Please please help a newbie! Bose/Marantz - I'm totally lost and appreciative of ANY advice!

[VinylIsCool]

Hi Everyone!

I'll try to keep this simple and to the point. I want to install a multi-room audio system that allows bluetooth streaming from my iphone, and surround sound for movies/tv, that uses in-wall speakers. I'm trying to see what my best options are with the equipment I have. I am not opposed to buying/selling components needed - I could just really benefit from anyone who knows that they're doing, as I do not.

ORIGINAL PLAN:
Living Room Area - Marantz NR 1605 with a 5.1 setup and the extra zone being used in the back yard.
Master Bedroom - Marantz NR 1603 w/ RX101 with a 5.1 setup and extra zone being used in the master bathroom.

I have the two amplifiers mentioned above and I was starting to research speakers. The planned install would have been fairly simple as I was just going to run the speaker wire behind the baseboard in both rooms. The way it's laid out and the transitions would allow for it to be (at least what appears) quick and painless.


THE WRENCH IN MY PLAN:
I was on eBay one night and made an impulse buy... which I "hope" was a good deal.
I now have complete, gently used, Bose BuiltInvisible Lifestyle system consisting of the following:

Bose Lifestyle AV38 DVD Unit w/ Remote (1)
Bose VS-2 Video Enhancer (1)
Bose Theater Amp - TA-2 (1)
Bose Amp - SA-2 (1)
Bose Lifestyle Roommate w/ Remote (1)

Bose AdaptIQ Small Cube In-Wall Speakers (3)
Bose Virtually Invisible 191 Speakers (6)
Bose BuiltInvisible in-floor/ceiling Acoustimass sub (1)

Huge box full of Adaptiq CDs, Bose link cables, speaker wire, lots of wall-plates, bose link plates, multi pin plates and adapters.


I'd like to know what you any of you would do with what's listed above to get the best results/sound and that accomplishes the multi-zones mentioned and the bluetooth/wireless streaming. I'm open to any and all suggestions, as I mentioned, I just don't know enough about what I have or what I'm doing. I've read some, and have some general questions/thoughts.

USING MARANTZ AMP IN LIVING ROOM:
1) Using the Marantz Amp in the living room with the Bose speakers seems to be an easy solution. I believe the only additional thing I'd need to learn would be the best way to power the passive hidden acoustimass subwoofer. So I'd need an additional amp for that.

2) I read the AdaptIQ speakers can ONLY be used with a Lifestyle system without damaging them. Something about the crossovers? If that's true, then I'm down three speakers by not using that system. I'd like to think that the Marantz amp would be advanced enough to have those settings to use them safely though?

3) The Lifestyle Roommate can only be used with the Lifestyle System/Bose Link.

LIFESTYLE SYSTEM IN LIVING ROOM:
1) Is the AV38 a decent, I don't know what the correct term is - but, "sound processor" compared with the Marantz NR series?

2)In the future I could add sound to the entire house. It seems that the Lifestyle system supports up to 14 zones? If it's easy to use, it would be cool to have sound in the other bedrooms, home office, etc.

3) A Bose adapter seems to be available to let the lifestyle system stream bluetooth?? Or maybe an aftermarket version would work better?

4) It will definitely be a more complex installation.

Regardless of which main unit used - what speakers should I use where? What makes sense?

Thanks so much! Really looking forward to the responses/advice!

 

[tyhjaarpa]

I would cancel your order if it is still possible as you most likely can do better for the money. Or is it too late already?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Welcome to AH.

I think you put the cart before the horses.
Audio is not as simple as it used to be.
Some may know more about your Bose components but from what I have read in the past here
you almost have to use all their components as that is how they seem to design them.
As tyhjaarpa mentioned, might be best to start anew.

But, stand by, answers will come, good or bad.

 

[VinylIsCool]

I don't think I read a single negative thing about the Marantz amps. Also, I needed something slim line.

The Bose stuff is already here, but I could easily resell it all if I needed to.

Looking forward to the responses.
Thanks!

 

[markw]

Simply put, I'd ditch the Bose.

The problem is that Bose uses a lot of proprietary wiring that doesn't "play well" with other brands. I know that I've got over fifty years playing with this stuff and wouldn't have an idea how to marry many Bose with Bose products much less with other brands.

You may wind up paying a pro to do this.

Consider using the Marantz systems as standalone systems, with non-bose passive speakers. That's very doable and the way I would go.

But, if anyone else can help here, I'm sure they will jump in.

 

[TLS Guy]

Drop the Bose stuff like a hot potato. Bose stuff does not mate with anything else, sounds awful and goes wrong more often than other stuff. Get rid of it.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

I should of been more specific with my first post, but it was 2am for me already. Marantz units you are talking about are solid choices but those Bose, burn them with fire! If you can sell them with no loss, that would be great. If you can, what kind of budget you would have for speakers? What size your rooms are?

 

[VinylIsCool]

Ok, then I'll ditch the Bose stuff.

I need help in choosing two 5.1 in-wall speaker systems, with the exception of one center channel, which needs to be a traditional speaker. What are suggestions for in-ceiling subs?? With or without amps?

I also need two sets of outdoor speakers for the additional zones. One set will be going outside, and one set in the master bathroom. These ideally would be a bit more full range.

Don't have a specific budget, but was thinking around $1500-$2000, not including the amps I already own.

Thanks!

 

[TheWarrior]

https://www.amazon.com/NHT-SuperZero-2-1-Mini-Monitor-Speaker/dp/B00CKNOYWK

I don't think there will be any good in-wall speakers in that budget. Several members own these NHT's and this would be a great alternate to Bose!

 

[zieglj01]

Look at Boston VSi and they are new with a good price
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosvsi575a/boston-acoustics-vsi-575-6.5-2-way-in-wall-speaker-each/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosvsi555w2a/boston-acoustics-vsi-555w2-5.25-2-way-in-wall-lcr-speaker-each/1.html

If you want to go onwall - look at HTD Versa
http://www.htd.com/Products/Versa-Cabinet-Speakers/Versa-SB1

http://www.htd.com/Products/Versa-Cabinet-Speakers

Outdoor speaker - NHT
http://www.nhthifi.com/products/10672-o2-arc-outdoor-speaker-black#specs

For a tight budget - HTD
http://www.htd.com/Products/Outdoor-Speakers/Q65-Outdoor-Speakers

 

[VinylIsCool]

Thank you so much! Very appreciative of the advice.

Can these be mixed? Can I use a set of the VSI 555W2's for the front speakers, and the VSI 575's in the rear for surrounds?

Or do I need to use 4 of the same all the way around?


http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/boshsis6w2/boston-acoustics-hsi-s6w2-6-in-ceiling-subwoofer-each-new/1.html

Also, will this make a good sub? If so, I need an amp, right? Any recommendations for that?


Recommendations for a regular center channel? It can sit on the media center.

Thanks so much. I greatly appreciate it!

Look at Boston VSi and they are new with a good price
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosvsi575a/boston-acoustics-vsi-575-6.5-2-way-in-wall-speaker-each/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosvsi555w2a/boston-acoustics-vsi-555w2-5.25-2-way-in-wall-lcr-speaker-each/1.html

If you want to go onwall - look at HTD Versa
http://www.htd.com/Products/Versa-Cabinet-Speakers/Versa-SB1

http://www.htd.com/Products/Versa-Cabinet-Speakers

Outdoor speaker - NHT
http://www.nhthifi.com/products/10672-o2-arc-outdoor-speaker-black#specs

For a tight budget - HTD
http://www.htd.com/Products/Outdoor-Speakers/Q65-Outdoor-Speakers

 

[markw]

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/boshsis6w2/boston-acoustics-hsi-s6w2-6-in-ceiling-subwoofer-each-new/1.html

Also, will this make a good sub? If so, I need an amp, right? Any recommendations for that?

With a low end of 50 hz, that qualifies as more of a bass box, like in a Bose system, than a subwoofer.

If you expect the experience of a "real" subwoofer performance you'll have to live with a big box in the room.

 

[VinylIsCool]

Thanks Mark! So, which big box do you recommend to start out with? I assume it's easier to find a box sub that has it's own internal amp?

Thanks!

 

[markw]

Good catch You would have needed a separate amp for that sub you linked to.

Virtually all box subs come with built in amps so that alone solves one problem you could live without.

Give us a price range and, if you haven't done so yet, the approximate room dimensions and we'll see what's up.

 

[zieglj01]

Thank you so much! Very appreciative of the advice.

Can these be mixed? Can I use a set of the VSI 555W2's for the front speakers, and the VSI 575's in the rear for surrounds?

Or do I need to use 4 of the same all the way around?


http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/boshsis6w2/boston-acoustics-hsi-s6w2-6-in-ceiling-subwoofer-each-new/1.html

Also, will this make a good sub? If so, I need an amp, right? Any recommendations for that?

Recommendations for a regular center channel? It can sit on the media center.

Thanks so much. I greatly appreciate it!

You can mix if you wish - however, I would use the bigger size woofer speaker up front,
or go 4 of the same kind.

You can use this Boston speaker as a center channel
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosp450ba/boston-acoustics-p450-4.5-3-way-on-wall-speaker-black-new/1.html#!more

I would skip the inwall, in ceiling subwoofer. As stated above, give room size and price
range for subwoofer. There will be some decent options.

However if budget and space is tight - I would go with the Boston M-subwoofer
It is much better than a lot of those cheapy subs going around.
It will hit 23 hz -6 db measured.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosmsubba/boston-acoustics-msubwoofer-10-500-watt-powered-subwoofer-black-new/1.html#!specifications

The MSubwoofer’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates
that the lower –3 dB point is at 26 Hz and the –6 dB point is at 23 Hz.