Bose and the like
Discussion
I always thought the high end stuff wasn't worth the outlay, your paying for the brand name, how much better can it actually be etc... Until I treated myself to a Bose Ipod player. Fair play the sound quality is much better, rather impressed to be honest and this probably isn't anywhere near the top of the tree.
Edited by BoRED S2upid on Wednesday 17th February 13:52
when i heard the B&W zeppelin i was left nothing but uninspired. the sound quality was awful, although i guess that may have been the compression ratio of the music, but even so, it sounded tinny and there was very little bass. I know this is a completely different level, but when i heard the little meridian (http://www.meridian-audio.com/product-model/compact-systems/meridian-f80.aspx) i was left looking for the floor standing speakers and amp. although these are a lot more expensive than the bose and B&W the amount of sound they produce is epic.
I think there is a law of diminishing returns with audio stuff.
i.e. pay £20 and its a bit poo
pay £50 and its probably quite good
pay £100 and you'll probably find its twice as good as the £50 unit.
but if you pay £500 it wont be five times as good as the £100 unit - will still be better but the difference wont be as big between the £20 one and the £100 one.
i.e. pay £20 and its a bit poo
pay £50 and its probably quite good
pay £100 and you'll probably find its twice as good as the £50 unit.
but if you pay £500 it wont be five times as good as the £100 unit - will still be better but the difference wont be as big between the £20 one and the £100 one.
When I sold my "proper" hi-fi due to space requirements I bought a B&W zepplin and quality is impressive given the size/price. The only thing it really lacks is soundstage. It's in a completely different league to the Bose in my opinion.
I run a squeezebox through it with Apple Lossless (uncompressed), and it will more than suit my needs until I get some more space for a "proper" hi-fi again.
I run a squeezebox through it with Apple Lossless (uncompressed), and it will more than suit my needs until I get some more space for a "proper" hi-fi again.
Is it that good ?
I'm in a quandry really - I started looking around for a dock with DAB and saw the pure avanti flow, but its too big for where I want to put it, the internet radio is a plus but its not accessible without configuring it on their website called thelounge. Also the navigation is kind of broken - you swap between the buttons on the front of the unit and the ones on the top. It also doesn't display whats currently playing. £230 from amazon.
So then I saw the revo ikon - better shape, the internet radio is accessible directly from the unit, apparently you can also download podcasts direct to the unit as well. The downside is you can't navigate the music collection on the ipod from the remote control. To my ears it doesn't sound any different to the avanti (which is often lauded as having excellent sound). £275-280 from a number of places (including Marks & Spencer believe it or not..). The only thing that holds me back is a lack of reviews (it only came out late last year).
A trip to John Lewis discovered the Vita R4, which is crazy money, but I thought it sounded excellent, but £540! no internet radio either.
Suggestions?
Does anyone know if the Vita R2i sounds as good as the R4? The R4 has a sub built in, which really helps with the "warm" sound, but the R2 doesn't - does it still sound good ?
I'm in a quandry really - I started looking around for a dock with DAB and saw the pure avanti flow, but its too big for where I want to put it, the internet radio is a plus but its not accessible without configuring it on their website called thelounge. Also the navigation is kind of broken - you swap between the buttons on the front of the unit and the ones on the top. It also doesn't display whats currently playing. £230 from amazon.
So then I saw the revo ikon - better shape, the internet radio is accessible directly from the unit, apparently you can also download podcasts direct to the unit as well. The downside is you can't navigate the music collection on the ipod from the remote control. To my ears it doesn't sound any different to the avanti (which is often lauded as having excellent sound). £275-280 from a number of places (including Marks & Spencer believe it or not..). The only thing that holds me back is a lack of reviews (it only came out late last year).
A trip to John Lewis discovered the Vita R4, which is crazy money, but I thought it sounded excellent, but £540! no internet radio either.
Suggestions?
Does anyone know if the Vita R2i sounds as good as the R4? The R4 has a sub built in, which really helps with the "warm" sound, but the R2 doesn't - does it still sound good ?
Have an R2i, gives a nice sound but can be a trifle 'boomy' but that might just be because it's in the kitchen, still a shame you can't tweak the settings.
Any decent audio shop should let you try one so you can make up your own mind, and that's really what you should do, try as many as possible and see which one you like.
Any decent audio shop should let you try one so you can make up your own mind, and that's really what you should do, try as many as possible and see which one you like.
paulm3 said:
Thats the one I've got - silver to match my nano 
Crafty_ said:
Is it that good ?
I'm in a quandry really - I started looking around for a dock with DAB and saw the pure avanti flow, but its too big for where I want to put it, the internet radio is a plus but its not accessible without configuring it on their website called thelounge. Also the navigation is kind of broken - you swap between the buttons on the front of the unit and the ones on the top. It also doesn't display whats currently playing. £230 from amazon.
I've got the Pure Evoke Flow, and you don't have to use the Lounge - it's just easier to find favourite stations on the web rather than using the LED screen. I've got 3 different internet radios, they all have an online service (reciva, The lounge, frontier) doing the same sort of thing.I'm in a quandry really - I started looking around for a dock with DAB and saw the pure avanti flow, but its too big for where I want to put it, the internet radio is a plus but its not accessible without configuring it on their website called thelounge. Also the navigation is kind of broken - you swap between the buttons on the front of the unit and the ones on the top. It also doesn't display whats currently playing. £230 from amazon.
B&W Zeppelin using Apple lossless is probably one of the better systems. I have a Bose also and the B&W is way better when directly compared in the same room.
The B&W is not as Bass heavy and has a wonderful ability to mix the high and low notes with a clear mid range and vocals.
In my (limited) experience, the better quality speaker casing and components, plus a high quality mode of input will give far better results. A good base and position in the room also makes a big difference.
The B&W is not as Bass heavy and has a wonderful ability to mix the high and low notes with a clear mid range and vocals.
In my (limited) experience, the better quality speaker casing and components, plus a high quality mode of input will give far better results. A good base and position in the room also makes a big difference.
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff