I am quite satisfied overall with this package, except I'm not thrilled with the subwoofer. The system is powered by Sony STR-DA80ES receiver and has good inputs (Sony 7700 DVD, Sony ES Minidisk deck, etc). I suppose after spending a lot on components I could have splurged for better speakers, but these are for a dorm room and are quite good. At high volumes, however, the sub tends to break up a lot, but at low to moderate volumes the system is good. Maybe I'll put the sub on ebay and splurge for velodyne.

I have to thank all the folks who post the reviews here. About 3 weeks ago I bought (without listening to anything else 1st, I know I'm an idiot. My wife like them, OK?) the Bose AM10 II system. From the moment I hooked it up and put in a favorite CD I knew something was wrong. Movies sounded OK but CD's were almost unbearable to listen to. I was going to stick with them thinking to myself that it was the trade off for the size advantage. Luckily I stumbled across this web page and read the reviews which motivated me to head to my local toy (electronics) store and check out the Boston 9000's. What a difference. Sweet crystal clear highs, warm mid range, and a nice solid bass from the POWERED sub! All for the same price as the AM10's. I bought them on the spot, returned the Bose (they were very courteous btw, have to give them that) and plugged them into my Yamaha 595a with an Onkyo 501 DVD player and proceded to rattle the walls with The Matrix. Then I listened to my favorite jazz cd for an hour and was in audio heaven. I didn't have any idea I could get this kind of sound for the price and size they are. Thank you Boston Acousics and Audio Review.

Very good system. At first, I bought and installed an all white Bose AcoustaMass 15 system, and that sounded very sweet. In a way, for music, it was sweeter at low volumes than the BAs, but probably due to more distortion. When turned up, the AM 15s quickly turned to mush. Meanwhile, my wife decreed that our front speakers had to be white and all others black, so back the AM15 went and in came the MS 9000, only with a VR500 black sub (couldn't buy the MS9000 except in boxed set of one color with fronts.) The first time I stuck in the Eagles disc and it did the opening DTS splash thing, the sofa blew over, and then stood back up. Crisp detailed highs, very 3D, enough bass to rattle the dishes in the cabinet in the adjoining kitchen ("Eleanor Rigby" opening in YS). The very tiltable BA wall mounts helped position the front speakers well, despite the spousal direction to place them about 8 feet up the wall (The TV and center channel are high up in an armoire). The VRS surrounds are on end tables 3 feet off the back wall, splashing dipole in both directions. Dialog is superb on the center channel. Stereo music is good, but can't wait for 5.1 or DTS audio CDs, though...Fogerty and Eagles discs best so far. I use the Sony 530 dvd player with component video, WEGA 36 XBR tv, and Sony 555ES receiver

I recently went to demo Satellite speakers with a friend of mine. I have a small room and needed small speakers but, demand good all around sound. Looked at polk, Bose, & Boston Acoustics. After listening to all three the 9000 stood head and shoulders above the rest (bye, bye Bose)!! A yamaha 595 powers the speakers and make a GREAT match.
The 9000 are far and away the best value for your dollar.

Happy listening.

I bought the Micro System 9000 recently, and am astounded by the sound they produce and their solid construction. The front speakers (micro90x and micro90c) are die-cast aluminum, which makes them very dense and heavy for such a diminutive speaker. The hefty construction keeps the case from rattling and allows the driver to produce more undistorted sound because it is not wasting its energy by vibrating the enclosure. The best component is the aluminum dome tweeter that can be found in the front and center channels. The transparent, shimmering, colorless highs produced by the "Lynnfield VR" tweeter raises the quality of the whole system to a level above similarly priced systems.
The 8 inch 75Watt powered subwoofer CR400 produces a surprising amount of sound from a relatively small driver. The box needs to be placed properly, but once you find a good spot, the subwoofer creates low smooth tones. The CR400's powerful, but unobtrusive presence is most notable during movies where the subwoofer does its thing, like reproduce a tight crunch or cavernous boom, then drops back out without any lingering uncontrolled rumbling. I believe this is due to the 24db roll-off of the variable crossover. Though not for someone trying to create overwhelming tidal waves of bass, the CR400 will be more than adequate for normal listening.

The only problems I have with the system is the way it is sold. There is only one place in Houston that sells the BA home equipment (according to the Dealer locator on BA's site). Because of this, I don't think I got the best price. Ideally, I would have liked to purchase them online. I also think that the Micro90x is a bit over priced. It costs the same as the micro90c, which has three drivers as opposed to the Micro90x's two. The Micro90x is also $100 per speaker more than the Micro80x. I heard the 80's and they sound fine compared to the 90's. The Micro 80x would be a good compromise if you were on a tight budget.

Overall, I believe the 9000 is the perfect system for someone with a small room to fill with gorgeous stunning sound, but can't or won't spend much more than a grand on speakers.

Overall excellent quality.

None.

I was almost duped into buying a Bose Lifestyle system, by the demo stations I had seen set up. When I walked into an electronics store (to buy faceplates - wasn't even looking for speakers), I saw these and fell in love with them. They're excellent - and 7 months later, they're the best purchase I have ever made audiowise. For the price, there is no speaker that comes remotely close, and I've heard them rival systems that cost well into the thousands.

Build quality, binding posts, small size.

sub is a little weaker than I would like, and isn't very controllable.

I was completely sold on the Bose AM-15. I fell for their marketing strategy like many others. I was going to buy them until I came across this site, and started reading the reviews about them. I was shocked at how many of the reviews were negative. I wanted a very small speaker set up, but with large, quality sound. I read about this Boston system, and went to Good guys to demo it. I was impressed, but knew I couldn't get an accurate read on them until I set them up in my living room. I went for it anyway, and talked the sales guy into knocking $100 off the price. I paid $899 - not bad, and considerably less than $1300 for the Bose. The first thing I noticed is how heavy the front speakers are, and the binding posts are not cheap at all either. I hooked them up to my Sony DB 830 receiver and Sony 550 DVD player, and mounted them on Sanus stands. They really sing, look good, and don't take up very much space. However, my use is 80% home theater/20% music. I want my walls to shake with the LFE, and the Boston 8" sub just can't quite produce. So, I bought an Infinity 12" sub w/ 150 watts. I am running both subs, and it sounds awesome. My friends (and even my stuck up girlfriend) can't believe how good it sounds. I'm not saying the Bose system sucks because I thought it sounded good until I heard this system. This Boston system sounds better, but the main advantage is how much cheaper it is than the Bose.

Similar Products Used:

Bose AM-15

I love these little buggers. They rock my listening room (13.5 X 21). I bought them by mail order - supposedly not possible, for $875.00 after seeing all the five star reviews. The system I received was a bit old, as the surrounds were off white and the fronts and sub were bright white, but the surrounds were factory sealed and new. I called Boston Acoustics and they said early versions of the system shipped that way. Overall I am pleased and highly recommend this system for the person wishing to spend less than a thousand on a surround theater package. The system sold locally for $1060 with tax - so shop around - consider American Theater Systems at (732) 565-0440. And for you ethics mongers - no I did not audition them at the store locally and then mail order them - I bought them sight unseen and never heard them before they got to my house.

Extremely Clear Sound, Frequency response, wall mounting brackets and dipole rear surrounds, powerful sub.
quality

NONE

After a month of research, I made a decision and proud of it! Thanks to audioreview.

Initially I was inclined to buy BOSE AM15. But went to factory outlet stores for Bose audition and to Good guys, CircuitCity for Boston and Polk. I could clearly hear the difference in terms of quality of sound and details that were exhibited by Boston Micro9000.

Polk audio with the same Receiver settings sounded little dull and subdued. It did not have as clear details as Boston.

Bose on the other hand, was better than polk but had little trouble with center channel and midrange. With LARGE micro90c, dialogues in Boston were very clear at the same volume level! Also, sub was more powerful sounding and deep compared to that of bose.

My interests in music range from Hindustani (Indian) classical to Rock and Matrix(DVD). In all these categories of music, I have tried so far all of them in the last week and I could not make better choice!

Similar Products Used:

BOSE AM15 and Polk RM6600

I recently purchased the Micro System 9000 for my first HT system. I didn't want to go overboard on my first system, however these were the best sounding for the value. I demo'd these along with Energy Take 5, Encore and the various Polk packages. The 9000 came in a close tie with the Energy Encore's, however I just couldn't find the extra $500 to justify it. So I went with the 9000. Along with the 9000 I purchased a Denon AVR-1800(Plenty of power), a Sony DVP-330 DVD player, and all of the hardware(cables,line conditioner...etc). Wow, what a system! and I kept it within my budget of $2000. I have recommended this site to anyone seriously thinking about investing in A/V equipment.
Thanks AudioREVIEW!