Bose LIFESTYLE V20 home entertainment system
Discussion
I was thinking changing my HES with some KEF speakers and a decent amplifier, but then I saw the Bose Lifestyle V20 for a pretty decent sum and I was wondering if anyone had any experiences with it....
It looks like a pretty decent set-up with 5.1 surround and a good amp with multiple inputs and 2x HDMI so it's perfect for my needs.
However, there is also a V30 for another €500 and I can't really tell what the difference is.
Any info on this and experiences with the Lifestyle systems? Good? Bad?
It looks like a pretty decent set-up with 5.1 surround and a good amp with multiple inputs and 2x HDMI so it's perfect for my needs.
However, there is also a V30 for another €500 and I can't really tell what the difference is.
Any info on this and experiences with the Lifestyle systems? Good? Bad?
Zod said:
KEF good. BOSE bad.
Any chance you could expand on this?! 
The BOSE system includes everything I need, including the amp. The KEF while cheaper, does not include the amp and I would most likely end up with a stereo set-up first and add speakers to it as I go along.
I'm also interested in knowing how good music sounds on it too.....
Edited by beanbag on Tuesday 14th April 12:33
beanbag said:
Zod said:
KEF good. BOSE bad.
Any chance you could expand on this?! The BOSE system includes everything I need, including the amp. The KEF while cheaper, does not include the amp and I would most likely end up with a stereo set-up first and add speakers to it as I go along.
I'm also interested in knowing how good music sounds on it too.....
Edited by beanbag on Tuesday 14th April 12:33
t.Zod said:
KEF good. BOSE bad.
The V series aren't bad at all.Also, you drive an AM15 system and a KHT system side by side with a decent Denon processor, say and you just might eat those words...
I'm not saying Bose is a panacea - far from it - and of course, far better kit exists but ito 'being condemned on the altar of biased, casual snobbery,' few brands suffer more.
Chuck, I remember visiting a punter's gaff some years back who insisted upon the Acoustimass 10 5.1 [passive sub] speaker set-up for strictly swmbo reasons.
Think he had an AVC-A10SE which at the time was (still is) a ball bouncer of the first order.
By the time it was all rigged and the default laserdisc of True Lies or some such was a-rolling, I vividly remember expressing disbelief to the engineer.
Don't get me wrong, I think the KEFs are 'better' more of the time in that they're easier to get a more effective crash, bang from but AMs can sound bally good in some scenarios.
{Btw, sneaky DB9, I see? Congrats.}
Think he had an AVC-A10SE which at the time was (still is) a ball bouncer of the first order.
By the time it was all rigged and the default laserdisc of True Lies or some such was a-rolling, I vividly remember expressing disbelief to the engineer.
Don't get me wrong, I think the KEFs are 'better' more of the time in that they're easier to get a more effective crash, bang from but AMs can sound bally good in some scenarios.
{Btw, sneaky DB9, I see? Congrats.
}I like Bose
Had AM5 SIII for a while and loved them.
Then changed to AM10 SIII (Active Sub) and then upgraded the cubes to the better Jewel ones.
I too have had the wee KEFs but all things considered Bose are great for their size and don't dominate the room.
Anyway all sold now, never used used them now kids have come along...
Now got tiny Tannoy speakers which are so good I don't bother with a sub for the amount of time they get used and no sub for wee one to put objects in ...
Had AM5 SIII for a while and loved them.
Then changed to AM10 SIII (Active Sub) and then upgraded the cubes to the better Jewel ones.
I too have had the wee KEFs but all things considered Bose are great for their size and don't dominate the room.
Anyway all sold now, never used used them now kids have come along...
Now got tiny Tannoy speakers which are so good I don't bother with a sub for the amount of time they get used and no sub for wee one to put objects in ...
derestrictor said:
Chuck, I remember visiting a punter's gaff some years back who insisted upon the Acoustimass 10 5.1 [passive sub] speaker set-up for strictly swmbo reasons.
Think he had an AVC-A10SE which at the time was (still is) a ball bouncer of the first order.
By the time it was all rigged and the default laserdisc of True Lies or some such was a-rolling, I vividly remember expressing disbelief to the engineer.
Don't get me wrong, I think the KEFs are 'better' more of the time in that they're easier to get a more effective crash, bang from but AMs can sound bally good in some scenarios.
{Btw, sneaky DB9, I see? Congrats.}
AudioVector is what makes my room shake. Different cost league thoug.Think he had an AVC-A10SE which at the time was (still is) a ball bouncer of the first order.
By the time it was all rigged and the default laserdisc of True Lies or some such was a-rolling, I vividly remember expressing disbelief to the engineer.
Don't get me wrong, I think the KEFs are 'better' more of the time in that they're easier to get a more effective crash, bang from but AMs can sound bally good in some scenarios.
{Btw, sneaky DB9, I see? Congrats.
}As for the DB9, I know we discussed it, but it was an itch I just had to scratch. Tried the automatic ordinary one and found it as you described, nice and gentlemanly. The sports pack manual is very different. It's perhaps not quite as fast as the V10 monsters in all-out mode, but it's very close, given it's a bit lighter and with the sound, it's great fun, and the extra torque makes it nice and easy.
I've not heard the bose stuff but get the impression you pay for the name in the same way you would for b&o.
If you looking for good quality home cinema set up with small speakers it might be worth looking at the Anthony Gallo stuff. http://www.anthonygallo.co.uk/pages/products-homec...
I've got the larger ref speakers and the build / sound quality is very good.
I think Plotloss on here can supply them.
If you looking for good quality home cinema set up with small speakers it might be worth looking at the Anthony Gallo stuff. http://www.anthonygallo.co.uk/pages/products-homec...
I've got the larger ref speakers and the build / sound quality is very good.
I think Plotloss on here can supply them.
Sell them by the bucket load and a great solution, if you already have your own Blu Ray and other players. Main difference between the 20 and 30 is the smaller Jewel cube speakers in the 30. Loads of inputs, a tiny display on the furniture and all the main cable gubbins can attach to the input box that sits in your furniture.
Yes I may be just a smidge bias but IMHO they are superb! Units are provided with the Adapt IQ software that will set up the system to your room. You can read all the pros and cons until the cows come home. Only person that matters is you, so go and have a listen. I've just read in Stuff mag the latest reviews. Are they owned by Sony?
Yes I may be just a smidge bias but IMHO they are superb! Units are provided with the Adapt IQ software that will set up the system to your room. You can read all the pros and cons until the cows come home. Only person that matters is you, so go and have a listen. I've just read in Stuff mag the latest reviews. Are they owned by Sony?
Got to admit that in nearly 20 years of selling Bose equipment you're left with a couple of thoughts
The sound quality is very good upto a point, but the main selling point is the "Wife acceptence factor".
The Lifestyle/V-series systems are very easy to set up and make work reasonably well.
BUT! there can be issues in speaker placement (specifically the Subwoofer) if it can be placed close to the head unit
then there are no real problems, but if you want the Sub tucked out of sight (say across the room) you have to feed all
the cubes speaker cables to the Subs location, not a big problem but it has to be taken into consideration.
Obviously Bose have to be very conservative in their designs, because they have no compatibility with latest
High Definition Audiio Codecs from Blu-Ray players (the V20/30 cant handle the multi-channel PCM signal
from a decoding BD player) it will down convert to Dolby Digital/DTS which still sound OK but given that most of
the V-series systems will be purchaced with a BD player it means that your not quite getting state of the art sound.
Here's a thought, Why dont you buy the Acoustimass 10/15 speaker system and a good Home Cinema Amp/receiver,
you would then get the Same Speakers as the V20 but a much more modern solution for the Amplification/processing.
There are some stunning amps on the market at the moment such as the Newish Denon AVR2809 which can be had
for £699 if you search hard enough!! You'll get 4 HDMI inputs, full compatibility with Blu-Ray HD audio
and a logical upgrade path if the mood takes you.
I entirely understand why people buy into Bose ideas, and for say 70% of people they're a great solution
but for anyone who craves a little more quality in the sound they listen to my solution might be worth a look.
But the acid test is to get out there and have proper listen..
Just my two-penneth
Regards To all Gandalf.........................
The sound quality is very good upto a point, but the main selling point is the "Wife acceptence factor".
The Lifestyle/V-series systems are very easy to set up and make work reasonably well.
BUT! there can be issues in speaker placement (specifically the Subwoofer) if it can be placed close to the head unit
then there are no real problems, but if you want the Sub tucked out of sight (say across the room) you have to feed all
the cubes speaker cables to the Subs location, not a big problem but it has to be taken into consideration.
Obviously Bose have to be very conservative in their designs, because they have no compatibility with latest
High Definition Audiio Codecs from Blu-Ray players (the V20/30 cant handle the multi-channel PCM signal
from a decoding BD player) it will down convert to Dolby Digital/DTS which still sound OK but given that most of
the V-series systems will be purchaced with a BD player it means that your not quite getting state of the art sound.
Here's a thought, Why dont you buy the Acoustimass 10/15 speaker system and a good Home Cinema Amp/receiver,
you would then get the Same Speakers as the V20 but a much more modern solution for the Amplification/processing.
There are some stunning amps on the market at the moment such as the Newish Denon AVR2809 which can be had
for £699 if you search hard enough!! You'll get 4 HDMI inputs, full compatibility with Blu-Ray HD audio
and a logical upgrade path if the mood takes you.
I entirely understand why people buy into Bose ideas, and for say 70% of people they're a great solution
but for anyone who craves a little more quality in the sound they listen to my solution might be worth a look.
But the acid test is to get out there and have proper listen..
Just my two-penneth
Regards To all Gandalf.........................
tdm34ds said:
The sound quality is very good upto a point, but the main selling point is the "Wife acceptence factor".
The Wife acceptance factor is the only thing BOSE have going for them, as far as sound quality goes, anything within the price range from a reputable dealer, as far as separate AV amp and speakers goes, is going to blow them away in terms of performance.Look, THX proper will destroy any home theatre ensemble but how many residences will accomodate thus? Well, I'll tell you: four.
After that, it's all about compromise... I can assure you, a well controlled/processed, top end Acoustimass system is genuinley very, very impressive - for a sub/sat system!
After that, it's all about compromise... I can assure you, a well controlled/processed, top end Acoustimass system is genuinley very, very impressive - for a sub/sat system!
derestrictor said:
Look, THX proper will destroy any home theatre ensemble but how many residences will accomodate thus? Well, I'll tell you: four.
After that, it's all about compromise... I can assure you, a well controlled/processed, top end Acoustimass system is genuinley very, very impressive - for a sub/sat system!
Yes, I was looking at a THX system originally, but when you price in the speakers, it's way off my budget.After that, it's all about compromise... I can assure you, a well controlled/processed, top end Acoustimass system is genuinley very, very impressive - for a sub/sat system!
Originally I was looking at the Pioneer SC-LX71
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/42/98/405/SC-...
I was going to hook it up to a pair of KEF iQ90's at the front, and iQ50's at the rear and then of course a PSW2500 sub for bass. I wasn't going to bother with a centre speaker however when you price all this together, it works out at an approximate €3699 which is €1699 over the price of the BOSE.
On top of this, BOSE are offering 0% interest free finance for 30 months with a 10% deposit here in Austria so it works out very affordable indeed.
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