Bought the Bose acoustimass 10, should I kick myself in the face and return, and why?

[Rhett0352]

I got talked into buying the bose acoustamass 10 5.1 setup. I got home and started reading horrible reviews about the Bose setup. The entire box with wall mounts was $1200. Question, Is there another 7.1 or 5.1(with a option to go with 2 more speakers later) option that is better than the Bose? Most reviews were saying I could go with better less expensive speakers for what I paid for Bose. Any advice would be appreciated on a speakers package, I want to mount them to the ceiling and not in the walls. I have a Onkyo 910W 7.1 Receiver Model HT-R2295 that will be pushing them. I’m not scared to box the bose deal back up and get my money back, I haven’t even plugged it in yet. I don't want to spend more than what I spent on the Bose for speakers. Thank you very much.

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, and yes. You already answered your own questions as to why: what you paid for the sound you get doesn't equal a good deal. Mounting on the ceiling is also not a good plan sound wise.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/general-av-discussions/89239-bose-killers-every-budget-%96-series.html

 

[markw]

You most certainly can do better sound wise than the Bose system for that dollar amount but you will most likely sacrifice some styling and flexibility in mounting them inconspicously. If you can live with that, expect others to pile on here with more suggestions than you can shaks a stick at.

 

[zieglj01]

Focal much cheaper and much better
FOCAL Sib & Cub3 Home Theater Speaker System Black | Accessories4less

And with that, you can save $100 on an extra pair of Sib speakers,
to make your 7.1 goal
FOCAL Sib 5" 2-Way Satellite Loudspeakers Pair Gloss Black | Accessories4less

The Sib stands will double as wall/ceiling mounts - however, better sound-wise
to mount on the wall.

 

[ImcLoud]

If you like the bose's sound and convenience there is nothing wrong with it, if you want to step up to something that is a little more work and will sound "better" it is possible...

If you are looking for bang for your buck, then you bought the wrong system, but if you want easy, small, convenient, better than a tv speaker sound with great customer service and a nice trade up program then Bose is great...

$1200 I would go with
VTF2 subwoofer VTF-2 MK4 Subwoofer $600
cbm170s for your front sound stage CBM-170 SE High Performance Bookshelf Loudspeaker $500
fluance surrounds Amazon.com: Fluance AVBP2 Home Theater Bipolar Surround Sound Satellite Speakers: Electronics surrounds aren't very important, they are only effect speakers, you just need something decent, I have used these a couple times and like them $120

and then an avr, they are replaced fairly quickly, with new input styles, codes, ect ect ect... You can get a nice unit for under $200 DENON AVR-1513 5.1ch Home Theater Receiver 3D ready | Accessories4less

That is IMO the best bang for your buck under $1500 setup I have heard, now the bose is going to be easier to setup and use, it is much smaller, and cheaper, but as far as SQ goes, the stuff listed above will be all around better...

 

[j_garcia]

Style with some function, same flexibility, lower cost.
Home Theater Speakers - Best Home Speakers - Orb Audio

Cambridge S-30 setup. Two pairs of these:
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO S30 4½" 2-way Bookshelf Speakers Pair Black | Accessories4less
Matching center:
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO S50 4" 3-Way Center Channel Speaker Black | Accessories4less

Add sub to your desired budget, mix and drink.

Superior sound at a fraction of the price:

Amazon.com: Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System (Set of Six, Black): Electronics

 

[zieglj01]

KEF 3005SE would be real nice, and with-in your budget
It also comes with a 10" wireless subwoofer
Real good price
KEF KHT3005SE 5.1 Speaker Package w/ HTB2 Wireless Subwoofer | Accessories4less

 

[psbfan9]

Hi Rhett, Welcome to the forum.

I kind of agree with ImcLoud. Check the return policy, then hook up the Bose system and see if YOU like it. You may like it, and that's fine. We don't have to listen to it.

Are you set on a sub sat system?

If you don't like the Bose system here a couple of other systems to to try.

This one includes a new Denon receiver at a dollar under budget; Newegg.com - Denon AVR-X2000 7.1-Channel 4K Receiver Cambridge Audio Minx S215 v2 - 5.1 Home Cinema System

This does not have a receiver is under budget; Amazon.com: Cambridge Audio - Minx S315 v2 - 5.1 Home Cinema System - High Gloss Black: Home Audio & Theater

And way under budget:

And this 7.1 system. I have EMP speakers and I'm happy with them; Cinema 7 Compact Home Theater System

EMP 5.1; Cinema 5 Compact Home Theater System

 

[Rhett0352]

Really appreciate all the posts and advice. My media room is pre wired, which would mean I would have to splice all the bose cables at the bottom of the wall where they come out to hook them up because they are made to plug into the back of the woofer, which sucks. Does that EMP system have wall mounts? thanks

 

[jkgsxr]

I belive the emp speakers come with screws and anchors and have slots in the back of them for flat wall mounting. For adjustable mounts those are sold separate. I just picked up a set of emp speakers in December and can't be happier with them.

 

[Rhett0352]

I went ahead a plugged everything in and put all the speakers up on the banisters. Not really impressed. I figured the rear speakers would pick up the finer sounds like running water or a dog barking in the distance. you can barely hear the speakers as it is, much less any sounds. The woofer is great, but seems to drown out everything. Oh well , guess I'm going to kick myself in the face and box it all back up and return it. Kinda a toss up between that focal 5.1plus2 or the EMP 7.1, unless someone has something else. I just have to believe that running speakers through the reciever is the way to go instead of through a subwoofer bose module. Much appreciated Forum members

 

[zieglj01]

I just have to believe that running speakers through the reciever is the way to go instead of through a subwoofer bose module.
Kinda a toss up between that focal 5.1plus2 or the EMP 7.1, unless someone has something else.

That is true -

The speaker decision is in your hands - however with satellite speakers, bigger woofer drivers
tend to be preferred - for a lower crossover point, to blend/mate with the sub.

Your call

 

[j_garcia]

I went ahead a plugged everything in and put all the speakers up on the banisters. Not really impressed. I figured the rear speakers would pick up the finer sounds like running water or a dog barking in the distance. you can barely hear the speakers as it is, much less any sounds. The woofer is great, but seems to drown out everything. Oh well , guess I'm going to kick myself in the face and box it all back up and return it. Kinda a toss up between that focal 5.1plus2 or the EMP 7.1, unless someone has something else. I just have to believe that running speakers through the reciever is the way to go instead of through a subwoofer bose module. Much appreciated Forum members

That's because Bose are single driver speakers. There are no tweeters, so the highs are not properly represented. They are also tiny drivers, obviously to make the speakers small. Small drivers deliver small sound accordingly in most cases, and this is one of those cases. The bad news is, most really small speakers even with two-way models, will have a similar issue. So if small is important, accept that the downside will be sound that is slightly compromised.

You sort of can't run the Bose jewel cubes through the receiver as the crossover for them is built into the bass module, and unless your receiver has the ability to set the crossover to about 250Hz, it isn't going to work; even if it does, it won't sound any better than through the bass module. These are some of the reasons why Bose is not the best choice. They are designed for a less "in your face" sound that is pleasing, like in an elevator, ease of setup, and small size for guys who let their woman run the house. <- Notice sound quality is not part of that statement.