check this out http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

GREAT sound, WONDERFUL sound, how do they do it???

Wow,

For years I thought Bose must be awfull, based on the TERRIBLE things people say about their products, the company, and anyone who dares to likes Bose. Then I won a Lifestyle system in a company drawing at Christmas, and I have been a fan ever since! I bought this last one for my summer home, and it is even better than my fist one!

The sound is the most amazing thing - and I have heard some fine systems, all of them special in their own way. But the Bose system just sounds much more natural, and it is DRAMATICALLY better at low, background levels where others disapoint.

I will never again take at face value the opinions of others, especially those who apparently have never listed to these systems in their homes. Good or bad, whether buying a computer or a car, I will let my own experiences be my guide.

Please, do not blindly trust my positive experinces with this product, you must try one in a "real life" setting to really know - and then you will understand what I mean!

Similar Products Used:

B&O, Adcom

It is nice to look at it with the sound off...

... you have to listen to it when the sound is on.

The other two reviewers on this page must be joking! I worked at store that was a Bose dealer for over a year and only the most ruthless salesman would stoop to dumping a Lifstyle on some poor customer who didn't know any better.

Two more things:

One, James, you CAN get devices that convert various digital inputs (eg. to/from SPDIF, AES/EBU, Toslink, ST, etc.)... such switching facilities are found on jitter-suppressors such as the Meridian 518 and digital up-converters such as the dcs Purcell (NOTE: using such a device will also get you around the only one input problem of which you spoke). However, odds are anyone shoping for these products would be unlikely to be using Bose in any event....

Two, B-O-S-E, contrary to common belief, is not the founder's last name, but is actually an acronym for Buy Other Stereo Equipment (please).

Similar Products Used:

Believe it or not, 3M not only makes Post-It notes, but they also tried their hand at surround systems... the Bose actually sounded better (Bose rules!).

I would just like to put the record straight from the previous review. THE LIFESTYLE 5 IS A MUSIC SYSTEM AND IS NOT DESIGNED TO USE OR PROCESS A 5.1 CHANNEL INPUT. This lifestyle system is purely for music, at which it excels. The next model up in the lifstyle range (8) is the cheapest model to decode the home cinema sound formats.

Many thanks

Ed

Ease of Use - Great Sound Quality

Lack of Specific Controls and Display

First, let me say that I have the Lifestyle 30 Series II. The only difference between the two is the graphic remote cotnrol and 2 extra zones. Speakers and processing the same. In reading the reviews on the other Lifestyle systems I noticed many complaints about cross over and related audio imaging problems. I don't know if that problem had been fixed with the newer system or not but I have not experienced it.

Overall, the system performs well although there seems to be a 5.1 switching problem where the signal switches between 5.1 and videostage with a slight interuption in sound. The other problem that is directly associated with this is that there is no display showing whether a 5.1 signal is acutally being used. Another problem with the system is that there is only on coaxial digital input. This can present a problem when using two 5.1 sources ie. DTV and DVD. I have to manually plug in either source when using either the DVD or DTV. The other problem with using the coaxial digital cable is that most DTV or DTS receivers do not have a coaxial out but only a optical out. To my knowledge there is no product available to switch between coaxial sources. This is not a 75ohm coaxial cable by the way as in cable TV cable but rather a coxial cable that looks similar to an RCA jack. Unfortuantely because these cables are not used often it is hard to find a switch and also source products using this type of digital out.

Other than those problems this system is exceptional. The sound quality is excellant. It is very easy and simple to use. You literally turn it on and adjust the volume thats about it. The ease of use really comes in handy if there will be others using the system, others who may not be technically literate when it comes to these types of products. My wife only has to turn the power on and adjust the volume, needless to say she loves it. While the sound may not be as rich as using a component system as in the SONY 777ES with tower front end speakers, generally the difference will not be noticed in normal conditions. Although if you are looking for deep, rich sound with deep rich bass this may not be the system for you. It is an audio entusiast system not an audiophile system. Other than the ridiculous single digital input it is an excellant easy to use system.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 777ES - All ES series products