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General discussion

(NT) Bose Lifestyle 48 DVD Home Home Theater worth it?

Jul 19, 2005 9:26AM PDT

I have listend to the 48's and they are spectacular. But is it worth it and is there any other system out there that can match it.

Discussion is locked

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Bose Lifestyle 48
Aug 23, 2005 12:35PM PDT

Just signed up for this forum. Hope this helps. Recently purchased a Bose Lifestyle 48. I was looking for the CD storage capability. Sure the cube speakers are not going to give you the possible realism of other speakers but when cranked up the woofer and speaker combo are really very sufficient. Put a smile on my face. I was also concerned with speaker space. These fit anywhere. Had the original size Bose speakers and thought they were small. New ones are smaller. Price was a bit of an issue but go to E-Bay. A lot less for brand new there. That's where I bought mine. Good Luck!

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System is good, but not great ...
Aug 23, 2005 11:07PM PDT

I think you'll be pleased with this system if you are looking for something that is easy to use, cool looking, compact and has neat features. However, you must realize that you aren't getting the most sound for your money ... the sound is really sub-par compared to similarly priced systems. The one really nice feature is the digital storage of CDs. This is an emerging trend that we'll see a lot more of. Note that there are several other options available for digital storage of CDs (e.g., the Yamaha Musicast or the cheap option of an Ipod using lossless format hooked to any reciever via the Ipod docking station.) These other options will provide you with much better sounding speakers and overall performance. However, you will have to invest some time and research into this option.

By the way, I own a Bose wave radio and couldn't be happier with it. I just provide the thoughts above to give you both sides of the story as many Bose buyers never shop around.

Anyway, enjoy whatever you think sounds best.

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Tivolution!!
Aug 25, 2005 12:14AM PDT

<... as many Bose buyers never shop around...>
Count me in that group Happy. Yes it was a big, big mistake.

<...you must realize that you aren't getting the most sound for your money ...>
Can't say better than this.

Regards,
J.N

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bose lifestyle system
Nov 20, 2005 12:18PM PST

I am upgrading my surround sound in my boat which is presently JVC and is really bad. I am impressed with the bose lifestyle system because of the features , the size of the componetns and speakers and and the demo I heard was fabulous. I have done some searching on the cnet site but havent seen anything that really compares in features that I am looking for. Surely there must be other systems. Everything else is only 20% of the price of BOSE. Whats with that?

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Bose Blows
Aug 24, 2005 9:39PM PDT

Bose "accoustimass" Technolgy is 25 years old and the only thing they have done to make it better is change the shape of the speaker. They make a great demo and lots of flashy silver backboards but the product still sucks. Check out Canton.de and see what they have to offer. Let me know if you need anymore help. michael@audioescape.net

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Stay away from Bose lifestyle 48!
Aug 25, 2005 12:05AM PDT

I bought one system myself without doing much research about the product (Please see my post "why the Video is not in sync with Audio"). Bose is good only for a small room.
I bought the system a few months back while searching for a good plasma. Last week I got the plasma and I connected it to the system. There are two problems I found so far (maybe more later Happy):
1) Audio processing from HD tuner/receiver lags the Video processing. I then changed the standard connector cable to a digital one and the processing became a bit better but still it is a bit behind the Video. I'll call Bose today to check with them on this. Hopefully the problem can be fixed otherwise I have to sell it. The return date was expired and I can't return it.. arggggggg!!!!
2) There's a delay between the songs (a few seconds) and this is really, really annoying. We definitely do not want a pause between the songs. It seems to me the head is seaching for the next song.... bad.... bad...bad.. Happy
Now someone suggested that you use iPod with a dock and hook the dock to the box then it would solve the problem of latency. I was thinking about that myself too but now I have to buy a dock for my iPod. There're no pause between the songs in iPod.

I'm sure I'll find out more problems on Bose LifeStyle 48 later.
Please stay away from that system. Its performance is not up to the amount of money one spends for it.
Good luck.
Regards,
J.N

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Yes .. latency problem is true!!
Aug 25, 2005 3:35AM PDT

I called Bose's Support today. They did not admit the pause between the songs is a problem; however they said it is Bose's technology Happy and it is a "known feature" of Bose. I told the Tech Rep that iPod doesn't have that pausing problem and suggested that Bose would fix/improve their product... and again the guy said there's no "problem" Happy. It's is Bose techology that works that way Happy. OK!!! No Problems
The only problem I have is that I can't return the system. The return date was expired Happy. I should have tried the system out as soon as I bought it. Bummer!!! Happy.
Regards,
J.N

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"BOSE" = Better Off Somewhere Else....
Aug 27, 2005 4:18PM PDT

...LOL.

If you ever want a chuckle, go to an audiophile website and merely say the word "BOSE."

Total garbage! You can do MUCH better almost anywhere else for the same or less money. BOSE is a joke.

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bose is great and I would not have one...
Aug 27, 2005 5:48PM PDT

if you gave it to me (well... yeah I would if it was free)... the whole issue with bose is that you can work to put together a higher quality and more versatile system for less money... BUT...bose does sound good and it is a convenient solution for most people who want good sound and the chic little speakers that look so bloody cute up on the wall where everyone can go "oooh is that a bose?"

Look, bose literally spends millions of dollars on R & D every year and get the lads over at MIT to do a lot of the testing for them to create a great stereo that is easy to hook up and operate. Don't let any stereo snob tell you different. The downside is that bose uses proprietary connections on their speakers and limits the number and type of inputs on it's equipment so that if it breaks you gotta pay bose a lot to fix it...if your needs change, you gotta pay bose for a different system to meet your new needs by puchasing a new bose system ! The reoccurring theme here is you gotta pay bose and pay them a lot and its just for the right to say you got a bose.

Bottom line is that bose is not a good value. For the same money you can build something that will kick bose in the butt and meet any changing needs in the future. Bose does sound good though so if you want the easy way out and don't mind spending a lot of money for the name then get one. You won't regret it.

grim

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(NT) (NT) I mean you wont regret it if you arent too demanding !
Aug 27, 2005 5:53PM PDT
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Bose ? NO WAY!
Nov 21, 2005 2:29PM PST

just google Bose and you'll see how bad they are, in every aspects -- crapy sound, wayyyyyyyyy over priced, cheap parts, ...


You can only hate them!

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Bose has a good thing going - for Bose
Nov 25, 2005 3:35AM PST

Bose is readily available and a nice integrated package, only proprietary laden. That's a hint. Read the other Bose cautions. Bose is overpriced and not compatible... lots of plastic and not state of the art.

Find a good audio dealer who has been in business for many years. They won't have brands galore. They actually know stuff, unlike the unfortunate salespeople at Best Buy or Circuit City. They can't quite meet online prices. If honest and you are willing to budget what you can afford, they will guide you to a Bose killer outfit many times over.

Suggested brands: Denon or NAD components, something like Paradigm speakers; not that those are necessary