Acoustimass 10 Series II (1 Viewer)

[Chris:M]

I currently have a acoustimass 10 Series II, the non-powered bass module, and I am thinking of upgrading to the acoustimass 10 bass Module that is powered. My question is, would I be able to swap out the non-powered module and replace it with the powered bass module or this there new speakers that would be needed? The set-up that I currently is the 5 speakers of the dual cube speakers.
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[John Garcia]

Yes you could theoretically, but they don't sell the modules separately. Your best bet is to start looking at some better speakers and put the whole thing up on eBay. Dollar for dollar, there are a lot of speakers that will give you better sound.

 

[Chris:M]

Any recommendations on a brand? I like the little cubes for the size on the back wall of my living room.

Thanks!

 

[Ben Nelson]

What's your budget? Size of the room? Receiver/Amp?



I imagine most people around here will probably tell you "Anything but Bose". They are not very well reguarded considering the price they go for.

 

[John Garcia]

Did you have a price range in mind? You can also add a powered sub to the existing package. You would set them to small, so you can redirect the bass to the powered sub rather than to the Bose setup.

HSU Research offers the VT-12 in both 5.1 and 6.1 that is still small, but will outperform those guys and you have the ability to choose how much sub you want.

www.roundsound.com

www.orbaudio.com

www.paradigm.com - look at the Cinema series

www.mordauntshort.com - look at the Genies (not cheap) or the 300 series. You can get a whole 300 series package from www.ac4l.com for ~$400-500 and then add a sub and they have free shipping on all speakers right now.

 

[Chad F.]

I have the Accoustimass 10 system with the power dual sub. Its seems to me to be a great system but everyone here says it is not. I have'nt heard any of the SVS systems since they have no store to listen to them in but they are around the same price and are spoken highly of here on this forum. If you wanted to keep the current speakers and just buy a better sub that would be fine, as long as your AVR has built in crossovers for the Bose cubes. They can't take any bass and my powered sub has it own crossovers/sound processor to make sure the cubes don't get any frequency they should'nt. Whatever you do, listen to the product carefully before you buy, if you can't listen to it like the SVS than you are taking a risk, but it may be worth it.

 

[Brian Sheldon]

IF you like your BOSE and I understand that--everyone is entitled to their opinion as to what sounds good to them. Plus they are very nice asthetically. The first thing I would recommend is forget the powered "bass module" and get yourself a regular subwoofer. Assuming your reciever has a crossover, just set it pretty high--at least 120hz-150hz as the tiny cubes can't handle anything even that low. this will cause localization from the subwoofer, but you are used to that and as you stated you are happy with the performance of the Bose system. the big advantage that a subwoofer will give you is actual BASS, not just upper bass, and low midrange. You will experience bass that you can not only hear for the first time, but feel. Any sub, I do mean any sub even the Dayton subs that start at $100 will embarrass the dual 5 1/4 inch drivers of the bass module thingy. If your reciever does not have a crossover, you can use the internal crossover of the sub for a stereo pair of speakers, but not all five for surround sound. So you need a surround sound receiver. Now which sub? depends on your budget, and sound goals, but as you stated you like the sound of the bass module and are happy with that. So, I would start with a very low end sub that will still outperform your module and save you money. Actually you can potentially make some money as many people think that Bose is quality stuff simply because they mark their stuff up to ridiculous/insulting levels. (it is like buying a Ford escort for the price of an E series mercedes and because you paid so much--for the escort it has to be that good of a car) Thus, they hold their value and you can probably sell your passive bass module for more money used than you would need to get a much better new powered sub. Good luck in you process. I hope all this helps and above all else enjoy the sound.

 

[Chris:M]

Thanks for all of the input from everyone. I wanted to see what everyone's thoughts were for a sub around the $500 range. I have the bose system as described above and I have a sony STR-DE885 receiver. The receiver does have a crossover feature so this shouldn't be an issue at all. It seems that everyone is not nuts about the high priced bose systems but I am not ready to change it out yet. I do want to supplement the lack of bass from the passive base module that I currently have.
Thanks for all of the help. Everyone has taken the concept of the home theater to a whole new level.