was completely reverse engineered already many years ago. In fact it’s already integrated into several open-source home management tools e.g. Home Assistant.

https://github.com/CharlesBlonde/libsoundtouch

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#194
post #191
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, but there can be IP rights involved that make this difficult.

If they know they have to do it up front the ip rights issue disappears.

I’m all for that, but also the product might not exist if they can’t use third-party protected IP for it.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#195
post #8

This is how "end of support" should be handled. Instead of turning devices into e-waste, open-source them and let the community extend their life. Kudos to Bose for setting a good example. More companies should follow this approach - especially as right-to-repair becomes a bigger issue.

++1

I do not get why not more companies are doing this! Also it pays so much into your brand perception etc.; also you will always have all ecological folks on your side because of "not producing new stuff".

This is the cheapest and best way to get the most out of your investment after it entered end-of-life.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This this also good marketing, if other companies I currently buy speakers from follow their footsteps I'll keep supporting them, but I might otherwise just move towards Bose in the future. I wish Apple would do this for their ultra legacy stuff, Microsoft does it for their legacy stuff. Not sure if we'll ever get a fully open sourced legacy version of Windows (ignoring the source code leak) but it would be cool to o…

It would be an unwise business move. The moment that is done, Linux/WINE will be able to run the bulk of the software that keeps a substantial number of people locked into Windows. Most people don't need the newest version of their software to stay productive.

Those who are willing to move have already moved.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#197
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, but there can be IP rights involved that make this difficult.

It's not like consumer electronics contain top secret tech like EUV machines. All supply chain for firmware / software of 99.99% devices is very boring, contains absolutely nothing secret and the only reason why it's "difficult" is because IP owners was not bothered. Once single EU / US legislation introduced that force manufacturers into opening end-of-life products all IP right owners will either immediately make i…

I’m more thinking of patents and licensed third-party technology and firmware. There are standard tech stacks controlled by industry associations that you simply can’t open source because the association would sue you and kick you out.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#198
post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please suggest better alternatives

If you were going to consider Bose, you should at least take a look at Sennheiser. They are similar in a “can’t really go too wrong” sense. Nice build quality, generally pretty flat and analytical usually. They are such a standard response that presumably a real audiophile will come along to point out that their favorite model is much better, than a particular well known Sennheiser model, but as far as one can say in…

Sennheiser sold out to a Chinese factory, and recently even stopped producing their flagship stuff in-house. They're even shutting their "cheap" Irish factory down (where modern HD650s and HD660Ss were made).

All the Chinese-made Sennheiser stuff has awful QA.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#199

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bose in general (there are many models...) is not what I'd call high-fidelity. It doesn't mean you can't enjoy your music or your movies with it. Just don't buy this if you care about transparency, otherwise it's usually a pleasing hearing experience. Their PA line is IMO overpriced and sacrifices too much to the design and weight.

I've been playing with the idea for a bit, can you give me an order of magnitude for "entry-level HiFi"? Even if that's an oxymoron, how many zeroes does it take to get an experience that's noticeably superior to, say, default car speakers or built-in Smart TV speakers?

It's like buying a gun or a car, there are all kinds of offers and all kinds of prices. You should be able to find great offers with amp+speakers under 1k€, including VAT. Probably even less with 2.0 or 2.1 systems.
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