Why not a Bose System for Audio? I really need to be convinced here!

RandyAlbert · 10-31-2004, 10:30 AM

Alright, so all I hear on these forums is that Bose Lifesystle systems Suck! Well I am unforunately not convinced by this. There is never any reasoning as to why they suck and they never say.. Instead of buying the bose system, buy this system instead... And then give reasoning as to why.

I am looking at the bose lifestyle 28 system. Friend of mine just bought the Lifestyle 38/35 (not sure) system and it's great. I helped him hook it up and it sounds absolutely amazing. I don't see any problem with it at all. Why should I not purchase this system? What other alternatives do I have? I don't want to buy a peicemeal system because I am not an expert at tweaking and that stuff. Let me know what you think! I'm sure you will have a lot to say here!

Marty M · 10-31-2004, 10:47 AM

No one can tell you what is best for you. If you like the Bose system, go for it.

I, for one, think that Bose is over-rated and over-priced. I don't think Bose overs the "best bang for the buck".

Jack Briggs · 10-31-2004, 10:57 AM

Randy, since you say you've searched for and read threads about the manufacturer in question then you certainly have read all the reasons why it is held in somewhat low esteem here.

Now comes this I-dare-you post which triggers my troll-alert alarms.

If, as Marty says, you like the system you've mentioned, then take his advice and go for it. End of story.

If, on the other hand, you just want to provoke the group and start a row, I'll close the thread.

RandyAlbert · 10-31-2004, 11:01 AM

I just need to know why people say Bose is so bad... Yes I've searched online, but no one has been able to give any actual facts - they just say Bose is crap.

I'm just looking for answers - that's what I'm doing.

NicholasL · 10-31-2004, 11:58 AM

You clearly haven't truly searched if the only reasoning you're finding is something as infantile as "bose is crap."

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ChrisWiggles · 10-31-2004, 12:26 PM

http://home.earthlink.net/~busenitz/bs.html

http://liquidtheater.com/editorials/56

http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

Bose is easily *easily* bested by systems at the same price, that actually focus on performance rather than cheap salesmanship to people who don't know better.

If you've not run across links like these in threads, you haven't done much searching.

Bose is probably no worse than other really cheesy brands, but the difference is that they are WAY overpriced.

EricRWem · 10-31-2004, 02:44 PM

Bose isn't bad per se...it's just the price.

$1200 with Bose is about $300 worth with most rival brands.

PaulDA · 10-31-2004, 05:26 PM

I'd have to say I agree with "overpriced" as the main reason to avoid Bose. I've heard their systems set up in their store, and I've heard them in peoples' homes. If you read some of the threads out there, you'll find some vitriol (and I've posted some myself, mostly about price vs quality) but my rational, calm response to Bose is the following. If you appreciate speakers that are accurate, then Bose is not for you. Bose speaker systems, even the vaunted 901s from the 70s, were and are designed to produce a particular frequency response that Bose researchers claim is "pleasing". It is somewhat pleasant, at first, but it is NOT accurate (tests have shown that Bose Lifestyle speaker systems have a large frequency hole in the 80 to 280 hz range or so and the upper limit is around 13khz, rather than the usual 20khz). Second, the rather flimsy construction quality of the Lifestyle speaker sets, for the price asked, is a serious objection for me. On the plus side, Bose systems are extremely easy to set up, blend well with the decor and are low maintenance. Were they priced fairly, say 400-600 dollars for the 5.1 set, I'd consider recommending them to people who don't want to tweak and like the ease of installation. However, at the outrageous prices they ask for, I can't recommend them. But that's me. If you feel they sound pleasing to you, they meet your decor and ease of setup criteria and you don't mind the price, then don't let anyone stop you. Go ahead and buy them. No one can tell you what sounds best to you for the money you want to spend. However, before you buy, you should give yourself the chance to audition other systems, if only to reassure you in your decision. In the end, it's all about enjoying the tunes and films.

I hope this provides you with something other than "Bose SUCKS" to consider.

In parting, since you are considering systems in that price range, might I recommend the Boston Acoustics Avidea systems or something in the Micro speaker systems. (I own other speakers in the Boston Acoustics line and am very happy with them, so I'm stating my biases upfront.)

Good luck and happy speaker hunting.

KevinWEL · 10-31-2004, 06:33 PM

Well said Paul,
I also have met people that sing praises of their Bose systems. After talking A/V for awhile I realize they are rather uneducated in the area. My biggest eyeopener is the complete lack of specs or test reports on any of their equipment. When I hear about the $$$ people spend on a Bose system I challenge them I could build a system piece by piece for half the price that sounds better (and I'm no Hi-Fi genius).

I suppose there will always be people that have more money than desire to research a system from the ground up. It happens to be a labor of love for me. So maybe you can't do it yourself... Take the money you would spend on the Bose and go to a reputable stereo dealer and just see what you can get!

ChuckSolo · 10-31-2004, 06:52 PM

Let's reverse the logic and ask yourself: "What is it that makes Bose worth the money?" Let's see:

1. Are the materials and workmanship used in the Bose system heads up and above that of the other brands?

2. Compared side by side, does the Bose system sound a lot better than the other brands?

If you have physically and pesonally answered these two questions with a "yes" then by all means go get the system. I was in your position a couple of years back and concluded by direct comparison, that Bose is nowhere near worth the cost of 2 or three other brand systems. I went with separates myself. I concluded for myself then, that even though Bose is in the supposed "highend" of HT systems, they are still a HTiB and to me anyway, it just wasn't worth the cost.