To Bose or not to Bose....

[msmith855]

This seemed like the right spot to post this question...

My father-in-law is looking for a simple home theater set-up that sounds good and is easy (this is KEY because he is NOT and audio enthusiast and will get confused very quickly) to set up. HTIB, in this instance, is probably the way to go. But, he is of the brainwashed school of thought that Bose is the pinnacle of audio perfection. While most of us might recognize the fact that Bose, while certainly not bad, is far over-priced for what they give you... he simply sees the name and the price tag under a thousand and thinks he's got a steal on his hands.

Should I even try to convince him otherwise? Is it worth it? I personally would probably suggest a Yamaha system that would save him a couple hundred and probably sound every bit as good if not better.... but is it worth th aggravation of trying to explain why Bose is not as good as they claim to be? Or is it easier to say... "go for it, get the Bose" and let him be happy in his own ignorance?

 

[Francious70]

Just search the term "Bose" in any forum here and you should turn up MANY threads wil much information.

Paul

 

[Privateer]

Why not save the money and buy a new big screen TV and just use the TV speakers.

 

[RMK!]

This seemed like the right spot to post this question...

My father-in-law is looking for a simple home theater set-up that sounds good and is easy (this is KEY because he is NOT and audio enthusiast and will get confused very quickly) to set up. HTIB, in this instance, is probably the way to go. But, he is of the brainwashed school of thought that Bose is the pinnacle of audio perfection. While most of us might recognize the fact that Bose, while certainly not bad, is far over-priced for what they give you... he simply sees the name and the price tag under a thousand and thinks he's got a steal on his hands.

Should I even try to convince him otherwise? Is it worth it? I personally would probably suggest a Yamaha system that would save him a couple hundred and probably sound every bit as good if not better.... but is it worth th aggravation of trying to explain why Bose is not as good as they claim to be? Or is it easier to say... "go for it, get the Bose" and let him be happy in his own ignorance?

I think you answered your own question. Why put yourself in the position of responsible party when you are not comfortable with that role. He will be happy with his Bose system. I was (I had one for 5 years). He won't know what he is missing and won't care.

On the other hand, there are better options and if it makes you feel better, then tell him that. If he is interested in exploring alternatives you can have that bonding experience and help him. If not, you tried.

All this AV knowledge is a heavy burden, isn't it ?

 

[kiran_sham]

You can try for Bose on ebay. I had bought them once for about $425 (including 5 speakers and a sub) but sold them to someone else as soon as I opened the box. Not because I didn't like them but because the version I bought (6 series) did not have a dedicated line for a sub (I guess this was the only version in 6 series that did not have a dedicated line for a sub. All the others I found in stores did have). That was a big frustration for me since I have a Yamaha RXV1500 and how can I NOT use a sub with it. Ended up buying Polk and Klipsch speakers later, for almost the same price (during thanksgiving sale).

 

[Dan Banquer]

Bose

The real definition for Bose is: Better Off with Something Else.
d.b.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

I'd say, let him get the Bose. He'll be more than happy and when he has his friends over he'll be able to brag "It's Bose" and they probably will be awed.

Personally, I never make suggestions in these areas. I don't want to be responsible if whatever they buy isn't to their liking. If they choose, they only have themselves to blame.

 

[msmith855]

Sounds like the right idea to me...

I'd say, let him get the Bose. He'll be more than happy and when he has his friends over he'll be able to brag "It's Bose" and they probably will be awed.

Personally, I never make suggestions in these areas. I don't want to be responsible if whatever they buy isn't to their liking. If they choose, they only have themselves to blame.

 

[jcPanny]

Denon S series

The new denon 2.1 channel systems are a good alternative to bose with superior performance and a comparable price.

 

[geo75]

IMO try to convince him. I just wish someone had convinced me before I bought mine. I have three other HTIB setups; Sony, Yamaha, & JVC; that I bought for less than $300 that IMO sound as good if not better than the Bose. He will thank you in the end.

 

[Audioholics]

Denon S-Series... Bose-killers

Check this out:

http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/DenonSserieshometheaterbox.php

It's new, sounds good, works with iPod (think "next Christmas") and has an "activity-based" menu that makes it easier to operate than any other system in that price class.

If he absolutely needs multi-channel I'd go for a HTiB system from just about anyone.

 

[msmith855]

That is pretty slick. I may have to at least include it as an option with the Yamaha if I decide to present alternatives (that will kick the crap out of Bose).

 

[BMXTRIX]

The main question is whether he wants your help or not.

If he lives locally, and you can pick it up, and then set up the wiring (the most difficult part) then going with any brand is fine. Most remotes allow you to just press a button and the video is on screen. Get a separates setup that includes a receiver that converts everything to component video, then hook up DVD & cable to it via component and set the TV on component. Add a Harmony remote and everything works off a single button press, nice and easy.

My philosophy is simple: Give me a budget, let me decide. If you aren't going to listen to me and don't care about learning, then let me decide or go buy something and live with it. Definitely don't complain if you come over to my home and my $800.00 setup blows away your $2,000 setup.

If you are willing to help, ask for a budget and then say 'This is what I would get, let's go buy it, I'll set it up for you'

If he is insistent on throwing money away, let him.

 

[mulester7]

The main question is whether he wants your help or not.

If he lives locally, and you can pick it up, and then set up the wiring (the most difficult part) then going with any brand is fine. Most remotes allow you to just press a button and the video is on screen. Get a separates setup that includes a receiver that converts everything to component video, then hook up DVD & cable to it via component and set the TV on component. Add a Harmony remote and everything works off a single button press, nice and easy.

My philosophy is simple: Give me a budget, let me decide. If you aren't going to listen to me and don't care about learning, then let me decide or go buy something and live with it. Definitely don't complain if you come over to my home and my $800.00 setup blows away your $2,000 setup.

If you are willing to help, ask for a budget and then say 'This is what I would get, let's go buy it, I'll set it up for you'

If he is insistent on throwing money away, let him.

.....and, let us fully digest Clint's observance that it's not necessarily WHAT you say, but HOW you say it....once again, attitude is everything.....

.....if you've got an air of, "what you're considering is pure crap, and how could you be so misled?", they will probably bow-up on you with an attitude....I would....maintain that smile and "shared excitement" over an upcoming purchase, (who don't love something new?), and just present the facts having backup reading on hand....

.....what would probably be best, is to offer to drive, and check out some alternatives producing music at a store or outlet.....

 

[mulester7]

.....had to keep a Bose thread alive, haha....got a question.....

.....if the "current" is sent by only one transformer in a surround receiver, are the 7 amp sections actually one amp section with seven distributions?...and if so, how do 5 discrete SACD signals get to five distributions?.....

.....hey, I ain't settin' up nothing....am serious....you'll notice I placed this in philosophers and wisemen.....I'm going to be disappointed if a certain few don't respond.....

 

[Resident Loser]

???????huh??????

...what's that got to do with the price of bagels in Bengal?

After the signal is decoded, they all travel to separate pre-amps and ultimately output stages...the power supply is common(low-life that it is) only to a certain point...

Me? I'd go for the Bose...maybe a super simple 3-2-1 deal or perhaps a Lifestyle offering...he!! after all it's only laser-totin' lizards via HT anywho...

jimHJJ(...one unit, one remote...no muss, no fuss...)

 

[satish536]

Bose

I have only one thing to say
<No offence to any bose product owners as i also own some>



BOSE- Buy Other Sound Equipment

 

[mustang_steve]

I'd try to get him one of those wharfedale 5.1 speaker sets, a Yamaha receiver and DVD-changer, and some 14ga wire and AR interconnects (dirt cheap, but good).

That will give him something that will blow that bose setup out of the water, is easily upgradable, and far cheaper.

If he can live with bigger speakers (as in large shelf style speakers), Yamaha has a HTiB with the NS-BP4500 speaker set as part of it. That's a 6.1 speaker set, that is actually pretty nice. I use it in my HT setup , and aside from it's difficulty with very quiet passages, is a very nice set.

 

[bpape]

Friends don't let friends do Bose.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Should I even try to convince him otherwise? Is it worth it?

Yes, then when you're done with that you can go to your local watering hole and explain to every Harley-Davidson rider that a Honda would have been a much better cycling investment and they should go trade their bike in first thing monday morning.

Someday you'll learn that corporate brainwashing works quite well for 95% of the population, and its really not worth your time trying to educate some people.