Bose Box vs. True Surround

[fishoutofwater]

My GF is thoroughly smitten with the Bose wave system ads...

Any thoughts on the Bose Acoustic Wave II(full size version) as opposed to a comparably priced ($1000-$1100) multi-speaker system. I know the Bose only has L&R RCA connectors for aux. input.

Just for two 40somethings celebrating the fact that the kids are grown & we're alone!

Mostly looking for something that sounds good without having to crank it. Room size about 15 x 20 sort of L-shaped.

Would love to get by on about $6-700...other $2-300 woul add a few inches to the screen size!!!

 

[BassBomb]

bose is very very bad

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You can get a pretty darn good system for that $1000-$1100 figure and if you're getting good deals, $600-$700 will get you most of the way there too.

Did you take a look at the sticky thread I have at the top of this subforum?

 

[fishoutofwater]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
You can get a pretty darn good system for that $1000-$1100 figure and if you're getting good deals, $600-$700 will get you most of the way there too.

Did you take a look at the sticky thread I have at the top of this subforum?

Yeah. Started there first & then got lazy and just threw my question out there for a couple of quick answers...don't mind crawling around in the attic & dropping a few wires down. From what I have seen lately, $600-$800 will get me more than enough...Then I can twist Honey's arm into letting me go with the 50". Thanks!!!:evil:

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I would suggest checking out the "upgrade path" portion of the guide at least. I think that's a big part of the decision you should be concentrating on at first. $600-$800 will be tight getting a solid 5.1 system going, but if you can start out with 2.1 or 3.1 and add on to the system later, then you're going to be able to get components that are better initially if you're the kind of person who wants to sneak some more money into the budget at a later date.

If you started out with 2.1, that would make it a lot easier to get a feature filled receiver (~$400) and still have room in the budget for a ~$200 sub and ~$200 pair of speakers (or a $400 pair of speakers... however you want to break up the budget). Then you'd be in the position to add 3 more speakers at a later date to fill out the 5.1 system.
Alternatively to get a feature filled receiver on that budget you'd probably have to look at a HTIB set
http://www.6ave.com/shop/produ...pricegrabberONKHTSP908
or you'd end up with a very small budget to get a 5.1 speaker set. Polk R-series or something similar would probably be the only option.

 

[fishoutofwater]

2.1 is looking like the way to go for now. My girlfriend isn't all that crazy about ear-splitting clarity...plus I'm looking at the VHS to DVD converters for all her familly X-mas & birthday tapes. Personally I have my own little cave for when I want to pretend I'm 18 again for a little while. Never tried the up-converting DVD players...worth it or just another gimmick???

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

It's going to depend on your TV how much of a difference it would make. If you get a TV that's good enough already at converting a 480p signal from a progressive scan DVD player to its native resolution, then having the player do it itself isn't going to make a whole lot of difference. If the TV is bad at that though, then having a decent upconverting player could make a big difference. So not necessarily a gimmick, but a real HD player (probably a blu-ray player) playing material that's actually HD is going to be a real difference in either case.

Does your cave have a system in it already then?

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Bose is for people that don't know any better. If you want to be one of those people then go for it. Bose - better sound through marketing.

 

[fishoutofwater]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Does your cave have a system in it already then?

Just the requisite 5.1 off the pc, blu-ray & a ton of digital tunes...the first ex-wife got all the good stuff (vinyl!) But size-wise it's only about 10x10 so I'm cool for now. All present components are pretty much dated. Been buting for the kids & waiting for them to leave & take it with them so I have room to update/upgrade and see what all is out there now. Sort of feel like a dinosaur...I think the Electro/Techno revolution sort of passed me by & now I've got to catch up a little.

 

[fishoutofwater]

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Bose is for people that don't know any better. If you want to be one of those people then go for it. Bose - better sound through marketing.

Never invested in it myself...think i'm either pragmatic or just cheap!!! But the more I read the more I see it as just another corporate status symbol...which just gives me the Heebie-Jeebies!:roll:

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: fishoutofwater

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Does your cave have a system in it already then?

Just the requisite 5.1 off the pc, blu-ray & a ton of digital tunes...the first ex-wife got all the good stuff (vinyl!) But size-wise it's only about 10x10 so I'm cool for now. All present components are pretty much dated. Been buting for the kids & waiting for them to leave & take it with them so I have room to update/upgrade and see what all is out there now. Sort of feel like a dinosaur...I think the Electro/Techno revolution sort of passed me by & now I've got to catch up a little.

If you're going to be watching blu-ray, then getting a receiver that can do the new audio formats should be a priority (and I think we already have that covered, eh?

 

[fishoutofwater]

Just covering the basics for now. Got lots to learn so I'm trying to take my time and balance my wants against my needs for once.

Really liked...ONKHTSP908


My GF thinks it's a little overkill. But something along those lines. Could probably get away with the 2.1 and she would think it's just fine.

Not really a budget issue, just have the time & the money right now to grab a few toys so I thought I might as well shoot for the mid to mid-high range on some of them. Planning to attempt my first build as well and before it's over it might become the central hub for all my modest entertainment needs.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well I guess it's all a matter of perspective. I'd consider this pricerange to be barely adequate vs. overkill.

 

[fishoutofwater]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Well I guess it's all a matter of perspective. I'd consider this pricerange to be barely adequate vs. overkill.

I would simply say that at this stage of my life, my needs are really simple...

I just happen to have a whole lot of them so it's all coming down to a matter of prioritization(sp). Awful big word for this late in the evening.

Really do appreciate the offerings...still a ways from pulling the trigger! I think half the fun now is the hunt...

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I agree about the hunt

 

[Illusio]

If your looking for a great set of speakers in similar size to the bose, I'd recommend some Orbs Look great and sound amazing for their size.

 

[fishoutofwater]

Seems like the more I look, the more I want to spend. I know H/K has had good receivers since way back when...anyone have any thoughts on their package deals???...

Harman Kardon

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The Vanns site isn't loading for me right now (So I don't know what you're linking to exactly). HK still makes good receivers but their speaker set I've seen around leaves something to be desired.
http://www.amazon.com/Harman-K...-Speaker/dp/B000K7ZWVK (something like this?)
HK tends to be a little bit behind in features compared to some brands from my experience. Just be careful to make sure the HK receiver you're looking at has all the features you want.

 

[fishoutofwater]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
The Vanns site isn't loading for me right now (So I don't know what you're linking to exactly). HK still makes good receivers but their speaker set I've seen around leaves something to be desired.
http://www.amazon.com/Harman-K...-Speaker/dp/B000K7ZWVK (something like this?)
HK tends to be a little bit behind in features compared to some brands from my experience. Just be careful to make sure the HK receiver you're looking at has all the features you want.

I haven't upgraded in 15 yrs. or so, so I was thinking that the H/K receiver in the package would suffice. Of course if I get tired of thinking I could just let someone else do that part for me.

The $3500 Balanced AV System

Looks interesting and is actually affordable...and might last a while. Rich uncle died so I have a couple of bucks to blow...NO! Really!!!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I don't really know anything about those speakers, but the receiver and sub are pretty good picks.

 

[fishoutofwater]

Originally posted by: fishoutofwater


The $3500 Balanced AV System

Looks interesting and is actually affordable...and might last a while. Rich uncle died so I have a couple of bucks to blow...NO! Really!!!

OK...Reality check here!!! It was getting kind of late and I was getting lazy...
Might as well go ahead and bump the receiver up a notch:

Yamaha RX-V863

and I have the perfect placement for these with the room layout:

QS8 v2 Surround Speakers

With 30 days to listen to the speakers they look great for a starter kit. Receiver actually looks like it will function rather well with my existing peripherals while I wait for the newer format components to come down a little. Already have me eyes on 50" Vizio plasma at Sam's Club(and access to the employee discount!)

Maybe a decent sub for around $200...any suggestions...I know it will take two but Hey! I've got other things I would like to acquire also...

 

[fishoutofwater]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I don't really know anything about those speakers, but the receiver and sub are pretty good picks.

Actually I was just being lazy & letting someone else do all the work. Already have my eye on a 50" Vizio plasma at Sam's Club (complete with employee discount) so I will take the receiver one step further:

Yamaha RX-V863

And I have the perfect placement for this speaker design (for a starter kit...lots of room to add on) plus 30 days to listen so what the heck:

QS8 v2 Surround Speakers

Is there a decent sub for around $200 (Supports 2)?

Looks like current player components will work OK while I wait for newer format players to come down a little. Got other stuff I want to blow a little money on too...

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I would rather see you keep the receiver down as the 663 level and put that extra money into speakers or subwoofer. Unless there's something specific you need to have from the 863, it's not going to make much difference vs. the 663. On the other hand, spending a couple extra hundred on the speakers or subwoofer will make a BIG difference.

Although I've read some great things about the QS8 speakers for their intended purpose, those would not be a good choice for main speakers. They're designed to fill a room with sound without the listener being able to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. It's great for surround effects and ambiance sort of things, but not what you're looking for up front.

I think people make way too big of a deal with the two subwoofer feature on receivers. You can just get a splitter cable for a couple bucks and run two (or more) subwoofers from whatever receiver you want.

There are a number of companies that have 30 day trial periods (including some that will pay for return shipping as well if you don't like them. Like Aperion Audio and AV123). If you want to try out Axiom, you'd probably want to look at the M3 or M22.

There are a couple $200 sub options I usually mention, but hopefully you can get the budget on the subwoofer increased a bit rather than the receiver so you'll have more capable options.
$200 options include
AV123's X-sub
Dayton subs from Partsexpress
BIC H-100 (almost)

 

[BassBomb]

Maybe an Infinity setup ? I am sooo biased now

P362 Front x2 330
P162 Rear x2 150
C350 Centre x1 150
PS12 Subwoofer x1 260

Sub could easily be changed

 

[fishoutofwater]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I would rather see you keep the receiver down as the 663 level and put that extra money into speakers or subwoofer. Unless there's something specific you need to have from the 863, it's not going to make much difference vs. the 663. On the other hand, spending a couple extra hundred on the speakers or subwoofer will make a BIG difference.

Not sure what happened earlier...browser locked up & thought last reply didn't post. Looks like I doubled up...OOOPS!

I still think the Yamaha RX-V863 is the way I am going to go because I think it will serve me better now & into the forseeable future.(I don't upgrade very often).

Did sort of a side by side on these two packages:


QS8 v2 Surround Speakers &

Intimus 5B Harmony SD

Just looked easier than shopping 2 or 3 brands just for one system...looks like you may have had some experience with Aperion....

As to the Infiniti post...Kept looking over them...know the name well...just haven't configured an entire system yet...maybe now...

How the heck did $600-$800 become $2500-$3000 overnight???