Good deal on Jenson Bookshelf Speakers

[Jokersmoker]

Circuit City
Look under specials
Enjoy
Jokersmoker

 

[divinemartyr]

I believe the brandname is Jensen however I'm going to steer you guys away from these speakers. Unless you want something that's total junk, don't buy these. Buy a nice pair of Infinity bookshelf speakers, maybe even some Bose 201. I know you can't compare the price of those to the Jensen's but don't waste your money on these speakers, not worth $5 IMO.

divinemartyr

 

[smensch]

I know this forum is hardly the place to discuss speakers, but for the love of God, do not buy Jensen or Bose (or any other of the CC/Best Buy speaker variety). There are plenty of great speakers out there for people on a budget (like Paradigm, NHT, B&W, Acoustic Research, Klipsch, PSB, Tannoy, Mirage, etc...)

www.audioreview.com is a good place to start.

Sorry for the public service announcement...

 

[Underclocked]

NHT SuperOnes (floor) or SuperZeros (shelf) would be great choices. I happen to like the sound of Polk speakers also.

 

[Zap]

For bookshelf speakers, either go cheap (if you can't afford good) or good. Really, if you can't afford it, then any cheap speaker will work. I used to use a set of crappy KLH indoor/outdoor speakers in my room. Picked up a pair for $20 at Costco. They sounded crappy, but were cheap. Then I "upgraded" to KLH shielded bookshelf speakers for $50/pair at Costco. Amazingly, they sounded REALLY good, but the woofer would distort if I cranked it. Now, I'm running some JBL speakers that came with a receiver. Better "brand" but doesn't sound as good as the KLH. My GF had gotten a set of BIC Venturi bookshelf speakers which sound really awesome. They use a rubber surround instead of foam (one sign of a higher-end speaker, though not always true). She got the 5" (5" woofer, two way, black wood cabinet) model. I've seen the 6" model for around $200/pair. I've also listened to some AR bookshelf speakers which sounded great, but were also expensive.

 

[ViperSSD]

"do not buy Jensen or Bose"
are u crazy?:Q
i have a bose home theater system and it rocks. for the sound and the size, they are the best speakers that i have ever heard.

 

[mcdull]

BOSE is not a good brand for speakers?

 

[Entity]

Bose speakers are pretty crappy for those with discriminating tastes. Compare them side by side to Acoustic Research, and the AR's will blow them away (at the same price level).

I own Bose 201's, 301's, and AR 318PS speakers; I've also auditioned several different pairs of AR bookshelf speakers. As soon as I get the cash, I'm trading in the Bose 201's & 301's for AR 226's and 216's.

Rob

 

[smensch]

Bose speakers are muddy and bassy. Plus, Bose tweeters are made of paper! (insert Soylent Green joke here) I myself have Paradigm speakers and couldn't be happier. But, in the interest of not starting a Bose/anti-Bose argument, if you're happy with your speakers, fine. That's nice. Just please audition several brands of speakers (including those at hifi stores) before settling on CC/Best Buy's stuff.

 

[Squisher]

BOSE is suck

 

[StealthX32]

Bose totally lacks midrange. You get good tweets, and good bass. But then it sounds scratchy and muddy at the same time...nothing in between to smooth it all out.

 

[pdo]

Bose are probably one of the worst speakers you can get for the money. I myself am using some Pinnacle(don't think alot of people know about it) and they're pretty decent for the money I paid for them.

 

[TBP]

BOSE is kinda like Microsoft, IMHO. It is overpriced/well_marketed/of_so_so_quality, but works for most everyday people.

[edit]Jensen happened to be the stock speakers on my truck and I would replace them if I have a little bit extra money. (any deal on car speakers?)

 

[AndrewR]

Circuit City sells Infinity -- does that make it crap?

 

[Slash3]

Dare I say, Bose Acoustimess?

Seriously, Bose systems aren't as bad as they're made out to be. However, it can't be argued that you can get better sounding systems for the price point. Their advantages lie in system integration (ie, the components are easy to hide), ease of use/setup and to some, asthetics. They're usually fine for most movies, but lack when it comes to playing conventional music (due to the 'missing' midrange).

But as others have mentioned, it's not the place to discuss that here. Check www.audioreview.com or other similar sites for user reviews and go from there. Open your mind and open your ears.

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

FYI, for those saying buy NHT, not Jensen, please be advised that Jensen is the parent company of NHT.

 

[Mats122]

Bose have a name and they great for movies. They'll do music too and the style! I am not a Bose user as I do not like the sound coming out of it and their Bose systems simply don't have enough options for me and use old technology, but it's like Bang&Olufsen - they got style and everybody knows them. In my office most people have Bose/B&O Audiosystems and they happy and the ones that don't have (money issue) dream to hav it one day. It's a status thing. They don't know a brand like AR (I hv two 328PS front/two 318PS back/225PS center/112PS subwoofer) and they not very much into the conventional style and size of speakers, however they all admit that the sound coming out of them blows their systems away.

 

[divinemartyr]

CentralScrutinizer:

I can't deny or agree to what you say is true, however, Ford and Chevy both are parent companies to MANY car companies, i.e. Range Rover, Jaguar, etc. Just like Mercedes-Benz's parent company is Daimler-Chrysler, to say that Chrysler and Mercedes cars are the same in ANY way is completely ridiculous! NHT is in NO way similar to Jensen. First of all NHT only deals in home theatre. Jensen deals in home and car audio both and their product lines are COMPLETELY different. They aren't even manufactured at the same place! Following is a statement taken from NHTHIFI.COM, which is NHT's website:

NHT drivers are engineered in-house, using proprietary computer-aided technologies. Designing performance parameters such as frequency response, radiation pattern and power handling inherently into the drivers offers clear sonic benefits. It reduces the reliance on complex and expensive crossover networks and provides more consistent product in manufacturing.

So you can see all their engineering is done in-house, meaning Jensen isn't even involved in their R&D (Research and Development). Your point of them being affiliated financially is moot. NHT makes AWESOME speakers, Jensen is suck.

Also to further support the rest of this thread, I agree completely and have been telling people this for YEARS, Bose is suck for home theatre. Their 201 and 301 bookshelf speakers are the only HALF way decent products for the money. The acoustimass products in particular are way overpriced and sound horrible for any type of music reproduction.

divinemartyr

 

[HKSturboKID]

While we're on this subject.
Pepz, I need some advice. I am looking to upgrade my stereo this holiday and I am looking to get the Bose Lifestyle 30 system. Truthfully, are BOSE really that bad. If so, I may reconsider and get something else. Any suggestions?

 

[l0g0ut]

i've use bose and i'd have to say stay away from it. get yourself infinity, paradigm or wharfedale (it's a pretty decent brand from british company)

 

[rml]

Go Klipsch!!!

 

[virtuamike]

If you some really nice speakers then check out Energy. Canadian, part of the same company that owns Mirage and something else, forgot which one. For the price they sound great, not as loud as Klipsch but much more natural and clean. Plus they kick the crap out of Bose.

 

[divinemartyr]

Yeah don't go Bose. Some of the other recommendations I have seen here are excellent. Boston Acoustics, NHT, and Mirage are among my favorites. Paradigm are also very nice, can't say anything bad about them. Just don't try your luck with Bose unless you never plan to listen to any music on them. They sound pretty decent with movies but all around good system? No way.

divinemartyr

 

[db]

I have to agree with virtuamike about Energy.
For HT try Energy Take5 + one of their subs--*for the money*, you can't beat it.

 

[pjs]

I recently bought a pair of Bose 301 series III speakers at a decent price (a recent Fry's special). I use them as the rear channel speakers for 5.1 channel DVD movie playback. I find them perfectly acceptable in this application. For listening to music, however, I rely on my Acoustat 2+2s.

Paul