1. Acoustic Wave Music System

In 1984 the original Bose Wave system, called the Acoustic Wave Music System (AW-1), was Bose's first-ever tabletop radio. It uses two 2 inch tweeters, and a four inch woofer (which is the only speaker utilizing the Wave Guide), a cassette player, and an AM/FM radio into a mid-sized tabletop stereo system.^[1] In 1992 that Bose replaced the cassette player with a CD player (the CD2000), but Bose continued to sell a cassette player version (the CS2010) as an alternative to the CD version until the Acoustic Wave Music System v3 (CD3000) replaced both of them in 1996.

In 2006, Bose introduced the new Acoustic Wave Music System II, which added MP3 CD playback, a Boselink port and a headphone output. The Acoustic Wave Music System II was judged to be expensive and lacking in performance and features compared to its competitors.^[2][3]

In the mid-to-late 1980's, the Bose DEMC-1, (later the DEMC-2), or "Dynamically-Equalized Music Center", which was a "Built-In" hi-fidelity music system that employed ceiling and wall-mounted speakers (from the Acoustimass series, as well as residential versions of the 102F in-ceiling loudspeaker and 101 surface-mount environmental (indoor/outdoor) speaker) that, with wall-mounted volume controls, could be mounted in different rooms of the house, and a master control center and amplifier module that was mounted in the wall of a centralized location, such as a kitchen or living/family room. The unit featured a digital AM/FM radio tuner and cassette tape player as standard equipment, with a single-disc CD player and record player unit both being available as a accessories. CD, cassette tape, and record storage was located down below. The system's control panel was nearly identical to that of the Acoustic Wave Music System. ^[4]

After a long run of nearly 32 years, the Acoustic Wave Music System, as well as its smaller sibling, the Wave Radio IV, were both discontinued in mid-2017, leaving on the Wave Music System IV and Wave Music System IV Soundtouch as the only models left in the Wave lineup. Shortly before that, the five-disc CD changer was discontinued. At the time of its discontinuation, the Acoustic Wave Music System II featured a 30-year-old dated design, as well as a lack of features offered by its smaller siblings. Its high price of $1,000.00 USD ultimately led to its discontinuation.

2. Wave Radio

In 1993, the Wave Radio (which has since become known as "Wave Radio I") was introduced. It was smaller than the Acoustic Wave, and used two 2 1/2" drivers. The left-hand speaker provided all frequencies, with bass enhanced through a 66 cm tapered waveguide twisted around the inside of the unit, which exited the unit on the front next to the right-hand speaker. The right-hand speaker does not use a waveguide and is limited to providing mid- and high-frequency sounds. The new system appealed to those who wanted a smaller and less expensive version of the Acoustic Wave Music System, as well as those who wanted a higher-end alarm clock radio. ^[5]

2.1. Wave Radio II

By 2005 Bose introduced the Wave Radio II, which is a Wave Music System without the CD/MP3 player. This system features a dual tapered waveguide and revised drivers. Aside from the lack of a CD player, the Wave Radio II is identical to the Wave Music System. The Wave Radio II removed the buttons from the top of the unit for the first time, and also introduced a larger display screen.

2.2. Wave Radio III

The Bose Wave Radio III was identical in appearance to the Wave Radio II, but added additional features such as Radio Data System (RDS) for the U.S. and Canada, as well as a feature that allowed the user to touch the top front area of the unit to turn the unit on or off, or snooze a sounding alarm.

2.3. Wave Radio IV

The Bose Wave Radio IV, introduced in 2015, was the last model in the Wave Radio series. Featuring an all-new design for the first time in the Wave Radio's history with a new Titanium color option (the black and white models were no longer available), new speaker grilles, a more streamlined design, a gloss front face with "integrated" display screen, and a blue display in place of the old green display. Also included was a new remote control, which was now thicker and smaller than before, yet replaced the tactile "bubble switches" with a more durable rubberized keypad. The Wave Radio IV also introduced dual alarms, which allowed it to appeal towards couples who wanted a Wave system, but could not own one due to the fact that it only featured a single alarm. As of mid-2017, the Wave Radio IV has been discontinued to slow sales, along with the Acoustic Wave Radio II. The Wave Music System IV and Wave Music System IV with Soundtouch are the only available Wave systems.

3. Wave Radio/CD

In 1998, Bose introduced the Wave Radio/CD, essentially Wave Radio with a CD player. The end of the waveguides were tapered by 2%.^[6]

This system was replaced by the Wave Music System in 2004, while the original Wave Radio was sold alongside the Wave Music System until received an identical redesign as the Wave Music System in 2005.

4. Wave Music System

In 2004, Bose redesigned the Wave Radio/CD, naming it the Wave Music System (temporarily called the Wave Radio/CD II). It utilizes a front-loading CD/MP3 CD player, the buttons were removed from atop the Wave. Revised drivers were used, as well a 66 cm tapered waveguide for each speaker which terminated at the rear of the unit.A headphone jack was added, as well as Boselink compatibility and MP3 playback. It is criticised however, because the first series featured dual alarms, while the Wave Music System only has one. This system was awarded the 2005 Red Dot award for design philosophy^[7] (note that audio quality is not a judging criteria for this award).

The Wave Music System II was nearly identical to the original Wave Music System, and the Wave Music System III added Radio Data System (RDS) for the United States and Canada, as well as a "touch-top" sensor to turn on or off the unit, as well as to snooze a sounding alarm.

The Wave Music System IV features a dramatic change in design, with a more up-to-date, sleeker design, as well as the addition of dual alarms. In addition, a Soundtouch model is now available for wireless stereo streaming of music services over a Wi-Fi network.

5. Bose Wave/PC

The Bose Wave/PC was a system to play mp3 files and digital radio from a Windows PC. It was released in 2001 and based on the Wave Radio design. The system could find local radio stations based on one's zip code.^[8] The Wave/PC connects to the computer via a serial data cable and an audio plug directly into the sound card.^[9] Bose later upgraded to a USB cable, which did not need to be plugged into the computers sound card, though the option remained.^[10]

The system was reviewed to have good sound quality, however it was difficult to transfer commonly used files such as WMA. Furthermore, its high purchase price was a contributing factor to its limited success.^[11]

6. Wave Music System SoundLink

On October 22, 2009, Bose released the Wave SoundLink upgrade kit^[12][13] Designed as a wireless audio link from the computer to a Wave Music System, the SoundLink adapter features a Bluetooth USB key^[14][15] for the Wave Music System, Wave Radio II ^[16] and Acoustic Wave Music System II (via the Boselink port on the back of the system).^[17][18]

The system acts as a computer's sound card, therefore it disables the PC's speakers. The Wave's remote can send basic control commands (play/pause, skip) to iTunes and Windows Media Player software.^[19]

For existing Wave owners, Bose also launched a $149 Wave SoundLink upgrade kit to add wireless streaming to an existing Bose linked Wave system. (Only Compatible with AWMS II manufactured after a certain date) ^[17][18][19]

7. Wave Accessories

In October 2005, a multi CD changer was released for the wave music system. It connects via the Boselink port on the back of the Wave music system, but does not work with the Wave radio II.

A docking station for the iPod was released in October 2006. It uses standard audio cables and charges the iPod while it is docked. The remote can control basic the functions of the iPod and the Wave system.

In 2008 Bose released the Wave DAB module.^[20] It is specifically designed for sale in the UK and works with the Boselink port found in the WMS, WRII^[16] and AWMSII.