What would you do?

kawizx9r

Serendipity wrote: »

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.

In that case, if we're talking about simply listening to sound come out of a speaker then why not go with a boombox?

I mentioned the M3 and Sunfire because you're talking in terms of performance when comparing Bose to HTiB's.

The M3 in terms of on-road performance/handling/styling/luxury far exceed that offered by the Sunfire.

Serendipity

kawizx9r wrote: »

In that case, if we're talking about simply listening to sound come out of a speaker then why not go with a boombox?

I mentioned the M3 and Sunfire because you're talking in terms of performance when comparing Bose to HTiB's.

The M3 in terms of on-road performance/handling/styling/luxury far exceed that offered by the Sunfire.

Ok, I understand where you are coming from. In the case of the Bose demo, I liked what I heard over similar sub/sat systems that I heard before. Not saying it's the best system in the world (there are far better that I've heard), but it isn't bad either. And musicians don't care about sound quality outside of their instrument? How many here actually play an instrument? How many here have tried to make a career out of music and dealt with long hours of practicing and the stress from auditions? It's something that means a LOT to me and to hear someone say "the musician thing doesn't give anyone credentials" is shooting an arrow right through me. That's how much it means to me.

messiah

Serendipity wrote: »

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.

Come on man, It's a HOME THEATER lol :rolleyes:

But seriously, I appreciate everyone's responses, but if I can't do this tactfully, I wont do it at all.

F1, thanks for the link, it explains a lot about why they sound so F'n bad. I cant exactly email that to him right off the bat, it's basically the equivalent of calling his baby ugly, and no one wants to hear their baby is ugly. Maybe if I can get my foot in the door on the subject of better speakers I'll share it with him then. Again, thank you.

I'd love to bring my speakers over to his house to do an a/b comparison. Hell, he lives less than a mile away, and I'd even spring for the speaker selector, but I'm not sure how well that would go over. What would I say, "ever wondered what your theater would sound like with good speakers"?

Having him over to blow his face off with movies is a good idea, but just isn't too likely unfortunately. They have two small children, and my condo isn't really that kid friendly as there's usually lots of knives and guns laying around, uh... I mean kids are antsy when they are little, and when we hang out it's almost always at their place. It's a good idea, but still not as effective as an a/b comparison.

When I say that we're good friends, it actually goes a bit beyond that. My wife is his daughters godmother, and my wife and his wife have been best friends for years and years. Hell, they even share the same birthday. You really couldn't ask for a better friend, and the last thing I would ever do is insult him over some speakers.

Serendipity, I respect your musical knowledge, and commend you on your achievements. You like bose, and I don't, and it's an opinion, ours just aren't the same. I will say that my logitech z-680 computer speakers would smoke a bose acoustimass system badly, and they are far from perfect, and 1/4 the price. This may have something to do with the fact that I can re-eq them through the computer, or having a really good sound card, but I will tell you that they have evoked many a smile.

Oh yeah, the bose sucks shirt is a cool idea, if you know where to get one let me know, as I would wear it proudly. Hell, I'd even wear it in front of him, just not in his house. Then if he asks why bose sucks, I can refer him to F1's link.

For everyone who said just leave it alone, I have, and thank you. There are things more important than speakers in life, but I really just want to help the guy. Hell, if you had a booger hanging out of your nose, would you want your friend to tell you and be a little embarrassed, or have him not tell you and have everyone else laugh at you behind your back? I know what I would choose.

I'm just looking for a good tactful way of going about this, and it doesn't need to happen tomorrow.

Thank you all for your help.

kawizx9r

This is a response that I'd like to share with you guys between Serendipity and I via PMs.

Me: You made a good point earlier, the Genesis will get you from Destination A to Destination B just the same way a Lexus or MB would.

I went a bit further because it was a comparison in terms of performance, and well we know that in terms of performance and so forth..the Genesis wouldn't stand a chance. Those IS series Lexus are pretty damn quick, and MB? Well they're no slouch either.

I personally sat down in a Bose store and listened to their Demo just 2 months ago on the LS48 as well. They even asked me to fill out a survey in which asked me to provide my email address (thus the email I got regarding the Bose TV and a few other things).

Did I like it? Personally, no. It was pretty clear sounding given the volume it was played at, but I had no way of testing that systems performance with some of my own music so I can't really say how it performs overall. But the Demo itself didn't impress at all whatsoever. -

Just something he'd thought I should share. We agreed to disagree. Wish this is how a few other (select) members dealt with things when coming to a disagreement.

kawizx9r

Oh and Christopher, you should just let your friend be.

If it were between you and me though, I'd WANT you to tell me my system sucked. Constructive criticism! Even if it is rather subjective....

messiah

I know Freddy, but hell, they guy has worked so hard, and spent an **** ton of money, and it could be so much better! He has a 4500 dollar receiver for f**k's sake!

BlueFox

messiah wrote: »

I'd love to bring my speakers over to his house to do an a/b comparison. Hell, he lives less than a mile away, and I'd even spring for the speaker selector, but I'm not sure how well that would go over. What would I say, "ever wondered what your theater would sound like with good speakers"?

Why not. Is this guy a friend, or a casual acquaintance?

If a friend he should certainly be receptive to learning something, and making his HT better. He might not like the idea of spending more money, he might not even care if it could sound better, but if he is a friend then he certainly can't be upset at the idea his system could be improved. And that improvement could add immensely to his enjoyment of the system.

Osarion

Have your friend host the next Polk Fest, that will be the excuse to get different speakers in!;)

messiah

Keiko wrote: »

Could be worse too. Rhymes with, 'oh no'. :eek: :rolleyes:

He could be sonny Bono?

messiah

Osarion wrote: »

Have your friend host the next Polk Fest, that will be the excuse to get different speakers in!;)

That would be awesome!! A Polk fest in my backyard!! I volunteer him immediately!!

kawizx9r

All you guys should give up your pre's/pro's, amps, and speakers and just send it all MY way. Do yourself a favor and get yourself some Bose :D

F1nut

Serendipity wrote: »

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.

All that and yet a frequency gap of 80 Hz didn't bother you? How about the top cut at 13.3 kHz or the low cut at 46 Hz? You're not helping yourself here.

messiah

Keiko wrote: »

Still better than the alternative I'm thinking about. Rhymes with limo. :rolleyes:

Bilbo? Frodo? Kimbo? Yoko Ono?

messiah

Tony Romo?

headrott

Personally, I would suggest that with such a good reciever (as you stated) he should have some bigger speakers to display all the power and impact of the movies he watches. Have the speaker size match the screen size in other words. If he is a good friend he would not take it as a criticism, but a friendly suggestion. If he sounds interested, then maybe you can suggest some speakers or suggest a listening session at a store or your home. If he doesn't sound interested, then fine he likes his expensive horrible sounding theatre. In any case, I would suggest it but not overly push it. I think it's all in the delivery of the suggestion.

Greg

mdaudioguy

I think we're talking movies here. Music is almost always more revealing. If some people can enjoy sound through their TV speakers, then why can't a guy enjoy a movie through his Bose system? It doesn't pain me whatsoever that perhaps millions of people do this daily. And I think that's what Serendipity was getting at. I think his credibility is intact. He basically said it was ok, not fantastic or better than anyone's Polks.

So the guy was duped into thinking he's getting room-filling sound from tiny cubes? And he believes it. My wife and daughters don't even remember to turn the AVR on for half the movies they watch. They've yet to report that their experience was degraded in any way... They just don't care about the quality of audio - it never even enters their minds. Do they enjoy it when I crank it up for a good action flick? I think so, but I'd be just as likely to walk in on my daughters watching Transformers through the TV speaks... Although in this case, it would seem that their senses were already being overloaded by Shia LaBeouf. Booming, high-quality surround sound never even enters their minds. Yeah, I don't get it either, but to each their own.

What I find more entertaining than the guy with his Bose system, are the guys who go out and spend a fortune on "good" gear, yet have no ears at all, and little idea of what they're even buying... and, then set it all up to watch movies in 5-channel stereo... :eek: Now in that case, an intervention was in order.

obieone

Simple answer: He didn't seek any advice, so don't offer any.

vc69

I have to ask myself two questions in a situation like this:

1)Did he ask for help?

2)Did he as me for help?

cfrizz

messiah wrote: »

I'm just looking for a good tactful way of going about this, and it doesn't need to happen tomorrow. Thank you all for your help.

There is NO tactful way of going about this!

Your wife & his are best friends, you are good friends with him. He is happy with the HIS system, which means his wife is probably ECSTATIC!

No matter what or how you say it, you will piss off not only him but also his wife, who will proceed to tell YOUR wife.

You will be buried so far under a pile of $hit, you won't be able to dig your way out for years!

Just let it go & enjoy your own system.

Serendipity

F1nut wrote: »

All that and yet a frequency gap of 80 Hz didn't bother you? How about the top cut at 13.3 kHz or the low cut at 46 Hz? You're not helping yourself here.

Never mind, Let's just agree to disagree then.

cstmar01

Serendipity wrote: »

Ok, I understand where you are coming from. In the case of the Bose demo, I liked what I heard over similar sub/sat systems that I heard before. Not saying it's the best system in the world (there are far better that I've heard), but it isn't bad either. And musicians don't care about sound quality outside of their instrument? How many here actually play an instrument? How many here have tried to make a career out of music and dealt with long hours of practicing and the stress from auditions? It's something that means a LOT to me and to hear someone say "the musician thing doesn't give anyone credentials" is shooting an arrow right through me. That's how much it means to me.

I played saxophone and other wind instruments since I was in the 3rd grade until college. Trust me, not all musicians give a crap about SQ, and most in college couldn't afford anything because they made crap for money to even buy anything. I know a ton that love to listen to MP3's on ipod headphones and think its great. Just because someone is a musician doesn't mean they always go for the best in SQ or in performance. yes they may be able to tune an instrument by ear, and find a perfect pitch, but get outside the performance and they go for crap.

Honestly, comparing an 500 HTIB with a 4K Bose system is not the same, and saying they sound the same is to me not saying much. It says to me you paid 3500 extra for not much gain. WOW. that does not say much for the 4K system besides you are paying for the name.

For 500 bucks I could grab a pair of TSI200's and an AVR and be better off than the bose or HTIB as at least I can upgrade stuff in the future (than on most HTIBs which the speakers have to be used with the AVR or what have you) and at least have a chance to improve the SQ by changing out speakers.

I just think you need to calm down a bit, because like I said, not everyone that is a musician gives a crap about SQ or anything playing outside of the room. Its not saying that you don't care, but to say that all musicians care about SQ etc to me is going over board. Its just like I knew guys in college that were some of the best tuba and horn players yet after done playing would walk out to their car and blast the newest song by some crappy rapper with their 12in subs that would make most go deaf. SQ=defeated.


oh and a guy that is now working in our department used to be the manager for a Bose store in the east coast. Yeah, mark up is insane, and their rooms are insane as well for what they do to make them sound better.

Serendipity

Just as a side note -

Back in August two Polkies (Face and Polrbehr) stopped by for a demo. I had loaded up CD's in the Onkyo 5-disc changer, one of them was a bunch of MP3 files burned to CD.

Neither of them noticed that an MP3 file was being played.

fishbones

You guys are getting awfully worked up over nothing. I don't believe anyone is trying to convince you to get Bose....only stating their interpretation of it. Did everyone forget that this is subjective? Geesh! I don't care for Bose at all, but I don't mind if my neighbor thinks it's the best in the world. In fact, I'm kind of envious of someone who is happy with what they've got, cause it seems I am always looking to see what's better..and better..and better still. Certainly doesn't make my wife very happy. I don't wish the upgrade disease on anyone if they're happy with what they got...it's too damned expensive!

OP, as I and others said before, if you know what's good for you - keep your mouth shut. You might dig a hole deeper than you anticipated. Don't worry, if he's into good sound like most of us, he'll hear a good system that will blow his socks off, ask you about it and the door will open (then his wife will hate you...but oh well, life is full of trade-offs). Either that, or he'll be content forever and not drive his wife crazy with the upgradeitis like the rest of us.

my 2 pennies

Serendipity

Thank you. *TO A LARGE EXTENT* Bose cubes don't sound that bad to me, it's all subjective. Someone else might think they are the worst speakers in the world. Let's just leave it at that...

mrbigbluelight

messiah wrote: »

Bilbo? Frodo? Kimbo? Yoko Ono?

It's my understanding that Yoko recommends Bose.

Helps to bring out the nightingale features of her melodic offerings on her classic song, "Sisters".

.....brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

PSOVLSK

Sadly, your friend is probably trying to find a way to tell you that you need to get rid of the Polks and step up to Bose:p

kawizx9r

Isn't it funny that Christopher here is being considerate of his friends feelings, while at the same time on another thread Mikeyb's setup is being bashed on by his own friend :eek:

Just shows you the kind of guys we've got around here on CP

Never had a problem with anyone on here!

cfrizz

kawizx9r wrote: »

Isn't it funny that Christopher here is being considerate of his friends feelings, while at the same time on another thread Mikeyb's setup is being bashed on by his own friend :eek:

Just shows you the kind of guys we've got around here on CP

Never had a problem with anyone on here!

I was thinking the same thing. The best solution in both cases is that the parties involved need to keep their mouths SHUT!

jflail2

Yea, if he wants to upgrade after hearing your system, good on him and his ears. If not, good on him for finding what he likes.

My dad for example has been an aircraft mechanic since 1968, and spent a LOT of time on the flightline in the AF, so his hearing is not exactly perfect. He'd be blown away by a basic HTIB setup, but then again he couldn't hear this HORRIBLE high pitched whine that used to come from his TV. We all had to beg him to replace it.

Point being, if he's happy, then good for him and leave it at that. If he comes to my place and says "holy ****, I want what you have", then I'd be happy to get him going in the right direction. That's just not going to happen with dad though....and it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'm glad he's happy with what he's got.

Sherardp

I'd tell him, that's what friends do. If you guys are close, heck yeah tell him.