BOSE Acoustimass/Lifestyle systems - why you should steer clear!!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Bigpoppa993

Guys what do you reccommend instead of the bose CineMate® GS Series II digital home theater speaker system? Im trying to upgrade from my tv speakers, and i dont really want a home theather system just a upgrade.

You don't want a HT system, just better sound than your TV speakers....ok, here ya go http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Sur...866785&sr=1-10

Polk audio soundbar w/wireless subwoofer. It cost $300 less than the bose and out performs it. I would personally suggest reconsidering a full HT system to take advantage of the HD codecs found in Blu-ray Disc, but if it's just TV sound - this will surffice.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Bigpoppa993

Guys what do you reccommend instead of the bose CineMate® GS Series II digital home theater speaker system? Im trying to upgrade from my tv speakers, and i dont really want a home theather system just a upgrade.

ZVOX has a good selection of sound bars that should satisfy your needs.

http://www.zvoxaudio.com/

[LaserD]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

ZVOX has a good selection of sound bars that should satisfy your needs.

http://www.zvoxaudio.com/

It's all about your space and needs and wishes. I love this thread and it's skepticism about the Bose hype. I have a Bose 2.1 setup on one of my TVs. I have a Yamaha sound projector on another setup, and bookshelf speakers with a Yamaha subwoofer and receiver on another setup. Each one is tailored to my needs for that room and my space requirements. Where I have my Bose setup was not space-efficient for my Yamaha sound projector. The Bose arrangement allows me to have no receiver, and only speakers left and right of my BD player on a shelf in a cabinet. For that cabinet and its other players and storage, the Bose makes sense. Better sound than my Panasonic plasma, and not my main theatre. It was an expensive choice to get the Bose setup, but it was about decent sound, better than my TV, and not requiring space for a surround bar or receiver. For me, that made sense. But I agree with others, if you have room for a receiver, go with that and a couple of decent shelf speakers, a receiver, and a subwoofer.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by LaserD

It's all about your space and needs and wishes. I love this thread and it's skepticism about the Bose hype. I have a Bose 2.1 setup on one of my TVs. I have a Yamaha sound projector on another setup, and bookshelf speakers with a Yamaha subwoofer and receiver on another setup. Each one is tailored to my needs for that room and my space requirements. Where I have my Bose setup was not space-efficient for my Yamaha sound projector. The Bose arrangement allows me to have no receiver, and only speakers left and right of my BD player on a shelf in a cabinet. For that cabinet and its other players and storage, the Bose makes sense. Better sound than my Panasonic plasma, and not my main theatre. It was an expensive choice to get the Bose setup, but it was about decent sound, better than my TV, and not requiring space for a surround bar or receiver. For me, that made sense. But I agree with others, if you have room for a receiver, go with that and a couple of decent shelf speakers and a subwoofer.

I think you've missed the point of this thread and the overall disdain for all that is BOSE. It has nothing to do with speaker size, but of quality. You can purchase speakers (similar size) that are 10X the sound quality of those BOSE cubes for 1/6th the price (or less). Don't fall for the marketing hype.

[LaserD]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

I think you've missed the point of this thread and the overall disdain for all that is BOSE. It has nothing to do with speaker size, but of quality. You can purchase speakers (similar size) that are 10X the sound quality of those BOSE cubes for 1/6th the price (or less). Don't fall for the marketing hype.

I fell for no marketing hype, but am trying to advise someone who shares none of your audio values. They are likely just wanting a decent sound in a limited space. I would advocate for a good sound bar, but recognize all the variations on shelf and cabinet use. I fully appreciate all of the questioning comments in this thread about Bose and share them. I did not buy a Bose set for one of my TVs for sonic purity, but for space needs. The person I am sharing info with may have the same issues. Yes, you do need to to pay for it, though. And if you have the space for a regular receiver and speaker setup, go for it. Your spouse may have other ideas, however

[frogmort]

I'm kind of the opposite. I wish the whole room was filled with/made of speakers.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by LaserD

I fell for no marketing hype, but am trying to advise someone who shares none of your audio values. They are likely just wanting a decent sound in a limited space. I would advocate for a good sound bar, but recognize all the variations on shelf and cabinet use. I fully appreciate all of the questioning comments in this thread about Bose and share them. I did not buy a Bose set for one of my TVs for sonic purity, but for space needs. The person I am sharing info with may have the same issues. Yes, you do need to to pay for it, though. And if you have the space for a regular receiver and speaker setup, go for it. Your spouse may have other ideas, however

The units recommended by Big Daddy and I don't require a receiver at all

[guitarist155]

i agree with there really not being an upside to bose, take for instance onkyo's HTX-22HDX it doesn't have a receiver and yet has audio return channel and hd audio. a million times cheaper too..

[My_Two_Cents]

I've always known Consumer Reports was NOT always the place to go for good advice on true quality electronics and AV gear, but this latest "recommendation" just solidified that fact! It appears the CR technicians have been drinking the BOSE Lifestyle kool-aid. Simply unbelievable....

The Onkyo system ranked third is 10X the quality of the BOSE at 1/6th the price!

CR_HTiB.jpg

[dobyblue]

Yeah that's pretty sad.

[ManUtd]

Bose - better sound through marketing.

[Guinness6]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

The Onkyo system ranked third is 10X the quality of the BOSE at 1/6th the price!

Attachment 40187

Based on what? (not trying to be a dick, just curious).

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Guinness6

Based on what? (not trying to be a dick, just curious).

Mainly feedback and comments from members around this site. It's pretty well accepted that if one really wants to go HTiB, then the Onkyos are a really good choice for your $$.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

I've always known Consumer Reports was NOT always the place to go for good advice on true quality electronics and AV gear, but this latest "recommendation" just solidified that fact! It appears the CR technicians have been drinking the BOSE Lifestyle kool-aid. Simply unbelievable....

The Onkyo system ranked third is 10X the quality of the BOSE at 1/6th the price!

I've never liked or trusted Consumer Reports. They've had too many epic fails...car seats for babies, cars period, appliances, televisions...

They're not bought and paid for, but they're not too bright, either.

[Guinness6]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Mainly feedback and comments from members around this site. It's pretty well accepted that if one really wants to go HTiB, then the Onkyos are a really good choice for your $$.

Yes, thanks, and I agree. Bose definitely does not have a good rep on this board (or just about any audiophile forum), I just didn't know if you were referring to a specific test or review, etc.

[HHX]

OK, i just saw the new Bose soundbar at Best Buy...its $1499!

Ahhh....bose. I love 'em. It looks just like the Insignia one that's $159 or something...and sounds about the same

[SpartanIre]

Originally Posted by HHX

OK, i just saw the new Bose soundbar at Best Buy...its $1499!

Ahhh....bose. I love 'em. It looks just like the Insignia one that's $159 or something...and sounds about the same

Holy Crap!

[HHX]

I forgot how hilarious this video is If you've never seen the "High End Store" video on youtube that makes fun of Bose - you need to check it out right now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCBe7-6rw4M

[whitegold]

When I was about 19 years old I worked in the home audio department at Circuit City, and we had a saying=


"no highs, no lows, you know it's Bose"!



But then again we sold the crap out of them because we made such a nice commission on their overpriced products.

[erict]

I bought and still have the Bose AM-5 series. At the time it was a good sounding out of view system. I still own it and is pack away, so that tells you how much I still like them Might as well use them for book ends One thing I will say is the Bose 901's were a great speaker of their time