The Bose DesignMax DM8SE ranks #23 out of 26 total Surface-Mount and Background Music Speakers for sound quality. See all PA & Live Sound rankings for every top pick.
Brand: Bose
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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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#23 Bose DesignMax DM8SE: $699.00 each Passive Estimated Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bose DesignMax DM8S (ranked higher, rated 2.4/5).
Same family: the Bose DesignMax DM5SE (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.2/5) and the Bose DesignMax DM6SE (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.2/5).
Pros: The outdoor-rated replacement for the measured Bose DesignMax DM8S, keeping its 8” woofer and center-firing coaxial 1” compression driver with 150W handling and a 52Hz to 20kHz range. It adds IP55 weather sealing, an aluminum grille with a rust-resistant finish and a sealed cover over the input terminals.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so it can’t be compared with ranked PA speakers. The measured DM8S it is based on had an uneven response for its price, and it needs an external amplifier.
| Amplifier Power | Passive speaker; requires external amplification |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way coaxial surface-mount speaker |
| DSP | No (passive) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, coaxial 1” compression driver |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 20kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Maximum SPL | 121dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Passive | Yes |
| Power Handling | 150W |
| Rigging | QuickHold U-bracket; 2 x M8 bracket inserts; M8 safety cable insert |
| Weight | 22.7 lbs (10.3 kg) |
| XLR Input | No |
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- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.