Bose or B&W

[Geoffcin]

Well, he could go with the Bose for the wife and get a good set of cans for more discerning listening.

OY! I wonder if anyone actually reads the OP, or follows the thread?

It's not about "discerning listening". Certainly a good set of headphones would help with that. The question is how to argue against Bose vs. B&W (or similar) to a wife that insists on having a small hidden HT system, ala Bose.

[JoeE SP9]

I hope the OP doesn't get offended by the following remarks.

How far are males expected to compromise? You can't have a decent stereo because the wife doesn't like it. You can't have a decent HT because the wife doesn't like it. Do you get to have anything you like? Marriage is supposed to be a partnership. When one member makes all the household decisions what kind of partnership is that?

Someone had to say it.

[markw]

I hope the OP doesn't get offended by the following remarks.

How far are males expected to compromise? You can't have a decent stereo because the wife doesn't like it. You can't have a decent HT because the wife doesn't like it. Do you get to have anything you like? Marriage is supposed to be a partnership. When one member makes all the household decisions what kind of partnership is that?

Someone had to say it.

In a marrige, one should chose their battles carefully, particularly considering this is not even the OP's battle or decision. It's his in-laws

[blackraven]

I would rather do 4 pairs of good in wall speakers and a cube sub and center channel than do bose. But the simplicity of bose is hard to argue with if sound quality is not that important. Lets be honest, most of the general public is not as fanatical as we are about audio. Many people that have a HTIB are satisfied with what they have. Just like many people are satisfied with mp3 and IPOD's.

[JoeE SP9]

In a marrige, one should chose their battles carefully, particularly considering this is not even the OP's battle or decision. It's his in-laws

I realize it's the in-laws who have the issue. My comment still stands. I believe it relates to any couple in any marriage. The current issue (Bose vs B&W) is merely one small example. To reiterate. If one partner does all the compromising what kind of partnership is it.

[markw]

I realize it's the in-laws who have the issue. My comment still stands. I believe it relates to any couple in any marriage. The current issue (Bose vs B&W) is merely one small example. To reiterate. If one partner does all the compromising what kind of partnership is it.

Perhps, but my tke on this whole situation is that the in-laws got two conflicting ideas on what's "the best" for their situation and that sound quality isn't as high on their scale as it is ours. My take is that they would be happier with the simplicity of Bose system, particularly if they're talking a whole system.

Those "Lifestyle" systems my be expensive and not the last word in sound, but their "cuteness" and human interface is second to none. Remember, the Mercury Grand Marquis may be a bloated, underhandling, gas-guzzling, dinosur of a car, but quite a few still buy 'em and love 'em.

In either case, OP should be wary about talking them into making a decision based on his requirements instead of theirs.

[blackraven]

Well said MarkW, I couldn't agree more with your above post.

[JoeE SP9]

Perhps, but my tke on this whole situation is that the in-laws got two conflicting ideas on what's "the best" for their situation and that sound quality isn't as high on their scale as it is ours. My take is that they would be happier with the simplicity of Bose system, particularly if they're talking a whole system.

Those "Lifestyle" systems my be expensive and not the last word in sound, but their "cuteness" and human interface is second to none. Remember, the Mercury Grand Marquis may be a bloated, underhandling, gas-guzzling, dinosur of a car, but quite a few still buy 'em and love 'em.

In either case, OP should be wary about talking them into making a decision based on his requirements instead of theirs.

I think you are missing my main point. It's not just about speaker choices. It's about one member of a "partnership" doing all the compromising. I see and hear about this regularly. With stereo and/or HT gear It usually comes down to, "My wife won't let me (fill in the blanks) in the house/living room". This also applies to cars, guns motorcycles and a myriad of other things a "man" might want.

We may not hear about it a lot on this forum as most of the posters here have made some sort of reasonable compromise with their SO. However, when referring to friends and acquaintances I'm sure many of you know exactly what I talking about. My point and question is and was, "When one side does all the compromising, is there a partnership or a dictatorship"?

[markw]

I think you are missing my main point. It's not just about speaker choices. It's about one member of a "partnership" doing all the compromising. I see and hear about this regularly. With stereo and/or HT gear It usually comes down to, "My wife won't let me (fill in the blanks) in the house/living room". This also applies to cars, guns motorcycles and a myriad of other things a "man" might want.

We may not hear about it a lot on this forum as most of the posters here have made some sort of reasonable compromise with their SO. However, when referring to friends and acquaintances I'm sure many of you know exactly what I talking about. My point and question is and was, "When one side does all the compromising, is there a partnership or a dictatorship"?

What makes you think he's doing all the compromising? Maybe he really isn't that picky about the sound and simply doesn't care that much. So, why should he whip out his manhood just to make a point

Remember that thing I said about choosing ones battles carefully?

And, no, I don't see too many of my friends that can't reach an amicable compromise most of the time. If they can't, then they usually end up divorcing each other.

[Mingus]

I saw my in-laws on Halloween and the wife has agreed not to go with Bose. Apparently, she heard about Bose from her friends. So, they will looks for a better option. She doesn't like my setup (Paradigm) with so many black boxes. I mention to them about the in-walls, but they are not crazy about cutting thru the wall. She they will look at other options. I gave them your suggestions. They said they will check it out.

[Geoffcin]

Hey guys, the thread is not to conjecture about the marital dynamics of other people. Let's keep it on topic OK?

[Geoffcin]

I saw my in-laws on Halloween and the wife has agreed not to go with Bose. Apparently, she heard about Bose from her friends. So, they will looks for a better option. She doesn't like my setup (Paradigm) with so many black boxes. I mention to them about the in-walls, but they are not crazy about cutting thru the wall. She they will look at other options. I gave them your suggestions. They said they will check it out.

Well that's a good thing. A better option is always something to look for, rather than go with one that's a really bad compromise. I have little experience with smaller HT systems, but I did own Gallo's for a while (the Reference 3's) and really liked them. I also have a lot of time with Cambridge Soundworks gear. They have downsized their offerings over the last few years but the top of the line system;

[http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/s...&item=k1ht305s

Should smoke anything that the "B" company makes. They are also much smaller speakers than traditional "box" speakers.

[blackraven]

If I were them, I would go 3.1 instead of 5.1 if they are worried about too many speakers. I use 3.1 for this reason. I bought a pair of B&W's for the rear channels and returned them because of too many speaker and I did not feel the benefits of 5.1 out weighed my distaste of too many speakers.

[Geoffcin]

If I were them, I would go 3.1 instead of 5.1 if they are worried about too many speakers. I use 3.1 for this reason. I bought a pair of B&W's for the rear channels and returned them because of too many speaker and I did not feel the benefits of 5.1 out weighed my distaste of too many speakers.

That's actually really good advice. A great sounding 2.1 (or 3.1) system is a much better choice than a compromised 5.1 system. You can always add the rear speakers later.

[JoeE SP9]

I sometimes wish RS had continued selling the Minimus 7. A couple of those and a sub woofer can be set up unobtrusively. They also sound quite good considering their size. They would be easy to recommend for those who want something small. Is there anything comparable being sold today?

[markw]

The in-laws just got a new Sony 32" 1080P set. They are looking for a set of home theatre speakers. Their preference is either Bose or B&W. Which is more appropriate.

Mingus, are they looking for a whole system or just speakers? Unless they have external speaker outputs on the back of the TV, I'm pretty sure they will need a receiver to power them.

[poppachubby]

I'm with mark on this one, the OP doesn't give too much detail. Maybe I should have read every post. Anyhow, I'm no HT pro, but it seems to me if they have no way of processing true digital sound, they should go minimal with the speakers, 2.1 for sure. Why bother with 5.1 for analog sound?

[Geoffcin]

Dudes, the OP gave a budget of $2-2.5k. You would think a receiver would fit on a budget like that?

[markw]

Dudes, the OP gave a budget of $2-2.5k. You would think a receiver would fit on a budget like that?

I guess then the revceiver issue has already been answerd then. I'll assume the 2-2.5 k is all for speakers and a sub.

They can get pretty much whatver looks pretty to them.

[Hyfi]

B&W does a wonderful mini HT speaker package. I have heard a system using the M1s

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=821

[Mingus]

Their budget of $2000 to $2500 is for the speaker and sub. They already have the receiver and DVD player. After the speakers they plan to buy a blu-ray player. Thanks for the feedback.

[audio amateur]

How about Orb audio? Their marketing is as good as Bose
I don't have any experience with them but they might be worth checking out!
http://www.orbaudio.com/

[nightflier]

Their budget of $2000 to $2500 is for the speaker and sub. They already have the receiver and DVD player. After the speakers they plan to buy a blu-ray player. Thanks for the feedback.

Then getting a Bose system is overkill, since it will include a receiver & player, which they already have.

[blackraven]

I would consider the NHT verve 5.1 system http://store.nhthifi.com/s.nl/sc.12/category.1211/.f

Energy Take 5.1 http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-spe...33310963.htmlT

Boston Acoustics 5.1 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...specifications

But I still think that they would be happier with a good 3.1 system if there is still the concern about the number of speakers.

A pair of B&W 686's, 685's or even the floor standing 684's along with a B&W center and a small sub like the velodyne mini or Def Tech cube would make a very nice system.

[Mingus]

Hey, thanks for the very good suggestions. My in-laws still could not decide what to do but definitely not Bose. They always took their time to decide on things. In the meantime, I lend them my Boston Acoustics Subsat 6 (a 3 piece system) for them to use until they decide.