Bose VCS 10 Center Channels
Bose VCS 10 Center Channels
USER REVIEWS
[Nov 12, 2017]
RFC
Audio Enthusiast
When I first purchased this speaker I was happy with it. I am now becoming aware of its limitations and am replacing with a Polk S35. Almost the same size, which I like, but much better performance and value. I don't know why anyone would buy Bose when they refuse to publish the frequency response of their speakers. I realize that numbers don't necessarily relate to good sound, but frequency response is a basic parameter for a speaker. If Bose published the limited response rage of speakers like this one, nobody would even consider them. |
[Mar 20, 2015]
Tiptx
Audio Enthusiast
Did I get my moneys worth, yes, back in the day these were ok. They are not the center channel speaker you want for today's newer HT equipment as they had to be constantly adjusted to hear any dialog an even then it was not very clear. I would have to rewind a movie or say what was just said. Very frustrating so 7 years never again going with Bose. They made their name years ago with the 901's as I also had them but would never pick them over the brands out there today, especially for the price they want. So stay away from the VCS 10 unless your budget only can afford them. They are slim in design and fit under big screen TV nicely which is all I can now say about them now. |
[May 01, 2012]
Josh Burkett
Audio Enthusiast
Interesting little speaker.. I own the latest model 301's and at the time was running a klipsch center channel. Sound was awesome, but i did not have a great place for the center so it looked funny with the flat screen sitting on top of it. I decided to go with the vcs10 and place it directly in front of the tv. Out of the box and without touching any settings on the Onkyo TXNR609 I was a little dissapointed. The 301's had noticeably more high end and as subjects panned across the front stage the vcs10 sounded a bit flat. By setting the treble on 0 and increasing the center eq in the reciever on the 16000khz setting just a bit I was able to perfectly stabilize the front sound stage regarding high end frequency. I had to do the same with the low end. Bass was set to 0 on the reciever and the center channel frequency (low frequency) was increased just a bit. This evened up the low and mid frequency. As subjects panned across the front sound stage the sound was seamless. By lowering the bass on the reciever my 301's actually cleaned up and a lot of muddiness was resolved. In comparison to the way I had the system set up using the klispch the overall sound is much improved. I now have a nice flat response with no peaks or spikes over certain frequencies. The onkyo has the ability to adjust bass and treble like all recievers, however with the TXNR609 you can boost different frequencies for each channel. This makes all the difference in the world. A person should not expect this center to keep up with speakers when you run bass and treble as high as you can. It is obviously going to come up short since it has no tweeters and the drivers are very small. You must set the center to the small setting in your reciever. This allows a small portion of low end from the sub to blend nicely with the center. Depending on your sub and front mains will determine where the low frequency crossover is set. Example; I have a small to med size room. I set my 301's to large (they play down to approx 60hz) and the rest of the channels are set to small. (If I set the mains to small the low frequences through the sub are over emphasized. If i lower the sub then it does not blend well with my center and rear speakers.) I set my sub to LFE and let my reciever to the work. It is set at 120hz so it works great with the center and rears since they most likely don't play below that frequency. Overall I am very happy with this center channel. The reciever is THX certified and will play quite loud. I have watched the transformer movies at THX levels and the speaker has kept up nicely. Absolutley clear undistorted sound. Again this is my set up in my living room. Different size rooms will yield different results. I would not attempt to use this in a large room with large mains. It would be a bad choice. With my small room my mains sound better with a flat signal which works out great for this center. I have heard many systems that sound great. After getting to know the characteristics of this speaker I would say it has the potential to contend with much higher end models IF you know how to set up your system. Just a comment regarding a review where it stated the speaker had no crossover....The drivers are full range drivers. Obviously due to the size of the speakers and response some would say limited range...haaa. I run pretty high power to this speaker and have never heard any type of distortion which would be associated with making a speaker try to play something it wasn't capable of. I think bose did a good job on this one. |
[Jan 13, 2008]
jinky janky
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Realistic clear dialouge ,as if they are in the room,Very sleek looking.
Weakness:
lack of bass To the bose bashers"how stupid are you to buy such a crappy speaker?Didn't you try it?"
Customer Service N/A Similar Products Used: Wharfdale,klipsh,JMLab |
[Dec 15, 2007]
daddysdvds
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Looks. Midrange
Weakness:
No Highs or Lows (down to 80 or 90Hz). POWER HUNGRY! Needs at least 150w Well you either hate them or love the. I purchased this speaker because I needed a new center channel. This was right in my price range at the time. I already own a pair of bose 701 series 2 floor standing speakers and I use a bose jewel cube for my rear center. Bose has always struck me as a sexy speaker because of their size and ability to blend into the walls. But I am moving on. The 701's I will keep for now but the center has to go. It lacks the range needed to truly reproduce the full vocal range and dynamics that a center should. I use to have a Klipsch sc-1 and I cant for the life of me figure out why I got rid of it. I bought another klipsch center cause the bose center is a joke. For those that are saying that this speaker just needs more power and a little tweaking for it to come alive are on crack. The efficiency of the bose is low enough that you do need to drive it hard to get it to speak up but it sounds muffled. And I have a Yamaha Reference 9.1 receiver. Hopefully some sucker on ebay will buy mine. |
[Jun 24, 2007]
Jeff
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Very nice looking.
Weakness:
Made in Mexico!!! Come on Bose, you already WAY over charge, then use cheap slave labor???
After reading many reviews for this center channel (most of which were negative) I still decided to go with this center. Bose has a sound that my ears like. I am fully aware of their ridiculous prices, cheap materials, and extreme marketing.
Similar Products Used: JBL N-38 |
[Feb 01, 2007]
JonBeGood2U
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Low profile
Weakness:
Power Hungery Drivers
I have owned the Bose VCS10 Center Channel for the past 3 years and have learned to live with it's sonic peculiarities and enjoy it's more positive aspects. I am one who finds the VCS10 actually better for listenning to music than movie dialogue. I had 2 generations Bose 301's as front speakers (Series V) and surrounds (Series IV) respectively and was interested in maintain the "natural sound" characteristics for which Bose is well known. I must say that the VCS10 is lacking in lower range bass but not to a point of exceptional distraction. I do like the lack of piercing highs which the 2.5" drivers shy away from producing.
Customer Service Very Good Similar Products Used: None to date |
[Jan 06, 2007]
mconn
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Good upper mids...little high end, looks good and fits anywhere. very good dispersion with no sweet spot.
Weakness:
Mid base, high end lacking. Make another option....two 4' star drivers and two angled cone tweeters would do the trick. I have Bose 201 with a Velodyne Sub as the maine and Bose 161 as Sat. with a 7.1 Onkyo Rec. Was using an old Radio Shack Centr because it was rated well by CU. Bought the Bose and have been mildly disappointed. I decided to run it through an 8" powered sub, set to large, to give me a little more mid base control. I am pleased with the sound, but disapointed that I had to add a sub. to get there. I wonder why a company like Bose would off just one Center channel, obviously calibrated to thier AM systems. Looks good and fits anywhere. Customer Service non needed Similar Products Used: RS. Boston Acoustic, AR, Velodyne, MCM components |
[Nov 29, 2006]
tchibol
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Great Looking
Weakness:
Terrible Sound
I have used this Bose around 6 months as a center speaker in my home theater system. This speaker is not a good performer by any means. Whoever claims that it sounds good is either ill-informed or has no idea about acoustics.
Similar Products Used: Several Infinitys, Studio series JBLs |
[Jun 19, 2006]
JonBeGood2U
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Attractive Low Profile won't scare our kids, reasonalbly priced for Bose product
Weakness:
Dull and Harsh sounding, difficutly balancing with 4 inefficient drivers sucking up wattage. Limited frequency range, lacks mid-bass
Customer Service EXCELLENT Similar Products Used: none |