Price Paid:  $3000.00 from Bose Store

Summary:
I am not happy with this system at all, I have had it for 7 years. My wife and I can't hear the vocals in movies. I went for the small, clean , simple packaging of this system. I am now convinced Bose is mostly about marketing, and that they way overcharge for their products. I will not buy Bose again.

I am trying to decide between spending way less next time for a system of the same size or spending the same amount as I did for the Bose on a much bigger better system.

Strengths:
Small, Simple to set up

Weaknesses:
Way Overpriced, Poor Sound

Les K

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.20 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
First off, I will not comment extensively on the sound of this product. Enough has been said about that by other reviewers, and it is obvious that sound quality is highly subjective and that there are many different opinions. My main intent here is to hopefully guide the inexperienced home theatre purchaser and to try and dissuade you from wasting your money on such a product. I will not comment about other users’ opinions or qualifications.

To the novice HT purchaser: The huge disparity in opinions regarding this and most Bose products should be a big “red flag” to you. You have come to this website for advice and are confronted with a confusing variety of comments. Let me make a statement, and it is my most serious objection to this company’s entire product line: In general, the Bose products are priced much higher than their worth. Read on and let me tell you why. Remember that in my opinion there is nothing inherently wrong with using these manufacturing techniques or inferior materials, but I believe that there is something VERY wrong with charging so much for such a product.

1. The electronics module-It is an inexpensively produced unit that is non-upgradeable and not easily repairable. It is made primarily of cheap plastic. If something goes wrong with the CD player portion of the unit for example and if you are out of the warranty period, you will have to send the entire unit in for repair. The CD player portion (or any other portion of this unit for that matter) cannot just be replaced on its own in the event of component failure. It lacks simple basic functions that even the most rudimentary receiver includes these days, such as DTS decoding and Dolby Digital decoding.
2. Speaker quality-These are low quality paper cones with foam surrounds. The foam will deteriorate probably within a few years. Using cheap paper for the cones will result in cone breakup and non-linearities, along with unfaithful sound reproduction and narrow frequency response. These drivers have very cheap stamped baskets and could probably be bought at the local electronic store for 3 to 10 dollars each. Of course there are exceptions to the paper cone issue-Sonus Faber and Triangle will use paper cones, but they are nothing like the ones in the Bose speakers. Some manufacturers will use high quality paper mixed with carbon fiber or other materials to add stiffness without adding weight.
3. The Bass Module-Again, sporting the same low quality drivers in a bandpass subwoofer configuration. The crossover for the speaker system also is contained inside of this unit. This bandpass configuration and the crossover point are the main reasons why so many folks are complaining of “muddy” or “unclear” sound from music. The bass module is trying to reproduce too much of the midrange sound. This “midrange” is the most important part of the music (and soundtrack dialogue) and it is where vocals reside. You will notice excessive “chestiness” or “huskiness” of male voices. Many musical instruments will not be clear and clean.

I’ve gone on long enough, but at least I hope to have caused you to research and think more about your upcoming purchase and to audition other systems. At this point in your home theatre “career” you could look at many other “home theatre in a box” solutions that are much cheaper and will sound better. Systems from Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, etc, etc. would be good alternatives.

Again, I repeat, this is not a rant against Bose necessarily, but I hate the fact that they are charging people that don’t know any better thousands of dollars more than what the product is worth. This system at around 300 to 500 dollars would be more in line with what it is worth in my opinion.

For reference, my system is as follows:

1. Vienna Acoustics Beethoven main speakers
2. Paradigm reference center speaker
3. Martin Logan Depth subwoofer, 3-8" drivers mounted in "balanced force" array (for 2 channel music only)
4. 2 Dahlquist DQ200 isobaric subwoofers, 2-10” drivers in each unit, used for movies only.
5. Boston Acoustics in wall surrounds for movies only.
6. Yamaha RXV 2095 receiver used for movies only.
7. Krell 2 channel analog preamp for music only but with HT bypass.
6. Musical Fidelity 2 channel power amp for music only, but used to drive the Vienna’s during movies via the Krell.
8. Toshiba SD 9200 DVD player
9. Sony SCD 555ES SACD player.
10. Sony GWIII LCD projection TV.

Strengths:
Small size, but there are many other products out there that are just about the same size and are built and sound better.

Weaknesses:
Price to performance ratio, quality of sound, poor material used in construction, bass module crossed over too high and is trying to reporduce too much midrange.

Derek1971

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.80 of 5, 10.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from None

Summary:
One of my good friends purchased the Bose Lifestyle system and a second friend followed suit and did the same. I had patiently waited to get my new system, reading reviews, listening to a lot of differnt systems, and watching for sales. I was in the same price range as the Bose and was most torn between what speakers to get. My top two choices in my price range were Polk and Klipsch. I felt Polk was better for music and Klipsch was better for movies. I ended up going with Klipch speakers and a Polk Sub. To power them I purchased a Pioneer Elite Receiver ($600.00). My system is made up two Klipsch SF-2 floor standing speakers ($600.00), a Klipsch SC-1 center channel ($280.00), Klipsch Quintet speakers for surround sound ($75.00), and a Polk PSW -650 sub ($550). Add a DVD player (Panasonic RP91 $300.00) and you have a complete home theater system ($2500.00) Yes, the system is explained is bigger and takes up some room, but there is a reason for that. Good sound is going to cost you money and SPACE. Both Bose friends listened to my system at the same time, I first played music and cranked to a level Bose could never go, then I put in a movie (Blade 2) with a good action scene. They both just sat there like they were in a movie theater watching my Sony HDTV big wide screen TV. The first remark was "but how much?" and I told him I got if for about $500 less then his system. "no way" yes way my friends, Bose is good for the size, but its like racing a honda 4 cyl against a Vette V-8, there is no comparison! Yes, the Honda is smaller, but the Vette blows it away, now just imagine the Honda cost $60,000.00! Who would buy a Honda over a Vette? I'll tell you, a real idiot! Bose finatics need to clean their ears or something and learn to shop and compare. Both friends are still making monthly payments on thier Bose which they both admit sucks compared to my system, and both admit making a HUGE mistake.

Strengths:
Size

Weaknesses:
Sound Quality and Cost.

Similar Products Used:
Klipsch, Polk, Pioneer, Sony.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from A HiFi Store

Summary:
If I may... Personally, I do like the sound of an old Bose AM 5 speaker system I purchased about 10 years ago. It's still hooked up to my Naim Nait 2. And personally, it's a mis-match from hell : ) So here's where I commit the Audiophile's Sin ... I attach an Equaliser to it. I liked them then, but now's a different matter. Having experienced many speaker auditions prior to making my purchase for my Home Theatre system, I do now hear where Bose Speakers (and I do refer to the Acoustimass systems only) leave a 'gap' in the audio spectrum. I guess the logic to this on-going fiasco lies with personal preference. If ya like it, buy it. And if ya don't like it, then it's 'next puhleeese'. Plain and simple, and enough with the bashing already : )

Strengths:
Physical attributes.

Weaknesses:
Decide for yourself : )

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
Do any of you bose fans notice that when people post messages against bose, listing reasons why they would never purchse a bose system, they arent suggesting you setup a 6000 dollar sound system. In most cases people will advocate systems that are at the same price point OR cost even less and give you more. Would you buy a "middle of the road" car for your hard earned dollar in your price range, i hope the answer is no. And for the prior postee, most of us do not wish to pet any ego, the only time i show off what my system can do or its technical merits is to my good friends or bose owners who think they made the best decisions they could have, if anything bose owners are the egotistical freaks. How many times a day do I hear "I have a bose system" said with such arrogance and spiteful pride that as a non-owner they naturally expect that I should bow down before this owner as a paramount mind in economical and quality driven home theatre decision making. I should revere this person, in their mind, but all I can do is keep from laughing and saying "I am so sorry to hear that sir, if you want to put that system in your bedroom I can show some real home theatre setups that cost less than you beloved bose" FOR EXAMPLE MY SYSTEM INCLUDES Yamaha htr-5660 amp Digital Pro-audio SLT 2.8 towers Model 4311A JBL Control Monitors JBL S120P II 12" 400 watt subwoofer Klipsch SC.5 TOTAL COST-1300 DOLLARS Guess what, it sounds a lot better than ANYTHING Bose cubes can offer, and here is the big point, AT A LOWER PRICE POINT!!!!!! Further more I have floor speakers front and rear in a 12' by 12' room in an apartment. Bose is for people who cant handle the following; Actually listenening to anything other than bose (this may take one afternoon of your time on a weekend to hit a few different locations) those who still think going to the movies at 10 bucks a shot is still a fair price If they had a decent sound system they wouldnt bother (I dont) Those who are interested in buying a product whose price is wildly inflated by to cover the expenses of the bose marketing machine Those who would buy other products without second thought as to the technical merit of the product or how it matches up to similar products at the same price point. Where I work, I demo other products to potential bose customers all the time. Here is how it goes, every time, every day Customer walks in to speaker room and straight to bose, listens for a little while and decides they need to have Bose. Customer informs me of purchase request I inform customer that there are other speaker companies on the planet, you should listen to their products too. They object, but I insist, they are spending a lot of money after all. I play some similar or lower priced models from athena, jbl, or klipsch Customer leaves with one of the three aforementioned products and they come into the store from time to time to build their system and thank me for saving them from purchasing bose. Not once has a customer left with a bose system, not once, after I made them listen to other products. NOT ONCE. That should tell you something. Listen to several manufacturers because there are many out there worthy of your attention. And bose is not paramount, their marketing has done an excellent job making you think so. Your dollar can go much much further, I guarantee it. The only bose products worthy of attention are there bookshelfs, 201, 301. and perhaps the 901, although i have never heard the 901. To be fair.

Strengths:
The cubes are small, can fit in small rooms. Or the rooms of those superficial people who sacrifice performance for looks

Weaknesses:
Poor quality sound at the price point, perhaps a third of the cost would make it a worthy product. Not convincing at all in home theatre music reproduction is harsh on the ears, cant listen to them all night if you were entertaining and just playing some music Small speaker, small sound