|
The highs were very crisp and you can hear every detail of the music that somehow gets lost in other speakers. I always liked Bose products from listening to them in the stores where they have sound rooms setup. I Thought I was doing good with a set of Infinity speakers. I was so impressed that I immediately trashed my infinitys ( I actually gave them away )( I couldnt stand to listen to them anymore ). I took a chance and bought a set of these and it was amazing. After plugging these in and putting on a cd, it was like you could almost see the music coming out of the speakers. Buy a set of these and you will be telling the same story to someone else. I dont think you have to be an audiophile to know what kind of sound you like hearing.
These have such impressive bass for an 8" subwoofer speaker that there is no reason to buy a seperate sub. Anyone who has a negative review might simply not have enough clean wattage to drive these great speakers. I have considered buying a subwoofer a few times and then thought, why. First of all, these speakers sound awesome. After reading reviews on the series 5 speakers, I had to put in my two cents on the previous series 4 speakers that I own. I have no intentions of replacing any of these speakers until they die and when they do I will buy the newest versions with no hesitation. I use the digital optical audio port as that gives the best possible sound. I returned it and bought a Yamaha and the difference was beyond words.
I can't remember which model they are. I have never turned the volume on my receiver past 5 and I only have a 70 watt per channel receiver. I bought mine 9 yrs ago. I also use the VCS10 center channel speaker and the rear speakers are the previous version of the 161's. I have been using these speakers for the last 9 yrs with my home theater system and watching any action movie is an incredible experience. I bought a Pioneer receiver when I first bought these speakers and the setup sounded awful. Everything I have read about the series 5 says they are even better than the series 4. Give them a try and I know you will not be disappointed.
Bose is marketing their products wrong and I can see why so many people don't like them. This is what Bose should be selling. or eBay).
Solution: Front L/R speakers = Bose 301. Sorry Bose, your subs are no good. The Lifestyle and Acoustimass systems are overpriced and don't do the job.
Subwoofer = Polk Audio PSW110 with the crossover set at around 90hz. Center = Bose VCS-10. Surround L/R = Bose cube speakers (come with Lifestyle and Acoustimass systems, but if you call Bose tech support, you can order then separately.
Amplifier = Yamaha HTR-5940 (read the manual and set it up right). It sounds AMAZING.
They are much better than Bose 201 so worth spending extra bucks. These are the best speakers I have ever heard and I have tried a lot. You will be blown away. I have hooked them to an onkyo receiver as the front channel speakers. I also tried Bose center channel VCS10 but it's crappy.
Switching back and forth between the two sets of speakers, it was obvious that the overall sound of the KLH speakers was superior. Despite a few shortcomings, I love the sound of these speakers. I've had a lot of exposure to Bose equipment since the mid-70s and I don't buy into the hype that Bose is best. Personally, I'm not a hardcore audiophile but I can't stand $159 all-in-one units that sell in department stores, which it seems is what most people own.
After mounting the 301s on the wall, the sonic magic took place. No, Bose isn't the best, but Bose is unique.It is imperative that 301s are placed as Bose recommends. I bought a pair of 301 Series IV ( virtually the same as Series V ) used from Ebay for $125. There has always been much controversy over Bose 301 speakers. I already had a 7 band per channel equalizer ($15 on Ebay)and it really helps to tame some of the odd tonal curves of the 301s. It rocks the house. 301s aren't real efficient.
In my small living room, my huge 3-way KLH speakers were just firing sound into the carpet and furniture, as well as taking up floor space. Bass performance can be a problem. These speakers are sensitive to what is put into them. If you can't do that, don't buy them. I've always owned decent equipment; speakers by EPI, AR, KLH, and now Bose 301s. If the bass is recorded just right, it will sound good coming through the 301s. If not, they can sound thin or boomy, depending on the input. You can hear both channels wherever you sit in the room.
When I received them, I placed the 301s on top of the KLH speakers to test them. I love that "spacial" thing. And, they sound best at moderate to moderately loud volume.Certainly, Bose 301s aren't critical audiophile speakers. Some claim they are the best while others decry everything about them. You also will need a receiver of at least 80 watts per channel.
I added a cheap Yamaha powered subwoofer to my system to add more deep bass at any volume. In fact, they are "trick" speakers. You don't have to sit in one place to listen. You'll need to crank up the bass some and watch the treble; it can get harsh. I hate some Bose products - like the Wave radio.
It's lively and spacious. The sound filled the room better than the KLH speakers ever could. Cymbals and tambourines bounce off the walls and suspend in the air, recreating the ambiance of a live concert. However, with these speakers placed correctly, and a little help from a subwoofer and an equalizer, I now have the best sound system ever. And, they sound infinitely better than any department store stereo.
|
