CalvinCarr

Bose Alternative

Here's the deal. My wife approved the Sony 60XBR950 LCD but she wants new speakers to go with it. Right now I'm rockin an older Sony STR545 with plans to upgrade to a new reciever in the 4K price range next year but only if I don't have to get a Bose system for her. My brother has one and she likes the way it sounds and looks. So with that in mind what should WE (her)go audition to make HER (me) happy?

Lew Crippen

You might check out some of the better looking bookshelf/sattelite speakers systems. I assume that she likes the small size of the cubes.

What is your budget? If you a going for a $4K receiver, I’m guessing that your speaker budget is pretty substantial also.

ACI makes beautiful wood cabinets in a wide choice of finishes and they are also top-notch in the sound department. You should check out Rockets (either the ELT system or their bookshelf offerings). Not so many finishes as ACI, but equally fine cabinetwork. And great sound.

AV123’s Reference series really ought to please your wife. Their monitors are not exactly cheap, but they look stunning and sound even better.

Get back with that budget and we should have some more suggestions.

¡Time is not my master!

CalvinCarr

I was looking around 4k for the speakers also. I have bookshelves for the rear now and she hates stands. She really wants in the cieling or in walls.

Lew Crippen

Calvin, in your price range I would highly recommend checking out ACI.

Their semi-custom models are designed for custom 'in-wall' or 'i'-cabinet' installation. Check out some of these installations here.

If you are not familiar with ACI, they have been in business for almost 30 years and have been selling direct the entire time. They have an outstanding reputation for sound, cabinet quality and customer service. If your wife does not like these, she has a very high standard indeed.

¡Time is not my master!

BobAlbano

I agree with Lew here...

I would contact Mike D over at ACI as his products and service are first class...

SethH

Take a look at the B&W FPM series. I have yet to hear them, but am a fan of B&W in general. The FPM series are flat speakers made to look good with plasma and lcd screens. They're expensive, but I believe in your price range and even though I haven't heard them I'll go ahead and assure you that they will sound better than the bose!

CalvinCarr

For the in cielings do they come with some kind of backing enclosure?

Philip>L

You should also check out Thiel's inwall and Powerpoint speakers...

Andrew*L

Many speaker companies now offer in-wall / in-ceiling speakers, along with their regular lines. I've heard speakers from the following two companies and liked them very much, but I have not heard their in-wall / in-ceiling products:

Linn Inwall Speakers

JMLab Inwall Speakers

JMLab Satellite Systems

All the listed companies have distributors in the the States, so I would would highly recommend listening to them before buying. Good luck with your purchase.

Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation - Arnold Lobel

Drew_W

Grab your Sound and Vision from a few months a go that had ON-WALL speakers. That should give you some sense of options, since this seems to be an increasing trend.

You could also look the article up online I believe, it was the cover feature.

I gave up on tracking my collection and actually started watching what I have.

PaulDA