Short answer: the Bose DesignMax DM5SE, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.2/5 for sound quality (#25 and #26 of 26 surface-mount and background music speakers), and the Bose DesignMax DM5SE costs $897.05 against $936 for the Bose DesignMax DM6SE, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 26 surface-mount and background music speakers, and the JBL Control 24CT, ranked #1 at $350, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
What the Bose DesignMax DM5SE does well: An IP55 surface-mount installation speaker from Bose Professional with a 5.25” coaxial driver. The tradeoff: The response is uneven and bass is limited, for a low preference score.
What the Bose DesignMax DM6SE does well: An IP55 surface-mount installation speaker from Bose Professional with a 6.5” coaxial driver. Watch for: The on-axis response is very uneven (3.11 average deviation).
Buy the Bose DesignMax DM5SE. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $38.95 less than the Bose DesignMax DM6SE.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose DesignMax DM5SE | Bose DesignMax DM6SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $897.05 per pair Passive | $936.00 per pair Passive |
| Ranked | #25 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers | #26 of 26 in Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers |
| Rigging | QuickHold U-bracket; M8 inserts for pan and tilt bracket | QuickHold U-bracket; 2 x M8 bracket inserts; M8 safety tether insert |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.38 kg) | 13.1 lbs (5.93 kg) |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 107dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Drivers | 5.25” coaxial driver | 6.5” coaxial driver |
| IP Rating | IP55 | IP55 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.5Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) | 71.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 68.3Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) | about 62.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.41 | -0.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.61 | 2.87 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Bose DesignMax DM5SE (measured by the manufacturer) and Bose DesignMax DM6SE (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Bose DesignMax DM5SE:
- JBL AC25 vs Bose DesignMax DM5SE
- Bose DesignMax DM8SE vs Bose DesignMax DM5SE
- Bose DesignMax DM8SE vs Bose DesignMax DM6SE
- JBL AC25 vs Bose DesignMax DM6SE
- Optimal Audio Cuboid 5 vs Optimal Audio Cuboid 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose DesignMax DM5SE: $897.05 per pair Passive Amazon eBay
Same family: the Bose DesignMax DM6SE (larger model, ranked lower, rated 2.2/5) and the Bose DesignMax DM8SE (larger model, ranked higher, estimated 2.4/5). See every Bose DesignMax generation.
Pros: An IP55 surface-mount installation speaker from Bose Professional with a 5.25” coaxial driver. Bose’s measurements show a preference score of -0.41 that reaches 2.61 with an ideal subwoofer, with 1.03 listening window deviation.
Cons: The response is uneven and bass is limited, for a low preference score. The data comes from Bose. Bass reaches 77.5Hz (-3dB) and about 68Hz (-10dB).
Full Bose DesignMax DM5SE review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 68.3Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.5Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Drivers | 5.25” coaxial driver |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Rigging | QuickHold U-bracket; M8 inserts for pan and tilt bracket |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.41 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.61 |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.38 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bose DesignMax DM6SE: $936.00 per pair Passive Amazon eBay
Same family: the Bose DesignMax DM5SE (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 2.2/5) and the Bose DesignMax DM8SE (larger model, ranked higher, estimated 2.4/5). See every Bose DesignMax generation.
Pros: An IP55 surface-mount installation speaker from Bose Professional with a 6.5” coaxial driver. Bose’s measurements show a preference score of -0.04 that reaches 2.87 with an ideal subwoofer, with 1.00 listening window deviation.
Cons: The on-axis response is very uneven (3.11 average deviation). The data comes from Bose. Bass reaches 71.0Hz (-3dB) and about 62Hz (-10dB).
Full Bose DesignMax DM6SE review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 62.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71.0Hz (measured, manufacturer data via spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Drivers | 6.5” coaxial driver |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Maximum SPL | 107dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Rigging | QuickHold U-bracket; 2 x M8 bracket inserts; M8 safety tether insert |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.87 |
| Weight | 13.1 lbs (5.93 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons