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Any thoughts on Bose ???

#1
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4/29/09 at 3:43pm
  • Joined: April 2009
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Hello everyone.
I've been looking around this place for a bit trying to get tips and ideas on how to set up my movie watching room, and I wanted to get some peoples opinions on using a bose system.
Currently considering using their V20 Lifestyle system. The seeming simplicity of use and the way it looks has me sold, but I am not so sure on the quality of sound, so I would appreciate peoples comments on the use of Bose.
Thanx everyone
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#2
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4/29/09 at 5:04pm
  • Joined: April 1999
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

Overpriced. Sacrifices sound quality for small size & style. "Simple" but lacking in expansion capaiblity (only 2 HDMI inputs) and latest features (like support for newest audio codecs used on Blu-ray).

Most of us would recommend buying a receiver + good speaker system separately, you'll get much better expansion capabilities, the latest features, and better sound. V20 is ~$2000? $1k can get a very good speaker system, $400-500 a very good receiver, then you have plenty left over for a Blu-ray player and a good universal remote (e.g. Logitech Harmony) which will also achieve simplicity of use.
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#3
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4/29/09 at 6:50pm
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

I agree. WAY OVERPRICED.
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#4
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4/29/09 at 9:35pm
  • Joined: May 2003
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

Here's some good reading on Bose.........
FirstAdopter.com: Why Bose Sucks Review Resources
Click on the links and read.
Samsung HL61A750 (LED DLP)            Onkyo TX-SR805
Oppo BDP-83 Blu ray                                  Polk Audio LSi9
Polk Audio LSiC                                  Sony SS-MB100H
JBL PSW1200 (Sub)                        ...
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#5
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4/30/09 at 7:36am
  • Joined: August 2002
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

Stephen Tu said it best. Great marketing, great legal department; overpriced, below average sound. Ask a salesman why Bose calls what should be a subwooker a "bass module". Hint: Sub bass is lower than bass.
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#6
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4/30/09 at 9:20am
  • Joined: January 2009
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

There's a lot of people out there that love to trash Bose, you probably know that by now. I used Bose for years, so let me give you an opinion based on personal experience.....
I used two sets of Acoustimass 5s and a Bose center speaker for a 5.1 channel set-up with a decent receiver (at the time). It was okay in my apartment, the sound seemed full enough and the size was easy to work with in a small space.
That's probably all I can say that's any good.
On the bad side.... One day, you'll come home and want to put something crunchy in the CD player and crank it. They will let you down. Let me tell you, these speakers can't handle the volume level demanded by metal heads like me. Also, I didn't realize the lack of accuracy until I upgraded. I've heard people say, "No highs, no lows, must be Bose", I say there's no real clarity in the mids, either! They're just all-around flat speakers. Stephen Tu is right on about lack of expandability. I think it's part of Bose's strategy.
I urge you to audition lots of different speakers. If you end up with the Bose system, you'll probably enjoy it, but you won't know what you're missing!
This forum is great. There's plenty of experience and knowledge here, and most are happy to help. Send your room measurements and size demands, budget, etc. and let these people help you. You won't be disappointed.
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#7
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5/1/09 at 7:07am
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

I have mixed feelings about Bose. I have an old pair of 1970's vintage 901 Series II which have served me very well for stereo music listening and with the right amp can peel paint off the walls. They were the first product Bose marketed and the only one I think has much merit.

My problem with the lifestyle systems like the V-20 is it sold as a system. The speakers won't work without the Bose receiver which is pretty weak feature wise when compared to separates.

You will also notice that when you listen to them at a Bose store they play you a preprogramed presentation with has been enhanced by Bose with lots of special effects that is not found in normal music and videos. They will also demo the larger cube system which doesn't use the Bose V-20 receiver but that system will not sound as good as the more expensive V-20. This is their slick marketing technique

All and all for the price they are asking for their products their are better choices.
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#8
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5/1/09 at 2:17pm
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

Hmmm... Pretty much what my friends have told me, thanx for all the input guys, I guess I will have to bite the bullet and actually look around seriously at convincing the wife that having all those big black boxes with lights on them (as she calls them) will be a necessity
Hogie:
As far as how much I am looking at spending, around 2k, and from what I have found out, most of it will go towards receiver and a good center speaker, and thinking about Sony's PS3 for blue-ray player/gaming console
Thanx again for all the input
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#9
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5/1/09 at 7:18pm
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

With a little creativity and some IR repeaters the "black boxes with the lights" can be hidden away, and a good programmable universal remote can deal with the simplicity issue. I think you'll be much happier with a good set of components rather than an "all-in-one" like the Bose system, not only today, but tomorrow. I usually try to steer new HT enthusiasts away from "HT-in-a-Box" solutions - even those made by good manufacturers with industry-standard connections and at a reasonable price. Even the best of them tend to skimp on features or expansion capacity or both, and that often comes back to bite you when you want to add upgrade a component.

I'm not quite sure why you think the bulk of your budget should go to the receiver and the center speaker in particular. The center channel speaker should certainly be timbre-matched to the other front speakers, and all speakers should be of good quality, but the center channel speaker shouldn't cost any more than the front and right left speakers. In fact, in most speaker systems designed to work as a package, the center channel is basically identical to the two front speakers, except that the drivers are arranged horizontally instead of vertically, and it may have a vertical adjustment. (You can afford to skimp a little on the surround speakers if you find the budget getting squeezed, but if possible the full-range speakers should all be designed to work as a seemless system.)

You don't have to spend a huge amount to get a good receiver. A couple of hundred dollars will do. What with changes to technology and the like, you're more likely to replace and upgrade a receiver than you are the actual speakers, where the technology doesn't change and the hardware lasts a long time. I'd invest in a good set of speakers (say 40 - 50 percent of your budget) and divide the balance between the receiver, the subwoofer and the PS/3.

Regards,

Joe
My Home Theater

My DVD Collection

My niece, "Miss Goofy Face"
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#10
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5/5/09 at 1:26am
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

Onkyo 507 5.1 receiver at amazon $344 shipped
SVS SBS-01 5.1 system with PB10-NSD sub $1024 shipped +- location

total $1368 less wires and mounting

This would be a great setup and would blow the Bose out of the water. Because they are sealed speaker enclosures they are pretty small.
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#11
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5/5/09 at 7:59am
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Re: Any thoughts on Bose ???

Wow!

Certainly a good question, Manu, but one of the most dangerous
questions to ask on any Home Theater related forum.

Most people who know speakers will tell you that Bose is a company
that will give you a lot less for more. They are a huge marketing
machine that sell "hype" over "substance."

Take their $300 Quietcomfort headphones. I have found brands that
offer the same quality headphone for half the price (Altec Lansing is
one company that comes to mind).

When you as a company have to pay so much money for those
TV campaigns and magazine inserts, you are going to certainly have
to pass those costs on to your consumers. No doubt, Bose customers
are paying for that advertising.
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
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