Looks like I might've been wrong about the FF miles redemption for merchandise at SkyMall. I used Marriott Rewards points; there's a link from the MR web site that takes you to a special order screen for SkyMall stuff. Since it was SkyMall, and I was using a travel-related loyalty program's points, I assumed that airline loyalty programs would offer similar options.

I've since checked AA, USAir, Continental and NWA and none of them offer direct miles for merchandise redemption (although Continental does offer token discounts with miles redemption towards merchandise through Brainstorm Logistics . . . but no Bose products).

It's possible that other airlines provide additional options.