New to the Forum, home theater question

[Justin Williams]

Hello All,

I was referred here as I was told you guys were very knowledgeable. So here goes, I am considering either a bose acoustimass 10 series V or the bose lifestyle 650. Wanted to know everyone's thoughts. I've heard that audiophiles do not really like bose, curious why? Also, if you guys can give suggestions of comparable alternatives to both of these systems. What I do like about Bose is their speakers are compact and the sound is good. My setup would go in my theater room. Any suggestions and experiences with Bose or other recommended products would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I think most of us would advise against bose due to poor performance per dollar. Form factor is very high for some buyers, but compared to other systems at the same price point, performance will be poor. What is your budget? This will help guide to get more for your money, as there many many options above bose for value. Not bashing, just getting to the point.

 

[lovinthehd]

Bose speakers are cheap in several ways, and have frequency response issues in general and the bass modules make for poor subwoofers...I tried one of their early acoustimass systems a long time ago and thought it was pretty bad, sold it to someone looking more for form factor, but haven't tried the specific ones you mention otoh. While speakers often have compromises, small speakers have more generally. Also Bose gear often doesn't mix/match well with traditional components, they're more about being used just within their own eco-system. They generally do have high WAF due to the success of the brand itself and small form factor, tho.

What's your budget? Do you have any audio gear now to build upon?

 

[Justin Williams]

The Acoustimass 10 Servies V is $999: Lifestyle 650 is $3999.99
I prefer to stay in the 999.99 range or lower but I am open/

So if you can compare sets to the range of $999.99

And if you can compare sets to the lifestyle 650 @ $3999.99

Thanks Again

 

[lovinthehd]

Most of us do not use "sets", we put together various components to form a system. A budget range of $1000 to $4000 is helpful, tho. Do you not have any audio components now? What will you need to connect to these sets?

The two sets you're looking at are dissimilar; the Acoustimass 10V is just a powered speaker/bass module set, the Lifestyle 650 is a bit different in that it also includes a console with more connectivity for sources (but not quite a standard audio video receiver, or avr for short).

 

[Justin Williams]

Im open to putting together a set, what would be recommended. Right now I have a Onkyo TX-NR636 AV Receiver

 

[Pogre]

I would never spend $1000 (let alone 4) on anything Bose. I've not heard much, tbh, but what I have heard was enough to take Bose off my shopping list permanently. What they do well is marketing, not manufacturing, imo. You seem to have a healthy budget range. Keep an eye on the replies. you'll get some good suggestions.

I'm partial to SVS' ultra line of speakers. This package would be an excellent choice, though I used all bookshelf speakers for surrounds and a center channel which not only matched up better, it saved me a few hundred dollars. This will also leave you with money left over for a sub or 2.

This package is more pricey, but includes towers. I have this system (with towers) and if I'm to be honest they aren't a giant leap in quality over the bookshelf speakers if you have a pair of subs. I bought them to help justify me buying a new amplifier, lol. Like I said earlier, I use all bookshelf speakers instead of their center and surrounds and saved a few hundred.

Worthy of note is the fact that neither package comes with a subwoofer. the bookshelf system would leave plenty left over for that. I guarantee you these systems will stomp all over Bose.

*Edit: I just realized I didn't figure in a receiver...

 

[2channel lover]

Hello All,

I was referred here as I was told you guys were very knowledgeable. So here goes, I am considering either a bose acoustimass 10 series V or the bose lifestyle 650. Wanted to know everyone's thoughts. I've heard that audiophiles do not really like bose, curious why? Also, if you guys can give suggestions of comparable alternatives to both of these systems. What I do like about Bose is their speakers are compact and the sound is good. My setup would go in my theater room. Any suggestions and experiences with Bose or other recommended products would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

My brother in law has a life style Bose system that he paid a handsome sum for. It sounds good...until you hear something better.

Bose knows that most music/movies sound is in the midrange frequencies so they tailor their products around midrange and style...nice compact speakers that deliver pretty well in the midrange area.

When compared to speakers that perform well in pretty much the full range of frequencies (that we can hear) you quickly see that $ for $ Bose under performs.

I've heard your budget range, the 650 is a 5.1 set up so I assume you want a 5.1 system. Room size would help...do you prefer smaller book shelf speakers? Can you handle floor standers?

 

[NINaudio]

If you want to stick with speakers on the smaller side, a 5.1 system of NHT super one's for the front LCR and super zero's for surrounds with a Hsu or SVS sub would be a good starting point and would be a huge jump in overall sound quality compared to Bose.

 

[Justin Williams]

I do not know the dimensions exactly sorry. I would prefer compact speakers but I am open. Next preference would be floor standers/towers........ doesn't have to be 5.1 per se but if not a set. I could do 2 towers and do 2 speakers behind me or no?

 

[NINaudio]

If your preference is for compact speakers, then you should look into bookshelf speakers with a separate subwoofer. Ideally you want three up front and two to the sides with a slight rear bias for home theater use.

 

[2channel lover]

Book shelf option...SVS Ultra x 5...and being homerish...HSU VTF3mk5 sub...about $3,300

Another one...HSU CCB-8 x 5, + HSU VTF3mk5...about $2,600

 

[Justin Williams]

I can do tower speakers as well. Just to clarify. I liked the bose $3999.99 system but I preferred the bose 999.99 system and the price was better to handle. So if we could stay I would say under 1300, that would be great and if you have any links that I can look at as well that would be greatly appreciated. So far NINaudio and Pogre like SVS, is there a set or a collective put together set by SVS or other companies...............

Great info thus far, thanks guys

 

[Justin Williams]

Any thoughts or packages from Klipsch, Martin Logan or Bowers or are these crappy like Bose?

 

[shadyJ]

As has been said, Bose do not belong in a home theater room. They are intended for living rooms where the speakers can not be obtrusive at all. For a dedicated home theater room, avoid bose at all costs. Lifestyle cubes are the very last speaker you want to use in that situation. How large is your theater room? Hsu and SVS are reliably good manufacturers. Klipsch, ML, and B&W are fine manufacturers, although they don't make great subwoofers. RBH is also another good manufacturer, as well as ascend acoustics.

 

[Pogre]

Any thoughts or packages from Klipsch, Martin Logan or Bowers or are these crappy like Bose?

All of those companies make good speakers. Klipsch can be known for being bright, ML has their air motion and electrostatic options and B&W are known for sounding warm. I think the Ultra speakers sound very neutral. They don't color the sound like some speakers do (sometimes intentionally) and just play what's there.

I think you could do very well with 3 Ultra Bookshelf speakers for your front stage (provided you have room for a bookshelf instead of a center channel) and you can skimp a little on surround speakers. I'm recommending these because it's what I have and I know they sound awesome.

I've also heard very good things about Hsu's CCB8 speaker packages. This would be a great start, then add surrounds later.

 

[Justin Williams]

OK so if I were to get either 2 tower speakers or 2 bookshelves and a sub. what are some recommended surround sound speakers that could accompany this setup?

**Not sure the dimensions of the theater room sorry, I would say mid size, if that helps.....**
Thanks

 

[NINaudio]

OK so if I were to get either 2 tower speakers or 2 bookshelves and a sub. what are some recommended surround sound speakers that could accompany this setup?

**Not sure the dimensions of the theater room sorry, I would say mid size, if that helps.....**
Thanks

Are you not looking for a center channel speaker? (that is what does a lot of the work in home theater use)

Most people will try to either get all the same speakers or step down to a lower level of the same company as whatever mains you get. For example: svs ultra mains and prime surrounds; NHT super one mains, super zero surrounds, etc.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

https://rbhsound.com/r55ti.php
https://rbhsound.com/r5bi.php
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https://rbhsound.com/i12.php
I would consider starting here. This 5.1 setup can be bad for less than 2k or even less if you went with bookshelf speakers and used a bookshelf speaker for the center channel. Not one single bose system will come close.
If you must stay small(you did say you can do towers) the NHT super zero is about as good as you can get, but are still small and will have less output, and punch but will overall sound good.

 

[Justin Williams]

Sorry for leaving that out Yes, I want a center speaker as well so if that can be included too