looking for small, powerful system

[nightflier]

Not to back the Bose option, but I think what the original poster is also asking is for something that looks good. For all the bad press, no one ever said that Bose looks bad. For those people buying new homes or going to Tweeter/Magnolia/Etc. to buy a system, they are oogling in-wall solutions and slick all-in-one packages like the Bose lifestyle system. They are also comparing this to what their friends and neighbors have installed. Given the huge surge in all-built-in systems everywhere, it's likely that a good old separates setup with bookshelf speakers on stands just isn't going to be as sexy.

Let's face it, all the magazine ads, all the TV spots, all the advertising dollars are being diverted to all-in-one, unobtrusive, techy, and small systems with iPod-like interfaces built-into-the-walls. Just look at the ads in Sound & Vision, The Perfect Vision, and all the other A/V trade-rags: even tower speakers are pushed back to the walls, subs are tucked under coffee tables, cables are squeezed through tiny conduits, and components are all behind in-wall cabinet doors - hardly the best setup for optimal sound. Bose is designing systems that fit into this culture.

Sure, michaewlewis, can purchase an SVS speaker system, but then he still has to hunt down all the other components from different manufacturers, with cables hanging down the back and around the room. Fact is, for an all-in-one system, Bose looks like it's right out of Star Trek and it's the right price-point. The truth is that people who buy Bose don't care about sound quality but sound quantity - that is: "can I get my gazillion MP3s playing all through the house?"

When I first read the post, my recommendation was going to be:

- Gallo speakers
- B&W sub (that round one that would match so nicely)
- NAD L-53
- Audioquest in-wall cables

Now, that would be a system that would blow the Bose out of the room. But that's not going to cost $2K, either. Fact is, if you want sexy and good sound, you have to pay for it. If you want marginally better sound than Bose, and to pay less, you'd have to compromise with something like:

- Polk RM 10
- LG LST-3510A
- Home Depot in-wall speaker cables

At that point you have to ask yourself, should I have paid an extra $200 to impress my friends with the well known Bose name? Most of us here will say hell no, but can we be so sure that others (and we all know them) won't want the Bose Lifestyle?

[GMichael]

Not to back the Bose option, but I think what the original poster is also asking is for something that looks good. For all the bad press, no one ever said that Bose looks bad. For those people buying new homes or going to Tweeter/Magnolia/Etc. to buy a system, they are oogling in-wall solutions and slick all-in-one packages like the Bose lifestyle system. They are also comparing this to what their friends and neighbors have installed. Given the huge surge in all-built-in systems everywhere, it's likely that a good old separates setup with bookshelf speakers on stands just isn't going to be as sexy.

Let's face it, all the magazine ads, all the TV spots, all the advertising dollars are being diverted to all-in-one, unobtrusive, techy, and small systems with iPod-like interfaces built-into-the-walls. Just look at the ads in Sound & Vision, The Perfect Vision, and all the other A/V trade-rags: even tower speakers are pushed back to the walls, subs are tucked under coffee tables, cables are squeezed through tiny conduits, and components are all behind in-wall cabinet doors - hardly the best setup for optimal sound. Bose is designing systems that fit into this culture.

Sure, michaewlewis, can purchase an SVS speaker system, but then he still has to hunt down all the other components from different manufacturers, with cables hanging down the back and around the room. Fact is, for an all-in-one system, Bose looks like it's right out of Star Trek and it's the right price-point. The truth is that people who buy Bose don't care about sound quality but sound quantity - that is: "can I get my gazillion MP3s playing all through the house?"

When I first read the post, my recommendation was going to be:

- Gallo speakers
- B&W sub (that round one that would match so nicely)
- NAD L-53
- Audioquest in-wall cables

Now, that would be a system that would blow the Bose out of the room. But that's not going to cost $2K, either. Fact is, if you want sexy and good sound, you have to pay for it. If you want marginally better sound than Bose, and to pay less, you'd have to compromise with something like:

- Polk RM 10
- LG LST-3510A
- Home Depot in-wall speaker cables

At that point you have to ask yourself, should I have paid an extra $200 to impress my friends with the well known Bose name? Most of us here will say hell no, but can we be so sure that others (and we all know them) won't want the Bose Lifestyle?

I'd still rather have these speakers: http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-...em/KEFKHT1005S

And this receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-.../MARSR4600BLKA