Bose Stereo Questions and Feedback

[CigarAl]

Let me start off by saying I am not an Audiophile or any expert.....

However, I have been thinking about getting a new surround sound for our great room and wanted some opinions on Bose. But read on.

I have a friend and neighbor who work for Bose and once a year they let the employees buy at HUGE discounts. Sometimes more than 50% off.

I have read a lot about Bose not being worth the $$$, but if you could get it a that type of discount, is it worth it.

Apprecaite you thoughts and feedback.

Thanks guys...............

 

[prometheus]

In my opinion, Bose's quality has suffered in the past few years. However, depending on how big the discount is, it may be worth a shot. If you want pristine performance, go for Klipsch.

 

[hermit11]

I always prefer a seperate system, not a set. They just sound much better if you know what you're doing. But you might be better off getting Bose if your discount is huge enough. They are not bad for watching movies.

edited for spelling

 

[nicktressler]

I always prefer a seperate system, not a set. They just sound much better if you know what you're doing. But you might be better off getting Bose if your discount is huge enough. They are not that bad when used in watching movies.

edited for spelling

I have a bose 321 system and it works great for how i use it. I looked into some other systems but the way my room is setup with my plasma it made sense to get the 321 as it was easy to install and sounded really good. If I had the money I would have put together a Mirage speaker system with a Harmon Karmon receiver. The mirage speakers are of awesome quality but are expensive. their technology blows away most other sources. I used to work at Best Buy and have a brother who works in a Magnolia Hi FI store.

 

[seadub]

I, too, have always been a fan of component systems. I used to have some pretty heavy-hitting sound gear. Denon, Polk Audio and Infinity stuff that really put out some high-quality (and extremely loud) noise. Times change and I don't have the urge to crank it up the way I used to.

Now I've switched gears and decided to go with the 'less is more' philosophy. I've got the Lifestyle 35II system (I think that's the model) and it's performance in conjunction with the plasma screen it's adding sound for is excellent. The capabilities with the Bose system are perfect for me. I've even wired remote speakers to the outside so my wife can listen to her music while I watch a Red Sox game. Or I throw on Batman Returns and boost the bass... Incredible sounds.

When you say you're using the system for a 'great' room, you may want to consider the dimensions of your room carefully. The room I use my Bose system in is certainly not a 'great' room. But I can say I'm extremely pleased with the performance I get and would definitely recommend Bose products. :thumbs:



and I don't work for Bose or any type of audio group.

 

[Rob_k]

Bose....Better Sound through markerting. I ahve a friend who is an engineer at Bose, and when their stuff is set up properly, it sounds very good. most of the store displays are actually engineerd for that specific space to sound their very best. Without that engineering, you probably be disappointed. AVB has some knowledge of audio stuff, as well as some others here.Personally, save your $$$ Al, and get some better advice here.
Rob

 

[Caveman]

I think it all depends on your application and the discount. If you want a true home theatre, no. If you want simply surround sound and the price is as good as you say, do what your ears and you bank account say. In my living room, I'm going to put one of those "home theatre in a box" deals just so I can get a bit of surround. Anything is better than the 10 watt speakers in my LCD, especially for $300. However, my basement is where the action is and I'd never put something this small there (it's all B&W).

Look at it like your cigar smoking. What do you like and what can you afford? Then go for it and enjoy it!

 

[DKAudio]

I am a big fan of Onkyo for receivers/amps. They are execllent for the money. They also have a feature called "all channel stereo". This is one of best things you can have for music playback. It reproduces stereo through all channels so you don't get that hallow, echoing effect that most surround systems do when listening to music. I currently have a TX-SR703 and love it. For speakers...KEF, Mirage, Paradigm, etc. For a sub, HSU research is the best you can get for the money. They can produce extremely low frequencies at incredible DB levels. An important thing is that your 2 front channels and center channel have the same or similar mids and tweeters. You want them to blend as close as possible. Therefore, I highly recommend using the same brand for at least those 3 speakers. Ideally you want tweeters and mids at about ear level when sitting, NOT high up pointing down like many "Bose fans" do.

 

[indyrob]

If you can get a substantial discount and you have your heart set on Bose, go for it. There are better systems out there but like you said, you're not an audiophile so the subtle differences might not be that obvious to you.

I have an old H/K 730 reciever with 2 bose 501's and 2 Jensen TF-3's for my 60" widescreen (DVD player too) and couldn't be happier. The cost for that setup doesn't even come close to what Bose is asking for on any of thier products.

Just something to think about.

 

[BlindedByScience]

If you can get a substantial discount and you have your heart set on Bose, go for it. There are better systems out there but like you said, you're not an audiophile so the subtle differences might not be that obvious to you.

Well said.

After many years in the high end home and pro audio market, I can tell you that nothing is more subjective than speakers. Best possible answer would be to try to find a store locally that has the ones you are considering set up so you can listen to them. If they sound good to you, at the volume you intend to use them at, they would probably make a good purchase.

....but, what do I know. All I have is some 25 year old McIntosh stuff and a pair of older Boston Acoustics towers.....

Good luck - B.B.S.

 

[Fatken]

I have been using the Bose 321(I believe) system for about 5 years and it is not bad, but if I had to do it over, I think for the money I would not go the same way. I cannot expand the system or run additional speakers.

But, the product is quality and given the discounts I would consider it. I think going to a Bose store and listening for yourself is an excellent idea.

Ken

 

[DKAudio]

If you can get a substantial discount and you have your heart set on Bose, go for it. There are better systems out there but like you said, you're not an audiophile so the subtle differences might not be that obvious to you.

Well said.

After many years in the high end home and pro audio market, I can tell you that nothing is more subjective than speakers. Best possible answer would be to try to find a store locally that has the ones you are considering set up so you can listen to them. If they sound good to you, at the volume you intend to use them at, they would probably make a good purchase.

....but, what do I know. All I have is some 25 year old McIntosh stuff and a pair of older Boston Acoustics towers.....

Good luck - B.B.S.

Nice, I like McIntosh!

 

[Strayvector]

Nice, I like McIntosh!

With a handle like DKAudio, I thought you'd be all over B&O.

 

[AVB]

Let me start off by saying I'm pretty damn close to being an audiophile but that doesn't really mean anything because I'm not going to be the one listening to whatever you buy. A few things to consider besides price would be:

1. How big is the room.
2. How loud to you listen to music? Movies will be, on average, even louder.
3. Do you want wall shaking bass?
4. How important is speaker size? Do want them almost hidden, big enough to know they are there or the dominant item in the room?
5. Do you plan to add on for sound in other rooms?
6. Will it handle the latest HD DVD's? (assuming this is a system and not just speakers)
7. Will it "talk" correctly to the video display. Current HDMI with HDCP has a problem communicating between devices but the latest spec was released Apr 7th and should fix the problem for equipment coming out NEXT YEAR.(again assuming a system)
8. Will the center channel be "natural" sounding at the distance you will be sitting at? This is the most important speaker in a home theater so really make sure you like how it sounds.
9. How important is the equipment appearance, does it match you room or will it be hidden?
10. Can you teach the wife to operate it?

How you answer those questions should help you decide if any system is right for you.

Let me start off by saying I am not an Audiophile or any expert.....

However, I have been thinking about getting a new surround sound for our great room and wanted some opinions on Bose. But read on.

I have a friend and neighbor who work for Bose and once a year they let the employees buy at HUGE discounts. Sometimes more than 50% off.

I have read a lot about Bose not being worth the $$$, but if you could get it a that type of discount, is it worth it.

Apprecaite you thoughts and feedback.

Thanks guys...............

 

[DKAudio]

Nice, I like McIntosh!

With a handle like DKAudio, I thought you'd be all over B&O.

Oh, them too man! I got some B&Os from the 80s that are incredibly crafted. The baffle has all sorts of angles created from fiberglass and the crossover networks have some of the most impressive inductors and capacitors I have seen for the era. Unfortunately the foam surround on the woofers have deteriorated and the size is abnormal (around 12 and 10.5 cutouts). I am still looking forward to getting them going again, someday, somehow...

 

[jfields]

I always prefer a seperate system, not a set. They just sound much better if you know what you're doing. But you might be better off getting Bose if your discount is huge enough. They are not that bad when used in watching movies.

edited for spelling

I have a bose 321 system and it works great for how i use it. I looked into some other systems but the way my room is setup with my plasma it made sense to get the 321 as it was easy to install and sounded really good. If I had the money I would have put together a Mirage speaker system with a Harmon Karmon receiver. The mirage speakers are of awesome quality but are expensive. their technology blows away most other sources. I used to work at Best Buy and have a brother who works in a Magnolia Hi FI store.

I have this system too. I bought it for the ease and the name. I love it. I had a problem with the DVD drive. They paid for shipping and all. Got it back in a week with a whole new drive installed free of charge (about two years old at the time). My two year old broke the remote battery cover and, they sent one out for free as well. The customer service rep. was great in both instances.

 

[indyrob]

Nice, I like McIntosh!

With a handle like DKAudio, I thought you'd be all over B&O.

Oh, them too man! I got some B&Os from the 80s that are incredibly crafted. The baffle has all sorts of angles created from fiberglass and the crossover networks have some of the most impressive inductors and capacitors I have seen for the era. Unfortunately the foam surround on the woofers have deteriorated and the size is abnormal (around 12 and 10.5 cutouts). I am still looking forward to getting them going again, someday, somehow...

Try Main Electronics to get new surrounds. It's not difficult to put the new ones in, just read the instructions and you're good to go.

 

[Shooter]

Klipsch for me... Yammie reciever

 

[Dave]

Infinity IL10's and a yamaha receiver is my choice, but whatever works for you.

I would go to a store that allows me to return a speaker set up for a full refund, purchase the system there, try it out in home and if I like how it sounds, return it to the store and get it for a discount from the neighbor.

 

[AVB]

I'm not a paragon of virtue but this is one of the most unethical things I've ever seen posted here. :angry:

Infinity IL10's and a yamaha receiver is my choice, but whatever works for you.

I would go to a store that allows me to return a speaker set up for a full refund, purchase the system there, try it out in home and if I like how it sounds, return it to the store and get it for a discount from the neighbor.