Bose? The best in Audio?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

iwearnosox

Lifer
Oct 26, 2000
16,018
5
0
Originally posted by: fatbaby
bang and olufsun

I want that $500 mp3 player that probably is only 32 mb

Oh god, B&O?

You're not paying for sound with them, you're paying for an expensive european fashion statement.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Originally posted by: iwearnosox
Originally posted by: fatbaby
bang and olufsun

I want that $500 mp3 player that probably is only 32 mb

Oh god, B&O?

You're not paying for sound with them, you're paying for an expensive european fashion statement.

Junk worse than bose.

 

sparkyclarky

Platinum Member
May 3, 2002
2,389
0
0
Originally posted by: Carbonyl
They are a little above average but have the best marketing team in audio.

Actually, they're far below average. I read an article a while back that really analyzed Bose's "technology" and completely debunked any myths that their Nazi marketing department has spit out. This company is the biggest bunch of BS ever. They charge $1,000 for speakers that cost roughly $100 to make (cheap paper cones-tiny drivers at that). If you're really serious about audio, go to a respected home theater forum and do some research. Anyone can throw out names, but you have to read up on what's behind the names in order to get an individualized sound.
 

HendrixFan

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2001
4,646
0
71
Why not try out different setups in your price range and determine what you like best. www.avsforum.com would likely be able to help you alot more than we could here.
 

Hamburgerpimp

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2000
7,464
1
76
KEF are the best speakers I've ever heard.

From my audiophile obsession over the years I've owned products from Bose, Klipsch, Mission, B&W, JBL, Polk, Hafler, Nakamichi, Carver, SonyES, Adcom, NAD, Denon, Sansui, Marantz and a few more I can't think of. Of course, I owned the cheap chinese sh1t (Pioneer, JVC, Kenwood and others) when I was a kid. Bose is the absolute shittiest of them all.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
If you time on your hands, I would suggest building your own. If you are good at working with MDF, or are willing to pay somebody to create enclosures for you, it wouldn't take that long.

A bit more complicated than your standard DIY speakers, but a match for your budget.

Eros floorstanders
Improved crossover for Eros - CFAC means Copper Foil Air Core - I would suggest replacing the caps with Audiocap Thetas

You'll need to make 4 of them (the plans are for 2) if you want a very cohesive surround experience.

I'd say you could make do with 4 of them for $1300 including MDF, tools not included.

Have to go now, otherwise would have suggested center. SVS subs are good.
 

Giblet

Senior member
Jul 23, 2002
229
0
0
find your local distibuter that sells the speakers to the stores and buy them off him. he can make a little under teh table transaction and you can get speakers for like 50% off. well thats what i do at least. but i knew the guy from some where else before and
 

Viperoni

Lifer
Jan 4, 2000
11,084
1
71
If you guys think Bose's marketing department's good, just wait till you meet their legal team :D :D :D :Q
 

boyRacer

Lifer
Oct 1, 2001
18,569
0
0
Originally posted by: Viperoni
If you guys think Bose's marketing department's good, just wait till you meet their legal team :D :D :D :Q

Hahaha... he's right... they're best in marketing and lawsuits as well... :D
 

XCLAN

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2001
2,401
0
0
Originally posted by: SOSTrooper
Is a $700 upgrade for Bose car audio in a new car worth it?

NO! I can say that. I drive a 2000 Maxima...heard the cheapy stock system and the bose.....neither of em impress me i prefer aftermarket
 

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
7,939
0
0
Originally posted by: XCLAN
I had to put Bose in my title so everyone here will come to flame bose.
Please let me know in the 1000$ to 2000$ range what are my alternatives to Bose? I am considering buyin Bose at the moment. i want to get rid of my old prol Logic rack {huge} system. I want bose because of the tiny size. I know a lot of you will hate bose...but rather than be here to flame Bose....Recommend something else...and where to buy please :)
Thanx

Boston Acoustics offers competition.

So does Klipsch.

both of those are high end, just like bose. but I really dont know what the best of them is. as always, any company will have varying models of quality. i'd go to the store armed with music selections that will test the speakers.

you want to look for speakers that will function well in all levels. Good base, good high range, and good midrange. and of course, a 400 watt subwoofer. :D


If you want to vibrate the house, you better VIBRATE the house!
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,444
19,893
146
I always give my locally owned HT/audio shops a chance to meet or beat prices. Why? Because they offer service after the sale, and the money spent stays here in the community.

Luckily I found a locally owned shop that will meet or come close to just about every online price I find from a reputable, authorized dealer.

As for speakers, yes, small looks nice, but it wont sound full enough. Bose is all about marketing. It becomes readily apparent if you take any of their products apart and note the cheap materials used.

As for HT speakers, there are many good brands out there that offer very respectable speakers in the same $1000 - 2000 price range you would have spent on those Bose speakers.

Among them are

*Mirage
*Paradigm
*PSB
*Mordaunt-Short

There are others I can't think of now, but all of these brands listed have impressed me in one way or another.
 

sharkeeper

Lifer
Jan 13, 2001
10,886
2
0
KEF is good. The old KEF was absolutely stunning. I have a pair of 107's that are biamped and actively crossed over. (Wadia/Krell) The imaging, soundstage, and bass is just incredible.

Their new stuff is good, but cannot hold a candle to the 107 series. I've had mine since 1991.

Cheers!
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,444
19,893
146
Originally posted by: sharkeeper
KEF is good. The old KEF was absolutely stunning. I have a pair of 107's that are biamped and actively crossed over. (Wadia/Krell) The imaging, soundstage, and bass is just incredible.

Their new stuff is good, but cannot hold a candle to the 107 series. I've had mine since 1991.

Cheers!

KEF is nice, but do they offer anything in his price range? Remember, we're talking a 5.1 or 7.1 system here.
 

kami

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
17,627
5
81
Bose has the greatest marketing in the world. You could swear there was some subliminal stuff in their ads, cause some people get truly convinced that you can't buy any better
rolleye.gif


No highs,
No lows,
It must be Bose!
 

Krassus

Golden Member
Jan 30, 2003
1,153
0
0
A siutable alternative for BOSE is... anything but BOSE :) Seriously though, if you want the sound quality, you have to live with the size. There's just no way to get around physics. A good large speaker will always sound better than a good small speaker. With that said, if you absolutely have to have small speakers, check out Paradigm, PSB, Klipsch, etc. They all have relatively small speakers that you can put on stands. But their floorstanding models sound far better. Head over to AVS for more info.