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I have been looking for about 2 weeks, can't decide which one to go with. I'm leaning towards a Kenwoood system but Sony alo has some that I like. Bose is really nice but is more than I can spend. Anyone???
-------------------- 99SS Black t-tops M6, Hurst shifter,Lous Short Stick, leather,SLP Loud Mouth Dual Dual, SLP Chrome rims,Mats,fobs, car cover,SLP Banner, CAGS & STB,Zaino,5.7LS1 decal, SLP Y pipe.SLP ATM,Harlan Shift Light. Number 16 Fuel Rail covers. Chrome hood scoop grille.SLP Airbox Lid.SLP SS front grille.Red Camaro lettering in rear, Camaro lettering on front brakes (painted red) Custom painted stripes with Kamelon paint.http://communities.msn.com/99CamaroSS3312/shoebox.msnw?Page=1 Posts: 1201 | From: Medina,Ohio | Registered: Feb 2000
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Lot's of questions: How much are you looking to spend? What are you looking to buy? *speakers? *Television/Monitor? *Receiver, DVD, CD? What kind of setup are you leaning towards? *5.1 audio? *6.1 audio? *digital audio?
All in all, Entertainment systems, the more you spend the better quality you usually get. If you get all in one systems, you usually dont get the best sounding system as opposed to buying the speakers separately, the reciever separately, and dvd player separately. My personal recommendations with lean towards B&W speakers, Yamaha reciever, and Sony DVD. If you're on a small budget, I would go with Sony ES products. Feel free to ask any other questions you have!! Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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My dad's system included Luxman reciever(older version), sony dvd, and Paradigm speakers. My personal system is my computer system (yes computer) which includes digital Klipsch 5.1 speakers and 19" flat screen monitor. Quite a setup I'd say the two are comparable!!
Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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quote:Originally posted by DanPazich: Lot's of questions: How much are you looking to spend? What are you looking to buy? *speakers? *Television/Monitor? *Receiver, DVD, CD? What kind of setup are you leaning towards? *5.1 audio? *6.1 audio? *digital audio?
All in all, Entertainment systems, the more you spend the better quality you usually get. If you get all in one systems, you usually dont get the best sounding system as opposed to buying the speakers separately, the reciever separately, and dvd player separately. My personal recommendations with lean towards B&W speakers, Yamaha reciever, and Sony DVD. If you're on a small budget, I would go with Sony ES products. Feel free to ask any other questions you have!!
Thanks for the replies! Looking to spend $1,000 or less, need the receiver,speakers, we have a DVD, CD,VCR, and new TV,43inch Hitatchi.
I have been looking for a sysem that is betterthan our old system. 3 year old sony 20 watt system.
Posts: 1201 | From: Medina,Ohio | Registered: Feb 2000
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I would say plan on spending at least $300 on a 5.1 reciever, Yamaha or perhaps just Sony. With speakers, I would go with Paradigm or B&W. Not sure if you can find them at such places as Circuit City..might have to go to special audio store. I would get them both separate though, instead of a "package system." Just my two cents. Oh and one more thing...get powered speakers instead of little measly speakers that just run one wire to the reciever. The quality is sooo much better. Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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My wife and I just recently purchased a new home theatre system. We bought a Bose Lifestyle 25 system from the Bose website. The prices were a dead-bang match for Best Buy's prices on the same equipment. We went with the Lifestyle 25 as opposed to the 28 because we already have a Sony DVD player and the 28 comes with a DVD player. The 25 has a 6-disc CD changer and was thus a little less expensive. What I like best about the system in addition to the absolutely phenomenal sound is that it really does a good job of disappearing into the decor. We don't have a ton of space and I wanted something that offered the performance of my previous component system without dominating the room. They also were running a promotion where if you buy one of their Lifestyle systems, they include a Bose Wave Radio for free. This system, small as it is, will still thunder you out of the house if you want it to and you simply won't believe the richness and the utterly impeccable reproduction of sound out of such a small system. The hookups are all color-coded so you can't mess it up. You definitely get what you pay for here.
My previous system was built around a Sherwood Dolby Pro-logic surround sound receiver ( old stuff ain't it... ), and an M&K powered sub woofer. The receiver was rated for 105 watts on the mains, 30 on the center, and 18 on the surrounds. The M&K had its own 100 watt amp. To that I added an Acurus 100x3 amp, a pair of Altec Lansing towers for the mains, a Jaimo center and Jaimo surrounds. The CD player and dubbing deck were from Denon. This is all old stuff now, but would still set off my car alarm when I cranked it... . Where we live now, that system is just wayyyyy too much and I'd probably get complaints from my neighbors if I decided to turn it up. So, now that we have the Bose system, this older one is for sale. Good luck on your choice...I HIGHLY recommend Bose, it's worth every dang penny.
Andy
Posts: 214 | From: Pepperell MA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Have a Sony reciever and Bose AMM suround .The Bose will put you out of your price range.Have always felt that the speakers were the most important though. Check the net for prices alot of times you can find good ones for what you are looking for.
Posts: 3091 | From: Canton Mi. | Registered: Oct 2002
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I do agree that Bose is excellent in sound quality...by brother just built a house and had all the wiring done inside the walls and the little white speakers blend in quite well. I also agree that speakers are the key, although the reciever shoudl be just as important because that is what everything is running into. Without a quality reciever, then you dont get the most out of your speakers and what they can potentially handle.
Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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I would have to agree with the majority here and say go with the Bose System. They are offering a 0% financing now through Bose so you may want to look into it. I think they still offer a free Wave Radio. I have a Lifestyle 25 and a Wave radio and a Wave radio CD. I have been thinking about selling my Lifestyle 25 and going with the Lifestyle 35.
if you want a used system let me know.
Rob
Posts: 191 | From: Worcester, MA | Registered: Mar 2000
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I would have to agree with Dan's choices on speakers, paradigm or B&W. However, IMHO, I would not go with Bose speakers. While they do look good, most audiophile magazines and enthusiasts seem to hate them. Of course, you don't have to take my word for it....I have some information on why they are really bad, but it's at my apartment. I'll post it late Sunday if you are interested.
Whatever you do, make sure you listen to the speakers that you are going to get, and better yet, TRY OUT the speakers, amp, etc. at YOUR home, with some kind of money back deal. Remember, that it's really hard to tell the difference sometimes, but louder systems SOUND better (but that doesn't mean they ARE better). Try to make sure you are listening to stuff at the same volume level. This is a favorite tactic of sales people trying to push a particular sound setup.
Good luck!
NiravSS
Posts: 156 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Oct 2000
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Thanks again Dan and all the rest, that is why I like this place, you all are a grat help. I need to re-think this, I will look at the Bose sytems again and if need to just save more$$$. Thanks again to all of you..
Posts: 1201 | From: Medina,Ohio | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by 35TH ED/ed: Have a Sony reciever and Bose AMM suround .The Bose will put you out of your price range.Have always felt that the speakers were the most important though. Check the net for prices alot of times you can find good ones for what you are looking for.
Woops.... I should clarify. Thats what I have. Sony stuff and Bose speakers.... the best of both worlds in my opinion. To be honest I hardly use the surround stuff.... mostly listen to digital music off the satelite.
Posts: 1045 | From: Seattle, WA | Registered: Nov 2001
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NiravSS, WOW !! You aren't kidding when you say that people hate Bose.
Funny, I've owned Bose products myself for years, not counting this most recent purchase and have always been delighted with their sound and quality. Friends of mine, who have been musicians for years have also agreed that the Bose products sound really nice. I wouldn't dispute that you could find products out there that will out-perform Bose, but for me, they had a solution that sounds great, looks great, installs easy, and is easy to use. The easy-to-use part was important for me because I'm not the only one in the household who uses it. Bose products ARE a little pricey, but I had considerably more cash invested in the older system I described above.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm no expert on this stuff, so I think you offered the best advice by encouraging anyone looking at a system to listen to it first, at home in the environment where you'll use it if you can. At the very least, bring the music or movie you like rather than settling for whatever is set up for the display. For me, the Bose system fit the bill and I'd still recommend it.
Posts: 214 | From: Pepperell MA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by chrisL: [QB] speaker sound is very subjective. what I like, you may not.
See if you can listen to speakers before you get them.
How large is the room? Will you use it mostly for TV? audio? 50/50?. Do you want speakers that will blend in with the room (smaller).
Our room is 23x14 but it has a vaulted ceiling and is open to the starway to the 2nd floor. The peak of the room is 16 feet high.Posts: 1201 | From: Medina,Ohio | Registered: Feb 2000
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I'd definately go with lareger (floor) speakers in that case, I just dont think Bose will be able to fill a room that way.
Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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NiravSS, WOW !! You aren't kidding when you say that people hate Bose.
Funny, I've owned Bose products myself for years, not counting this most recent purchase and have always been delighted with their sound and quality. Friends of mine, who have been musicians for years have also agreed that the Bose products sound really nice. I wouldn't dispute that you could find products out there that will out-perform Bose, but for me, they had a solution that sounds great, looks great, installs easy, and is easy to use. The easy-to-use part was important for me because I'm not the only one in the household who uses it. Bose products ARE a little pricey, but I had considerably more cash invested in the older system I described above.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm no expert on this stuff, so I think you offered the best advice by encouraging anyone looking at a system to listen to it first, at home in the environment where you'll use it if you can. At the very least, bring the music or movie you like rather than settling for whatever is set up for the display. For me, the Bose system fit the bill and I'd still recommend it.
I PERSONALLY do not have a bose system...in fact, I don't have a home theater system in the typical sense of the term. I use DJ speakers as my main drivers. And, Bose PA systems are some of the best on the market (though, again way overpriced). So, I don't think it's Bose per se, it's some of the particular systems that they mass market.
But whatever the case, it's YOU that's going to be enjoying the speakers, not anybody else. So, if you like them, then that's great; screw everyone else!
Also, I'd agree with Dan: the room is TOO big for those Bose speakers to fill properly. I'd suggest larger, floor standing speakers.
But as I promised, another link. Still not the one I was looking for, which actually analyzed the sound output of Bose's Lifestyle systems, but nonetheless, this place is a good repository of opinionated information:
and i love it........ i couldnt have asked for a better sounding system... plus i can add 2 more speakers to it if i wanted to. I will eventually add 2 floor standing speakers
p.s. my room is 18x21
[ 03. February 2003, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: NVMY02SS ]
Posts: 924 | From: new york | Registered: Feb 2002
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First off I want to thank ALL of you that replied. Mary and I took your advise and went to some stores and listened to different systems. Both box systems and seperate components. After asking lots of questions and hearing different systems we picked a seperate receiver and speakers. I bought a Onkyo TX-600 receiveer and a 5 speaker Infinity set. Listening to the different receivers and speaker combos really helped.
Again thanks for all the help....keep it safe...
Posts: 1201 | From: Medina,Ohio | Registered: Feb 2000
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Okay first of all that Mike guy at Liquid Theater needs to put down the crack pipe. Bose does not just create speakers that "sound good". they make speakers and systems that produce accurate life like sound.
He got suckered by the sales man that sold him the Boston Acoustics. If you go to a Sears and buy a Bose System its because the person already knows what they want. How can you compare a Sears store that is thousands of open square footage, to a room taylored to make the Boston Acoustics sound superior.
I dare the guy to go to a Bose Outlet Store and a Boston Acoustics Outlet Store and listen to a demo of both systems, He will then get a correct A to B comparison.
Posts: 191 | From: Worcester, MA | Registered: Mar 2000
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Great to hear your purchase! I'm sure you'll both be very happy and pleased. Let us know how it sounds (when you get it cranked up). Best movie to test it out in is The Matrix. Furthermore, the one lobby scene in the movie. That's what I use to compare anything. Enjoy!!
Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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Congrats on the new system. I hope you get years and years of fun using it. We love our system. Yes, the lobby scene from The Matrix is awesome. A good test for a home theater system.
Best of luck,
Andy
Posts: 214 | From: Pepperell MA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Congrats on the new system. I hope you get years and years of fun using it. We love our system. Yes, the lobby scene from The Matrix is awesome. A good test for a home theater system.
Best of luck,
Andy
Ya think?? Andy, wanna give a critique of the lobby seen as seen on Dan's home system?
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by DanPazich: Great to hear your purchase! I'm sure you'll both be very happy and pleased. Let us know how it sounds (when you get it cranked up). Best movie to test it out in is The Matrix. Furthermore, the one lobby scene in the movie. That's what I use to compare anything. Enjoy!!
I will have to try that movie, I have the system set up but do not have the speakers mounted. I have them were I want them but not secured to the walls. The center speaker found a home right on top of the TV, and the four corners complete the "box" The powered sub-wofer is on the right side, all I can say is wow! I tested the system with the movie DRIVEN. Sounded like we were right in he middle of the race track. I can close my eyes and hear the cars travel around the track. Our old system never gave us this type of sound.
Again, thanks for the help, have a great day all....
Ralph
Posts: 1201 | From: Medina,Ohio | Registered: Feb 2000
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Forget the movies what you need to hear is some good old music like ......Dark Side of the Moon / Bridge of Sighs /or a little Carlos..Abraxis Posts: 3091 | From: Canton Mi. | Registered: Oct 2002
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I would definitely have to agree about the Matrix Lobby seen....that is PHAT! Another great movie is Independence Day, at various points throughout the film (Saucer crash, white house explosion, etc). The best is how it is pindrop silence for a millisecond before it completely blows!
quote:Originally posted by White Lightning: He got suckered by the sales man that sold him the Boston Acoustics. If you go to a Sears and buy a Bose System its because the person already knows what they want. How can you compare a Sears store that is thousands of open square footage, to a room taylored to make the Boston Acoustics sound superior.
I dare the guy to go to a Bose Outlet Store and a Boston Acoustics Outlet Store and listen to a demo of both systems, He will then get a correct A to B comparison.
I think that this just goes to show that speakers are SOOOO subjective and that you should buy what you have listened to and like. I definitely agree that any outlet store is trying to sell a product. In the Bose outlet, those Bose speakers are going to sound PERFECT. In the BA outlet, those speakers are also going to sound PERFECT. It's really hard to decide because each place sets itself up to succeed. I've even heard rumors that both places use substantially better speakers/drivers placed in other locations to "help" enhance the sound (i.e. 4 more subs behind a wall, other tweaters hidden away in a light fixture, etc.). They all serve to brainwash you into buying their respective speaker.
However, no speaker, regardless of enhancement, is going to sound the same in your home. Therefore, if you can test it there, then you are getting the best judgement. And, if you like how it sounds, then you have found a speaker that works for you.
Oh, also, he says, "Then, luckily, I was saved. I went into a local boutique shop that carried some of the real home theater equipment (read, not Sears) and told them of my wishes for Bose. The sales manager, not just a bit of an asshole, sighed and dragged me into the Boston Acoustics THX room they had."
This is not necessarily a BA shop; rather a higher end audio place which may sell a bunch of different brands. This is obviously a better place to listen to stereo systems than Sears, and I think is a great place to comparison shop. In addition, most places let you try out the speakers at home, so I would encourage people to utilize their expertise. Sort of like buying performance mods at Walmart vs. SLP Performance Parts.
[ 04. February 2003, 10:39 PM: Message edited by: NiravSS ]
Posts: 156 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Oct 2000
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The lobby scene from The Matrix, as viewed from Dan's system has been known to cause the youngest child of the household to flee the immediate area and the Lady of the house to in, ahem, patient tolerance...
An AWESOME system...
Dan, do youy play it that loud for Project Gotham Racing?
Andy
Posts: 214 | From: Pepperell MA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I use that scene to scare out all critters in our house when they come inside from the deep freeze Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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I HAVE A HARMON/KARDON DIGITAL RECEIVER WITH 5 JBL MINI SPEAKERS AND A JBL 12" POWERED SUB-WOOFER Posts: 26 | From: Rochester Hills MI | Registered: Oct 2002
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try playing saving private ryan. At the start of the movie when they are landing on the beach.
Posts: 339 | From: Wallops Island, VA | Registered: Sep 2002
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That's another good movie!(one of my favorites as well) Also Star Wars 2 since that is all digital and the sound is pretty sweet in that as well. Have fun!!
Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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All of your replies are great, Told Mary about them and she ended up buying some DVDs Yep, Matrix and Getteysburg...Now lets see if I can rock the snow off the roof!
Posts: 1201 | From: Medina,Ohio | Registered: Feb 2000
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I'd say the two are comparable!!
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.The Bose will put you out of your price range.Have always felt that the speakers were the most important though. Check the net for prices alot of times you can find good ones for what you are looking for.
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in, ahem, patient tolerance... ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
