Originally posted by: Pacal
YOyoYOhowsDAjello,
I'm not sure I can easily differentiate between audio systems in a demo environment. As I pointed out to w00t, my ears have a hard time distinguishing between audio systems. What brand of speakers are you using right now? They look rather impressive both in aesthetics and size judging by your photos. I could probably disguise the speakers in my home entertainment center if their size begins to detract or interfere with the decor, but I tend to like smaller speakers if only for their aesthetics though I don't want to sacrifice quality either. They don't have to be wall mountable and if I have to sacrifice size for quality, than I am inclined to do so and I will just adapt the home entertainment center to disguise them.
Sorry to hear that
🙁
Are you going to be using this system with some other specific people? (family?)
Maybe it could be something you could do with a SO or someone who is going to be listening to the system a lot as well to get their opinion on different options?
I went with my ex when I was demo-ing stuff so we both got to hear some of the different options.
It might be worth it to just go on your own anyway just in case you surprise yourself about what kind of differences you can distinguish. If nothing else, it may lead you to decide that you don't want to waste money on getting a more expensive audio system when a $400 Onkyo HTIB might suit you just as well as spending several thousand on a system.
My speakers are from the Rocket series from AV123
http://www.av123.com/
They've also recently started their X-Series speakers there that are the budget line. They have a lot of new products coming out soon.
http://av123.wetpaint.com/
Something nice about some of these online brands are their risk free trial periods. AV123 lets you order a pair of bookshelf speakers to test out and if you don't like them, you can return them within the trial period and get all your money back including shipping.
There are a lot of online brands to match a variety of budgets.
Towards the lower end ($1000-ish)
http://www.svsound.com/products-sys.cfm
http://www.av123.com/products_category_pack.php?section=speakers&brand=55
Spending more
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/
http://www.axiomaudio.com/
http://www.av123.com/products_category_pack.php?section=speakers&brand=3
Some places to look for a sub
http://www.svsound.com/
http://www.hsuresearch.com/
Lots of other options out there too. They're all going to have different sounds that will appeal to some people and not so much to others.
ribbon13's suggestions are about kit speakers that you would build. If you have the tools and skills necessary to do that, it's a great way to get bang for your buck in speakers.
A DIY sub would be even easier.
Not as good, but still better than retail are the online options I mentioned. After demo-ing several retail options at several pricepoints, the speakers that I've used from brands like AV123 and Axiom (and subs from SVS / AV123 too) have been significantly better than what I found for a similar retail price.
As for fitting in with the decor, there are a lot of options for some of these brands to change the appearance of the speakers to try to match your room.
I think my speakers are pretty much the best looking thing in my apartment though, so I'm not really trying to hide them
😉
EDIT: Oh, and the Bose system already comes with its own receiver. You'd need to add a receiver or separates to any system you put together on your own (as well as wires, etc.) unless it was a HTIB (Home Theater In a Box)
AVSforum and HomeTheaterForum are a couple places to find more information if I didn't mention those already
