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General discussion

Home audio decision

Nov 28, 2004 7:53AM PST

I found a Bose lifestyle 18 at a store for about $700 (refurbished) and it seems to be in ok shape with a 1 year warranty. Would this deliver better results as a 7.1 system at around the same price (for a home theatre)?

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Re: Home audio decision
Dec 13, 2004 2:56AM PST

Chris,

I have a BOSE Lifestyle 25 that is almost 8 years old. It has the Acustimas Jewel cubes and base. Even though there are no digital audio inputs and it is not THX certified; I have it hook up to a DVD player and satalite system and it stil sounds great and like new, the sound really moves with the action. My test VHS (DVD) or sound track has always been the original STAR WARS sound track or VHS (now on DVD).

Check out the bose web site (www.bose.com) for exact specifications of the model that you are looking at. I like the new technology that they have put into the newer Lifstyle Series, including Videostage

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Lifestyles...
Dec 15, 2004 4:37AM PST

No offense to NavyDoc, but I don't have the same level of confidence in Bose as he does. Those little cubes are fairly impressive for their size and ability to melt into the decor, but not for their price.

I'm using a Panasonic XR25 (replaced by the XR50) digital receiver, Pioneer 563a (replaced by the 578?) multi-player and Athena Micra-6 speaker system (http://www.hometheatermag.com/loudspeakers/504athena/).

This is a very good little system in a small/medium sized room. It is also amenable to upgrades in the future. You should try to audition the Athenas before making your decision. Dahlquist, Paradigm and Energy all have similar sub/sat systems that would, in my opinion, best the Bose at a lower price (maybe even a refurbished price).

Cheers.