question about BOSE reputation

I recently bought a 27" tv for my basement. For fun, I then got a Technics surround sound receiver for $180 and a set of Cambridge Soundworks speakers for around $150. I plugged in a Radio Shack cd3400. This set up sounds as good or better to me than the Bose lifestyle systems that I have heard. No, the above will not make me rethink the thousands I have spent on high end stuff (like comparing a hot dog to filet mignon), but I think it helps confirm what Bose is worth.

I've never heard that specific system but I'd be willing to bet a week's paycheck that you could come up with many better alternatives for the same money. I'll compare retail to retail even though Bose doesn't discount and almost every other line does, but you could buy the AVR-3801 ($1200), a series of five speakers from the PSB line with some floor-standers up front($800-ish), the matching center ($300-ish) and some small bookshelf speakers for the rear ($250). You have almost enough left to buy the Sony DVP-S9000ES ($1500), a cadillac of a DVD player with SACD capability and superb CD performance. Other speaker lines could be swapped in at the same prices, depending on taste (B&W, NHT, Infinity, Boston Accoustics).

Again, these are list prices - you could buy all of this for less than the retail prices quoted brand new, and you'll be hard-pressed to find the Bose system discounted (much) from the retail price you quote, so this is more than a fair comparison. Do some work, potentially buy used for at least part, and you can do WAY better. In any case, if you bought the system I outlined and a/b'd it with the Bose system, there's no question in my mind that you'd greatly favor the system above. -Kirk

Bose and B&O have a similar nitch market. Small, good looking, easy to use = very high WAF factor. Both at one time were approaching high fi (not necessarily high end), but both decided on this market. There's nothing wrong with that, but if you are looking for best sound for your $$, that's not what either of these companies are about. While I won't mention names I have spoken with one of the higher ups at Bose who is very upfront that this is the market they want. They are not looking to sound the best, or be the best value (based on sound quality). They are looking to capture the market that has the disposable $$ to spend on easy to use, easy to set up, and good looking equipment. Sounds very profitable to me.

A friend lent me his Bose lifestyle 25 system.It sucked huge.This was 2 years ago and at the time i had a 20 year old kenwood integrated with 20 year old Klipcsh hersey speakers.It killed the bose so bad it was not even close.

All excellent posts. Bose has capitalized on the fact that while most people like music, the vast majority of them don't care about serious listening and prefer something that blends in or is virtually invisible in their living space and delivers something that resembles their tunes. As a system for background music it works; if you are a serious listener it will disappoint, and can easily be bettered for far less money.