HTiB recommendations (Alternative to Bose Acoustimass 10)

[rbaustin]

Hi all,

I am new to Audio Systems and am trying to get HTiB which isn't very expensive. I will be using it mainly for movies and listening to music.
I bought Bose Acoustimass 10 with Yamaha receiver for $1200. I set it up and everything, but the audio seems to be lacking crispness. I know a lot of people do not like Bose for various reasons.
I have an open floorplan in the house wherein the kitchen is open to the living room and 10 foot ceiling. There are 4 pre-wired outlets in the ceiling. I am not sure if their location is ideal.. I am attaching a picture of our floorplan to make it easy to visualize.

1. I would like to get a HTiB that sounds better than Bose, ideally not so big speakers and would't want to stay close to $1000 (give or take).
2. Can you recommend how to place the speakers since it seems like the ceiling mounts won't be useful? Ideally, I would like to use them so that wires are not visible

Thanks for your help!

 

[jkgsxr]

This should be a good read. http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/89358-bought-bose-acoustimass-10-should-i-kick-myself-face-return-why.html

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi all,

I am new to Audio Systems and am trying to get HTiB which isn't very expensive. I will be using it mainly for movies and listening to music.
I bought Bose Acoustimass 10 with Yamaha receiver for $1200. I set it up and everything, but the audio seems to be lacking crispness. I know a lot of people do not like Bose for various reasons.
I have an open floorplan in the house wherein the kitchen is open to the living room and 10 foot ceiling. There are 4 pre-wired outlets in the ceiling. I am not sure if their location is ideal.. I am attaching a picture of our floorplan to make it easy to visualize.

1. I would like to get a HTiB that sounds better than Bose, ideally not so big speakers and would't want to stay close to $1000 (give or take).
2. Can you recommend how to place the speakers since it seems like the ceiling mounts won't be useful? Ideally, I would like to use them so that wires are not visible

Thanks for your help!

There is no cheap solution for this. Your best bet is to go 2.0 for a start. Get a receiver in the $600 to $1000 dollar range and good speakers in the $500 to $1500 range As funds permit add a good sub and then a center. With your plan forget surrounds. You will not get good sound from an HTIB or Bose.

 

[rbaustin]

There is no cheap solution for this. Your best bet is to go 2.0 for a start. Get a receiver in the $600 to $1000 dollar range and good speakers in the $500 to $1500 range As funds permit add a good sub and then a center. With your plan forget surrounds. You will not get good sound from an HTIB or Bose.

Thanks for your response.
If I cannot get good SQ with HTiB, then I guess I have 2 options

1. Can you recommend a system that will give me sound equivalent to the Acoustimass 10 for less price?
2. Can you recommend a system which will give better sound than the Acoustimass 10 for about $1000?

I really don't see myself spending 3-4k on a system in the near future...

Thanks!

 

[zieglj01]

Can you recommend a system that will give me sound equivalent to the Acoustimass 10 for less price.

No! > however there is one that will be much better - for less money
Focal Sib and Cub 3
FOCAL Sib & Cub3 Home Theater Speaker System Black | Accessories4less

Also, Monitor Audio Mass
http://www.audioadvisor.com/Monitor-Audio-MASS-50-Home-Theater-System/productinfo/MRMA5/#.UwLU1_ldUpY

For a better subwoofer
SVS PB-1000
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/PB-1000#.UwLVgPldUpZ

Lower the speakers - for better sound

 

[rbaustin]

No! > however there is one that will be much better - for less money
Focal Sib and Cub 3
FOCAL Sib & Cub3 Home Theater Speaker System Black | Accessories4less

Also, Monitor Audio Mass
Monitor Audio - MASS 5.0 Home Theater System-Audio Advisor

For a better subwoofer
SVS PB-1000
SVS PB-1000 - 300 Watt DSP Controlled, 10" Ported Subwoofer

Lower the speakers - for better sound

Thanks for your suggestions. The picture with speaker locations is extremely helpful too...
I was looking at this Boston Acoustics system at costco. Any ideas on this one? With this system, I will be able to spend more on a receiver.
I have read good reviews on this Onkyo system. But the speakers seem to be very big.

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks for your suggestions. The picture with speaker locations is extremely helpful too...
I was looking at this Boston Acoustics system at costco. Any ideas on this one? With this system, I will be able to spend more on a receiver.
I have read good reviews on this Onkyo system. But the speakers seem to be very big.

That Boston system will be much better than Bose.

With the Onkyo - that would be a close one, compared to Bose. - As far as
sound quality, Bose is mainly over-priced for their quality > I do not prefer
Onkyo or Bose.

I would still aim for the Focal system, if you can

 

[rbaustin]

That Boston system will be much better than Bose.

With the Onkyo - that would be a close one, compared to Bose. - As far as
sound quality, Bose is mainly over-priced for their quality > I do not prefer
Onkyo or Bose.

I would still aim for the Focal system, if you can

Thanks! Can you recommend decent receiver (without breaking the bank) to go with the Focal and Boston systems? It would be nice to have 3D and internet support.
I was looking at this yamaha avr.

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks! Can you recommend decent receiver (without breaking the bank) to go with the Focal and Boston systems? It would be nice to have 3D and internet support.
I was looking at this yamaha avr.

Yamaha will be fine

A refurbish one here
YAMAHA RX-V475 5.1-Channel Network AV Receiver | Accessories4less

Also, the RX-575
YAMAHA RX-V575 7.2 Channel Network AV Receiver with Airplay | Accessories4less

Your call

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

If you are willing to spend $399 for the Rx-V475 from Amazon...it might be worth considering even the RX-V675 from accessories for less...
YAMAHA RX-V675 7.2-Channel Network AV Receiver w/ Airplay | Accessories4less


Quick comparison from Yamaha's site for the 475 575 675
Comparison Chart:RX-V675,RX-V575,RX-V475 - RX-V - AV Receivers - Audio & Visual - Products - Yamaha United States

675 offers
-slightly more power
-dialog lift without use of presence spkrs and level adjustment
-DPL IIx
-YPAO with RSC
-Pure Direct with Video mode on
-4K pass thru with upscaling (575,475 4K pt only)
-GUI vs OSD (575,475)
-Web browser control
-Zone 2 line out and powered zone
-Trigger out 12v
-Remote IR in/out

If you don't see the need for these options then for sure the 575 or 475 should fit your needs, as stated above.

Regards,

Pat

-HDMI upscaling
-2 subwoofer pre-outs

 

[rbaustin]

Thanks folks.

Some of you have posted links to Accessories4less. Is it a reputable reseller the way bhphotovideo is? I did a quick search and seems like overall reviews aren't great for the seller.
Anything I need to think about before buying refurbished item from this seller?

Thanks

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks folks.

Some of you have posted links to Accessories4less. Is it a reputable reseller the way bhphotovideo is? I did a quick search and seems like overall reviews aren't great for the seller.
Anything I need to think about before buying refurbished item from this seller?

Thanks

I just received a subwoofer from them today - fast shipping and good company.

I have bought 2 receivers from them before - no problems.

Most of us recommend them, because we have experience with them - they have
been in business a long time.

Your call

 

[rbaustin]

I just got this Boston Acoustics speaker system. It sounds very nice ( I think it sounds better than the Bose Acoustimass that I bought earlier). Just that wifey isn't happy to see the large speakers, although she likes the SQ.. LOL...
The subwoofer is downward firing. So I was wondering if there is a recommended position to place the subwoofer? I have tile flooring and right now I have placed it close to the left front speaker against the wall.