Boston Acoustics CR 8 Floorstanding Speakers Reviews

kelik22

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
2.83 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $160.00 from ebay

Summary:
these replaced some old bose 301s. now i know what i was missing all these years!the bose 301s have i limited range. the CR8s go much higher with much more detail. they have a crisp and clean, yet mellow sound. maybe a tad shy in the lower freqs. i have mine on 24" steel floorstands and they really sound impressive. i have CR6s in the rears and 5 channel stereo sounds enveloping. a good dolby digital dvd will have you jumping off the couch!

Strengths:
sonic detail, great seperation, quality build, average looks. great all around bookself/standmount speaker for music or home theater.

Weaknesses:
bass could be deeper,(but most of us have a sub to handle the lows anyway). metal grills.

Similar Products Used:
boston acoustics CR6s klispch sc.5 bose 301s (sent them to the kids room)

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Audio Corner

Summary:
This is a straight-forward, sonically neutral speaker with tendencies more toward rock than jazz or classical. The bass is somewhat hollow though, but placement can manipulate the results quite a bit. Good value for those who like hard-hitting, clean sounding speakers for a reasonable price. Try Dire Strait's Money for Nothing on these speakers, and turn it up loud!

Strengths:
Rock SOlid Build

Weaknesses:
Not as good for classical or vocal performance

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Magnolia Hi-Fi

Summary:
I purchased the CR8s around 5 years ago, and they've been a great little set of speakers. I used them as my mains for several years while in college, and they were definitely up to the task. They're a bit light on bass if used in that capacity, but their detail and imaging are excellent. I liked these speakers so much that I eventually bought more Boston speakers for my new mains and center. I moved these to the rear, and I still enjoy their sound. Also, some people complain about the metal grille. Yes, it is a little more difficult to take off than a normal fabric cover and I guess it could get dented. However, I think the metal grille actually provides a little more protection against kids/pets etc. so I don't mind them at all. Mine still look new after 5+ years. These speakers were replaced by the CR85's, so if you want CR8's you'll have to look on the auction sites.

Strengths:
Very clear, accurate, detailed sound. Great for music. Capable of filling a small room if used as mains. Price was good compared to competing speakers of equal quality. Nice look in black.

Weaknesses:
Well, they're discontinued, for one. They're a bit large (15" tall) when used as rear speakers. Bass is tight but not a lot of 'oomph' (keep in mind that they are intended as bookshelf speakers).

Similar Products Used:
Bookshelf speakers from KLH, Klipsch, Infinity, Bose, etc.

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Sound Hounds

Summary:
My first set of speakers but after listening to every speaker in Victoria in this price range the Boston Acoustics CR 85 did the best job of both music and movie.

Strengths:
Very clear concise sound

Weaknesses:
Lacks a little in the bottom end of the frequency range but accompanied by a Boston PV 600 subwoofer there is much bigger sound than speaker

Price Paid:  $203.00 from commercial electroni

Summary:
These are wonderful little speakers. I have owned a $1400 PSB stratus Silvers before but they sounded "muddy" compared to these, or maybe my room was too small for PSBs. Anyway, the difference between PSBs and Bostons is as if you "clean up the windows and let the sun in". Percussion, guitars, cymbals, all so alive and clean. Detail detail and detail. The guy at the store I bought them in was right "you won''t believe their sound". However, I noticed that they lacked bass when I was auditioning them in much larger store room. However, as soon as I brought them home they just sounded great in my room with great tight bass ! My advice, buy a subwoofer if you have a large room. Also, they may sound a bit "edgy" or "harsh" in high frequencies with some more "agressive" amplifiers. Overall, great performers for good price.

Strengths:
Clarity, detail, precision, good soundstage.

Weaknesses:
May need subwoofer in large rooms. May sound a bit "edgy" or "harsh" in high frequencies with "agressive" amplifiers.