Bose, H/K, or something else? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

psicodude · 01-13-2009, 01:50 PM

So I am just putting the finishing touches on my basement development, and am looking to replace my home theatre speakers. I know there are a few threads on here about this topic already, but I have a special requirement. I have a 20 month old boy that we have nicknamed "mayhem" because, well, it should be self explanitory. I currently have floor speakers that are either going to be demolished or end up smashing my son in the face, so I really need something small enough that can be mounted close to the ceiling.

Let me start out by saying that I currently have a Harmon/Kardon AVR 340 receiver that is working perfectly. No HDMI, but I can deal with it. The obvious choice for the speakers was a Bose system. I really like the looks of the Accoustimass 10 package, but have read a lot of negative stuff about them. I have also read up on the H/K HKTS15 package and it seems to get better reviews at least.

Basically, I am looking for some opinions on which small home theatre speakers I should get for a 17 x 23 foot room. Budget is around $1000.

GreenTeaFrapp · 01-13-2009, 01:56 PM

Energy Take 5 system.

psicodude · 01-13-2009, 01:59 PM

And I just noticed this is not in the tech talk forum. Oops.

Mod, please move.

Tyler · 01-13-2009, 02:00 PM

I've got the Acoustimass. Sounds great - haven't had any problems. The Bose haters will inevitably come out, but I love mine.

FanIn80 · 01-13-2009, 02:01 PM

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...37&catid=23833

Don't let the "Computer Speaker" thing fool you, and don't let Future Shop's price scare you.

They are very, very, very good and you can get them for a lot less if you shop around.

(Just read through the reviews on the future shop website. I own them myself, and have talked two of my friends into buying them. Absolutely no regrets from any of us, and all three of us use them for our home theater systems.)

GreenTeaFrapp · 01-13-2009, 02:09 PM

I just remembered this system. Crazy good price for what are supposed to be good speakers. Canadian speakers, that aren't sold out of the back of a white van, are a really great value. When I decide to upgrade the speakers on my current HTiB, these will be an option.

http://www.fluance.com/fluan5speaks.html

Tyler · 01-13-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...37&catid=23833

Don't let the "Computer Speaker" thing fool you, and don't let Future Shop's price scare you.

They are very, very, very good and you can get them for a lot less if you shop around.

(Just read through the reviews on the future shop website. I own them myself, and have talked two of my friends into buying them. Absolutely no regrets from any of us, and all three of us use them for our home theater systems.)

I dunno.. there's something that just seems tacky about putting computer speakers in your living room. To each their own I guess.

ken0042 · 01-13-2009, 02:22 PM

In my living room I have full sized Bose speakers all around. 701s for front, 501s for rears and a VCS10 centre speaker.

You will often find there are no mediocre reviews on Bose- people either love them or hate them. Back when I sold electronics, we were told that Bose speakers were designed with older people in mind- ie 30+ years old. So what you get are people in their teens or 20s who don't like the sound, or people who formed an opinion when they were that age and haven't listened to them since.

I always say the best thing to do is listen to them; find a store that has seperate rooms for sound. And also make sure where ever you buy they have a decent return policy in case you find you don't like them.

FanIn80 · 01-13-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler

I dunno.. there's something that just seems tacky about putting computer speakers in your living room. To each their own I guess.

Valid concern, but they are all bracket-mountable and they connect via actual speaker wire, so you can literally mount them anywhere you like.

GoinAllTheWay · 01-13-2009, 02:38 PM

Those speakers are amazing. Honestly, the power they crank out for their size in unreal. My brother just picked up a set and I was blown away. I have the previoius version of that system and they are still really good.

GreenTeeFrapp: Man, those look dynamite, I make have to bite on those as well. Gotta love buying Canadian!

OBCT · 01-13-2009, 03:03 PM

Here's another vote for Fluance. If you can fit it in the budget, definitely consider it.

That Logitech Z-5500 system is really good for the price as well --- if the aesthetics are acceptable to you.

The Harman/Kardon HKTS15 package wouldn't be a bad choice, either.

---

Personally, I wouldn't buy Bose for myself. Still, I would like to offer one of the only in-between reviews on Bose's product line you'll ever see...

If aesthetics and ease of connection are very important to you, if you don't need loud, and you do not consider yourself an 'audiophile', then Bose could very well be the right brand for you.

I think I can get "more" speaker than Bose for the same or less cost. BUT, some people do not need more speaker!

(Tangent Alert: I know this is true for many products, but seriously, do you guys know how much money Bose puts into advertising? I'd much rather go with an Internet Direct company myself, where I know all my money will be going towards the actual product or to the owners as profit, but not towards obscene numbers of advertisements and in-store displays.)

There are a lot of people who love their Bose systems, and one of the other advantages to buying Bose is that their products retain their value over time as good as almost any audio hardware (ie. it is hard to find used Bose gear for as cheap as you might think). The aesthetics they offer are excellent by most people's standards, and Bose does stand behind their product with good customer service (but not necessarily better than any other dealer).

That's my take. Hopefully it is helpful.

---

Some other really good options that would integrate nicely with your receiver, if you'd like to think about Canadian speaker companies and maybe open yourself up to some different ideas, follow:

Axiom Audio - consider the bookshelves and towers
Energy - essentially a much better version of the Logitech Z-5500 above
Paradigm - similar to Bose, but better (IMO) - consider the "Atom" and "Mini" series'
PSB - consider the "Alpha" and "Image" series'

EDIT: Consider how important surround sound and bass are to you in comparison to clarity and soundtage. Normally I would recommend a good 5.1 system for a room the size of yours - especially if the main purpose is for home theater - but some people prefer to invest in a "better" 3.1 or 2.1 channel system that is within their budget now, with the potential to add surrounds to the mix later. Totally up to you.

photon · 01-13-2009, 03:06 PM

http://www.axiomaudio.com/

I've got those and am really impressed with them.

I was worried about floor speakers as well but for whatever reason my 4.5 year old doesn't even notice them let alone engage them.

Igottago · 01-13-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...37&catid=23833

Don't let the "Computer Speaker" thing fool you, and don't let Future Shop's price scare you.

They are very, very, very good and you can get them for a lot less if you shop around.

(Just read through the reviews on the future shop website. I own them myself, and have talked two of my friends into buying them. Absolutely no regrets from any of us, and all three of us use them for our home theater systems.)

Are these good for a small condo setup? I've been considering the computer speaker option because i've got a small condo living room. However, I won't be hooking it up to a computer, and I don't have a reciever just my xbox 360 and my tv are there.

OBCT · 01-13-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igottago

Are these good for a small condo setup? I've been considering the computer speaker option because i've got a small condo living room. However, I won't be hooking it up to a computer, and I don't have a reciever just my xbox 360 and my tv are there.

Yes.

This is a good review of the system.

Since you're working with just a TV and XBox, you'll want to utilize the digital inputs on the 5500 - one digital coaxial and one S/PDIF optical. Through these you will be able to do all the standard Dolby Digital and DTS surround decoding for the 5.1 output.

There are also 3 stereo mini jack inputs (like what your computer outputs to it's speakers) which combine for 5.1 multichannel analog input, which is directly outputted the corresponding speakers. Of course, your XBox and TV will not have mini jack outs to easily correspond to these. (If you ever want to hook up a desktop or laptop to the sound system, though, you would connect it to these inputs.)

FanIn80 · 01-13-2009, 08:31 PM

^^ What OBCT said.

I_am_Beast · 01-14-2009, 02:08 AM

Anthony Gallo

3 Justin 3 · 01-14-2009, 04:02 AM

Don't get Bose, get anything except Bose. Bose would charge you just to say their name if they could. You get get much better speakers/more speakers if you use other brands. Polk, Klipsch, Energy, H/K, etc. There are some good CDN brands as well, although their names escape me at the moment.

psicodude · 01-14-2009, 08:09 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I wasted about 4 hours of my life shopping around yesterday and picked up a set of the KEF KHT2005's from Visions. For just a little bit more money, I feel like I got a ton more speaker.

A funny side note - every single salesman I spoke to last night said the exact same thing about the Bose speakers....great speakers, look sexy, WAY overpriced.