Bose

[TheMARPATNinja7]

Basically, a buddy of mine and myself are both home auidophiles. We both have great home setups, he has a Bose LifeStyle (26 or 27 Series?) and I have a fully customized 7.1 set-up (Denon Reciever, Sony SS-U501 Towers, Polk Csi3 Center Channel, Pioneer Surrounds). He always insists that his Bose sounds better just because it says "Bose" on it. I respectfully disagree. I put a lot of time and money into my system and find it strange how he thinks his is better since the sound quality of mine is so much more natural and dynamic. Anyways, is he right? Now I know you can't really say much without hearing them both, but what does Bose offer that makes their speakers "so superior?"

[shiarua]

Absolutely nothing. I think 99% of the users here would agree that Bose are overpriced for what they have to offer, and are mediocre speakers at best.

Someone posted this on the forums, I just had it bookmarked

http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

[sdschwendener]

Bose offers what Ray-Ban offers for aviator sunglasses-An expensive name.


Tell him people who know say Bose means Buy Other Stereo Equipment.

[TheMARPATNinja7]

HAHAHAHAHA, wow I always thought Bose were systems that offered quality sound without a complicated or long install, I didn't realize this many people thought they were overpriced and only a brand name. I do agree though, I guarantee if the same system said "Pioneer," "Sony," etc it would sell for a lot cheaper.

[shiarua]

Bose offers what Ray-Ban offers for aviator sunglasses-An expensive name.


Tell him people who know say Bose means Buy Other Stereo Equipment.

buy other sound equipment, no highs no lows must be bose, or bose blows...take your pick

[George Grand]

I believe Ray-Ban was the designer, and original seller of "Aviator" style sunglasses during WW II. The military (to this day) issues Ray-Bans, albeit the less desirable rectangular model, as opposed to the Teardrop. Size small, black wire-frame, "Teardrop" Ray-Bans are to die for. Good glass up in the air and they don't hurt your head with a headset on.

[janmike]

The fact that he paid more for it would be critical in him assuming that it sounds better. To me, that is probably a general though for most people. And No, I do not own Bose.
Right fellows?

[Montoya]

Bose = Gross

[TheMARPATNinja7]

Oh absolutely but....he didnt pay for it. Believe me I read the article that was posted in the original response and it really sheads light on Bose in a way I've really never seen before. I'm glad I saw that, I never would have guessed after everything I've seen in advertisements about Bose but I guess thats how they get you. I'm really glad I never went with Bose.

[Dennis Gardner]

No disrepect, but 3 different types of speakers in your own system doesn't say "fully customized" to me, its says extremely mismatched..............I would think that his Bose system would at least sound smoother acrossed channels, being tonally matched, maybe even better balanced, regardless of how much I dislike the bloated bass and flat highs of Bose.

[shack]

Bose offers what Ray-Ban offers for aviator sunglasses-An expensive name.

Ray-Ban makes some of the finest sunglasses today. Much better than 90% of the "trendy" stuff. I got turned on to them by my uncle who was an Air Force lifer who was a sniper/marksman. Its all he ever wore either when shooting or just casual wear. Ray-Bans are the only sunglasses that I will wear. I have tried several different brands and they don't compare.


I believe Ray-Ban was the designer, and original seller of "Aviator" style sunglasses during WW II. The military (to this day) issues Ray-Bans, albeit the less desirable rectangular model, as opposed to the Teardrop. Size small, black wire-frame, "Teardrop" Ray-Bans are to die for. Good glass up in the air and they don't hurt your head with a headset on.

I have a couple of pairs of the ones you just mentioned...one with a black frame and one with a gold frame. I still have a couple of pairs of the original Wayfarers. Now if I ever want to read anything when wearing them, I need to get the glass replaced with prescription lenses.

[shack]

A Denon receiver and Sony tower speakers are a few notches below audiophile... Not that Denon receivers are bad (I have two of them) but they are a far cry from audiophile gear. Sony speakers are not even in the same solar system as audiophile.

Bose is overrated junk...and it sucks...but that is JMO.

Hang around for awhile and you will learn (much to the dismay of your wallet) what audiophile means. Tubes, vinyl, SACD, cables, tweeks, ribbon tweeters, planars, electrostatics, etc, etc, etc...

You have been warned...stay at your own risk.

[acsubie]

that article sheds light on my experience this past weeked. Was at the outlets and my buddy and i needed to burn some time while the GFs shopped, anyway went into the Bose store and browsed around, noticed they had a theater room and attendant asked if we want to sit down for the demonstration. I was actually pretty impressed by the sound, and during the whole demonstration i wondered how they sounded so well, after reading that article linked above i definitely feel as though we were "duped"!

[Montoya]

Kind of reminded you of the Wizard of OZ the scene when they found out about the great Oz? Yeah they got me also.:o

that article sheds light on my experience this past weeked. Was at the outlets and my buddy and i needed to burn some time while the GFs shopped, anyway went into the Bose store and browsed around, noticed they had a theater room and attendant asked if we want to sit down for the demonstration. I was actually pretty impressed by the sound, and during the whole demonstration i wondered how they sounded so well, after reading that article linked above i definitely feel as though we were "duped"!

[CallingMrBenzo]

i saw the bose posting and i had to read as an anti bose man myself......he says as he reads this thread on his laptop while on the can, listening to his Bose on ear headphones ahhaha




....but they were free from the parents, who had extra points to use up on their credit card before they canceled it :) whatever...its free

[Upstatemax]

Ray-Ban makes some of the finest sunglasses today. Much better than 90% of the "trendy" stuff. I got turned on to them by my uncle who was an Air Force lifer who was a sniper/marksman. Its all he ever wore either when shooting or just casual wear. Ray-Bans are the only sunglasses that I will wear. I have tried several different brands and they don't compare.



I have a couple of pairs of the ones you just mentioned...one with a black frame and one with a gold frame. I still have a couple of pairs of the original Wayfarers. Now if I ever want to read anything when wearing them, I need to get the glass replaced with prescription lenses.


No they don't... They are owned by Luxottica now and they are a huge pile of crap. Ray-Ban used to be a great brand and they have been downgraded to pure crap by the optical giant.

The same injustice happened to Persol and Revo.

[inspiredsports]

I'm not sure this is a fair fight in that most Bose systems are represented as and sold as home theaters in a box. They aren't by any means audiophile and I don't feel Bose is marketing them as such. They do cost more than Sony or Panasonic, etc., but in my opinion, they are easier to set up and sound better than other brands. Also, the 321 systems don't need wires to the back of the room because everything is up front. I have 1 room in my home where I would have loved to drop in Polk or Klipsch 5.1 speakers and a nice NAD amp, but it simply would not have worked space-wise. The Bose 321 was a perfect solution, the programmable remote is robust, the price was fair and the sound is very good.

[shack]

No they don't....

Your opinion. Mine differs.

[Upstatemax]

Your opinion. Mine differs.

I am an expert in the field...

I guess you are not?

[sdschwendener]

No they don't... They are owned by Luxottica now and they are a huge pile of crap. Ray-Ban used to be a great brand and they have been downgraded to pure crap by the optical giant.

The same injustice happened to Persol and Revo.

As Mr. Grand pointed out Ray-Ban is in fact the first company to make the aviators.. However, if you want to argue that they are not overpriced be my guest.

I'm not saying they are bad sunglasses. I have owned since freshman year of HS probably 6 pairs of them because I keep breaking them on vacations and while drunk. They are the best.

They are not worth 100-130. 70-80 dollars is what they should retail for. luckly I had connections that got me employee pricing of a couple of the pairs. Oh ya +5 pts for Ray-Ban when I mailed in my broken caravans with a note saying "I'm sorry" and "forgive me" and received a new pair less than two weeks later.

Thats good business.
____________________________________
But this isn't about Ray-Ban. Its about hating on Bose. I hate Bose.

[Upstatemax]

As Mr. Grand pointed out Ray-Ban is in fact the first company to make the aviators.. However, if you want to argue that they are not overpriced be my guest.

I'm not saying they are bad sunglasses. I have owned since freshman year of HS probably 6 pairs of them because I keep breaking them on vacations and while drunk. They are the best.

They are not worth 100-130. 60 dollars is what they should retail for. luckly I had connections that got me employee pricing of a couple of the pairs. Oh ya +5 pts for Ray-Ban when I mailed in my broken caravans with a note saying "I'm sorry" and "forgive me" and received a new pair less than two weeks later.

Thats good business.
____________________________________
But this isn't about Ray-Ban. Its about hating on Bose. I hate Bose.

Lets get something straight... Ray-Ban is a Brand, not a company... They WERE owned by Bouch & Lomb (when they were good), now they are owned by Luxottica and are cheap chinese made crap.


They are not anything better than $25 Wal-Mart sunglasses now.

[sdschwendener]

Lets get something straight... Ray-Ban is a Brand, not a company... They WERE owned by Bouch & Lomb (when they were good), now they are owned by Luxottica and are cheap chinese made crap.


They are not anything better than $25 Wal-Mart sunglasses now.

Maybe I don't know the difference between brand and company but Ray-Ban is a subsidiary of luxottica now and has its own assets.

How is it not its own legal entity?.. or rather a company under a parent company?

I'm just in college, you are the expert.. plz enlighten.

[Upstatemax]

Maybe I don't know the difference between brand and company but Ray-Ban is a subsidiary of luxottica now and has its own assets.

How is it not its own legal entity?.. or rather a company under a parent company?

When the parent company is a crushing force that forces a brand to cheapen it's product to meet profit margins...

When Luxottica buys a brand, they fill in top level seats with their own and run a company how they think it should be run (MAX profits with quality as an after thought).

Oakley is in the same boat now. ;)

[shack]

I am an expert in the field...

I'm impressed....


I guess you are not?

Well at least you are right there...I'm not really impressed.

[Upstatemax]

As for the eyewear... Ray-Ban is the same as Bose, expensive marketing to convince people they are better than they are.

[Sherardp]

Back on topic, I can promise you anyones system on here will blow away a BOSE setup any day of the week. Bose sucks, end of story. I learned the hardway using a pair of 161s for rears.

Some may offer different reviews, check out post 1 of these reviews

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/bookshelf-speakers/bose/161/PRD_129577_4290crx.aspx

[TNRabbit]

BOSE = Box Of Sh**ty Electronics

[TheMARPATNinja7]

For me Denon sounds ridiculous, and my Sony's aren't just any sony's they're semi classic (Early 90's, I think.) They're amazing for what I listen to, they also have two 10" drivers that have the perfect bass reflex for the kinds of music I listen too plus when I watch a concert on DTS it's easily better than being there. Don't hate on my Sony because believe me you'd be suprised would these bad boys are capable of.

[Hobbyguy]

Interesting and pleasing. I was looking for new speakers to replace my cheap best buy set. Was deciding between Bose 901 or Polk LIS-15. Well pulled the trigger for LSI-15 but also purchased SDA-1B and a set of 10Bs. Have the 10Bs now and they sound GREAT! Can't wait to get my LSIs and SDAs. This thread confirms my decision!

[bobman1235]

I'm not sure this is a fair fight in that most Bose systems are represented as and sold as home theaters in a box. They aren't by any means audiophile and I don't feel Bose is marketing them as such. They do cost more than Sony or Panasonic, etc., but in my opinion, they are easier to set up and sound better than other brands. Also, the 321 systems don't need wires to the back of the room because everything is up front. I have 1 room in my home where I would have loved to drop in Polk or Klipsch 5.1 speakers and a nice NAD amp, but it simply would not have worked space-wise. The Bose 321 was a perfect solution, the programmable remote is robust, the price was fair and the sound is very good.

The price was fair? Not to put too fine a point on it, but you're an insane person. Bose would be a fine solution if they cost 400 dollars for a system, because that's what they sound like. For 2000 dollars a system, they're a complete ripoff. There are a million small systems out there that you can get that sound infinitely better and cost significantly less. On top of that they're honest about their product, as opposed to Bose, who won't even publish specs for their products.

I understand that you spent 2 grand on something and thus have convinced yourself that you weren't swindled and sold a pile of garbage, but the truth hurts. My dad got suckered out of his money in the same way by their marketing, and bought one of those ridiculous "wave radios" that cost him almost 400 dollars. For a glorified boombox! It doesn't even have a CD player built into it, it's just a radio! It doesn't sound any better than an actual boombox that costs 40 bucks at Walmart, and that would have a CD player built into it! And now every time I go to his house he has it playing, insisting it sounds great, and I just have to smile and nod rather than tell him he's a sucker trying to justify his purchase.

[Mike Kozak]

My parents have the bose system in their house and they love the sound of it. I keep quiet about it when I visit them. Everybody wins!!!

[bobman1235]

Oh, and I almost forgot the part where Bose actively sues anyone who puts out a negative review of their product, so not only do you have no objective way of comparing their stuff to others (they don't allow it to be put side by side with other products, only in its own display), you have no SUBjective way of comparing their stuff because honest reviews are literally not allowed. Awesome.

[inspiredsports]

. . . you're an insane person . . . Bose would be a fine solution if they cost 400 dollars for a system

Hi Bob,

Yes, I AM an insane person. I have 6K worth of plasma and sound in the living room, 5K worth of plasma and sound in the den and 9K worth of 2 ch sound in my man cave, and I am a LIGHTWEIGHT compared to what many in this forum have spent, but still insane when you look at what you could do with those dollars.

I paid $450 to Sam's Club for a brand-new-in-the-box Bose 321 CD system last year. It's on a 58" Panasonic 1080P Plasma that is angled in a corner with only a 2 foot span of wall on the angle right side. Being angled into a 16 X 24 room leaves about zero options to properly locate 5.1 or 7.1 sound. The 321 satellites were a great solution. Inexpensive and easy to install, they look good and the sound, in my specific installation, is very good.

[RutgersFTW]

Those 321 systems are really really bad. My cousin bought one when he bought his 55" Sony set last year and it doesn't sound any better than the TV speakers. Harsh highs, muffled dialogue, farty bass - bad bad bad. Expensive and bad. Aiwa shelf system bad.

Here's what I don't get - no matter what Bose tells you, it's a stereo. Here's an experiment - buy a $150 budget Sony, Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo, etc receiver and a pair of inexpensive bookshelves like Polk RTi A1s, PSB Alphas, Boston CS26, etc for under $200. If you really want to get depressed, spend $100 on a cheap sub like a PSW10. Now we're at less than $450. Plug in the two speakers to the front speaker jacks, hook up your CD/DVD player, and cry - because this system will sound open, spacious, airy, and dynamic, while the Bose will sound like a couple of 2" paper drivers in a plastic box.

The 321 system isn't a perfect solution for anyone. It doesn't replicate a 5.1 channel system, it's a shoddily built 2.1 system that looks and sounds cheap.

[bobman1235]

Even if you do like the sound of the Bose, which I suppose is subjective ( though you'd think with all that money invested you'd have some taste) , their dishonest and unethical business practices alone should turn you off.

[Upstatemax]

People don't like to accept the fact that they threw away money on a crap system...

My father used to LOVE his Bose system, then he came over and heard what Polk and Denon can do for FAR less money... :cool:

A new Lifestyle 48 system is $4,000... I showed my father what he could do with $4,000 if he dumped the Bose idea.

[Hawkeye]

I don't understand why people have to take it upon themselves to spare the world from Bose. While I am no fan of the the product or the marketing tactics, if somebody likes the way they sound or the way they "fit" in a room, who am I to tell them it is no good?

Some people don't care about response, range, imaging and all of the other adjectives and verbs we use to describe our systems. They want a simple, no fuss system. If I had a living room decorated with fine antiques, I would have a difficult time incorporating my system. A Bose system may make sense for a room like that where I wanted to hear music but not see 8 large black boxes.

To each their own.

Gordon

[RutgersFTW]

I don't understand why people have to take it upon themselves to spare the world from Bose. While I am no fan of the the product or the marketing tactics, if somebody likes the way they sound or the way they "fit" in a room, who am I to tell them it is no good?

Some people don't care about response, range, imaging and all of the other adjectives and verbs we use to describe our systems. They want a simple, no fuss system. If I had a living room decorated with fine antiques, I would have a difficult time incorporating my system. A Bose system may make sense for a room like that where I wanted to hear music but not see 8 large black boxes.

To each their own.

Gordon
I generally agree with you, but the 3-2-1 is particularly egregious. The Bose bookshelves are relatively inoffensive if not the most nuanced or well-built things going under $300, and even the much maligned Acoustimass systems aren't any worse than many other small sub-sat systems out there (if a little more expensive). The Lifestyle line and, even worse, the 3-2-1 series ARE despicable... Bose charges $1200 for two plastic satellites, a lousy subwoofer, an old-school DVD player, and a low-current amplifier. It's shameful.

[Hawkeye]

I generally agree with you, but the 3-2-1 is particularly egregious. The Bose bookshelves are relatively inoffensive if not the most nuanced or well-built things going under $300, and even the much maligned Acoustimass systems aren't any worse than many other small sub-sat systems out there (if a little more expensive). The Lifestyle line and, even worse, the 3-2-1 series ARE despicable... Bose charges $1200 for two plastic satellites, a lousy subwoofer, an old-school DVD player, and a low-current amplifier. It's shameful.

You won't get an argument out of me over the 3-2-1 thing. It was the worst thing I had ever heard. A guy from work bought one and asked me to come over and help him hook it up and "hear" it. He was very happy and excited that he finally had a Bose system. He asked me what I thought and being polite I asked him what HE thought of it. I could take it for about one half hour before I had to leave and come home and get a dose of real music. He has heard my gear and mentioned that there was something missing in my system. I did not have the heart to tell him I am missing the big holes in frequencies his system has. He is still enjoying it for the past year and has no intention of changing.

Gordon

[Fongolio]

As amusing as this dual topic thread is I thought this may be of interest to one or two people.

Forum Rules
1) Stick to the topic of the forum. This way information is easily categorized to make it easy for new members to access. Threads or posts that do not contain relevant information will be removed.

2) The discussion of politics and religion is not allowed on this forum.

3) Pornography and violent images or discussions are not allowed on this forum. This includes posts about weapons or explosives.

4) No fighting. Personal attacks, trouble making, inappropriate language, or any threatening or offensive behavior will not be tolerated.

VERY IMPORTANT...

If you have a problem with another member's comments in a posted thread, DO NOT respond with any further comments that will aggravate the situation. Members have two options of recourse....


Email the moderators, directing them to the individual and thread that the problem occurs in.
Resolve the problem between both of you via PERSONAL email.
Reacting to a hostile post with more hostility puts YOU in jeopardy, and risks your account from being deleted. To be objective and fair about situations where forum members are attacking each other, BOTH members' accounts will be removed from our forum (and no, we don't care who started it).



5) No spam. Any member soliciting spam will be removed.

6) Do not brand bash. We're all in this together. Discuss what you like and dislike. But don't bash someone or something because you don't like it.
7) Be respectful of new members. If it was only you and me on this forum, we'd have no fun and the whole industry would collapse. Fact is, home theater is an exploding industry. More and more people all the time are discovering the joys of DVD and audiophile music. Welcome the newbies. For they will encourage industry growth, which will result in better prices and better equipment for all us heathens.

8) Trolling - members who make a conscious effort to inflame or irritate others will be removed.

9) Forum rules & guidelines are not up for debate. This is not a democracy, but rather a private forum owned by Polk Audio. Anyone openly debating the rules we have set in place will be removed.

[shack]

As amusing as this dual topic thread is I thought this may be of interest to one or two people.

Forum Rules
1) Stick to the topic of the forum. This way information is easily categorized to make it easy for new members to access. Threads or posts that do not contain relevant information will be removed.

2) The discussion of politics and religion is not allowed on this forum.

3) Pornography and violent images or discussions are not allowed on this forum. This includes posts about weapons or explosives.

4) No fighting. Personal attacks, trouble making, inappropriate language, or any threatening or offensive behavior will not be tolerated.

VERY IMPORTANT...

If you have a problem with another member's comments in a posted thread, DO NOT respond with any further comments that will aggravate the situation. Members have two options of recourse....


Email the moderators, directing them to the individual and thread that the problem occurs in.
Resolve the problem between both of you via PERSONAL email.
Reacting to a hostile post with more hostility puts YOU in jeopardy, and risks your account from being deleted. To be objective and fair about situations where forum members are attacking each other, BOTH members' accounts will be removed from our forum (and no, we don't care who started it).



5) No spam. Any member soliciting spam will be removed.

6) Do not brand bash. We're all in this together. Discuss what you like and dislike. But don't bash someone or something because you don't like it.
7) Be respectful of new members. If it was only you and me on this forum, we'd have no fun and the whole industry would collapse. Fact is, home theater is an exploding industry. More and more people all the time are discovering the joys of DVD and audiophile music. Welcome the newbies. For they will encourage industry growth, which will result in better prices and better equipment for all us heathens.

8) Trolling - members who make a conscious effort to inflame or irritate others will be removed.

9) Forum rules & guidelines are not up for debate. This is not a democracy, but rather a private forum owned by Polk Audio. Anyone openly debating the rules we have set in place will be removed.

Who made you a thread monitor?

Besides...Bose and Monster are exempt from those rules.

[steveinaz]

What ever sounds best to you, is the best for you. This stuff is not a competition, it's about selecting components that satisfy what you expect from the musical experience.

I had a set of 901 VI's for nearly 14 years, and found them very satisfying with a big room and plenty of amplification. Over priced? probably, but since I got them for $799/pr w/EQ and stands (Army PX) I didn't feel cheated in the least. I still look at the 901 from time to time. Are they the last word in articulation? Not even close to it, but I happen to like the Bose "flavor" and truth be told, I don't give a damn what anyone else thinks about it.

[Cornbread]

I have a pair of Bose 201 Series II bookshelf speakers. They are the old school ones that were actually made with MDF. I also own/owned a dozen other bookshelf speakers throughout the years. The Bose have highs but they are harsh and they definitely have no lows. The other thing they lack is imaging. Even the cheapest of speakers offer better imaging than the 201's. Instrument placement is near impossible and vocals sound like they are coming from a giant head instead of pin-pointed in the center of the soundstage. I have A/B'd them directly with everything from Radio Shack Lineaums, to Polk Monitor 5 Jr's, to Axiom M3 v2's. In every instance they lose big. They are fine for casual background music (which just about any speaker is) but for serious listening they are overpriced junk.

[Fongolio]

Who made you a thread monitor?

Besides...Bose and Monster are exempt from those rules.

Self-appointed. For life.

[shack]

Self-appointed. For life.

As were Saddam Hussein, Charles Taylor, "Baby Doc" Duvalier, Idi Amin, Mobutu...to name a few.

[Fongolio]

As were Saddam Hussein, Charles Taylor, "Baby Doc" Duvalier, Idi Amin, Mobutu...to name a few.

An astute observation indeed.
Consider me the Last Threadpoliceman of Scotland

[dkg999]

The sound of a Bose system can be greatly improved by using the proper cables.
















:D

[Keiko]

My RTi's replaced some now vintage 301's. Still got em' boxed up and put away in a closet. They served me well for many years. Like Steve I got these from an Army PX. Don't recall exactly what I paid for them but probably in the ballpark of 200.00 - 250.00. I think around this time in the late 70's early 80's Bose made a better product. I almost went with a 3 2 1 system a couple years ago. Demo'd it, and thought 'ehh' Figured I could do better. Researched online for a little bit. Decided on a 2 channel Yammie RX-797 and later on the RTi6's. Met up with you guys and the rest is history. I don't think Bose makes awfully bad products, but ya, they are overpriced and better equipment is available for that kind of money.

[treitz3]

6) Do not brand bash. We're all in this together. Discuss what you like and dislike. But don't bash someone or something because you don't like it.
Ok, I dislike Bose. Every product I have heard from them, period. I'm not bashing them and I am staying within the forum guidelines. My observations include a high amount of distortion, omitted frequencies and an overall sound that makes me want to gracefully leave the room. It is my opinion that your hard earned money can be spent more wisely with just a little bit of research and I'm not alone with that opinion.

What I do like is accurate sound reproduction. Bose does not offer this, so I must move on. The only product that has gotten positive reviews lately on this forum and others are the noise canceling headphones. With that product, I have not heard them so I cannot comment other than that.

[inspiredsports]

OK !!!! I'm convinced !!!

I'm tossing the 321 (not even listing it for resale because you naysayers have convinced me it is so bad). Hopefully, it's not so crappy that those who raid our trash every Tuesday night are repulsed and leave it for the actual trash haulers to recover (I gave them gift certificates to Lowe's for the holidays).

I'm moving my 1.2's to the front, my SDA SRS 2's (sans interconnect) to the rear, LSi to center. My Carvers and preamp are coming along for the ride. (I'll leave my SDA 2B TL's in the man cave with my NAD stuff). The 1.2 on the right will only protrude a couple of feet out into the foyer, exposing its back side and wiring to the entrance door and side-lites. It will only partially block a couple of feet of access to the coat closet and the landing to the upstairs stairway, but I'll have SOUND.

I'll only have to remove 3 seats from the 6 place leather sectional (making it a sofa) to accommodate the 2's (so I'm down to 2 leather sofas and 2 leather recliners in the room).

But at least I didn't COMPROMISE. If you have anything less in your media room, YOU did! :D:D

Hmmm . . . I'm having trouble getting guests into the house through the front door, and not enough seats for all, and it's hard to get to the upstairs bedrooms. I wonder if the 321 wasn't an appropriate niche product after all ??

[bobman1235]

I don't understand why people have to take it upon themselves to spare the world from Bose. While I am no fan of the the product or the marketing tactics, if somebody likes the way they sound or the way they "fit" in a room, who am I to tell them it is no good?

I didn't realize it was a bad thing to try to help my fellow man not get ripped off. If a friend of yours said they were going to go buy a $90 HDMI Monster Cable from Best Buy, you wouldn't say "um, don't do that, you can get one for ten dollars that's just fine."? You'd just assume if they like it, eff em, who cares if they waste their money?

[zombie boy 2000]

The undead will feast whenever Bose or Monster is mentioned around here. Sorry everyone's up your ass. Some speak from experience. Some are simply parrots. Please feel free to talk anything and everything audio. Hell... I don't even have a rig at the present moment, so I would be more than happy to take a 3-2-1 on loan.

[obieone]

Can someone 'pause' this thread. I need to go get some popcorn:D

[inspiredsports]

I didn't realize it was a bad thing to try to help my fellow man not get ripped off. If a friend of yours said they were going to go buy a $90 HDMI Monster Cable from Best Buy, you wouldn't say "um, don't do that, you can get one for ten dollars that's just fine."? You'd just assume if they like it, eff em, who cares if they waste their money?

It would be wise to share with them what you LIKE about your $10 cable, not what you don't about the MC.

[steveinaz]

The thing is, speakers are such a subjective thing to start with--it's like arguing religion. Buy what sounds right to you. It's that simple.

[Zero]

Bose bashing is the antithesis of cable threads. With a sudden mention of a mere name, audiophiles suspend their anxiety over whether power cords really make a difference to join together in harmony in celebration over a common disdain. Yet at the end of the day - everyone's gotta have an outlet - and someone's gotta be the punching bag.

You don't become and remain one of the strongest manufacturers in the industry by making junk. Bose is where they are because they made, and continue to make solid products that consumers want - and they do so in a way few competitors can match. Most Bose customers are satisfied, and unlike many audiophiles, are usually content with their system for many years after the initial purchase. Good for em'.

[zombie boy 2000]

Yet at the end of the day - everyone's gotta have an outlet - and someone's gotta be the punching bag.

I prefer hobos and carnies when I feel like bringing out ol' Thunder and Lightning. Good to hear from you Sean.

[inspiredsports]

The thing is, speakers are such a subjective thing to start with--it's like arguing religion. Buy what sounds right to you. It's that simple.

I think the conclusion every listener reaches about every component in his/her system is subjective. Heck, we spend hours discussing the differences of tiny pieces and parts of components like identically valued capacitors and resistors in a particular crossover or DAC mod. And yes, speakers wires are the biggie!

I think the value of this forum is the honest sharing of ideas and opinions so readers can hear why people made choices they did, but not in a "holier-than-though" bashing fashion. Some make compromises because that is a reality of life, and sharing the reasons for those compromises helps other make cost/value decisions.

[shack]

Bose still sucks. IMO!

[inspiredsports]

Bose still . . .

Hey Shack,

You've been around a while. What components do you like for a $1,200-$1,300 5.1 system?

[George Grand]

I believe that Ray-Ban provides a high quality product. Whether or not they are high priced in this day and age I'm not qualified to say. Every pair of RB's in-house are older than 95% of the members here, and I didn't pay jack for any of them. My military issue bi-focals are rapidly becoming my favorites in both clear and dark lenses.

I also have a background in eyeglasses. Perhaps not a degree in lensology or anything like that, but right around 1972 I was grinding lenses for Brookhaven Opticians in Smithtown, Long Island. One of only two jobs I've ever been "dismissed" from in fact. I still have a lot of stuff that I ground for myself back then including RB style teardrops. I also had a monocle that I ordered for myself, but gave it away to a one-eyed navigator not long ago.

[Polkitup2]

I still cringe everytime I walk into my local Best Buy, they have this round monstrosity consisting of about 5 bose dual cubes hanging from the ceiling pumping out awful sound at high volume. :(

[Upstatemax]

I believe that Ray-Ban provides a high quality product. Whether or not they are high priced in this day and age I'm not qualified to say. Every pair of RB's in-house are older than 95% of the members here, and I didn't pay jack for any of them. My military issue bi-focals are rapidly becoming my favorites in both clear and dark lenses.

I also have a background in eyeglasses. Perhaps not a degree in lensology or anything like that, but right around 1972 I was grinding lenses for Brookhaven Opticians in Smithtown, Long Island. One of only two jobs I've ever been "dismissed" from in fact. I still have a lot of stuff that I ground for myself back then including RB style teardrops. I also had a monocle that I ordered for myself, but gave it away to a one-eyed navigator not long ago.


Again, 70's & 80's Ray-Bans are in a different class than current Ray-Bans...

Think of it this way, how would you feel if Bose purchased Polk Audio and started to change how Polk was run... Started to put cheap paper drivers and foam surrounds in speakers... Started to use cheap thin plastics instead of real wood, MDF, cheap crappy crossovers... Then they also turn around and raise the price on the speakers.

That is what Luxottica has done to Ray-Ban... This is what Luxottica does to EVERY brand it buys.

[George Grand]

I don't want to think about that cause it involves far too much thinking.

I have enough great stereo and sunglasses to last me until way after I kick. Let somebody else sweat the small stuff.

[sdschwendener]

I don't want to think about that cause it involves far too much thinking.

I have enough great stereo and sunglasses to last me until way after I kick. Let somebody else sweat the small stuff.

Not to mention how bad this thread digressed after my analogy. And yeah I fed the fire.. but I feel like were just beating a dead horse with this one.

[TheMARPATNinja7]

Not to mention how bad this thread digressed after my analogy.

Yeah, I just wanted to learn a little about Bose and I also got a brief history of sunglasses.

[shack]

Hey Shack,

You've been around a while. What components do you like for a $1,200-$1,300 5.1 system?

One of these at $400...

http://cgi.ebay.com/LSiC-Center-Channel-Loudspeakers-Black_W0QQitemZ360113604003QQihZ023QQcategoryZ3276 QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

two pairs of these at an average SOLD price of $250 per pair = $500...

http://cgi.ebay.com/LSi7-Ebony-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-pair_W0QQitemZ230318320140QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3276Q QcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

and one of these at $349...

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

Total 5.1 system cost = $1,249.

If anyone tells you Bose has a system...at any price...to top this one...they might as well just buy a $250 Sony HTIB and be done with it...cause it won't matter.

[be83663]

Bose system has a use too.
I will use Bose systems, one for my kitchen and another one for my bathroom theatre systems, because they are compact and easy to hook up.

[Retro152]

Yawn!!!!

[gdb]

Chevy-Good....Ford-Suck !!!:p

[PolkThug]

Bose lost every blind test I gave vs small Polk or Infinity speakers. People couldn't believe they didn't pick Bose.

[inspiredsports]

One of these at $400... Total 5.1 system cost = $1,249.

Nice work. That's the kind of intel, a serious recommendation from a guy with 7,000+ posts of experience, that will help the original poster educate his Bose friend to maybe come around and check out what Polk and others have to offer.

[George Grand]

Yeah, I just wanted to learn a little about Bose and I also got a brief history of sunglasses.

Well to you and all the other newbs.......

We've been discussing Bose for the last ten years that I've been here. Use the search function if you don't like some of the responses. On the other hand, as far as I know, we've never had a discussion regarding quality eyewear.

[reeltrouble1]

that is likely true GG, but we have discussed quality underwear.

Oh yea, and bose blose.

RT1

[NotaSuv]

Well to you and all the other newbs.......

We've been discussing Bose for the last ten years that I've been here. Use the search function if you don't like some of the responses. On the other hand, as far as I know, we've never had a discussion regarding quality eyewear.

10 years thats fantastic but sadly alot of us newbies havent

Search function sucks on this forum, as does the edit or lack of edit feature.. but both not a reason to leave


Every board has the old timer who acts as our Georgie does, well someone needs to play the role....and being from NJ who would be better than Georgie

I actually get a good laugh from his posts...........thanks Georgie and I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to read your next post





opppppps forgot I am on the ignore list :rolleyes:

[shack]

The search function works very well...if you know how to use it.

[strider]

10 years thats fantastic but sadly alot of us newbies havent

Search function sucks on this forum, as does the edit or lack of edit feature.. but both not a reason to leave


Every board has the old timer who acts as our Georgie does, well someone needs to play the role....and being from NJ who would be better than Georgie

I actually get a good laugh from his posts...........thanks Georgie and I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to read your next post





opppppps forgot I am on the ignore list :rolleyes:

Looks like George has a stalker....

[PolkThug]

Advanced search is where its at.

[strider]

I also have a background in eyeglasses. Perhaps not a degree in lensology or anything like that, but right around 1972 I was grinding lenses for Brookhaven Opticians in Smithtown, Long Island. One of only two jobs I've ever been "dismissed" from in fact. I still have a lot of stuff that I ground for myself back then including RB style teardrops. I also had a monocle that I ordered for myself, but gave it away to a one-eyed navigator not long ago.

Did you ever finish that post you started about getting canned a while back? IIRC you left us hanging.....

[maximillian]

Advanced search or use google and add "site: polkaudio.com" to the end of your search. BTW, remove the space between the : and p (forum thought it was a smiley).

[George Grand]

Why do I NOT feel like apologizing for ruining some clown's Polk Forum experience?

Sorry that we stayed and shaped this place into one of the best forums on the internet. Feel free to depart anytime you like asshat. My mom and some other girls are the only ones to ever call me Georgie. You fit right in.

[Fongolio]

asshat

LOL. I like that. Permission to use that expression on those I deem it appropriate sir?

[Montoya]

It boils down to one thing Bose will never get respect on any well known audiosite period. And you can take that to the bank. A few vintage products may get the old well it was good 20 years ago but other than that expect no respect for that product rocks will be thrown everytime.

[TheMARPATNinja7]

Well to you and all the other newbs.......

We've been discussing Bose for the last ten years that I've been here. Use the search function if you don't like some of the responses. On the other hand, as far as I know, we've never had a discussion regarding quality eyewear.

I was just joking George no need for the hate.....and I guarentee you....I'm no noob.

[MHayes]

One of these at $400...

http://cgi.ebay.com/LSiC-Center-Channel-Loudspeakers-Black_W0QQitemZ360113604003QQihZ023QQcategoryZ3276 QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

two pairs of these at an average SOLD price of $250 per pair = $500...

http://cgi.ebay.com/LSi7-Ebony-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-pair_W0QQitemZ230318320140QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3276Q QcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

and one of these at $349...

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

Total 5.1 system cost = $1,249.

If anyone tells you Bose has a system...at any price...to top this one...they might as well just buy a $250 Sony HTIB and be done with it...cause it won't matter.

Nice, but you seemed to have left out the components to drive those speakers.

[heiney9]

It boils down to one thing Bose will never get respect on any well known audiosite period. And you can take that to the bank. A few vintage products may get the old well it was good 20 years ago but other than that expect no respect for that product rocks will be thrown everytime.

Bose doesn't deserve any respect when it comes to audio......you can take that to the bank!

They have a so-so product that they use borderline deceptive advertising on to convince the sheep that the product is superior, when it's clearly not.

It fits for some people who don't give a crap about decent sound and prefer aesthetics over any other feature.

H9

[Keiko]

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/6fcc54d0e5.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

Good, good! I can feel the hatred.

[shack]

Nice, but you seemed to have left out the components to drive those speakers.

I don't believe that is what the person who posed the question to me was wanting. I took it to mean I was to come up with a 5.1 SPEAKER package to compete with Bose's top of the line acoustimass "speaker system" that retails for $1,300. That would be the LOGICAL assumption since none of the Bose Lifestyle Systems (which include the electronic components) retail for less than $1,700. We could certainly go that route however....

I found quite a few used 5.1 AVRs of various brands (Denon, HK, Yamaha, Onkyo) listed as in very good condition for under $50 (sold) on ebay. Pick any one and you still have a better system for under $1,300 than anything Bose sells IMO. A good example...

Denon 2802 AVR...6 bids, current price $21

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mint-Denon-AVR-2802-6-1-channel-540-Watt-Receiver_W0QQitemZ260342247584QQcmdZViewItemQQptZR eceivers_Tuners?hash=item260342247584&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[reeltrouble1]

Hey Nota do you really think your making friends, lets see first F1 and now GG???

You see Grand already got his, seems your still trying to get yours, but it is looking doubtful as far as CP is concerned.

Please feel free to add me to your list, face it though, we have seen lots come and go here and your circling the drain.

RT1

[suprafantx]

I tried Bose Lifestyle 28 before. It is suck. Returned.

[Montoya]

It would more than likely be a fact that the system you spec'd would be better than the Blose system blind test or actual measurment testing would prove it. And pretty much everyone here knows that for a fact. My old Polk RM-6750/PSW-505 with a old school Onkyo receiver that I had back in the days would do better and that I know is a fact.


I don't believe that is what the person who posed the question to me was wanting. I took it to mean I was to come up with a 5.1 SPEAKER package to compete with Bose's top of the line acoustimass "speaker system" that retails for $1,300. That would be the LOGICAL assumption since none of the Bose Lifestyle Systems (which include the electronic components) retail for less than $1,700. We could certainly go that route however....

I found quite a few used 5.1 AVRs of various brands (Denon, HK, Yamaha, Onkyo) listed as in very good condition for under $50 (sold) on ebay. Pick any one and you still have a better system for under $1,300 than anything Bose sells IMO. A good example...

Denon 2802 AVR...6 bids, current price $21

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mint-Denon-AVR-2802-6-1-channel-540-Watt-Receiver_W0QQitemZ260342247584QQcmdZViewItemQQptZR eceivers_Tuners?hash=item260342247584&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[dkg999]

There's wisdom in the messages of GG, Shack, and RT1 that should be understood and heeded, if not downright revered.

[Hilbert]

I'm beginning to understand why the Bose web site doesn't have a forum. :)

[HHStuart]

Interesting and pleasing. I was looking for new speakers to replace my cheap best buy set. Was deciding between Bose 901 or Polk LIS-15. Well pulled the trigger for LSI-15 but also purchased SDA-1B and a set of 10Bs. Have the 10Bs now and they sound GREAT! Can't wait to get my LSIs and SDAs. This thread confirms my decision!

I compared Bose 901's with Polk SDA 2's 20 years ago and was amazed at how much better the Polk's were. The Bose speakers weren't even close. I doubt if they have gotten much better. I recently got Polk LSI 15's when a audio chain up here (Tweeters) got liquidated and they are amazing speakers. You will love them.

[Keiko]

There's wisdom in the messages of GG, Shack, and RT1 that should be understood and heeded, if not downright revered.
+1

Note how many years these guys have been around. They're deserving of that respect. Agree to disagree when necessary and move on. That being said, George, good to see you posting more frequently again. I love ya man, in the non-gay kinda way. ;)

[inspiredsports]

I did just have an "on topic" thought. I like to plug a set of headphones into a component to troubleshoot and compare its output to what's coming out of the speaker system. I know my 321 system has no headphone jack so it's not possible to make this comparison and that's a problem.

[Igo]

Basically, a buddy of mine and myself are both home auidophiles. We both have great home setups, he has a Bose LifeStyle (26 or 27 Series?) and I have a fully customized 7.1 set-up (Denon Reciever, Sony SS-U501 Towers, Polk Csi3 Center Channel, Pioneer Surrounds). He always insists that his Bose sounds better just because it says "Bose" on it. I respectfully disagree. I put a lot of time and money into my system and find it strange how he thinks his is better since the sound quality of mine is so much more natural and dynamic. Anyways, is he right? Now I know you can't really say much without hearing them both, but what does Bose offer that makes their speakers "so superior?"
oooh. Oh. Ahhhh. Hmmmmm.
Hang around fer a bit.

[RutgersFTW]

I did just have an "on topic" thought. I like to plug a set of headphones into a component to troubleshoot and compare its output to what's coming out of the speaker system. I know my 321 system has no headphone jack so it's not possible to make this comparison and that's a problem.
Ouch. What's your workaround for headphone use, or do you just stick to iPod/phone/etc?

[George Grand]

I was just joking George no need for the hate.....and I guarentee you....I'm no noob.

You have 23 posts and joined here less than two months ago.

[MHayes]

You have 23 posts and joined here less than two months ago.

I believe he was referring to not being a noob in terms of audio, not CP. And believe me, post count does not dictate how much someone knows....even though a lot like to believe that.

[dkg999]

I believe he was referring to not being a noob in terms of audio, not CP. And believe me, post count does not dictate how much someone knows....even though a lot like to believe that.

However, post count and length of time on this forum, as well as your ability to successfully socialize within an internet community does correllate to whether anyone believes you know something about audio. Knowledge without the skill to successfully communicate and socialize it is wasted knowledge.

[Jstas]

AWWWWW....MAN! I read this whole thread, missed out on the "argument" and now my penis feels small!

You guys suck!




For the record, if you are gonna declare yourself an expert on something here, you'd better furnish some level or proof of your qualifications for such status, preferably fully annotated with bibliographical references. Cross-referencing scores bonus points!

[Gaara]

AWWWWW....MAN! I read this whole thread, missed out on the "argument" and now my penis feels small!

I wish I could use that as a sig.

[MHayes]

However, post count and length of time on this forum, as well as your ability to successfully socialize within an internet community does correllate to whether anyone believes you know something about audio. Knowledge without the skill to successfully communicate and socialize it is wasted knowledge.

And yes, I would agree with that statement.

[Keiko]

and now my penis feels small!


:rolleyes: That's entirely TMI. :D


;)

[strider]

AWWWWW....MAN! I read this whole thread, missed out on the "argument" and now my penis feels small!


I wish I could use that as a sig.

I say go for it. Purely scientific, IMO.

I think this would be more sig worthy, however:


However, post count and length of time on this forum, as well as your ability to successfully socialize within an internet community does correllate to whether anyone believes you know something about audio. Knowledge without the skill to successfully communicate and socialize it is wasted knowledge.

I'm not certain I've ever heard it put better.

[zombiemusic]

I would never say that Bose sucks. I have had 901's and they were amazing, they got me into this whole audio love, besides the love of music of course. I will have to say that I dont like some of their stuff (I dont really care for their 201 or 301's, in that situation i would say they are a bit overpriced). But for a smaller room their cubes would be fine. and I still say that the Bose 901's though have their weak aspects, I dont think you could ever say they suck or their don't sound good. they are an impressive speaker. And if you ever think about it, most of the time you are paying for the name on anybrand no matter what the brand is.

[bluecomet]

I have Bose 901's series 4 and 6. Series 4 were made in the early 80's. They sound decent with records. The series 6 were upgraded and sound o.k. with CD's. They were updated in the early 90's. Are they worth 1,300.00 dollars today. No. Are they worth 250.00 dollars I bought them for, yes. Compare that to my Polk SDA SRS 2's. They were made in the late 80's and are comparible or better than most speakers of today and most guys are willing to travel great distances to get them. There are Bose haters because of the Bose marketing that touts that they are the best. All brands are going to say that or they are not going to sell many speakers. Many things are involved as mentioned in a good sounding speaker, from the speaker itself to room acoustics. If you sit back a lesson to your favorite music and the sound puts a smile on your face then guess what it is a good speaker no matter who made it. The biggest smile I get is from Polk speakers.

[BrettT1]

...with 1200+ wpc and the Bose were very clear sounding speakers, however, they didn't have NEAR the highs or lows the Polks had. I have no idea what year the 901s were from. The Polks were from 1991. Try it for yourself, if you have the opportunity, and tell me what you hear.

I'm not trying to rip on anyones' stuff, I just did A/B once.:)

Brett

[bluecomet]

No doubt the Polks are better. I need the Bose so I can lesson to something in the garage. I am not putting my Polk SDA's out there.

[inspiredsports]

Ouch. What's your workaround for headphone use, or do you just stick to iPod/phone/etc?

No, I have Sennheiser's and everything done right with my Polk/NAD 2-channel rigs. The veiled point I was trying to make is that I just realized Bose may not want the user to be able to compare the 321's sound to headphone sound. A headphone to speaker comparison can point out problems.

[2goldenears]

I have polk and I have Bose. In my main livingroom I have a harman kardon receiver AVR125 hooked to Bose 301V front Vcs 10 center and 201V rear. I have yet to surpass the sound of this system for sheer musical bliss with anything else including my polk rm6880. Those who bash bose do not know what they are talking about. People talk about paper cones and cheap materials do not have a clue. Some of the most expensive speakers in the world use paper and foam for speaker materials because they sound more natural,more like real music.These materials are light and responsive and always will be. They also have more low level resolution than polymer cones.Arent we all in this hobby for the music? Don't some of the newer polk speakers throw sound in more than one direction like bose do? People educate yourselves before you blow smoke.Bose has always had and always will have a good speaker for the money! I dont give a s#@t what anyone else thinks!

[zombie boy 2000]

Freakin' A...
Ricardo, I echo your sentiment in saying "fAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWKKKK!!!"

Forget using the Search to find out whether or not you need an Oinker or an HK. How about some effin' humor. El Doucherino above is the EXACT reason I rarely post any more.

Jesus H Christirino on a pogo stick.

[Retro152]

I have polk and I have Bose. In my main livingroom I have a harman kardon receiver AVR125 hooked to Bose 301V front Vcs 10 center and 201V rear. I have yet to surpass the sound of this system for sheer musical bliss with anything else including my polk rm6880. Those who bash bose do not know what they are talking about. People talk about paper cones and cheap materials do not have a clue. Some of the most expensive speakers in the world use paper and foam for speaker materials because they sound more natural,more like real music.These materials are light and responsive and always will be. They also have more low level resolution than polymer cones.Arent we all in this hobby for the music? Don't some of the newer polk speakers throw sound in more than one direction like bose do? People educate yourselves before you blow smoke.Bose has always had and always will have a good speaker for the money! I dont give a s#@t what anyone else thinks!

BOSE: Behind on Stereo Education.

[2goldenears]

to each their own ,BOSE IS THE BEST!

[2goldenears]

When you boys are ready for some serious audio conversation on speakers let me know. Amar Bose has always had a good ear for music and his speakers show it. The 301V for example is a modern classic!

[MikeC78]

Where do you people come from???

[sdschwendener]

When you boys are ready for some serious audio conversation on speakers let me know. Amar Bose has always had a good ear for music and his speakers show it. The 301V for example is a modern classic!

I'm ready. Please golden ears show me what else I've been missing all my life.

And.. Did you join (or make a 2nd account) just for posting about your love for Bose on this thread? Clearly you don't have many supporters.

[sucks2beme]

When you boys are ready for some serious audio conversation on speakers let me know. Amar Bose has always had a good ear for music and his speakers show it. The 301V for example is a modern classic!

I Have spent time with Bose ,Polks, and others. I had a small set up for a short time with a VCS10 and a pair of 201's. It stunk. The VCS10 is the worst center known to man. Good news is I dumped the whole mess for no loss to a "Bose" kind of guy. I almost felt guilty. The only thing good about Bose is it's easy to sell. I can't even describe my scorn for their headphones. I don't think I have a pair of cans in the house that doesn't sound better. I've got Polk for HT, Hales for 2 channel. And if your idea of classic
is a pair of 301's, go back to the mall from whence you came.

[sdschwendener]

Oh sorry golden ears. I realized you joined a year ago.. I have a problem letting go. Respec. Why are 3 of your posts here. Just a reader huh?

[comfortablycurt]

Wow...I don't know how I missed this thread.

I'm not a fan of Bose...at all. It's kinda funny really...anyone ever hear of the white van scam? A scam where people try to sell speakers to someone out of the backs of vans and trucks...they say they're really good speakers...they're just like a Bose system...things like that. I ended up buying one of these systems a few years back...because I wanted a surround sound and didn't have the money to buy an expensive one. So a guy comes walking up to me...asking if I want to buy them...I look at them, and he's showing me the price tag on the box...which says 2900 dollars!!:eek: Which is a load of crap:rolleyes:

So anyway...he tries selling them to me for 900 dollars at first...we haggle for a little bit, and I end up talking him down to 80 dollars...lol

The speakers in it are basically identical to the speakers in the Acoustimass systems. Little junky plastic satellites, but the frequency response of them will blow the Bose's away. The subwoofer will blow away the Bose too. A few weeks go by, and one of my friends buys a bose system for like 1400 dollars. I go over to his house and check it out...and it looks basically identical to the system I'd paid 80 bucks for. He turns it on...sounds like ****. It had no lows...no highs, some really crazy sounding warped midrange. My 80 dollar parking lot system blew it out of the water.

How much does it even cost to produce a Bose system? Like 40 dollars? 30?

Bose=Box Of ****ty Equipment

[sdschwendener]

He turns it on...sounds like ****. It had no lows...no highs, some really crazy sounding warped midrange. My 80 dollar parking lot system blew it out of the water.
Bose=Box Of ****ty Equipment

But wait!! THEY WERE NOT EVEN BROKEN IN YET!!!!!

Oh wait..

[heiney9]

Yeah, but if Paul Harvey says they're the best........................that's hard to argue with. I mean come on a 90 year old radio personality that probably is old enough to have been around Tesla. He states they sound exquisite, and sound better than anything out there.

What more does one need to make a decision.

[Igo]

oh wel if Paul Harvey said it...where can I get one?

[TheMARPATNinja7]

You have 23 posts and joined here less than two months ago.

23 posts and joining a month ago only means that I started talking to people on this website recently, I've been installing, tweaking and producing not only home audio but also concert, studio and car audio for about the last 10 years of my life.

ANYWAYS

I finally was able to get over there and compare systems again after getting mine squared away and here's what I got.

The first thing I watched was "Linkin Park Live in Texas." This is my favorite hard rock concert to watch on my system because it is so well mixed. On the Bose, highs were incredibly harsh and muddy. At times the sound of the singers hurt my ears. The lows were either muddy or non-existent depending on the frequency. I seriously didn't hear notes on the Bose that I normally hear on my system.

The next thing I watched was "Black Hawk Down" on Blu-Ray. The Blu-Ray audio sounded great (even though it wasn't any kind of HDMI audio). The Bose had a very good surround effect and still managed to produce clear sound but.....it couldn't be played at my preferred volume without distortion. Gunshots and explosions lacked the overall power and sometimes the seperation between speakers was a bit over the top.

IN THE END-Music on the Bose sounded like absolute garbage while I was not dissapointed with the quality of Blu-Ray movies on the system. I still believe my custom job produces cleaner and just flat out more power. Also, the Bose lacked bass and I am a bassaholic. But if someone who was not serious about audio asked me to reccommend a system for movies I wouldn't cross Bose off the list. They are not even close to being my first reccomendation but if they want a quick install and simple system I wouldn't stop them. Though I would highly advise them to find a more economical solution ($1,200 sure ain't a steal.)

[2goldenears]

I have polk and I have Bose. In my main livingroom I have a harman kardon receiver AVR125 hooked to Bose 301V front Vcs 10 center and 201V rear. I have yet to surpass the sound of this system for sheer musical bliss with anything else including my polk rm6880. Those who bash bose do not know what they are talking about. People talk about paper cones and cheap materials do not have a clue. Some of the most expensive speakers in the world use paper and foam for speaker materials because they sound more natural,more like real music.These materials are light and responsive and always will be. They also have more low level resolution than polymer cones.Arent we all in this hobby for the music? Don't some of the newer polk speakers throw sound in more than one direction like bose do? People educate yourselves before you blow smoke.Bose has always had and always will have a good speaker for the money!:)

[Gaara]

Those who bash bose do not know what they are talking about. People talk about paper cones and cheap materials do not have a clue. Some of the most expensive speakers in the world use paper and foam for speaker materials because they sound more natural,more like real music...Bose has always had and always will have a good speaker for the money!:)

Please let us know which of the most expensive speakers in the world use untreated paper for their drivers.

And I thought your "hk avr125 and polk rm6880's are a match made in heaven."?

[JohnnyG83]

Please indulge. I used to work at one of Bose's premier retail stores straight out of college for a few months. I needed to make money while I was interviewing for a real job in my career field. I was trained to sell these and I knew every trick in the book to sell them to people. How come they only use spring connection on the back of their speakers? How come they still use paper cones? Why don't they give you the ability to bi-wire or bi-amp? The speakers are small, they sound all right, would sound better if better internal materials were used for the drivers; however, there is the law of physics, you will only get so much sound out of a small speaker. Look at their Accoustimass module; it doesn't put out any lowes whatsoever.

Why doesn't Bose give out their technical specs? I've heard this so many times from customers too. Want to know what the Bose response is? "It's pointless to produce technical specs because everyone's room is different. But I will tell you the wattage range; which is 100-200 watts". That is the Bose "response". You are paying for your systems marketing; that is where your hard earned dollars are going to; marketing and a falsely perceived quality.

I bought my AM10's really cheap while working there, $410.00. After having them for over 2 years, this is what the price of this Bose system should be brand new. This is not a $1000.00 system at all; people are wasting their money big time. I can't believe how many people I easily fooled to buying these systems. Funny thing is, I can still sell these at a profit to some clown who thinks they are getting a really good deal on "best" home theater system there is to offer. I just bought a pair of RTi A'1's. My new system when complete will be the RTi A line; I can't wait to dump my Bose away.

It's funny to me how people are still defending their bose products after seeing proof that they're missing about 30% of the audible frequency range. Talk about denial! I guess as long as they justify to themselves that it "sounds good" then everything will be alright.



When you boys are ready for some serious audio conversation on speakers let me know. Amar Bose has always had a good ear for music and his speakers show it. The 301V for example is a modern classic!

[2goldenears]

I like my Bose and I like my polks too. My point is that Bose is not total junk like some people make them out to be. I like my bose because they are fun to listen to.They may not be perfect in every regard but they are not junk either.I wrote the comment on my polks right after I bought them,before I heard any faults in them.All speakers have faults.I still enjoy listening to both brands.Here is a link to some expensive speakers that use paper cones.Polk has used foam surrounds in some sub models and some of the newer satellite speaker models also.Paper can sound very good and you probably can't graph that on a spec sheet it is in the the fun factor.Music should be fun!.Link http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_3/usher-cp-6381-speakers-8-2007-part-1.html:)

[Willow]

///\\\

Sorry..had too !;)

[Gaara]

What? Your link is broken, but I am familiar with the Usher speakers...wow I have some of the most expensive speakers in the world, since my Gallos also retail for $3k.

Still waiting on that listing of the most expensive speakers in the world that use untreated paper like Bose.

[JohnnyG83]

Also please tell me why I haven't seen one professional audio review for Bose? Only thing you see or read is the same exact thing in a Bose catalog.


When you boys are ready for some serious audio conversation on speakers let me know. Amar Bose has always had a good ear for music and his speakers show it. The 301V for example is a modern classic!

[RutgersFTW]

There are people who love Bose loudspeakers, and 201/301s are their least egregious products IMHO. They play loud without distortion, and that's all most consumers care about. Spring clips, thin and shoddy cabinets, and cheesy finishes don't prevent people from forking over $328 on a routine basis for a pair, and if they decide they like the way they sound, that's fine. They do have a lively sound, and while I don't care for the lack of imaging, clean mids, or nice highs - there are many people who've decided they like them. That's cool with me.

[RutgersFTW]

Oh yeah, IMHO Linkin Park will still sound like shrill **** on a million dollar stereo. IMHO.

[Gaara]

Also please tell me why I haven't seen one professional audio review for Bose? Only thing you see or read is the same exact thing in a Bose catalog.

Check again. Bose always have quotes from review magazines included in all of their ads, the only problem is the reviews are a decade or more old. Guess no one will review them after they sued for a unfavorable review.

[John30_30]

Wow...I don't know how I missed this thread.

I'm not a fan of Bose...at all. It's kinda funny really...anyone ever hear of the white van scam? A scam where people try to sell speakers to someone out of the backs of vans and trucks...they say they're really good speakers...they're just like a Bose system...things like that. I ended up buying one of these systems a few years back...because I wanted a surround sound and didn't have the money to buy an expensive one. So a guy comes walking up to me...asking if I want to buy them...I look at them, and he's showing me the price tag on the box...which says 2900 dollars!!:eek: Which is a load of crap:rolleyes:

So anyway...he tries selling them to me for 900 dollars at first...we haggle for a little bit, and I end up talking him down to 80 dollars...lol


The White-Vanners will also have hi-tech names like... Audio-InfiniTech. Or ABL. Or Acoustic Prestige. Like a bad Seinfeld episode.

[Igo]

I have polk and I have Bose. In my main livingroom I have a harman kardon receiver AVR125 hooked to Bose 301V front Vcs 10 center and 201V rear. I have yet to surpass the sound of this system for sheer musical bliss with anything else including my polk rm6880. Those who bash bose do not know what they are talking about. People talk about paper cones and cheap materials do not have a clue. Some of the most expensive speakers in the world use paper and foam for speaker materials because they sound more natural,more like real music.These materials are light and responsive and always will be. They also have more low level resolution than polymer cones.Arent we all in this hobby for the music? Don't some of the newer polk speakers throw sound in more than one direction like bose do? People educate yourselves before you blow smoke.Bose has always had and always will have a good speaker for the money!:)

Nope. Don't buy it.

[GV#27]

Paper can sound very good .Yes it can if used right.Their are some very good drivers that use treated paper cones but there is a lot more to it than just the cone material.The motor(voice coil/ magnet assembly),the spider,the basket and surround all play a part.Bose uses cheap stamped baskets,foam surrounds and small /cheap magnets etc.As well they use of all things cone tweeters in some models.:eek:No performance driven speaker company would use such an outdated device.

[TheMARPATNinja7]

Oh yeah, IMHO Linkin Park will still sound like shrill **** on a million dollar stereo. IMHO.

If you listened to Live in Texas maybe "Pushing Me Away" and "Numb" you'd be able to see how well your system can handle some awesome concert bass. All the effects and programming they use in their songs sound amazing and are mixed in a way that gives you actual music from every speaker instead of instruments up front and crowd noise from the surrounds.

And good God, insulting other peoples tastes in music? I thought this was a forum for audio/music lovers? I sure as well wouldn't tell someone else what I think they should play on their system and for that matter what they should listen to in general.

[sucks2beme]

If you listened to Live in Texas maybe "Pushing Me Away" and "Numb" you'd be able to see how well your system can handle some awesome concert bass. All the effects and programming they use in their songs sound amazing and are mixed in a way that gives you actual music from every speaker instead of instruments up front and crowd noise from the surrounds.

And good God, insulting other peoples tastes in music? I thought this was a forum for audio/music lovers? I sure as well wouldn't tell someone else what I think they should play on their system and for that matter what they should listen to in general.

The point there is most modern popular music is mastered waaay too hot.
Not just them, almost all recordings in the last 10 years. I just listened to a remastered jazz cd done by "the most groove-worthy remixers of the 21st century". Yeah, right. Pure crap. I'm trading it at the used shop.
I'm looking for high fidelity, not emulating the sound of standing next to the
bank of speakers at the front of a rock concert.

[TheMARPATNinja7]

[QUOTE=sucks2beme;980114]The point there is most modern popular music is mastered waaay too hot.QUOTE]

Well I guess that's fair, "Live in Texas" is mixed more like a CD than a concert though. The only other rock concert I watch on it is Green Day "Bullet in a Bible" and it's decent not great, you actually feel more like you're at the concert with that one. The best concert I've heard is "Peter Gabriel: Growing Up Live." I really have no interest in his music but the concert is in DTS and sound unlike any concert I've heard on my system. Some of the most accurate bass in a concert DVD. Any others I should check out? (And believe me I'll buy a concert DVD if it sounds really good, I don't really even have to like the music that much.)

[GV#27]

Any others I should check out?
David Gilmour-Live at Royal Albert Hall
Heart -Live in Seatle (DTS)
Eagles-Farewell Tour 1 (DTS)

[TheMARPATNinja7]

I am definitely gonna have to check out that Eagles one, they're music is good stuff. Thanks for the suggestions!!

[megasat16]

Hotel California in Eagles Farewell Tour 2 (DTS)

[GV#27]

If you like great musicianship I bet you would like the David Gilmour one aswell,he plays some Pink Floyd classics and some of his solo stuff.His guitar playing is mesmerizing,and the sound qualitry is very good.

[comfortablycurt]

The White-Vanners will also have hi-tech names like... Audio-InfiniTech. Or ABL. Or Acoustic Prestige. Like a bad Seinfeld episode.

Mine are "ProDynamics". Sounds like a pretty good brand huh? Google their name. They don't exist. Their speakers will blow away a Bose system that costs 14-15 times the price though. That says quite a bit...lol

[RutgersFTW]

[QUOTE=sucks2beme;980114]The point there is most modern popular music is mastered waaay too hot.QUOTE]

Well I guess that's fair, "Live in Texas" is mixed more like a CD than a concert though. The only other rock concert I watch on it is Green Day "Bullet in a Bible" and it's decent not great, you actually feel more like you're at the concert with that one. The best concert I've heard is "Peter Gabriel: Growing Up Live." I really have no interest in his music but the concert is in DTS and sound unlike any concert I've heard on my system. Some of the most accurate bass in a concert DVD. Any others I should check out? (And believe me I'll buy a concert DVD if it sounds really good, I don't really even have to like the music that much.)
I bookended it with two IMHOs, man, I wasn't out to hurt your feelings... I mean, I'm surely not the first person you've encountered who doesn't like Linkin Park. But my comment was, as has been pointed out, a reference to the recording and not the substance of it. I'm a huge fan of a lot of lo-fi music but LP combines the worst aspects of autotune and hypercompression to sound unlistenable.

[Keiko]

Linkin Park sucks! As do a lot of polished turds do in music today. And I don't care if that hurts anyone's feelings or not. :rolleyes:

[TheMARPATNinja7]

Oh you are not absolutely not the first person who has ever said anything bad about LP they're really not even my favorite band or anything I happen to like some of their stuff and their concert DVD, I just didn't expect you to respond with that when all I said is that I watched their DVD. If I would have said "LP Is the greatest band ever" than I deserve for someone to bash me like it's their job. Sall good, music (like speakers) is specific to each person and I'm open to listen to anything someone throws at me....except death metal/screamo

[TheMARPATNinja7]

Also, good luck finding a current band that doesn't use autotune or some sort of perfect pitch effect.

[Jstas]

Where do you people come from???

Uranus

Get it? Anus.


That's where they come from. The anus that is urs.





Anus.

[RutgersFTW]

Oh you are not absolutely not the first person who has ever said anything bad about LP they're really not even my favorite band or anything I happen to like some of their stuff and their concert DVD, I just didn't expect you to respond with that when all I said is that I watched their DVD. If I would have said "LP Is the greatest band ever" than I deserve for someone to bash me like it's their job. Sall good, music (like speakers) is specific to each person and I'm open to listen to anything someone throws at me....except death metal/screamo
IIRC you said it was a great tool to test speakers, not just that you liked them. And furthermore, none of the bands/concerts I've been to recently employed autotune. The warts are part of the experience.

But still - Water. Bridge. Under.

[TheMARPATNinja7]

And furthermore, none of the bands/concerts I've been to recently employed autotune.

Oh I thought you meant in the studio, I've yet to watch a full concert DVD where they've used autotune either so.....yeah.

[Gaara]

dahh

Another fine contribution to the forum. Keep it up, 10 to PM and 25 to sell.

[Knucklehead]

Basically Bose is for Joe Homeowner who shops at sears and has a whole lotta money to blow.

[xcapri79]

The Bose system in my 1997 Bonneville still sounds good.
Bose does a good job marketing and generally have nice displays in stores.
I see other manufacturers following suit with improved displays.
I would love to know what their market share is compared with Polk and the others. From what I've heard of them, personally I wouldn't recommend a Bose home system unless you could get it for 10 to 20% of their list price, but they are obviously doing something right in to stay in business.

[jdwmap]

I had a set of 301's and 201's for a very long time with a JBL center channel. I wouldn't say it was the best system for sure, but it was adequate and the price i paid for all of it was fair. However, that was about 1/3 of what they sell for in the stores.

Does the set of A9's, A6's and the CSi A6 sound better than the Bose ever did, yes. But they are a different class of speaker. Bose is a marketing machine who price fixes what you can sell their products for at the retail level. I wouldn't give up the polk's I have now for anything, but the Bose I handed down to my brother-in-law are still in good shape after 10 years and sound ok. He couldn't be happier.

[sucks2beme]

I had a set of 301's and 201's for a very long time with a JBL center channel. I wouldn't say it was the best system for sure, but it was adequate and the price i paid for all of it was fair. However, that was about 1/3 of what they sell for in the stores.

Does the set of A9's, A6's and the CSi A6 sound better than the Bose ever did, yes. But they are a different class of speaker. Bose is a marketing machine who price fixes what you can sell their products for at the retail level. I wouldn't give up the polk's I have now for anything, but the Bose I handed down to my brother-in-law are still in good shape after 10 years and sound ok. He couldn't be happier.

You avoided the dismal VCS-10 center. Always a good move.

[2goldenears]

Moved my polks back as my main speakers those rm6880's are better than my bose. Extended listening to polk and then switching to bose proves it. It took some time switching back and forth in the same room but im back to my senses now. What was I thinking?:eek:

[2goldenears]

Just Kidding. I would never switch back from my bose. The 301V , 201V and vcs 10 are the best speakers in their price. Bose does not change things for the sake of change. When they engineer something it's usually 30-50 years ahead of it's time.I love my Bose.;)

[treitz3]

Ok, you now need to turn in your audiophile card. No pud whacking for 2 weeks and then your sins might be forgiven.

You also need to change your moniker. It no longer fits you.

[shack]

Just Kidding. I would never switch back from my bose. The 301V , 201V and vcs 10 are the best speakers in their price. Bose does not change things for the sake of change. When they engineer something it's usually 30-50 years ahead of it's time.I love my Bose.;)

Why are you here?

Isn't there a www.ihavecrappyspeakersandthinktheyaregreat.com forum that you can spend time on instead of wasting your time here?

[Eric W]

Alright, this thread has run it's course.