Bose 321 Entertainment System?

[BigAl_50]

Does anyone have a Bose 321 Entertainment System? I'd be interested in hearing commnets before spending $900 for this; is it worth it compared to other systems?

 

[Steamboat Bill]

My friend has one and it is very good, but not as good as a full 5.1 or 7.1 surround system.

The 321 is for locations that are hard to fit rear speakers

 

[Transit]

I had the Bose 321 and returned it.The 321 sounds ok but if you plan on listening to a lot of music check out the Denon 101 or better yet Denon 301. IMO The Denon sound quality is much better for a 2.1 system. The Denon 101 originaly sold for $1699.00 can now be had for 279.00 on Amazon.

 

[caribbeansun]

Bose is overpriced, over marketed junk.

Save your money and buy a "real" system. There are a multitude of alternatives that you can explore that will deliver better quality.

 

[ricoba]

Bose is overpriced, over marketed junk.

Save your money and buy a "real" system. There are a multitude of alternatives that you can explore that will deliver better quality.

I agree with your statement about Bose being overpriced and over marketed.

But for those of us who are non tech savvy, can you list some of those "real system" alternatives that are priced better and are better quality.

The poster above mentioned the Denon101 and had the Amazon link. You don't have to give the links, but brands would be appreciated.

Thanks so much.

 

[nightnurse613]

I'm sorry but I have to go with the crowd on this one. I bought a Bose Radio/CD unit two years ago for my husband for him to use in the den. The following year I bought the 3 disk CD changer. It actually doesn't get much use but the CD players on both units are a piece of @#$%. :annoyed: I can't find anyone who will fix either one of them for less than $200. Looking back, I see that a lot of people already had noticed that long before I bought mine.

 

[caribbeansun]

That would be a long list.

Start with Home Theatre in a Box over on the AVS forums which you can find here

The alternative is purchasing components individually:

You can purchase components and again there's an entire forum dedicated to just 2.1 systems which you can find here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=173]

Consider looking at higher end but used equipment as this can be a great way to start your system and then you can upgrade a piece at a time as you move forward. Consider buying floor models of higher end speakers, receivers, etc. that are discounted but come with full manufacturer's warranty. I picked up some Paradigm Studio speakers this way.


Here's a thread on a 2.1 system for under $400 http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1050096

Receivers - Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, Marantz, Sony, etc.
Speakers - Paradigm, Klipsch, B&W, Polk, etc.

Here's a set up from HSU (amazing subs) for just $500 http://hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

My personal system includes Denon rec, HSU sub, Paradigm fronts, centre and rears but it's well above the $900 target price. However, with a bit of digging I have no doubt you can do pretty well for $900 particularly if you are willing to buy used or demos.

 

[ricoba]

That would be a long list.

Start with Home Theatre in a Box over on the AVS forums which you can find here

The alternative is purchasing components individually:

You can purchase components and again there's an entire forum dedicated to just 2.1 systems which you can find here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=173]

Consider looking at higher end but used equipment as this can be a great way to start your system and then you can upgrade a piece at a time as you move forward. Consider buying floor models of higher end speakers, receivers, etc. that are discounted but come with full manufacturer's warranty. I picked up some Paradigm Studio speakers this way.


Here's a thread on a 2.1 system for under $400 http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1050096

Receivers - Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, Marantz, Sony, etc.
Speakers - Paradigm, Klipsch, B&W, Polk, etc.

Here's a set up from HSU (amazing subs) for just $500 http://hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

My personal system includes Denon rec, HSU sub, Paradigm fronts, centre and rears but it's well above the $900 target price. However, with a bit of digging I have no doubt you can do pretty well for $900 particularly if you are willing to buy used or demos.

WOW, thanks for all the listings!

 

[LUVourMarriotts]

I currently have a 6.1 Onkyo Home-Theater-in-a-Box. It sounds great. Compared to my Onkyo receiver with Mirage speakers (in a different room), the sound quality and range is very comparable. The Mirage does have a nicer top end, but overall, they are very comparable. My Mirage speakers were very expensive (and sound incredible), so this says something for the Onkyo HTIB.

 

[Transit]

CAN YOU TURN THAT DOWN PLEASE !Stops me from upgrading to a full surround sound system.

 

[caribbeansun]

Yeah, and my monster HSU sub is used as a stand for decorating "stuff" however my DW was asking me when I would be creating our "real" theater in the basement?

Now that's gonna be fun and unfortunately expensive!