Bose Lifestyle 38 or Build Better?

[sparks98]

I am looking for a sound system for my living room. Use will be for Home Theater and Music. The room is 12' X 25' and hardwood floors. Newly renovated, so I already installed heavey guage wires in all ceiling corners of the room. It is very important that all the speakers provide sound when in stereo mode (CD's, FM) like a automobile system does. That, somehow to every salesman, is a great big deal to expect from a 5.1 system. ??? Anyway, I did some poking around and came across the Bose Lifestyle 38. The salesgirl told me to stay away from the 48 because it's newer speakers lack alot of midrange that the older models have. It does everything I want and more. I think it is a great deal for about $650. They want $3000! I know that it won't crank like others at that price range, but I did notice something special about their speakers...they sound really good at low volumes as well as high. It's been a long time since I've purchased good audio equipment, about 17 years. Bought a Blaupunk system and I did need to PUSH (as they called it) the speakers to 50% handling power for them to sound optimum. Does that rule still apply to today's technology? I know that when you install the speakers (with good placement) in the upper corners of a room, facing toward the center and a little downward, you naturally amplify the whole system.
I am an electrician, so building a great system from scratch will be no problem, except that I have no idea about terminology and good products. I work alongside alot of sound guys and they have the SAME views as you guys about Bose, but they suggest giant speaker cabinets.I thought they went out with Pantry Pride. Speakers don't have to be tiny, but not huge either. Bose system does have the built in music storage that I like and can't seem to find it in any other receivers. I'm not trying to cut corners here, I just think that for the same kind of money you could probably build a way better system. Can anyone shed some light on what to buy and where can I go to hear these products? Bose sounded great to me because I have nothing else to compare it to. I live in Philadelphia, Pa. Thanks.

 

[awesomebase]

Go to Tweeter

I would suggest going to a Tweeter store to sample some other systems. Not that BOSE is horrible, but I'm willing to bet that just about every other sound system that you'll listen to there will sound better.
The BOSE system show rooms sound great in their studio-like environments, but all you need to do is go to an electronics store like BB or CC to listen to them in a more "open" space (worst-case scenario) and you'll hear all the weaknesses that come with the BOSE systems.
I think that, regardless of the system you choose, you're going to need some sound-absorbing materials in your living room. Consider a good rug for the floor and perhaps some sound-dappening panels. This may mean that your system will need to be pushed a little more than it would be otherwise, but you don't get any of the sound reflection, echo, etc.
There are many brands of speakers that would do quite well including a number of online speakers. You can check out Axiom Audio and Aperion Audio online. If you've got a larger budget you can check out RBH as well.
There is no question that you could probably build a better system yourself but you need to have the right tools and the time to build and finish the cabinets, otherwise you'll end up spending much more money than buying a good set of speakers directly. Of course, the satisfaction of building your own system is immeasurably greater, but it isn't for everyone. Have fun and be sure to let your ears listen to a wide variety of systems... that way, you'll quickly get an idea of what type of sound you like more. Some like very well-balanced sound with good dispersion... others like their sound a little brighter, others like deep boomy bass... everyone has different tastes so don't limit yourself if you have options immediately available to you. Let us know how it goes!

 

[sparks98]

Upon further research, Bose Lifestyle system is just about 'OUT' for me. Since I live in a row home in the city, I don't think I'll ever be booming it out. I've considered Orbit speakers, separate sub with built in amp and a good receiver to my liking (one with on screen display and doesn't make me have to get too involved whenever I use the system). If I go with the sub that has it's own amp do I have to get a receiver with less power or how should I go about this. I have the idea that a sub would require more power that the other speakers (wall mounted tweeters/mids). Is this correct?

 

[Hi Ho]

What is your budget? If you really are up to building your own, you cannot do better for the money in my opinion. DIY speakers are great and, if done right, they can top retail speakers costing much more.

Bose should be out. Just do a search for "bose" on this forum and you will get an idea of how people feel about Bose.

 

[sparks98]

As for budget goes, $3000 seems way high for what you get from Bose. I don't see spending more than $2000, but if it's worth it, I'll go higher. I do live in a rowhouse in the city, so I don't want to build a great system that I'll almost never be able to enjoy because I can't play it at optimum level without causing a stir. I like all kinds of music, jazz for now. Will use it with movies, of course. Money isn't really a big issue, I'd like the system to sound great low or high. Doesn't a 150W speaker sound like crap unless you give it at least 75W?

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker system.

Sparks,
To answer your question, good speakers will sound good at high and low volume and power levels. Bad speakers, however, will sound bad at low levels and get worse at high levels as distortion increases. Most speakers have a minimum power spec which is around 10 Watts.

You have a good size room and desirve a nice set of bookshelf type speakers. In your price range, you could easily get a nice 5 channel system from Axiom Audio, Paradigm, or several other manufacturers. If size and asthetics are a concern, check out in-wall and on-wall models from Axiom and other manufacturers.

Since you don't want to bother the neighbors, a 10" sub from SVS or HSU will work fine for your HT. Get your self a new iPod to enjoy your digital music collection at home (and in the car).

A Yamaha RX-V2500 or Denon 3805 ($6-700) would make a good receiver for this type of system and should be in your budget.

With some of the money you saved, get a good LCD remote from Harmony.

 

[zumbo]

I will second the Yamaha and Denon receiver choice. Just be sure it has all the connection options you will need for your other components.

Look for dealers who offer B&W, Paradigm, and Monitor Audio, for superb bookshelf speakers.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/index.htm

http://www.usa.denon.com/

http://www.bwspeakers.com/

http://www.paradigm.com/

http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/

 

[pearsall001]

Sparks98 - howdy neighbor!

I live right across the river in Magnolia, NJ. Spent almost 20 yrs in Philly up in the North East & Mayfair. I still have family living in Mayfair. As far as BOSE goes you really can do a whole lot better for a lot less money IMO. Their price/performance ratio is really out of wack. A couple of suggestions to get your head spinning - Klipsch, Polk Audio, Mirage, Energy, Def Tech, Axiom, Aperion, Anthony Gallo, Orb Audio, Paradigm, B&W, NHT just to name a few. They all make excellent products but only your ears can make that decision. Listen to as many systems as you can, it can be a lot of fun. On a closing note I have a superb sounding speaker system for sale - Energy Encore System. It is highly reviewed & recommended by magazines & customers. If interested I would love to set them up for you give you a real demo. My room is 13x32 almost identical to yours, it would give you a very good idea of how they would sound in your room. I am pricing them for a quick sale w/ a few extra's thrown in. They are in 10/10 condition in gloss black. If interested send me a pm. Also you would get to check out the system I'm running now. I'm constantly changing gear & speakers & selling as I go. That's the fun of this hobby, it just never ends. Even by now my wife is used to it. She thinks I'm nuts. I guess she forgot about all her jewelry. PS - It's probably not more than a 1/2 drive for you to my house. Well worth the trip.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Sparks,

It sounds like you need smaller speakers than bookshelves based on where you are mounting them. I'd highly recommend these with any of their subs (go as big as your space can handle). It's small, like Bose, but will sound many times better. Although you can't audition them, they have a great return policy - just pay shipping if you're not happy.

http://www.hsustore.com/vt12.html

As far as a receiver, the Denon 3805 and Yamaha 2500 are perfect on a budget. If you can afford a little more, go with this for ease of PC, Ipod, and HDMI type hookups:

http://www.bajangles.com/viewitem.php?IndexID=16929&RefTag=pricegrabber

 

[xboxweasel]

I do live in a rowhouse in the city, so I don't want to build a great system that I'll almost never be able to enjoy because I can't play it at optimum level without causing a stir.

"If they can't feel you coming it's not loud enough" - Jessy James (Monster Garage)

I live in a semi. When I first moved in I approached my neighbours and told them to inform me if at any point it was too loud (especially having a sub). MY new neighbour told me I can do what I want. It's my house. And she'll do the same. Nice.

Then I bought a new system. Threw in a few amps. An even better (insert louder) sub and moved the entire setup from the outside wall to the inside joining wall. hehehehehe (insert evil grin here). I never heard a thing from them. Even when watching War of the Worlds.

I feel so evi just thinking about that. Those poor souls have "listened" to many a movies that I "watched".

 

[xboxweasel]

For about $1200 you can get a Yamaha RXV557, 4 Paradigm Atom speakers, and 200' of speaker cable. A centre channel is an extra $250. A decent sub should be $300-400 (guessing).

Stay away from any pre-packaged home theater setups (HTIB = home theater in a box) that all big box stores carry.

Most AV stores put together a package for you in different price ranges that out perform any HTIB.