Bose Acoustimass 15 installation

arjunrc · 12-17-2006, 08:22 AM

Hello all, I have just moved into a new home, where a company pre-installed my hometheater innerwall wiring. I am quite the layman at all of this, so I'll describe it as best as I can:

First let me describe the installation:

From where I sit, My left and right speakers are installed around 12 feet away and 1 foot above. The center speakers are installed inbetween the L & R, same 12 feet away, and a little less that 1 foot above where I sit.
The surround L and surround R speakers at at a height of around 4.5 feet above where I sit, each around 8 feet away from me. The SR and SL speakers are installed in the corner of 2 walls each. That also means that if I turn one of the speakers (each speaker is a 2 set) towards the wall, it almost kisses it)

The room this is installed in, unfortunately, is an open plan family room, so I've got a ceiling that is 18feet high and the family room is not fully closed, so I guess sound cannot bounce all around (I am told that is the best environment)

Having said all of this, i am not happy with the output of my bose speakers. Here is why: The center and L&R speakers seem to dominate and I can bearly hear the SR & SL for anything. This is even after I have cranked up the SR & SL to +10db, L to +3db R to +3db and C to +4db.

My receiver is the Harman Kardon, AVR-325

The other thing is that it seems that my Bose speakers focus more on bass and less on depth (I am a layman, so not sure of the term here - by depth I mean voice is meek and thin, not deep and resonating). So the other question I have is that can I replace the center speaker with any other brand/or other bose model ? I will have to work with my Bose subwoofer though.

thanks

nolesrule · 12-17-2006, 10:29 AM

Replace the Bose with some real speakers. You can probably sell them on ebay, buy some good speakers and still have some money left over. If you bought them for the size, there are better, similarly sized speakers available for much less money. If you bought them for the sound, well, apparently you've already discovered their deficiencies.

arjunrc · 12-17-2006, 10:33 AM

Thanks. Unfortunately, a full replacement is not possible due to budgetary reasons. I am open to replacing speakers, if someone can suggest other speakers that are compatible with the bose subwoofer.

Jeff Gatie · 12-17-2006, 03:56 PM

Read the Primer (there's a link in the "Basics" area). There's an entry for calibration of your audio system. What it entails is using a sound pressure level meter and setting each speaker to output the same volume level at the seating position. This is one of the most important things you can do to get your system sounding correct. Do a search for "calibration" to see dozens of threads on the subject.

arjunrc · 12-17-2006, 05:48 PM

Jeff, thanks.
I did a search -and it also seems that I can by a DVD of digital video essentials and i should be able to improve the quality following that DVD.
I think I will buy that.

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JKL1960 · 12-18-2006, 03:37 PM

From a quick look at the Bose site I think that the sub in your system actually contains the crossover for the speakers. Does each of your speakers connect to the sub woofer? If that is the case then you really can't mix these up with other speakers.

Quote:

The other thing is that it seems that my Bose speakers focus more on bass and less on depth (I am a layman, so not sure of the term here - by depth I mean voice is meek and thin, not deep and resonating).

When compared to a subwoofer that can really perform you'd find that Bose left you short in this area as well. Your other comments about depth match my own experience listening to Bose. They sound fine until they are asked to produce volume (not just be loud). I found that the sound was splattered everywhere. They don't resolve anything. Terrible soundstage. Weak tonality.

I suspect that a Bose system wouldn't have me answering the phone or the door because of sound effects I've heard on TV or in movies. My own system has me doing this far too regularly. When you have a hard time discerning between your sound system and the real world you've got a decent sound system.

arjunrc · 12-18-2006, 03:51 PM

That is correct, both speakers connect to my sub-woofer. Basically, I had to buy this device: (I am not allowd to post a link till I have 10 posts in this forum, so its a "Bose® Speaker Wire Adapter Kit" - google gives the link)

and then connect my inwall wiring to the plate shown in the diagram, and then the wires from there all connect to my subwoofer.

I am hoping I get some (any?) improvements with that Digital Video Essentials DVD :-p



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