So if bose is garbage...

[om3gaboost]

I have been reading around and it seems though that bose is garbage. I have read that same speakers etc can be had for much cheaper pr for the same price, higher quailty speakers can be had. Well i was looking at the bose acousticmass 3 and its listed on amazon for 200. What else can be had for that amount? Im looking to set up a 2.1 system of some sort. I already have a harman kardon 3480 stereo receiver. I am looking to just be playing music..and none of dvd home theater stuff..any suggestions?

 

[BMXTRIX]

You can pick these up on eBay for $110.00 shipped to your door:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CERWIN-VEGA-V-5M-5-25-2way-V-Series-Bookshelf-Speakers_W0QQitemZ5823771735QQcategoryZ14991QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Right there is TWO 5.25" speakers with a real tweeter. Keeping in mind that what Bose is calling a Bass module only utilzes one 5.25" speaker.

Add a sub ($60.00):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Subwoofer_W0QQitemZ5826615087QQcategoryZ14993QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That will completely blow away what you are looking at for $170.00... really.

Bose isn't BAD - they are simply way overpriced for the quality.

But, I would point out that with a 'sub' at 5.25" you could simply go with some in-wall speakers that are a step up in invisibilty and they will have with superior overall quality:
http://cgi.ebay.com/6-5-2way-In-Wall-Speakers-by-AudioSource-NEW_W0QQitemZ5825011380QQcategoryZ14994QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Those are under 70 bucks shipped to your door and I use that brand in my home in some areas (Sonance and Def-Tech in others)... They work very well in any condition, but for the money, are phenomenal.

Not enough bass? Well, that leaves you $130.00 for a real sub.

Straight up similar to the Bose you are looking at?

Here you go:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AUDIOSOURCE-6-PC-HOME-THEATER-SPEAKER-SYSTEM-235_W0QQitemZ5827138228QQcategoryZ32861QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Ooopsss... they give you a few extra speakers and charge you $140.00 less (shipped). Must be a fake sub or something.



Really - there is better stuff for the same money, or very similar for far less.

 

[Deathwish238]

Bose makes their speakers out of paper...about as good as what came stock in my Honda Accord.

Have you ever heard the Altec Lansing MX5021? They sound absolutely amazing for the price. Very good clarity and bass response. I know they're meant for computer applications but there is no reason they won't do a good job with playing music from a receiver. They even come with a y cable showing that Altec Lansing acknowledges the speakers for more than just traditional PC use. http://www.alteclansing.com/product_details.asp?pID=MX5021

 

[om3gaboost]

Thanks..im still open to more suggestions..

but in response to the comment that bose is the same as the speakers in your honda accord..

I use to drive a 2000 accord ex (doubt model matters in terms of speakers) but I now drive a 1999 infiiniti i30. The infiniti is with a bose system, and i must say it does sound better then the accord. but i can't say if it was worth the premium my parents paid..etc..

 

[Tomorrow]

Do yourself a favor and check these out, too.

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

As the man said...Bose isn't 'bad' per se (it surely isn't good either, lol, by quality audio standards), but is generally WAY overpriced for what it is.

Happy hunting.

 

[om3gaboost]

those hsus are a bit pricey for me..

what do you guys think about these?
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/reviews/542089023


so im assuming it would be best for me to get 2 bookshelf speakers..and maybe a sub to go with it?

 

[JohnOAS]

"Bose is garbage" is a little harsh.

"Bose is garbage" is a little harsh, IMHO.

As someone else has pointed out, they're just overpriced for the sound they deliver. The subs tend to underperform at the sub-200 Hz range, and you're leaving the rest of the spectrum to some very small drivers which aren't really up to the task, especially at increased power levels.

A good set of 2 way book shelves will give you a much clearer sound as a rule. If you really want killer bass, you're probably up for an add-on, powered sub any way you look at it.

 

[Sheep]

First off, its not a sub, its an..

Acoustimass Module

The guys at the Bose store get very mad when you call them "subs" lol .

The thing with bose is this. Unless you really know what sound your looking for/like, its hard to tell when you listen to just bose speakers. If you do a side by side, its night and day. The other thing is they go for a warm sound, which is very pleasing to the un-educated in audio.

The HSU setup is WELL worth the price. It comes with a Very nice subwoofer and the speakers perform much better then bose cubes.

SheepStar

 

[zilla]

Thanks..im still open to more suggestions..

but in response to the comment that bose is the same as the speakers in your honda accord..

I use to drive a 2000 accord ex (doubt model matters in terms of speakers) but I now drive a 1999 infiiniti i30. The infiniti is with a bose system, and i must say it does sound better then the accord. but i can't say if it was worth the premium my parents paid..etc..

Yeah, but that's not necessarily b/c of better speakers. Most of the cheaper "premium" bose systems for cars just add amplifiers to make the sound better. In alot of cases the speakers remain the same. And even if they are different speakers, they're still made of paper and not very high quality. Period

 

[STRONGBADF1]

those hsus are a bit pricey for me..

what do you guys think about these?
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/reviews/542089023


so im assuming it would be best for me to get 2 bookshelf speakers..and maybe a sub to go with it?

Bose has no way of producing good mid range sound or really low bass. It's not a bad sound for low volume non-critical listening but your in the wrong place if thats what your into. Two bookshelfs would be better because you are adding a another driver for the midrange sounds. You can still go small just get a good quality two way speaker with a small sub. Just go in to a Bestbuy or Curcuit City and listen to the Bose then any of the small JBL, Infinity, Yamaha or Polk speakers. Make sure all the settings on the receiver are set flat and decide for your self what makes your ears happy. Then go online to check out whats the best price for what you liked. Make sure it's an autherized dealer and the manufacturers warranty is still valid.

Just remember to check the online sellers rateing:
http://www.resellerratings.com/

Yes those Infinities with a small sub would be better than Bose IMO.

I have a hard time buying online if I havent heard the speaker first but, Heres a good deal on a 12" sub:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3713108/search=advent

 

[Snap]

Talked to some Bose Car guys and they just about punched me for even putting the car side of Bose in the same conversation as the home. There is a definate diff, between the 2 divisions. The car side of the house is not bad at all. It is not going to get you into Thump mag or some crazy car audio mag. (I do not know any car audio mags sorry)

I to agree that Bose is not all that. For some people, they would be perfect speakers if you could get a whole set for half what they are going for now. They work very well for older couples, that want (OK) sound, but they do NOT want to see very much of any speakers.

Some of the older people demand that they get the Bose systems. If you can just cut the price a little over half it would be worth it.

The base does STINK that is for sure. But just add another sub that has an 8 inch woofer in it, and you can make up for the lack of base in the Bose.

Please do not think I am pushing Bose, I am not. Just wanted to clear up a few things about them.

 

[jaxvon]

Just for reference, a lot of great speakers are made out of paper, but just not tweeters. Bose tries to make 2.5" paper cones reproduce tweeter frequencies. It just doesn't work. That said, there are many great woofers and midbass cones that are made out of doped paper that sound and measure excellently.

 

[om3gaboost]

cool..thanks for the advice, and if there are any more keep them coming!
As you all can tell, I know squat about audio, but I would to get my moneys worth into whatever i am buying

 

[BMXTRIX]

those hsus are a bit pricey for me..

what do you guys think about these?
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/reviews/542089023


so im assuming it would be best for me to get 2 bookshelf speakers..and maybe a sub to go with it?

Those should be decent. For the money they will perform very well, but may not give you the bass that the Bose will just because of the smaller enclosure. But, the overall sound should be far superior. An add on powered sub of at least 10" will really give you the bass you are looking for. It is very, VERY easy to spend $1,000 or more on just a subwoofer. Mid-line subs seem to start around $500.00. Keep that in mind with your budget. Unlike some technologies where 90% of the performance can be had for 10% of the cost, audio quality increases dramatically the more you spend. Epsecially in the first few thousand dollars.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Do you have a Radioshack near you?

Sony SS MB350H 3-way bookshelf speakers $99
Sony SA WM250 Subwoofer $79

For $176 you can easily beat Bose at any audio challenge. Plus you won't have to pay for shipping (most people have Radioshacks in town). Plus if you want to move to Dolby surround-sound in the future, you can attach your Sony speakers to any DD reciever.