Bose 6.1 to 7.1 Conversion

Hello,

I'm trying to have a 7.1 speaker setup but my bose system only has 6.1 output from the subwoffer. How did you add more cubes to your setup. My reciever does have a 7.1 output.




Thanks

Bose setup

You could connect the rear surround channels directly to a non-bose receiver, but you will be limited to >200 Hz frequency response of the Bose cubes.

I would demo a couple speaker options at local dealers before investing a lot more into the Bose setup. Also keep in mind that 6.1 audio sources are limited to a handfull of DVDs and 7.1 audio is just a matrix (split 1 channel into 2) for the 6.1 audio track.

does >200 hz means that the cube speakers will not see anything below 200hz. Why would that be. I'm thinking the bose sub is what is limiting the speakers frequency. Hence should I be pushing all my cube speakers directly from my reciever? Will that harm the cube speakers?

Bose systems are sold only as systems. They are not intended to be modified, expanded, or used with components from other manufacturers. I am not sure if a receiver would fry the cubes, but it is certainly a risk.

Ditch the Bose system (sell it to someone who actually believes their marketing hype). You'll be glad you did.

Yes I know I have been wanting to switch out my bose system but the installation time is making me not want to upgrade.

What speakers do you recommend for a 7.1 system. I have no space for floor speakers. All speakers would be mounted on the ceiling or walls.


Thanks

SVS makes some great sounding speakers that are on the smaller size, and can be wall mounted, as well as Mirage, look into their omnisat, or nanosat systems.

Orbs. They are far cheaper than bose, sound far better, and are far better looking.

Pat

I have 3 Bose Acoustimass systems and a Klipsch subwoofer connected to my Onkyo 7.1 receiver. I'm running a Bose Acoustimass 7 for the front left, center, and right. I have a Bose Acoustimass 5 for the surround left and right and another Bose Acoustimass 5 for the rear left and right. Each Bose speaker has to go through an Acoustimass module. You can find one on Ebay if you need another one. My system works great and the wife doesn't ***** about it. When I recently added the two rear speakers, I bought a Bose wireless transmitter off Ebay to eliminate the wires.

patnshan said:

Orbs. They are far cheaper than bose, sound far better, and are far better looking.

Pat

Click to expand...

And are a compact system similar much like Bose.

I agree, you're limited by the design of the Bose system. There is no real way to expand it. The satellites cut out at around 280Hz (based on what I've seen) and play nothing lower than that, and the "bass module" plays from maybe 50 or 60Hz to 200Hz so it's a weak system to begin with. The satellites have to connect through the sub, I'm not sure if they'll live long hooked up directly to an amplifier, the subwoofer plays a role of protecting them a bit from the direct output of the amplifier.

emorphien said:

And are a compact system similar much like Bose.

I agree, you're limited by the design of the Bose system. There is no real way to expand it. The satellites cut out at around 280Hz (based on what I've seen) and play nothing lower than that, and the "bass module" plays from maybe 50 or 60Hz to 200Hz so it's a weak system to begin with. The satellites have to connect through the sub, I'm not sure if they'll live long hooked up directly to an amplifier, the subwoofer plays a role of protecting them a bit from the direct output of the amplifier.

Click to expand...

Bose works great with a 7.1 receiver. You have to connect to your receiver via an Acoustimass module. Just make sure you have enough modules to feed all your speakers. you can expand it as easy as any other speaker system. I bought my Bose system used and have been running them for 7 years except for the rear speakers that I bought this month.

Hi Kimfitz.

Does that mean you have 4 subs running all the time our to you lower 3 of and keep 1 sub on.

Your idea would work thanks for the tip.

Thanks for everyones advice also.

If you sell your system and purchase, for example, the $1000 SVS speaker system, you will honestly be blown away by the dramatic increase in sound quality and clarity from your system.

I highly recommend that you do this.

To give you some perspective, I've been using Polk speakers. I purchased all the speakers (R30 towers, CSi25 center channel, R15 bookshelf surrounds) for under $200 total. I combined them with a subwoofer I built myself for $300. Sounds pretty good.

I went to my dad's place for Christmas. He loves his gadgets and has a nice 60" LCD rear projection TV and a Bose 6.1 system. Movies were *painful* to watch on this system since I was used to my Polks. Dialog was difficult to understand, music and sound effects were muddy, there was no depth or bang to the bass.

Switching out your equipment for something that actually performs is going to make worlds of difference for you. You don't need big tower speakers or anything.

idjsounds said:

Hi Kimfitz.

Does that mean you have 4 subs running all the time our to you lower 3 of and keep 1 sub on.

Your idea would work thanks for the tip.

Thanks for everyones advice also.

Click to expand...

I leave my receiver and speakers on most of the time. That includes 7 double Bose cubes (14 speakers), 3 Acoustimass modules, and one Klipsch subwoofer. I don't think of the Acoustimass modules as subwoofers. They are really just an extension of the cubes to carry the lower frequency audio. The cubes would sound like crap without them.

jimfitz said:

I leave my receiver and speakers on most of the time. That includes 7 double Bose cubes (14 speakers)

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There are 14 drivers, but only 7 speakers. The word "speaker" generally includes all of the drivers in an individual loudspeaker unit.

Here's my setup...

Jim, you have the "woofer" modules inside a closed entertainment center?

Couple more...

It's "wife friendly." The rear speakers are behind the couch on small stands I built.

Bose setup tip

Jim,
Here is a tip, the oppening on the Bose "bass modules" is the port. You must have the woofers pointed into the back or sides of your cabinet.

Like you suggest, the module is an extension of the cubes, however, all of the 50-300 Hz audio comes from the bass modules and in your case the front and center of the room so you wont get the same surround sound effect is 5-7 speaker that are capable of playing down to 80 Hz. Because audio <100 Hz is not localizable (you can't tell which direction it is comming from) the location of the subwoofer is not critical to the surround sound effect.

jimfitz said:

Couple more...

It's "wife friendly." The rear speakers are behind the couch on small stands I built.

Click to expand...

Wife approval is very important. My wife likes my speakers too.