Other than Bose, which home theater system would provide the best overall sound at a reasonable price?

Answer 1

Unfortunately your question is too imprecise to provide an useful answer.

What is a "reasonable" price? What would you consider to be included in a "home theatre system", since the term can apply to anything from a TV and DVD player to a custom movie theatre? What do you mean by "Bose" (its a company that makes lots of different products (most mediocre and overpriced)).

See the problem?

That said, the first link is to a guide to selecting an all in one (aka home theatre in a box (HTIB)) system, and the second is to some consumer reviews of HTIB systems. They may help get you on the right track.

Answer 2

The short answer is to budget $700-$900 for a HTIB from Dennon, Yamaha, Onkyo and get a all-in-one starter system.

Here is the trick: HT does not need the highly accurate music speakers and amplifiers that cost $,$$$ each. The sound is highly compressed, artificial, and you don't listen to movies over-and-over again like you do a favorite CD. This is why a budget/less-accurate set of speakers, properly setup can give you a great movie experience.

Look for a HTIB where all the parts look like they could be sold as separate units. Separate speakers, subwoofer, DVD player, receiver with lots of inputs.

(In truth - the better equipment are the ones designed to hook up to a variety of other manufactures equipment.)

Proprietary units that only work as a set like Bose and others are to be avoided. You want to be able to upgrade to a better sub, or a HD/BluRay DVD player or better speakers later. This also saves you if 1 part breaks - you can just replace that part.

Answer 3

I prefer Onkyo setups (you can get a 7.1 system for less than $500). They have great, rich sound for the price, and I've only noticed slight clipping problems (not really audible unless you're looking for it, and have the system up WAY too loud anyway).

Another point to ponder - I never much cared for Bose systems. They always seem to push a lot more midrange, and sacrifice high-end for low. Even after fiddling with the EQs for a good hour, i wasn't particularly impressed by the final sound. I prefer a much "flatter" dynamic range to begin with.

Answer 4

I would check out Polk Audio.

They have some great systems that are better than Bose, for less than 1/2 the price.

Answer 5

Bang and Olufson is a pretty rediculous system but its kind of pricy. there is pioneer or Alpine, but im not sure if alpine does home theater systems

Answer 6

Altec Lansing IM 9 has exceptional sound for about $150. You can use batteries in addition to plugging it in too, so that you can use it anywhere you want.