One of these below stand out as a deceivingly poor value...
B&W - http://www.bwspeakers.com
Bose - http://www.bose.com
Epos Acoustics - http://www.epos-acoustics.com
Harbeth - http://www.harbeth.com
Hsu Research - http://www.hsuresearch.com
Jmlab - http://www.focal.tm.fr
KEF - http://www.kef.com
Monitor Audio - http://www.monitoraudio.com
ProAc - http://www.proac-loudspeakers.com
Silverline Audio - http://www.silverlineaudio.com
Totem Acoustic - http://www.totemacoustic.com
Tyler Acoustics - http://www.tyleracoustics.com
Wharfedale - http://www.wharfedale.co.uk
H a p p y
L i s t e n i n g !
Xe♫
2007-04-26 08:44:01 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Consumer Electronics ➔ Home Theater
Not sure of some of the brands you listed but I can not stand Bose.
Looking at the materials and equipment they use as well as their dependence on sub suppliers like N. Korea and Pakistan and other American haters, makes me not want to purchase their product.
Bose has a great marketing machine that touts big sound from a little package, this appeals to the disgruntled house wife. 85% of the interest in Bose when I was in retail was from a husband who had little to do with the purchasing decision and a wife who refused to have anything visible in the living room.
Bose does have some improvements in technology but the steep price tag tries to create the illusion of high end. If you want to be laughed out of a high end store just mention Bose.
If Bose had a price point around JBL it would be a much better value and something I might even consider recommending to someone(not me).
With manufactures that are not as proprietary( how often has someone wanted to upgrade or replace part of a Bose system on this forum) and that offer better bang for the buck, serious changes would need to take place at Bose for me to even consider them in the future.
2007-04-26 09:21:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the others. Bose is out of the running. As much as I really like the Bose 301 and 901, they still are not in the same league as the others on your list.
2007-04-26 13:24:15 · answer #2 · answered by davj61 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Bose Waveguide system is designed to produce the same frequency response at lower decibels that traditional loud speaker designs can only achieve at 3 times the level not to mention 2X the amplification power.
Low frequency bass response between 100hz-30hz very often can only be produced by the aid of a sub woofer and separate amp channel, that the Bose waveguide does at nominal operations.
However the Bose system is a low volume unit and cannot compete where a higher decibel volume is wanted.
2007-04-27 01:59:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
Well....In my twisted audiophile world...there's more than one!!
Bose, JMlab, Epos Acoustics, Hsu.
I'm not particularly fond of Kef and Monitor Audio either...
And I will add to your high end list that of Martin Logan (the finest in electrostatics)!
2007-04-27 11:27:42 · answer #4 · answered by Nibbles 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm not familar with several, but Bose can not stand up to the sound quality of the rest of the list.
To your list I would add Klipsch, Snell Acoustics, JBL, Tannoy, Magneplanar, PSB, Paradigm and others.
I have Snell, Klipsch, Totem and Yamaha.
2007-04-26 09:17:52 · answer #5 · answered by agb90spruce 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Tough call. Especially since I haven't listened to an example from every company on that list. But from the ones on your list that I have heard Bose & Hsu Research are both pretty horrible sounding speakers in general. But occasionally Bose does put out a good product.
"The Bose L1 Model 1 System" is an excellent example. Paired with a good subwoofer (read: not Bose), you have an audiophile quality sound capable of producing professional PA volumes. Which is why it's such a popular speaker with high end wedding DJs. That plus it looks a lot better in a fancy ball room or banquet hall than two large boxy EAW or Electro Voice speakers.
Plus the price is a bargain when compared to other speakers in it's class. Which is definitely out of character for Bose, a company well known for over charging.
Example:
Two Bose L1 Model 1 Systems $1,700 each.
Two JBL PRX518S Subwoofer Systems $1,000 each
$5,400 total
And that's for a complete sound system because the L1 Model 1 & the PRX518S are both powered speakers. Just hook XLR cables directly from your preamp or crossover to the speakers & subwoofers.
But every speaker Hsu Research has ever manufactured sounds like total rubbish. So despite Bose being the more recognized brand for bad sounding speakers, Hsu Research is probably the worst speaker brand on that list.
If you were going the other direction, the choice would be easier. Wharfedale stands out from the list as giving you the biggest bang for your dollar more consistently than any other brand on the list. With Wharfedale you always know your getting a high quality speaker.
But I think Robert P might be correct. You could have slipped in a new White Van brand name that's not well known yet. And as bad as Bose & Hsu Research are, they are not White Van bad.
2007-04-26 17:40:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 6⤋
Personally, I think the Wharfedale offer the BEST performance to price ratio of the brands you have mentioned.
Check out the latest models here:
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/wharfedale.html
2007-04-28 03:52:15 · answer #7 · answered by MrAnniversary73 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Bose is probably the one but i think the answer is too obvious. I don't think everything made by Bose is unacceptable,only their home theater speakers fall short.I have a feeling one of the other brands in your list may be the culprit .Unfortunately i am not familiar with all the speakers in your list.So it will be interesting to find out.
Cheers.
2007-04-26 17:00:00 · answer #8 · answered by ROBERT P 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I'll take "Bose" for $1000, Alex.
2007-04-27 02:08:32 · answer #9 · answered by JeffyB 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
well the way i see it is those are all good speakers except one brand the BOSE! if thats what you mean buy stands out
2007-04-26 17:02:47 · answer #10 · answered by dddd 2 · 3⤊ 3⤋