Bose is expensive because they have the biggest budget allocated for marketing in the industry of audio products. Though, Bose systems produces quality sound they are not the best in the industry. The hardware quality remains mediocre, to say the least.
I'm quoting a friend who own an audiophile store in Northridge who despise Bose. Here's his website:
http://stores.spectacularaudio.com/StoreFront.bok
SoCal audiophile tsikoteers, PM me if you need quality home audio systems. I can hook you up with my connections.
FYI, Harman Kardon owns JBL, AKG Acoustics, and Infinity. Most retailers would push Harman Kardon products because they provide the most ideal sales profit to its merchants.
Between Harman Kardon and Bose, I'd go for Harman Kardon.
Between Harman Kardon and Audioengine, for my IPhone 3GS, I'm for Audioengine or NuForce Icon... but that's just me.
By the way, you have not specified how much budget you have for the system and what's the portability requirement you are looking for?
Yikes that(tesla) is even worse although upon some additional reading i'm not even sure our Seagull...
BYD Seagull