New HT system to set up

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by oliveoil

Final update:


I chose to go for 1080p and separate component sound system.

I chose the Sony KLV-40W400A LCD as it is the best priced full HDTV. I could not pay any more than 1900 dollars and it was only a bit more than the 720p. This shows how expensive TVs are where I live. Other full HDTVs like Samsung cost at least 500 dollars more. At least I didnt go for 720p, which I was about to buy before I changed my mind at the last second.

Of course I went for the Onkyo 606. Considering there are no dealers for Polk, Klipsch, and all the other good brands, I had to go for the expensive Bose 5.1 system. I know many ppl on this board won't approve, but I have looked around everywhere and there are no alternatives in my area. Of course I could have imported some other brand, but it's something I would like to avoid, especially as it means no warranty.

Hopefully my new HT will get some approval on this board, considering the super expensive prices here and the limited choices for speakers. Thanks again for all the great advice

Yikes, I would have spent a week scouring the city for anything BUT Bose. If prices are that ridiculous in Dubai for equipment then you REALLY got ripped. People in North America are already overpaying by about 50% on Bose systems. But, hey... if you are happy then good for you. However, since you technically still have time to return the Bose, search a little harder for some other audio system dealers in town. Hell, even try talking to some MUSIC instrument retail dealer locations and see what they have that might work or if they have access to special order equipment.

Congrats on the TV and receiver though!

[oliveoil]

I found Yamaha's but the Bose were much better. Are the Bose that bad, or are they just overpriced?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by oliveoil

I found Yamaha's but the Bose were much better. Are the Bose that bad, or are they just overpriced?

BOTH! Read this: http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

It's a lengthy read and there is plenty of technical details flying around, but it gets the point across.

Here is the thread on this site in which I came across the article: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...highlight=bose

Oh, and check this out too: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...highlight=bose *if only for a laugh*

[oliveoil]

Are these better? They are cheaper and probably my only other alternative, as I dont have room for bigger speakers. They are available at the local shop. Please advise...

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/prod...ht/nsp440.html

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by oliveoil

Are these better? They are cheaper and probably my only other alternative, as I dont have room for bigger speakers. They are available at the local shop. Please advise...

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/prod...ht/nsp440.html

System Frequency Response 30 Hz–40 kHz (Not great, but still good. Subwoofer will be a little weak)
Magnetic Shielding All speakers

Satellite Speakers (Front L/R and Surround L/R)Design 2-way acoustic suspension
Drivers 8cm (3-1/4”) PMD cone and
2.5cm (1”) balanced-dome driver
Input Power (Maximum/Nominal) 80 W/40 W (I'd prefer 100W Max)
Sensitivity 80 dB/2.83 V/1m
Impedance 6 ohms (You need to know this for proper Onkyo receiver setup)
Dimensions (W x H x D) 118 x 198 x 137 mm; 4-5/8” x 7-13/16” x 5-3/8”
Weight 1.4 kg; 3.1 lbs./unit

Centre SpeakerDesign 2-way acoustic suspension
Drivers 7cm (2-3/4”) PMD cone and
2.5cm (1”) balanced-dome driver
Input Power (Maximum/Nominal) 100 W/40 W (Like I said above, 100W Max is good)
Sensitivity 82 dB/2.83 V/1m
Impedance 6 ohms (Again, needed info for proper Onkyo setup)
Dimensions (W x H x D) 285 x 99 x 130 mm; 11-1/4” x 3-7/8” x 5-1/8”
Weight 1.9 kg; 4.2 lbs.

Subwoofer
Design Advanced YST II and QD-Bass Technology
Dynamic Power 100 W (Like the sounds of this)
Output Power 50 W (5 ohms, 100Hz, 10% THD) (too bad it doesn't maintain an output equal to its Dynamic Power... a bit weak)
Driver 16cm (6-1/2”) cone, long-stroke type
Dimensions (W x H x D) 280 x 325 x 296 mm; 11” x 12-13/16” x 11-5/8”
Weight 8.2 kg; 18.1 lbs.

The underlined specs above are what to look at. I put my opinion in brackets beside each.

Overall, I'd say that these speakers are a bit better than average... and certainly better than any BOSE. If you read the article I linked to you'd find out that Bose is very unstable when it comes to the accuracy of the power of the output signal. That is where these Yamaha's would trump the Bose. The Bose may sound better, but not all of the time. Yamaha will give you a consistent quality. And the Bose will most likely have a slight edge in subwoofer power too. But, ultimately, if those are your only two choices, they each have some pros and cons. Personally, myself, I would go for the consistent performance of the Yamaha if I was limited to those two options. But, to each their own right?

Whatever your choice, enjoy!

[oliveoil]

I am gonna try to exchange them if the store will allow, I'm really not a Bose fan but as I mentioned earlier my choices are very very limited.

Thanks again your advice has been very valuable.

EDIT: I feel very bad now that I bought them, after reading all these topics you sent, I wonder if I would have been better off with a HTIB.

[PNF]

Originally Posted by oliveoil

Yes prices in this region are expensive, someone mentioned to me that is partially due to the format (multi system), where in the US it is only NTSC. Anyways, I've checked every electronics store and it's the same all around. They rip us off with a big smile .

Dubai..

whoa...ok... good luck man..

you bunch of rich bastards..

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by oliveoil

I am gonna try to exchange them if the store will allow, I'm really not a Bose fan but as I mentioned earlier my choices are very very limited.

Thanks again your advice has been very valuable.

EDIT: I feel very bad now that I bought them, after reading all these topics you sent, I wonder if I would have been better off with a HTIB.

Probably not.

[oliveoil]

I refunded the Bose speakers after realizing what a bad choice they were. They were so expensive. After all, why would I challenge the opinion of experts. I have checked for reviews on almost every site on the net and I was astonished by the negative views of such a popular company. I also tested them out in the shop on a movie and on some music. The Acoustimass sounded fine when the salesman tried some classical music (low volume), yet they were horrific when tested on a movie. Many ppl wonder why Bose gets all this nonstop bashing, but I have found out for myself that they deserve it. They pretend to be the leader in home audio, yet their products are nothing but overpriced and mediocre (at best), funding a vicious cycle of marketing deception.

Moving on, I'm actually no longer living in Dubai but still in the vicinity. It seems there are some small retailers there who sell B&W and Klipsch. I will have to confirm that later. Anyways I have spent so much now, I doubt I can spend on the M1s, probably gonna look for a cheaper option.

Here is my HT so far, speaker-less of course.

EDIT: Sorry for the picture quality (nokia 2.0 lol)