On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 16:59:05 +0100, "Steve"
wrote:

In ,
PJO typed:
£2600! (yes, a saving of £700!!!). Another "rip the Brit's off" case!
Some places actually have these in stock here in the UK.

So, at £2600, is it worth looking at or is it really as crap as some
say?

For that amount of money (with or without the £700 saving), it truly is a
piece of complete and unadulterated crap.

For significantly less than half that amount of money, it might be worth a
second look.

For a quarter of that amount of money, it might actually be worth possible
consideration.

Except that compared to (for example) the Denon DM31 will still sound
better, for less money, and should meet most SWMBO objections.

If you genuinely have a budget of £2.5K, you can get some top notch gear
which you will be happy with for many years to come.

Having that budget and buying Bose would fall well beyond the "more
money than sense" category. Quite why Bose's "lifestyle" systems are
so *ordinary* (albeit extraordinarily overpriced) is a bit of a
mystery to me -- their small PA systems were (for their time) so much
better than the typical "bins and horns" competitors.

Julian


--
Julian Fowler
julian (at) bellevue-barn (dot) org (dot) uk

"PJO" wrote in message
...
A few people have told me that and I don't dount their judgement but why
is
it crap? sound quality? build quality? reliability?

It is just massively bad value for money. The performance is not remotely in
line with the cost. They are attractive "lifestyle" systems specifically
targeted at one or both of the following groups:-

1) Form much more important than function
-or-
2) More money than sense

If you genuinely have a budget of £2.5K, you can get some top notch gear
which you will be happy with for many years to come.

I realise that with my budget I can source great equipment but the size
and
looks of the speakers are of paramount importance as I only have a small
house and don't want big speakers on the walls. I currently have a mix of
Sony and pioneer equipment which is over 10 years old. I have JBL studio
monitor speakers with a JBL base unit. The sound is brilliant. Are you
saying that a Bose system will not sound as good?

I can't compare with what you have got as you didn't give enough info. I
will say this. You can spend £500 and get better results than you will get
from your £2.7K Bose system

Don't get too hung up on the compactness issue. There are plenty of very
attractive and fantastic sounding compact speakers which would not look out
of place in any room.

Sorry if I sound thick but I am! I am not up on latest Hi-Fi hence my
visit
here.

You don't sound thick - all it sounds like is that you bought into the Bose
marketing just a little bit too much.

Bose are truly fantastic marketeers - no-one on this planet is better at
marketing than they are. It's just that their marketing is better than their
products!

Steve

Thanks for that recommend. I've looked at the Kef site and they look OK. The
base unit is small too which is good. I know KEF have been around for a
while and so would assume the quality was as good as it used to be.

I must admit that having looked at Bose systems they do seem tacky under the
skin. The CD tray is poor and the connectors seem crap. I also didn't like
the idea of pre-plugged speaker cables. They do look bloody nice though!

Ears matter though so I'll trip to a local Hi-Fi specialist and take a look
at some equipment.

Any other recommends will be appreciated.

As I'm not just looking for speakers any recommends on systems that will
offer good audio Hi-Fi and theatre surround sound will be welcome too. Small
size is really important though.



"CJ" wrote in message
...
Hi,

if size matters then I would consider the KEF KHT 2005.2 surround
speakers, very small but
with a superb award winning sound http://www.kef.co.uk/.

Of all the dozens & dozens of comments I've read about Bose it's always
"Nice design,
shame about the sound". Don't be tempted as you are spending a lot of
money! Surely your
ears must count for something!!

"PJO" wrote in message
...
Ears matter though so I'll trip to a local Hi-Fi specialist and take a
look
at some equipment.

Definitely a sound idea

Any other recommends will be appreciated.

What is your primary use going to be? Movies or music?

This will make a big difference to the advice you get.

If it is movies, then the Kef KHT2005 system already recommended to you is
absolutely superb. I would suggest that you can't possibly better it with
respect to its performance : size ratio. It's not absolutely flawless with
music but as a dual purpose system it is more than adequate.

Take a look at Anthony Gallo as well http://www.anthonygallo.co.uk/. Very
funky stuff and quite highly regarded by some.

With regard to source equipment, does that have to be small as well, or will
normal sized separates do? You will be limiting your options if the DVD and
Amp have to be "lifestyle" components as well.


Steve

Once again Steve thanks for the input here.

My main "thing" is and will be music. My current system is now getting on a
bit. I even have a Pioneer laser disc player!!!!! I bought the system around
10 years ago and it cost in excess of £1500 then. I bought top end Sony gear
with the Pioneer laser. JBL speakers made the whole job sound alive. The
JBL's are a bit worn now though.

I'm doing some work on the house soon and that's why I'm looking at the
upgrade as I can bury cables etc.

Size of the equipment doesnt really matter as the current system is normal
size. I'd prefer to go lifestyle size though although the DVD
player/recorder would be under the TV so that can remain full size. I'd
still have a separate CD player I think. I'll have to see what's available.

Some 20+ years ago I bought some Mission speakers (50's I think). They were
superb (for the day!). I still have them but they've been promoted to the
garage and they make my £100 "Hi-Fi" (!) sound OKish. I've looked at B&W
website too. The problem with both Mission and B&W is that their speakers
look like speakers and when you live in a smallish house and have a fussy
wife then that's just not on. If I had my own room in the house and the
money I'd have Quad electro-statics as I fell in love with those years ago.
Space and money dictate though! Those B&W Nautilus jobs look and sound great
too but the cost...!

Anyway, I think I've been put off the Bose as I now realise that with the
budget I have I can get some really nice long lasting gear.

So, what I want now is good dedicated speakers such as the KEF's and some
quality equipment which will offer quality performance foe both music and
theatre, music being the priority.

It's too much money to make mistakes, hence I'm here picking brains!

"PJO" wrote in message
...

So, what I want now is good dedicated speakers such as the KEF's and some
quality equipment which will offer quality performance foe both music and
theatre, music being the priority.

It's too much money to make mistakes, hence I'm here picking brains!


The KEF's that you were recommended by CJ and myself are not a good choice
if music is your focus. They are really a home cinema product.

You really need to visit a good dealer and evaluate all your options.

B&W, KEF and Mission are all brands worth investigating. My personal
favourite is B&W - they have something to suit every pocket and every size.

Steve

Have a look at the NAD L70 http://www.nad.co.uk/system_solutions/index.htm
and the Linn Classik CD/DVD/5.1 amp/radio in a box, bit pricy but very
compact and cool looking http://www.classik.com/ http://www.linn.co.uk/

Stew.


"Julian Fowler" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 20:07:22 +0100, "PJO"
wrote:

snip

The problem with both Mission and B&W is that their speakers
look like speakers and when you live in a smallish house and have a fussy
wife then that's just not on.

I understand the problem .... however, maybe you should point out that
televisions look like televisions, fridges look like fridges,
armchairs look lilke armchairs, etc. Quad and other electrostatics
aside, speakers generally do work much better "if they look like
speakers" :-)

Julian

--
Julian Fowler
julian (at) bellevue-barn (dot) org (dot) uk

I've found the "Bose Lifestyle 35 Digital" listed at £3,300
No, that isn't a misprint! THREE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED POUNDS.

ooooh My vote's on a Linn Classik Movie (DVD / DTS / DD / Tuner / CD all in
one) for about £1800 (or the di version for a lot more if you need to hook
digital ins) with the new Monitor Audio Radius speaker set (about 800 quid I
think for 5 sats and a centre).

Linn is a damn fine product in a tiny box, and I like the monitor audio
sound (and they're tiny)

ooooh My vote's on a Linn Classik Movie (DVD / DTS / DD / Tuner / CD all
in
one) for about £1800 (or the di version for a lot more if you need to hook
digital ins) with the new Monitor Audio Radius speaker set (about 800 quid
I
think for 5 sats and a centre).

Linn is a damn fine product in a tiny box, and I like the monitor audio
sound (and they're tiny)

Yes, I have looked at that on their web site and it looks top notch.

I've booked myself a demo at a dealers next week.

It looks quality gear and cheaper than the Bose system. If it sounds OK I'll
be very tempted.

Steve,

You suggest

B&W VM1 http://www.bwspeakers.com
Mission FS1AV http://www.mission.co.uk

Are those Mission FS1AV's good with music do you know?

After three days of thought and interneting ( a good investement me thinks)
it looks like it'll be the Linn classik system. The speakers I like the look
of (I will listen before I commit) are those mission FS1AV's, the KEF
2005.2's and the Linn speakers although they do "stand out" mote than the
others.

Considering that the main function will be music can anyone guide me on the
best choice of those?

All suggestions and help has been appreciated so please keep the comments
rolling.