BOSE Cube Speakers

[5STM5]

During some renovations I ran speaker wires to a couple of rooms and now am ready to hook up some speakers. I am using a Yamaha dual zone AV receiver as the main unit, so the speakers will be connected directly to this through the cabling. There will be 2 speakers in each room. I am interested in using BOSE cube speakers as they are small, have decent output and I should be able to get a "fuller" sound by directing the upper and lower cubes at different positions.
Now, I spoke to a sales guy in a Bose shop and he said I can only run these through a Bose amp. Surprised me a little as I thought a speaker was a speaker. Can anyone advise me if he is right, or can I directly hook them up.

Cheers

[GT03ROB]

5STM5 said:

During some renovations I ran speaker wires to a couple of rooms and now am ready to hook up some speakers. I am using a Yamaha dual zone AV receiver as the main unit, so the speakers will be connected directly to this through the cabling. There will be 2 speakers in each room. I am interested in using BOSE cube speakers as they are small, have decent output and I should be able to get a "fuller" sound by directing the upper and lower cubes at different positions.
Now, I spoke to a sales guy in a Bose shop and he said I can only run these through a Bose amp. Surprised me a little as I thought a speaker was a speaker. Can anyone advise me if he is right, or can I directly hook them up.

Cheers

He's talking bks

I have a Bose system running through a Denon AV amp & anotherBose system running through an old Technics stereo amp

[OldSkoolRS]

If you run them from another amp then you will need to use a very high crossover frequency,plus you will need a subwoofer. I thought the Bose amp was in the subwoofer, but perhaps only certain (older?) models. You will get a very tinny sound if you don't use the subwoofer as the little cubes don't go very low in terms of frequency response.

Personally I'd look at alternatives such as Monitor Audio Radius speakers which are available in gloss white (and other colours) and could be used without a sub if necessary. Other ones to look for might be:

KEF 'egg' (not sure the model number).
Mission M-Cubes.
MK M5.
Antony Galio Micro/A'Diva/Strada.

[5STM5]

Thanks for the responses. Maybe he was trying to explain the poorer sound quality without the amp (as I believe it is in the sub woofer), but wasn't making it clear.

[GT03ROB]

Subwoofer comes with the speakers.

Bose are an acquired taste & not to everyones. I'd make sure you demo them properly before deciding

[E31Shrew]

Youll need a passive BOSE subwoofer. Check on ebay for Acoustimass 3 or 5..You can use either. The 5 was originally for double cubes and 3 for singles.

ETA Here we go

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bose-Acoustimass-5-Serie...

Edited by E31Shrew on Wednesday 11th September 17:21

[5STM5]

Thanks folks, using BOSE cubes might not work. I'll have a look around for other suitable speakers.

[E31Shrew]

The other thing to bear in mind is that the cables go to the sub first, and then up to the cubes from the sub.

[5STM5]

Yes, that's why the BOSE cubes won't work for me. I had a look around the web tonight for Flat Panel wall speakers. I'm not sure I'll get the full sound I'm after though.

[E31Shrew]

I used to sell Artcoustic speakers...Perhaps a tad pricey though! http://www.artcoustic.com/

[VEX]

The NEW Monitor Audio Radius Series speakers (due for launch this month) have some new shallow speakers for mounting either side of a screen. The new 225's are only 65mm deep.

Also look at the 45's or 90's for wall mounted cubes.

V.

[Booyakajon]

I have Bose Acoustimass5 in my family room and Artcoustic in my cinema room both linked to Pioneer amps- both are fantastic for their intended purpose. The Artcoustics can be wall mounted but I have inset them into my wall. The grills can be any colour (in my case they match the wall paint) and most people do not realise they are speakers!Pricey - but definitely worth it in the long run interms of satisfaction!

[VEX]

+1 for the performance of the Artcoustic's but certainly more than most of the BOSE range.

I love them but I am also selective over the clients I show them to in terms of budget.

V.

[OldSkoolRS]

Another option instead of Artacoustic are the PMC Wafer speakers. They are available in white or black, on wall or in wall (with a paintable grille). However they aren't cheap either, though I managed to pick up a pair of Wafer 1s in white for use as side surrounds for just over £700, they rarely come up second hand though. I'm debating changing my TB2+ fronts for more Wafers for a more discrete set up, either that or some MK MP150 on walls (and then the matching surrounds).

Good discrete speakers aren't cheap I'm afraid.

[blindswelledrat]

5STM5 said:

During some renovations I ran speaker wires to a couple of rooms and now am ready to hook up some speakers. I am using a Yamaha dual zone AV receiver as the main unit, so the speakers will be connected directly to this through the cabling. There will be 2 speakers in each room. I am interested in using BOSE cube speakers as they are small, have decent output and I should be able to get a "fuller" sound by directing the upper and lower cubes at different positions.
Now, I spoke to a sales guy in a Bose shop and he said I can only run these through a Bose amp. Surprised me a little as I thought a speaker was a speaker. Can anyone advise me if he is right, or can I directly hook them up.

Cheers

Where are you based? I have a powered bose amp and 2 cube speakers you can have free if you want. They have been in my shed for a couple of years so they need a clean. I'm in Bucks

[SeanyD]

I have 5 x bose double-cube speakers in our front room, which I'm happily using with an off-the-shelf Sony Amp and Sony active Sub, and they work fine and sound great, if the wiring is DIY and non-bose, you will need to purchase small adaptors which gives a screw-in wire connection to the cube two-pin interface/connector. A couple of quid each off fleabay.

Bought ours to replace chunky floor-standing speakers to avoid our little'un pulling them over / eating them / coating them with jam etc etc. Nice and high, wires hidden in the walls, discreet, and away from small hands.

I'm sure technically you could get better for cheaper, but overall they work brilliantly. My honest ratings would be something like:

General TV programmes: 6/10
Listening to the Radio: 7/10
Watching a 5.1 movie/DVD: 9/10
Cosmetic/Appearance: 10/10

(Rubbish picture but this is them...)

Edited by SeanyD on Thursday 12th September 09:18