Price Paid:  $0.00 from just helped setup

Summary:
I just helped a friend set up this system in his finished basement. Did all the right things with wiring (low quality wiring provided with the set) and mounting and I must admit the system is almost invisible. Turned on the power and let the music flow......I thought the damn thing was broken or not properly connected, slurred upper base, no low base, whiny mids, low octave highs and no real sense of music. To my amazement he declared "Wow, this is awesome!". He continued to play CD after CD, I really wanted to stop the music and check the system but he loved it and I couldn't bring myself to point out what I thought might be a problem, i.e. it really sucked and was hurting my ears.
I do think this particular system we set up does have a problem, not sure what it is.
Oh, sorry, I forgot, its Bose.

Strengths:
Little speakers

Weaknesses:
In all honesty they sound ok, hate the hype and the folks misled thinking Bose is state of the art reproduction of music that would be sound just as good through any other speaker costing half as much. Real sound is much more costly.

Similar Products Used:
Try a Tivoli radio, better sound and looks

greg1969

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.67 of 5, 9.00 votes

Price Paid:  $999.00 from circuit city

Summary:
If you are considering a Bose system (am-10 series II) please read the following and have some consideration before you spend your hard earned money! I recently owned a Bose system (am-10 series II) connected with the Harmon Kardon (avr-225) receiver. The sound was good but slacked on base tremendously. I really did not know all about how the Bose systems worked just yet, all I knew is that the Bose System was the talk of the town and was definitely the system to buy, because of some top rated reviews. I suppose that my expectations of receiving what you pay for was way to high. In my opinion as for now, from what I have learned, the Bose system was probably designed for stereos that lack in quality due to the fact that it does not have a sub input or, any power pushing the sub unit. This Bose system does not receive a low signal, it only allows your receiver to push out the mid and high ranges in to your speakers. I added a Definitive Tech 300w sub ($350.00). The system was improved, but still needed way more help. I was originally looking for more of a rich deep sound that would fill the room with clarity, great highs, mids, and base that would pull you in no matter what you are listing to. For all the money I invested in this system (saving for years to get the system of my dreams) I felt deprived of my investment. I remembered that I did purchase a 10-year warranty with Circuit City for the Bose system. I returned the base unit several years later and commented on the return note: “lacking original performance”. Once I returned the system, I received a phone call from Circuit City stating that my Bose System was damaged in shipment and I was given the choice of either having a new one delivered or a store credit. I could not have been more happier! The decision was a no brainier! Of course I received the credit for the original price ($999.99) and purchased the Polk RM6900. The reviews on this system are at a minimum as of now because it is a new model that Circuit City is carrying. It was on sale for $899.00 reg. Price $1199.00 (in Canada it goes easy for $1500.00) This system is amazing. I highly recommend this Polk system and give it a 5 out of 5. It fills the room with clarity and such perfection of quality sound. My Harmon Kardon (avr-225) receiver came to life! The only review I have read on this particular system stated that the Polk RM6900’s make the Bose system sound like an A.M Radio! I am now hearing the reality of that review. A couple of my friends were over the other night…. They were highly impressed. The Polk surround sound systems do come with speaker mounts vs Bose, mounting brackets not included (Bose wall/ceiling mounts = $29.99 each!) My opinion is, If you are going to purchase the Bose system, I would compare that to trying to save gas by driving a MAC truck to work everyday! What a waste! Bose Blowes! Do your self a favor, be good to yourself an buy Polk! And please don’t cheat yourself on wiring… use 12 gauge speaker wiring with Monster cabling. The difference will make it or break it. Using the recommended wires and cable here will enhance the quality and performance of your system by far.

Strengths:
good highs

Weaknesses:
weak base

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $950.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I have been using the Acoutimass 10 II system for over four years now. I am very happy. I am driving this set with a Pioneer 100wx5 Dolby reciever. People complain that these speaker sound horrible and I find most of these people have their reciever set incorrectly. Turn the individual speaker volume down to zero or below .. and use main volume control to increase sound. This is the reolution to the 'passive' bass moduleproblem .. my entire house shakes and the sound is clear as a bell.

Strengths:
Great sound .. great bass (if reciever is adjusted properly and is of good quality).

Weaknesses:
Center sound is hard to hear unless adjusted properly. I put my center channel volume up 2 notches over the surround speaker to resolve this.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from 0

Summary:
I have a friend who has a BOSE system setup in his house. I had my test CDs over and auditioned the system yesterday (9/6/2003) hoping to hear some improvements. Man, it sounds aweful! One word to describe it is 'abomination'! I know BOSE is bad since early 90s when I was in Eng. Graduate School when internet was in its infancy. Red hot debate was all over the net back then. simply search key words "BOSE Speakers" on www.google.com and you will get into the truth (and nonsense) about Bose! Enough said.

Strengths:
Small and trendy looking, can be excellent decoration to your room

Weaknesses:
Sound! nothing good at all at that price.

Similar Products Used:
I wouldn't call it 'similar'. following are all monitor speakers: PSB Image 2B -- new $365 PSB Stratus Mini -- new $950 Dynaudio Special 25 -- new $4800

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Totenham Court Rd, L

Summary:
I ventured into HT whiles living in a small flat in London (I'm now back in Australia) and has serious space limitations to consider when looking for components. I have owned Bose AM speakers in the past and was somewhat familiar with the nuances of the speakers. After looking for a sub/sat type combo, I settled on the AM 10 as most other systems failed to reach that calibre (given the price restriction I had). The AM 10 proved easy to set up. The wires supplied were clearly identified and were long enough to suit a much larger room that I had. Given the fact that each cube set were identical, tonal matching of the speaker drivers were a non-issue. The sound from the AM were very good for their size, though not comparable to full sized speakers. Two real drawbacks that I have found is that (1) the centre speakers do not relay the natural timbre of the human voice. I would consider upgrading to a more conventional centre, (2) the AM 10 (all Am for that fact) are extremely power hungry. I attribute this to the Accoustimass mudule. You need at least a 125W/channel amp to get a decent bass response out of the accoustimass box. I have given up and purchased an M&K sub instead. Just not - the Bose passive speakers are difficult to drive. If you want the flexibility of a small system, get active system. You have a much stronger base response, even if it suffers the boominess of a lot of ported subwoofers.

Strengths:
Size, easy placements, easy setup

Weaknesses:
Requires hefty amp for good bass, or dedicated subwoofer. Centre cahnnel doent reproduce voices at its natural timbre.

Similar Products Used:
Still using the AM 10.