external power supply etc.

Re: Bose Companion2 vs. Philips MMS321 speakers

Hi, I noted your review of the Creative T20 vs. Klipsch Ultra 2.0 speakers

I wasn't sure what the review meant by "external power supply" in the Creative T20 getting a black mark.
Did that mean a "power brick"?

What I'd really love to know (more than the Creative vs. Klipsch) is how these:
Bose Companion 2 Multimedia speakers
& Philips MMS321 speakers
compare to each other (& the Creative T20)

What concerns me is practical space efficiency.
I.E. Is the Philips' power brick a huge nuisance?
What does the power brick look like?
Do the other speakers also have weird power bricks?
Or any other hidden pitfall?

Thanks!