Subwoofer advice - Bose system

[stewstew03]

I recently bought a Bose acoustimass system and hooked it up to my Pioneer (VSX) receiver. The speakers are great - BUT, as most of you probably know, the acoustimass bass module does not do much for bass. With that in mind, I'm looking for recommendations on subwoofers. Thanks!

 

[markw]

If all the wires for all the other speakers emanate from the bass box, you may have a problem.

what bose system do you have.

 

[stewstew03]

Bose Acoustimass 5. It has great sound - just no "thump" with low bass frequencies.

 

[markw]

That bass box strips the lows and lower midrange from the satellite speakers. If it didn't, they would blow out in fairly short order. You need that bass box with those speakers.

IOW, you can't safely use another subwoofer with that system.

Sorry...

 

[stewstew03]

Thanks - but I'm not planning to replace the bass module. I'm hoping to add a subwoofer.

 

[its phillip]

There are a ton of great subs available. What is your budget?

 

[Klipschhead302]

Thanks - but I'm not planning to replace the bass module. I'm hoping to add a subwoofer.

I'm trying to think of the best way to say this, I wouldn't mix a subwoofer with the Bose bass module as that module produces boom, not bass, all mixed in frequencies that the rest of the speakers can't handle, which is a lot. Adding a sub to that would sound, well, awful.

Have you thought about upgrading the speakers and maybe selling the Bose system?

 

[stewstew03]

There are a ton of great subs available. What is your budget?

Up to $250

 

[stewstew03]

I'm trying to think of the best way to say this, I wouldn't mix a subwoofer with the Bose bass module as that module produces boom, not bass, all mixed in frequencies that the rest of the speakers can't handle, which is a lot. Adding a sub to that would sound, well, awful.

Have you thought about upgrading the speakers and maybe selling the Bose system?

Thanks - this is helpful!

 

[Klipschhead302]

Up to $250

Well, looking to eBay can help keep cost down. Here is a Klipsch HD 300 system new for $249.00 and free shipping. This should provide a decent experience and sound better than what you have now all around.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-HD-300-5-1-Home-Theater-Speaker-system-6-pieces/221916386068?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=34882&meid=51f94ba1156440d088cd774d4466f53b&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=321959808303&rt=nc

Here is another set from Amazon with reviews, a little bit more money with 21 bucks shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-300-Theater-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B001XURGSK

 

[TLS Guy]

Bose Acoustimass 5. It has great sound - just no "thump" with low bass frequencies.

We get a lot of posts about Bose.

When you buy into Bose, you buy into the package. Bose does not integrate in any meaningful way with other gear.

By the way Bose Acoustimass systems do not sound great, they are awful and there are measurements to prove it. There is a chasm between the tiny satellites and they poorly designed coupled cavity bass module.

It is badly designed because it has far too high a bandwidth for a coupled cavity sub. If you design box like that to go as high as the Bose bass module does it has to be boomy. That is because the Q has to be high to extend the bandwidth, and boomy resonant bass occurs and is predictable. That feature will force its way though any sub you add.

Basically the advice you have been given is correct. If you buy Bose you live with it. If you don't like it then you need to get rid of it.

You do need to learn to be a more discriminating listener.

 

[Klipschhead302]

We get a lot of posts about Bose.

When you buy into Bose, you buy into the package. Bose does not integrate in any meaningful way with other gear.

By the way Bose Acoustimass systems do not sound great, they are awful and there are measurements to prove it. There is a chasm between the tiny satellites and they poorly designed coupled cavity bass module.

It is badly designed because it has far too high a bandwidth for a coupled cavity sub. If you design box like that to go as high as the Bose bass module does it has to be boomy. That is because the Q has to be high to extend the bandwidth, and boomy resonant bass occurs and is predictable. That feature will force its way though any sub you add.

Basically the advice you have been given is correct. If you buy Bose you live with it. If you don't like it then you need to get rid of it.

You do need to learn to be a more discriminating listener.

I agree with the assessment of Bose, any time I walk into a place that has one going I know I'm in for a headache however, some people who are new to the hobby may not know "how" to be a discriminating listener until after some time hearing Bose for what it is plus learning from others.

He came here asking for advice which is a great step, we can also rip apart the Klipsch system I linked for him but this is a step forward when your budget is very low. Also, some people simply don't care as long as they can hear it, I swear my brother LIKES bad sound... no amount of giving him good speakers or components helps, he sticks to the junk.

 

[stewstew03]

Update - bought a pioneer subwoofer today from Best Buy and hooked it up to the receiver. So far, so good...