SUPER HOT: Boston Acoustics DIGITAL Media Theater speakers $55 shipped

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AirJames

Senior member
Oct 22, 1999
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I got these speakers and they work. I tried the test Kwad mentioned. I noticed there is a test mode that hums. If you turn on the surround(center) knob and turn off the sub there will be a static test on the surround sound.

vmrao, which connectors does the dongle for the Epox mobo have? The speakers came with analog cords and also a digital cord w/ an RCA connector on one end(going to the sub) and a 1/8" normal jack on the other end(goes to the sound card).

I have a SB Live!(original version) and it has only a SPDIF out w/ an RCA style connector and
The sound quality on analog is not bad though. They sound a little airy as though the sound were in a distance inside the speakers whereas the Cambridge Soundworks FPS 2000's(had these for 4 years) are clear and crisp. I've been looking for a system that has bass because the Cambridges were lacking in that dept. but these definitely have more bass.
 

AirJames

Senior member
Oct 22, 1999
284
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Got my second set of speakers and these speakers have the hum u guys are talking about. Even more unfortunate is these sound BETTER than the ones without the hum. I changed satellites and it has to do with the sub. The "hummers's" sub has a tighter crisper bass. I used the THX Ultimate Subwoofer Bass Test. So I am faced with two non working speakers after all. The one without a hum is actually the worse one. How do I go about getting one without a hum?
 

HocusFocus

Member
Jul 30, 2001
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That hum has to be a short some where. I'm trying to get the amplifier schematic from BA so that I can get a local technician to have a look at them. These
speakers sound so good to have such a glaring defect.
 

BaseGrizzly

Member
Mar 4, 2001
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Originally posted by: HocusFocus
It looks to me like someone skipped the refurbishing part. Did Boston Accoustics go out of business?

Boston Acoustics has been in business for a long time and won't go out anytime soon. Their home audio speakers are well known and sell for high prices (I have a 4 speaker set that my dad bought about 10 years ago for ~$600).
 

Kwad Guy

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 1999
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The BA735s are definitely not the equivalent of the Digital Media Theater speakers. They're OK, but not nearly as good. Certainly $15 good, though. Note that the BA735s are, I believe, digital ONLY. No digital out on your soundcard? Don't bother.

Kwad
 

AirJames

Senior member
Oct 22, 1999
284
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Well, I talked to BA and they said they may charge up to $40 if it's out of warranty. I'm going to send mine in and get a free estimate.
 

ericlp

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,137
225
106
Hmmmm.... I guess that is why it's not wise to post e-bay links on a hot deal forum.

I thought that was against the rules anyway? Sigh....
 

HocusFocus

Member
Jul 30, 2001
175
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Serviceandproducts.net made good on the bad units. ServiceandProducts.net paid return shipping and gave refunds. These speakers were not bid on they had a set price. They are incredible speakers if they work. Unfortunately, they didn't but I like them so much I'm trying to get mine repaired. I could not afford this quality of speaker.
HF
 

ganesha

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
559
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Do the subwoofer's have a 3 prong plug? If so, I would try a "cheater plug" which makes it 2 prong. I know with some regular subwoofers, like the Hsu VTF-2 need a cheater plug or they get the hum you speak of.
 

HocusFocus

Member
Jul 30, 2001
175
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0
The sub uses an RCA type. These speakers are digital only. I was running mine off the SPDIF on my 8RDA+.
HF

I tried to get a schematic from BA but the guy there told me to send them to him to look at. They have them now and hope to have a simple fix. I will pass that fix along to productandservice.net and hopefully everyone will get their speakers back fixed.
HF
 

AirJames

Senior member
Oct 22, 1999
284
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0
HocusFocus,
I have the 8RDA+ and have heard the SPDIF connector uses optical out only and doesn't have the RCA plug. Also, my speakers have both analog and digital. The digital of course have higher quality but there is an analog connector. Also, I sent my speakers to BA as well.
 

HocusFocus

Member
Jul 30, 2001
175
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0
Originally posted by: AirJames
HocusFocus,
I have the 8RDA+ and have heard the SPDIF connector uses optical out only and doesn't have the RCA plug. Also, my speakers have both analog and digital. The digital of course have higher quality but there is an analog connector. Also, I sent my speakers to BA as well.

I have the EP-SPDOC. The EP-650 is optic only. The one I have has optic in/out, a switch and an RCA plug out. I was damn lucky because I unknowingly ordered the EP-650 but received the other. I really had no use for the 650. Have you heard anything back from BA? I just hope that fixing them doesn't degrade the sound and only eliminate the hum. Those babies really sounded good!
HF


 

HocusFocus

Member
Jul 30, 2001
175
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Got my speakers back today! BA replaced the amp and I gotta say these sumbiaches sound GRRRRRRRREAT! Only cost to me was $11 shipping from Mobile, Al to Peabody, Ma. For a little more work and money these speakers are a hot deal for me.
Thanks, Kwad Guy!
HF
 

Kwad Guy

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 1999
3,478
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Man...Only $11 to fix them? That's a great deal on BA's part. So your total was still only $66, which for these speakers is a deal...

Congrats!

Kwad
 

HocusFocus

Member
Jul 30, 2001
175
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0
Kwad,
Maybe those guys can get their speakers back and send them on to BA. Still wondering how AirJames fared. I look at these speakers and I'm wondering if BA just sent me some new ones. They were all shrink wrapped and well packed and everything. Even have a glistening patina to them.
Thanks again Kwad these things kick the lama's
HF
 

AirJames

Senior member
Oct 22, 1999
284
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Hi HocusFocus, BA told me they are sending a check. I hope I don't get charged and I hope I get a kicking system. It will be interesting to compare the fixed-by-BA ones to the other pair that did not have any hum. I also sold my Epox mobo and got an Asus A7N8X Deluxe from Newegg because it has the SPDIF built in. The sound is great on these speakers. I got the Microsoft Plus pack as well and used the "Speaker Enhancement" that comes w/ it(used the Altec Lansing ADA 305 profile because they didn't have the BA Digital Media Theater Speakers listed) and these sound awesome. Thanks for the deal even though it was more work than expected. I now have a Cambridge Soundworks FPS 2000 speaker system for sale.
 

HocusFocus

Member
Jul 30, 2001
175
0
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AirJames, why are they sending you a check? I sold my Epox too and have ordered the Abit NF7-S from NewEgg along with a 2500+ Barton. I ordered a optical to coax adapter to hook-up my BA's. My games play a whole lot smoother using digital, I guess because it saves cpu cycles but it's definitely noticable.
HF
 

HocusFocus

Member
Jul 30, 2001
175
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0
ServiceandProduct.Net

Scott Abraham, Sales

401 North Main

Wayne, NE 68787

(402) 375-2131 Phone
These guys are selling the speakers "as is" for $30. It looks like BA is standing behind the speakers and fixing them if you send them in. Cost me $11 for shipping to Peabody, Mass.. These be great speakers!
HF
 

Davem556

Junior Member
Jul 3, 2002
16
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Damn. I too had a humming set and just spent the $15.50 today to send them back, only to find this extended thread now.

Does anyone know if Service and Products.net makes good on the speakers? I requested another set. I would have just sent them to BA to get repaired if I knewthis morning what I know now.

If I get another set of "hummers" back I will send them to BA but, does anyone have any contact info for BA?

These speakers are really that good to go through this hassle!
 

HocusFocus

Member
Jul 30, 2001
175
0
0
Jeff Fullerton

Senior Electronics Technician
Boston Acoustics

(978) 538-5000 ext.2295
jfullerton@bostona.com
There ya go,
HF

Yes, productandservice.net will do everything in their power to make you a satisfied customer. You put bread on their table and they realize this. And BA seems to use the same business model.