iPod/iPhone docking station and Bose sound system - advice please

[altyfc]

Hi there

I am currently kitting out a holiday let with TVs, sound system, etc.

I ordered a number of items from a local retailer which included installation, etc. at an agreed price (which I haggled over a bit, so an OK deal, I thought).

In the main living area we've gone for a Panasonic Viera Plasma TV (TX-P42G10B) with bracket, a Bose Home Entertainment System (321GSMK-3) and a Denon iPod docking station (ASD11R-BLK).

When they confirmed everything with us and sent the credit card receipt, I found they'd changed the agreed docking station to an Apple MB125G (apparently I should have been told this but wasn't). Not knowing much about this, I looked it up and found it was significantly cheaper than the Denon and, perhaps more importantly, is white (when everything else we've ordered is black).

I phoned them up, said I wasn't happy with a white docking station and asked why I wasn't getting the one that was in the original proposal. Their argument was that the iPod docking station was controllable by the Bose control (which I suppose would be an advantage) and that they weren't making the money on the deal that they should so needed to change from the original (not really excusable IMO but these people are local and would be able to service the equipment should any problems arise so I don't especially want to fall out).

Anyway... I pointed out that I really needed something that was at least black. They have come back and are now proposing a Cygnett UNISON. Again, this is cheaper but at least black.

My question is... is this any good? Are there any black docking stations out there that would be controllable by the Bose remote? It would make sense, I think, to have as few controls as possible.

Thanks for any help....

Paul

 

[skers_54]

Hi there

I am currently kitting out a holiday let with TVs, sound system, etc.

I ordered a number of items from a local retailer which included installation, etc. at an agreed price (which I haggled over a bit, so an OK deal, I thought).

In the main living area we've gone for a Panasonic Viera Plasma TV (TX-P42G10B) with bracket, a Bose Home Entertainment System (321GSMK-3) and a Denon iPod docking station (ASD11R-BLK).

When they confirmed everything with us and sent the credit card receipt, I found they'd changed the agreed docking station to an Apple MB125G (apparently I should have been told this but wasn't). Not knowing much about this, I looked it up and found it was significantly cheaper than the Denon and, perhaps more importantly, is white (when everything else we've ordered is black).

I phoned them up, said I wasn't happy with a white docking station and asked why I wasn't getting the one that was in the original proposal. Their argument was that the iPod docking station was controllable by the Bose control (which I suppose would be an advantage) and that they weren't making the money on the deal that they should so needed to change from the original (not really excusable IMO but these people are local and would be able to service the equipment should any problems arise so I don't especially want to fall out).

Anyway... I pointed out that I really needed something that was at least black. They have come back and are now proposing a Cygnett UNISON. Again, this is cheaper but at least black.

My question is... is this any good? Are there any black docking stations out there that would be controllable by the Bose remote? It would make sense, I think, to have as few controls as possible.

Thanks for any help....

Paul

Ditch the Bose 321 system ASAP. It's way overpiced and sounds like crap. My parents have one that's been replaced by my old set of Polks that sound much better and cost less than 1/3 of the Bose. I don't know if you've listened to it, but in a room bigger than a matchbox it sounds like trash.

If I were you, I'd probably cancel the whole order on principle. That's not good customer service period (good luck dealing with them if anything breaks!) and they sound like they're trying to run you through the wringer. I doubt they are taking as big a hit as they claim.

It sounds like you're planning on using the iPod dock in the same room as your theater system. You can get a receiver from Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc and pick up the matching dock. It'll play the music through the receiver and is controllable by the receiver's remote.

 

[altyfc]

If I were you, I'd probably cancel the whole order on principle. That's not good customer service period (good luck dealing with them if anything breaks!) and they sound like they're trying to run you through the wringer. I doubt they are taking as big a hit as they claim.

Yes, the more I think about it, the more I think it's just 'not on'. I think I'll call them today.

It sounds like you're planning on using the iPod dock in the same room as your theater system. You can get a receiver from Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc and pick up the matching dock. It'll play the music through the receiver and is controllable by the receiver's remote.

Yes, I am planning on having the dock in the same room, and playing the music through the same system.

But sorry... I'm not very au fait with all this and don't understand the rest of what you said... what's a receiver? Sorry, probably a REALLY dumb question, but we all have to start somewhere...

 

[BMXTRIX]

Basically, you need a proper sound system installed by a quality integrator who is not trying to roll you over for cash, but is willing to offer you a fair product, fully installed, for a fair price. It can take two guys a good long day or two to get wiring taken care of if done properly, so plan on the labor being significant, but the products should be of a solid quality nature which can be upgraded and changed out at will.

Bose is proprietary, which means that they can't be upgraded or changed out easily. As well, they are horrendously overpriced, so you get shafted on the usability and quality of the system pretty badly.

For the same money you can go with in-wall speakers which are lower profile and sound far better with a good A/V receiver (industry standard product!) which can be installed and fully setup for your room to handle everything for you.

If they didn't recommend and you did not purchase a GOOD universal remote to run everything, then you really should do that as well. A good remote makes even the most complex room very easy to operate.

 

[skers_54]

Yes, the more I think about it, the more I think it's just 'not on'. I think I'll call them today.



Yes, I am planning on having the dock in the same room, and playing the music through the same system.

But sorry... I'm not very au fait with all this and don't understand the rest of what you said... what's a receiver? Sorry, probably a REALLY dumb question, but we all have to start somewhere...

An AV receiver is something like this

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v465

It will take all your audio and video inputs and switch between them, kinda like you would with a TV but in a much simpler manner. Receivers process the audio and allow you to use surround sound formats like Dolby Digital that are on DVDs and Blu-Ray. They can run from a couple hundred to several thousand depending on what features you want.