What would you do?

messiah
messiah Posts: 1,790
edited November 2010 in The Clubhouse
A good friend of mine has a really nice dedicated home theater in his basement. Awesome build quality, he did all the work, and he did a fantastic job. All the components are hidden in a separate room behind the screen wall, so no annoying lights and he has a 1tb server with a ton of movies on it. He's a really smart guy, did all this stuff himself, has really nice components, and is very proud of his hard work, as he should be. The problem is that his speakers suck. He has those little bose cubes, and a bose subwoofer, and it really doesn't do the room justice.

So I was at his house yesterday, and he recently got a new Panny projector, and big **** screen. He put on a couple blu-rays (iron man 2 and transformers 2, both of which I'm very familiar with), and was switching back and forth between 2 audio formats asking me which I thought sounded better. One did sound a little better than the other, but even then it sounded like crap. Very harsh, sibilant, and fatiguing and pretty much one note bass. I'd put it on the same annoyance level as children screaming. When the "demo" was over I asked him what his next upgrade would be, and he said "nothing, it's finally where I want it". Should I just be glad that I don't have to listen to it, or should I say something? I don't want to hurt the guy's feelings, but it really is bad. What would you do?
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.

"The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
messiah, November 23rd, 2010
Post edited by messiah on
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Comments

  • avguytx
    avguytx Posts: 1,628
    edited October 2010
    I would leave well enough alone. If he has reached his own personal "nirvana" with how it sounds, then bravo for him. We all hear different....maybe he's just not as sensitive to those frequencies as you are...or he's tone deaf. :D Give him time, too. That sound might become fatiguing to him at some point...or it might not.
    Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,475
    edited October 2010
    Send this link to your friend.

    http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Osarion
    Osarion Posts: 181
    edited October 2010
    Any chance you could take your speakers over there and give them a listen? You could just tell him you want to see how they sound with his setup and then the rest will take care of itself hopefully.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2010
    Nothing.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,597
    edited October 2010
    I know my friends would appreciate my -honest- input.

    But on the flip side, alot of my friends would ask me what I would do before hand.

    If he is happy, just invite him over for a movie night and blow him away.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Rev. Hayes
    Rev. Hayes Posts: 475
    edited October 2010
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    If he is happy, just invite him over for a movie night and blow him away.

    +1

    If he loves the way your stuff sounds you can make a few minor suggestion and do his pocket book the added favor of not introducing him to Club Polk.;)
    Sounds good to me...
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  • j allen
    j allen Posts: 363
    edited October 2010
    Just read that entire link, F1nut. It brings up some really good points. I'm going to send it to my buddy who was considering some Bose system or another. Don't know how much good it'll do though, since he went blank when I tried to explain soundstage to him...
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  • read-alot
    read-alot Posts: 812
    edited October 2010
    I have a friend with basically the same setup, over the years I've said nothing and we have remained good friends.

    Let it ride.
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,045
    edited October 2010
    If he's a good friend you should try to help him. Compliment him on his nice system and just suggest that in the future he may want to audition some different components starting with speakers. You can explain that it's something all audiophiles do and it's the only way to be sure he really does have the system he wants. If he goes for it (and he has ears) he'll thank you.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited October 2010
    Ask him why he put so much effort in everything only to ruin it by having inferior speakers.
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited October 2010
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Ask him why he put so much effort in everything only to ruin it by having inferior speakers.



    Smoooth :p
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited October 2010
    Friends don't let friends buy Bose.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,144
    edited October 2010
    Say nothing.

    I had a man who bought my rt55s and brought them back saying his bose 201's sounded just as good.

    All he was comparing was that higher frequency range area. I didn't argue at all.

    He's very wealthy and I'm sure his mind is swayed by the other well off people in his circle of friends that bose is the thing. Small and out of sight.

    I've heard Bose and think it's fine for back ground music and casual movie watching. That about covers the general publics desires I think.

    They can't miss what they've never heard.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited October 2010
    While you're at it, let him know what you think of his car, wife/gf, house, neighborhood, dog, etc... ;)

    I try not to offer too much advice when it's not requested, particularly if there's the possibility of offending or insulting. :)
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited October 2010
    say nothing, just invite him over for a movie night...
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2010
    Put the shoe on the other foot. You have done all this to set up a system you are happy with & your friend tells you that your speakers suck. How would you feel?

    He's happy with HIS system. You don't have to listen to it all the time, so let it be.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2010
    cfrizz wrote: »
    Put the shoe on the other foot. You have done all this to set up a system you are happy with & your friend tells you that your speakers suck. How would you feel?

    He's happy with HIS system. You don't have to listen to it all the time, so let it be.

    +1

    He's worked hard to set up his system and truth be told, the Bose cubes aren't THAT bad. I've heard them. Performance was similar to my $500 Onkyo HTiB and better than a Sony/Panasonic/LG home theater in a box system.
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  • fishbones
    fishbones Posts: 947
    edited October 2010
    Plenty of good advice from people on here. Either leave it alone, or wear a BOSE SUCKS tshirt over to his house sometime....cause that's pretty much what you'd be doing. ;)
    ..... ><////(*>
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,697
    edited October 2010
    Let him know that you're happy that he's happy, which is true.


    Interesting facts in that link, F1.
    "the satellites respond to 280 Hz to 13.3 KHz at ±10.5 dB."

    Awesome ! ;)
    Sal Palooza
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,475
    edited October 2010
    Serendipity wrote: »

    He's worked hard to set up his system and truth be told, the Bose cubes aren't THAT bad. I've heard them.

    Hmmmm...your credibility just flew out the window.
    this leaves a frequency gap between the satellites and bass module of about 80 Hz! That is 80 hertz of sound that is completely erased within the system's internal crossovers!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,597
    edited October 2010
    Bose sounds like nails on a chalk board with a big 40hz bass spike below that...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    Hmmmm...your credibility just flew out the window.

    Go ahead, say that to a musician with over 10+ years of experience. I've performed at Carnegie Hall (at the Weill Recital Hall) in NYC as a solo pianist @ 13, and at LeFrak Hall with an orchestra when I was 12. Have passed the Associated Board tests with distinction and still have the certificates, heck, the only thing I can't do is read music well. I've always played by ear as I'm more of a visual person (think: Yanni, can't read music at all) but music is definitely a part of me.

    Realistically, the Bose cubes sound better than cheap HTiB systems and I will take them over a $150 LG/Samsung/Sony/Panasonic system any day.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited October 2010
    Serendipity wrote: »

    Realistically, the Bose cubes sound better than cheap HTiB systems and I will take them over a $150 LG/Samsung/Sony/Panasonic system any day.

    You're comparing a $1k dollar system to a $150 dollar system.....and in the end, they BOTH suck.
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    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2010
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    You're comparing a $1k dollar system to a $150 dollar system.....and in the end, they BOTH suck.

    Say whatever you want, but I'm a musician first, and I listen to gear with an open mind. I play by ear because I'm not a good sight-reader, so I learn pieces by listening. So when it comes to audio systems I evaluate by listening too. Not just based on reviews.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,597
    edited October 2010
    Not to fuel this thread further..

    But I work around Musicians every day (see thousands a month) and after 5-6 years can count on fingers and toes those that care about quality of sound outside of their instrument.

    The musician thing does not give anyone credentials, IMO.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited October 2010
    Serendipity wrote: »
    Say whatever you want, but I'm a musician first, and I listen to gear with an open mind. I play by ear because I'm not a good sight-reader, so I learn pieces by listening. So when it comes to audio systems I evaluate by listening too. Not just based on reviews.

    No one said anything about reviews, but you really don't have a leg to stand on when you constantly bring up comparing Bose to HTIB's offered by Panasonic/Philips/Sony/LG and so forth.

    You're comparing a SUPPOSEDLY hi-end setup (Bose, for $1k avg) to a mediocre HTIB offered by Walmart/Costco/etc (that avg $150).

    Give me a pair of Monitor 10B's, an old Marantz receiver and a Denon player (or even the Pioneer I just sold), a couple of bucks for upgraded speaker wire+interconnects and I'd save more than half the money you'd spend on that Bose setup and achieve much greater results.
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    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    I dunno, Alex. I once heard a Panny, HTiB that cost less than 200.00 at Sam's that I thought sounded much better than the 3 2 1 Bose system. Subjectively speaking, of course.

    I demoed the Lifestyle 48 system extensively and found it to be decent sounding. Not as good as separate components, but better than most HTiB systems on the market. It was actually pretty close to my $500 Onkyo HTiB, but the Onkyo had better midrange.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2010
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    Not to fuel this thread further..

    But I work around Musicians every day (see thousands a month) and after 5-6 years can count on fingers and toes those that care about quality of sound outside of their instrument.

    The musician thing does not give anyone credentials, IMO.

    So you're going to take this stance too?

    Here's a pic of the Carnegie Hall program - it means so much to me that I bring it everywhere... cover is getting a bit faded.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited October 2010
    Serendipity wrote: »
    I demoed the Lifestyle 48 system extensively and found it to be decent sounding. Not as good as separate components, but better than most HTiB systems on the market. It was actually pretty close to my $500 Onkyo HTiB, but the Onkyo had better midrange.

    Would it be fair to compare a Pontiac Sunfire to a BMW M3?

    The Onkyo HTiB you mention is $500, while the LS48 is $4k.

    I guess it's a fair comparison :confused:

    And for the money spent on Bose, you're paying too much dollar for any so-called quality that you receive.
    Truck setup
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    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited October 2010
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    Would it be fair to compare a Pontiac Sunfire to a BMW M3?

    The Onkyo HTiB you mention is $500, while the LS48 is $4k.

    I guess it's a fair comparison :confused:

    Depending on what the criteria is. If you are looking for basic transportation, I would take the sunfire over the M3. If you are looking for a decor-friendly HTiB system, I wouldn't even CONSIDER tower speakers and a receiver.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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