Why are Bose systems hated?

molamann · 04-15-2009, 12:50 PM

So I can upgrade the speakers/sub to another manufacturer or do I have to stick with Bose products?

BalanBro · 04-15-2009, 06:27 PM

You can always upgrade a system regardless of who makes it. A Bose system will just be a bit more involved and likewise, cost a bit more too.

RedlineHR · 04-16-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molamann

So I can upgrade the speakers/sub to another manufacturer or do I have to stick with Bose products?

You need to match the impedance of the speakers to the impedance of the amplifier that is powering them. Most after-market speakers are 4-ohm. Some subs are 3.2 ohms and even 2 ohms. The lower the impedance (ohms), the less resistance the amp sees through the speakers and the closer to a direct short you get. Good aftermarket amps can handle 2-ohms with no problems - some even 1-ohm.

Many OEM systems have amps and speakers operating at different impedances - usually higher than 4-ohms. so you should know the impedance ratings of the bose speakers and subs if you plan on only replacing them.

Usually no one knows what impedance the OEM systems are workign at and if you plug in aftermarkey speakers, the bose amp could get fried quickly.

Some folks replace them amp and subs both - there are aftermarket converters that convert the pre-amp signal from the OEM head unit to a proper voltage for the after-market amps and then you use your aftermarket speakers.

pac-audio makes such converters as do many others.

good luck...

kannibul · 07-21-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiz-n-herz

You need to match the impedance of the speakers to the impedance of the amplifier that is powering them. Most after-market speakers are 4-ohm. Some subs are 3.2 ohms and even 2 ohms. The lower the impedance (ohms), the less resistance the amp sees through the speakers and the closer to a direct short you get. Good aftermarket amps can handle 2-ohms with no problems - some even 1-ohm.

Many OEM systems have amps and speakers operating at different impedances - usually higher than 4-ohms. so you should know the impedance ratings of the bose speakers and subs if you plan on only replacing them.

Usually no one knows what impedance the OEM systems are workign at and if you plug in aftermarkey speakers, the bose amp could get fried quickly.

Some folks replace them amp and subs both - there are aftermarket converters that convert the pre-amp signal from the OEM head unit to a proper voltage for the after-market amps and then you use your aftermarket speakers.

pac-audio makes such converters as do many others.

good luck...

One thing you didn't mention is that with solid state amplifiers (99.999% of car audio amps, unless you get tube...) can run with higher impedances (ohms), they just don't put out as much power.

So, if you have 8 ohm door speakers, and your amp is rated for 100w @ 4ohm, you'll probably get about 60-70w at 8ohm.

The important thing to remember is to not go BELOW what the amp can handle - run a 2ohm load on a 4ohm amp. That will make your amp unhappy, and could burn it up (overload)...

Alexus · 07-21-2009, 11:46 AM

I have spent over $10,000 in audio equipment from Bose over the years, from a full home theatre system, to a sounddock and a pair of earphones for my iPod. I even have the outdoor speaker system and let me tell you, it makes for one hell of a party.

Those of you who think Bose blows haven't experienced their home electronics, that's all I have to say.

bigaudiofanat · 07-21-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexus

I have spent over $10,000 in audio equipment from Bose over the years, from a full home theatre system, to a sounddock and a pair of earphones for my iPod. I even have the outdoor speaker system and let me tell you, it makes for one hell of a party.

Those of you who think Bose blows haven't experienced their home electronics, that's all I have to say.

Hang on let me stop laughing first

If you are happy with spend money on overpriced junk be my guest but there is better stuff out there for the same money or less. You just need to go listen to the better stuff, also if you want to start turning your volume up and just be able to hear a few things that's cool. I have a set of cheap polk bookshelf speakers that sound better than bose stuff, the fact is that bose, there in no way good.

Anatoray · 07-21-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexus

I have spent over $10,000 in audio equipment from Bose over the years, from a full home theatre system, to a sounddock and a pair of earphones for my iPod. I even have the outdoor speaker system and let me tell you, it makes for one hell of a party.

Those of you who think Bose blows haven't experienced their home electronics, that's all I have to say.

The real question is have you experienced real high end audio from other companies? While most of them are small and niche, Martin Logan has come into the mainstream lately, and is now sold by Best Buy, even if it is their cheap stuff.

My pair of Martin Logans that cost less than a Bose system shake the room, and not because they're loud. They hit the extreme lows perfectly, resulting in bass you can feel as well as hear, and with a sharp punch, rather than the muddy groan of a Bose sub.

Bose simply cannot compete on the level it tries to be at. With the proper research, you can get components that are miles ahead of them for the same money, which is the real reason they have such a bad image amongst high end audiophiles. If they were priced to compete with Sony, no one would probably say what they say now.

bigaudiofanat · 07-21-2009, 01:12 PM

Alexus · 07-21-2009, 01:18 PM

I'm not appreciating the bashing by bigaudiofanat, to say the least. I purchased Bose sound systems because they were small and for their size delivered an impressive punch. Room is of the essence as I live in a 3-unit condominium. It's decent in size, but what irritates me the most is that the kitchen shares space with the living room. It's annoying, so I definitely needed something small. Others were either too large or too expensive, so out of what was available here in Canada, Bose stood out.

I bought them out of convenience and because, at least to my ears, the sound was absolutely awesome.

kannibul · 07-21-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexus

I'm not appreciating the bashing by bigaudiofanat, to say the least. I purchased Bose sound systems because they were small and for their size delivered an impressive punch. Room is of the essence as I live in a 3-unit condominium. It's decent in size, but what irritates me the most is that the kitchen shares space with the living room. It's annoying, so I definitely needed something small. Others were either too large or too expensive, so out of what was available here in Canada, Bose stood out.

I bought them out of convenience and because, at least to my ears, the sound was absolutely awesome.

Do yourself and your ears a favor, sell the Bose stuff on ebay, and use the money to restock your apartment with whatever you can get at Best Buy...that isn't bose.

kannibul · 07-21-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexus

I have spent over $10,000 in audio equipment from Bose over the years, from a full home theatre system, to a sounddock and a pair of earphones for my iPod. I even have the outdoor speaker system and let me tell you, it makes for one hell of a party.

Those of you who think Bose blows haven't experienced their home electronics, that's all I have to say.

You could have spent less than 50% of that and gotten twice the quality of sound.

But, hey, it it makes you happy knowing that, good for you.

LETSGOEERS06 · 12-03-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

You could have spent less than 50% of that and gotten twice the quality of sound.

But, hey, it it makes you happy knowing that, good for you.

i have spent allot less than that with KLIPSH and my home audio sound is killer... I would never give up on my 7.1 klipsh setup w/ harmon kardon reciever

370Zsteve · 12-03-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LETSGOEERS06

i have spent allot less than that with KLIPSH and my home audio sound is killer... I would never give up on my 7.1 klipsh setup w/ harmon kardon reciever

Harmon-Kardon 7.1 A/V + Klipsch FTW!

Just for

, my home theater rear and side speakers are Bose. Front, Center and Sub are Klipsch. The Direct-Reflecting Bose on the secondary channels bring the whole room together.

bigaudiofanat · 07-21-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

One thing you didn't mention is that with solid state amplifiers (99.999% of car audio amps, unless you get tube...) can run with higher impedances (ohms), they just don't put out as much power.

So, if you have 8 ohm door speakers, and your amp is rated for 100w @ 4ohm, you'll probably get about 60-70w at 8ohm.

The important thing to remember is to not go BELOW what the amp can handle - run a 2ohm load on a 4ohm amp. That will make your amp unhappy, and could burn it up (overload)...

True but I am not sure what the bose amp will go to so I am suggesting things to be safe with.

bigaudiofanat · 07-21-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molamann

So I can upgrade the speakers/sub to another manufacturer or do I have to stick with Bose products?

Even if you upgrade your speakers that bose amp will STILL cut the frequency out when you start turning it up.

That is yet another reason I do not recommend spending the extra money for the bose system.

07-21-2009, 11:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
Alexus Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 178 Drives: The Beast Rep Power: 17	I have spent over $10,000 in audio equipment from Bose over the years, from a full home theatre system, to a sounddock and a pair of earphones for my iPod. I even have the outdoor speaker system and let me tell you, it makes for one hell of a party. Those of you who think Bose blows haven't experienced their home electronics, that's all I have to say. __________________ "The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his." -General George S. Patton Jr., 1885-1945

07-21-2009, 01:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	__________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

07-21-2009, 01:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Alexus Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 178 Drives: The Beast Rep Power: 17	I'm not appreciating the bashing by bigaudiofanat, to say the least. I purchased Bose sound systems because they were small and for their size delivered an impressive punch. Room is of the essence as I live in a 3-unit condominium. It's decent in size, but what irritates me the most is that the kitchen shares space with the living room. It's annoying, so I definitely needed something small. Others were either too large or too expensive, so out of what was available here in Canada, Bose stood out. I bought them out of convenience and because, at least to my ears, the sound was absolutely awesome. __________________ "The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his." -General George S. Patton Jr., 1885-1945

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04-15-2009, 12:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
molamann A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,666 Drives: 370Z with NAVVVVV Rep Power: 285	So I can upgrade the speakers/sub to another manufacturer or do I have to stick with Bose products?

04-15-2009, 06:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
BalanBro Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 318 Drives: 40th Anniv. 370Z Rep Power: 1112	You can always upgrade a system regardless of who makes it. A Bose system will just be a bit more involved and likewise, cost a bit more too.