The kind of sound that I want

[jbost002]

Hey all,

Thanks for the help on my last post. I've narrowed down my receiver choice to the following (and eliminated the HTIB options) and have picked up...(drum roll, please)...

Onkyo TX-SR605, on eBay for $365 shipped, new in box

Now, here is my question. I started this whole quest because I stopped in a Bose store (I know, I know) and heard the Acoustimass system. I absolutely loved how crisp it sounded and how it seemed like sound filled the room but didn't seem to come from the speakers (very much felt as though I was actually in the movie or at the concert). I want that kind of sound out of my system. Is this sound something I will only find with Bose? I have a 15' x 20' (guesstimating) living room, with 3.5 walls and an 8' ceiling.

What do you guys think? Will I only find the sound I desire with Bose (filling the room with sound, seeming to have no origination point, crisp) or is there a better alternative for comparable price?

Thanks for all the feedback!
Josh

 

[jimfitz]

Be prepared to be told you know nothing and Bose sucks. I love my Bose speakers. I am running a used Bose Acoustimass 7, used Acoustimass 5, new Acoustimass 5, and Klipsch subwoofer with my Onkyo 805.

 

[MDS]

If you like the sound of Bose, buy the Bose.

The 'enveloping' sound comes from having reasonably accurate speakers placed appropriately in the room. Bose plays games with that with their bass module and none too accurate sound. Some people find it pleasing and others do not; all that matters is that you like the sound.

 

[jbost002]

I have read a lot that people either love or hate Bose. Seems like most of what I've read is that the bass is somewhat lacking, which is no big deal for me, as I live in a townhouse.

My wife and I both really like the Bose sound. We like how it "envelopes" the room. What I'm really wondering is,

#1 - Is it capable of handling all ranges of sound? Such as the highs, mids, mid bass, and low bass? Again, I'm not looking for an unbelievable bass. Just an accurate sound.

#2 - The "enveloping" sound, according to your post above, seems to be more about placement in the room and not about the Bose. Do others agree with this statement?

I'm just looking for a better sound than what I've got now (which is a cheapy Wal-Mart Sony HTIB) - I already replaced the front two sattelites with Sony Bookshelfs ($40 pair) and I'm amazed already at how much better it sounds - so I'm not looking for drop-dead sound, just a better sound.

 

[jbost002]

One more note - I've not really tried out a lot of different speakers (no good home theater places around) so I don't really have a good comparison tool.

 

[Johnd]

You would be well-advised to travel to audition then...just to ascertain that Bose is your well-informed preference. Or a number of internet dealers do offer 30-60 day in home no cost trials (av123, etc.) Cheers. And welcome to the forum!

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I have read a lot that people either love or hate Bose. Seems like most of what I've read is that the bass is somewhat lacking, which is no big deal for me, as I live in a townhouse.

My wife and I both really like the Bose sound. We like how it "envelopes" the room. What I'm really wondering is,

#1 - Is it capable of handling all ranges of sound? Such as the highs, mids, mid bass, and low bass? Again, I'm not looking for an unbelievable bass. Just an accurate sound.

#2 - The "enveloping" sound, according to your post above, seems to be more about placement in the room and not about the Bose. Do others agree with this statement?

I'm just looking for a better sound than what I've got now (which is a cheapy Wal-Mart Sony HTIB) - I already replaced the front two sattelites with Sony Bookshelfs ($40 pair) and I'm amazed already at how much better it sounds - so I'm not looking for drop-dead sound, just a better sound.

Hi jbost002,

Going out and auditioning is key. Go with what your ears tell you is best for you in the size, look and budget you have decided on. If you could tell us what your requierments are we can suggest some brands to audition.

As for question #1... Accustimass...I say not well enough for the price. YMMV so listen to the speakers.

and #2... Room placement can make a huge difference in how things sound. Thats why many here believe that in home auditioning is the only way to go so make sure of the dealers return policy.

SBF1

 

[jimfitz]

You should definitely get a subwoofer even if you get the Bose. For watching movies, it adds a whole new dimension.

 

[OttoMatic]

Do consider the size of the Bose demo room against the size of your room. I have a feeling that your room is a lot bigger, and may not be so "filled" with sound as the Bose demo room might have seemed.

Do some shopping, I think you'll find you can do better than Bose.

Good luck either way!

 

[obscbyclouds]

IMO, the biggest problem with Bose is the midrange. Because the satellites have trouble with lower-midrange frequencies say anything below 200hz, the acoustimass has to pick up the slack, but it's not exceptionally good above say 80-100 hz. You end up with a frequency "gap" between the two. I find this glaringly obvious listening to 2 channel music (i.e. a CD).

Another problem I have with Bose is the lack of specs online for their speakers. They don't publish sensitivity, frequency response, crossover range, etc. This always makes me highly suspicious. Most other reputable speaker companies (Ascend, AV123, Axiom, Polk SVS, Mirage etc.) publish their speakers specs. All Bose publishes is their size and weight.

I would highly suggest you audition some other brands if possible before buying them. If after you have and you still like Bose the best, by all means buy them. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

 

[jcPanny]

HT speakers

You have a good size room which is much larger than the end cap or 8 x 8' room used to demo the Bose speakers. A quality 5.1 bookshelf system would be appropriate for your room. If you must have really small speakers like Bose, check out http://www.orbaudio.com/

Another option for better performance and good asthetics is on-wall or in-wall speakers. Check out these models from Axiom:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/wallspeakers.html

 

[jimfitz]

I'm am using my Bose speakers in our family room which is 18X16 with 17 foot ceiling. They sound great IMHO.

 

[Alamar]

If you [or anyone] is worried about how speakers will sound then I recommend:

1. Go to some auditions.
2. Bring your own source material.
3. Make sure your source material is stuff you like and is representative of what you listen to.
4. If possible audition the speakers in a room that is ROUGHLY the size of the room that you're interested in.

If whatever you listen to hits a home run then you should consider trying the speakers out esp. if the store has a great return policy. If you find the speakers lacking though or if you're not sure then I'd audition more speakers.

BTW: If you're worried about lows, mids, highs, dynamics, soundstage, whatever then the material that you bring to the audition should be representative of what you want to test.

NOTE: Your room will almost certainly be acousically different than an in-store demo. Just because speakers sound one way in the store that doesn't mean that you can [easily] reproduce the same sound experience in your home. If you can do an in-home trial after an audition then you'll really know what you're getting into.

 

[j_garcia]

The only way one could characterize Bose as "crisp" is if you set them on fire...

I agree with the others - spend some time auditioning and see what you really like out of what is available to you.

 

[Johnd]

The only way one could characterize Bose as "crisp" is if you set them on fire...

Too funny!

 

[no. 5]

NOTE: Your room will almost certainly be acousically different than an in-store demo. Just because speakers sound one way in the store that doesn't mean that you can [easily] reproduce the same sound experience in your home. If you can do an in-home trial after an audition then you'll really know what you're getting into.

Absolutely! A room will impart a great deal on sound quality, and can make even the best speakers sound mediocre.

If you like the "enveloping" sound, definitely use dipole or bipole speakers for the surrounds... maybe even the front left and right, if you really like the sound.

And as others have said; audition as much as you can.

 

[jbost002]

Absolutely! A room will impart a great deal on sound quality, and can make even the best speakers sound mediocre.

If you like the "enveloping" sound, definitely use dipole or bipole speakers for the surrounds... maybe even the front left and right, if you really like the sound.

And as others have said; audition as much as you can.

Oooh great piece of info there! Bipole/dipole speakers...now I have somewhere to start! Thanks!!!