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Bose Speakers - Sonar 5 PE surround sound question


Ani

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I've always been fond of Bose speaker systems and I'm wondering if they have a system that would be good for monitoring the playback of the things I create on the Sonar 5 PE in surround sound.

 

For home and outdoor leisure listening, Bose are the best on the market without rival; but do they make pro audio gear for listening to a work in progress?

 

Any other 5.1 monitoring systems (Bose or otherwise) that won't break the bank?????

 

Suggestions????

 

I found this page published by Mix Magazine...

 

Wow!!! These prices listed on gear recommended by Mix are not something a single mom can dig out of a hat....

 

Mix Guides

 

 

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Ani, you know how people are about Bose speakers around audiophile circles.:p I really don't think you're going to get much support for this idea.

 

I personally don't have anything against Bose, but I have my doubts that you are going to get anything close to a flat response from these speakers, which is what you are going to need for proper monitoring. If you don't have a flat response to work with, there is no way of knowing how your recording is going to sound on any other speaker system. It may sound great on the Bose, and terrible on everything else. Obviously, you want your music to sound as good as it can on as many different speaker systems as possible. The way to do that is to monitor with speakers that are as acoustically neutral as possible. I don't think you'll get that with Bose.

 

I'd also stay away from the whole 5.1 thing. What you need are a couple of decent (I'm not talking hi-end or expensive) speakers that you can set up at equal-lateral distance from your listening postion, so you'll have a good stereo image to work with.

 

For what you'd spend for Bose, I'm certain you could pick up a nice set of Event's or Tannoy's. There are all kinds to choose from, and while people will recommend different brands to you, ultimately you have only your ears to act as your guide. But be aware that speakers will sound different depending on the room they are placed in. So, how they sound at the store may not be the way they sound in your studio area.

 

Good luck.

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Thanks Super8,

 

The Dynaudio BM5A seems to be getting good marks in reviews and goes for just shy of a grand; a pair of them might be something I would consider. I've read good things about M-Audio preamps, but I don't know much about their monitoring speakers. Musician's Friend has the M-Audio BX5a 70 Watt Active Studio Monitors selling for $299.00 and if they are at all decent monitors; it'd free up money for other things. (Maybe more gear or a Bose surround system for PLEASURE listening later on :D )

 

I'm buying this gear as I get the cash because I don't want to drive up any credit cards since they are all paid off except for a recent purchase of $150.00 at American Eagle.

 

I don't want to break the bank, but I don't want to sacrifice the quality in sound that the other gear I have purchased is capable of producing.

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I'd look in the $300-$500 price range (for the pair), and not a penny over $600, Ani. You should be able to get a nice set of monitors for that price. You aren't running a commercial facility, you're just doing your own thing. It's easy to go way overboard with this stuff.

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Originally posted by Ani

I've read good things about M-Audio preamps, but I don't know much about their monitoring speakers. Musician's Friend has the M-Audio BX5a 70 Watt Active Studio Monitors selling for $299.00 and if they are at all decent monitors; it'd free up money for other things.

My brother has them and they are good for the money and sport a fairly flat response,but the bass ports are in the rear and unless you can corner them properly you won't get as much bass as you need for accurate monitoring up close.There are a lot of options out there these days on the budget end and most of them I haven't heard(apart from the BX5a's) so I can't really make a reccomendation.Thumbing through the Sweetwater catalouge the new Event Alp 5's look interesting,but I'd have to hear them.I still use my old Tannoy's for reference and they still make good mid price stuff,but again,there's a lot out there.I'm sure others will chime in with all kinds of reccomendations in different price ranges.

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I can offer some insider perspective. Since I work for the company (and happily so) you should use your own judgment and take what I say with a grain of salt.

 

Many of our speaker system are "direct reflecting". That means they intentionally beam a lot of sound against the walls and less towards the listener as compared to a "direct radiating

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Boseengineer,

 

Isn't the AdaptIQ the feature that really drives the price of the home theater systems up? I looked at one of the Lifestyles units that featured the AdaptIQ at Circuit City and they were asking $2999.00 for the unit without any mounting brackets or stands included.

 

I must admit that the unit I looked at was NICE!!! :thu: That price range is not really in my small budget right now.... Maybe after tax returns next year, but .... sigh..... gotta take it a step at a time.

 

 

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AdaptiQ is only supplied in our premium (=expensive) DVD systems. Price is relative, I guess. It certainly a sizable chunk of change, but on the other hand in terms of getting a custom EQ for your room, it's a real bargain. All other solutions for getting a customized install that I'm aware of are a lot more expensive, a lot less convenient (6 EQs in a rack ?) and probably not as good.

 

Anyway, the cheapest full scale 5.1 system with AdaptiQ is the Lifestyle 28 series II, that we sell for $2300 on our website. Sam's Club has the somewhat stripped down Lifetstyle 18 (but still with AdaptiQ) that costs around 1500, I think.

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A suggestion from a non-pro Ani.

If I were to use a pair of reflective speakers for monitoring I'd make sure to have some type of alcove or reflective area for the speakers to work with.

I have an old pair of Bose 501 loudspeakers for my main stereo system. With that type of reflecting speaker you must use the walls or they'll lose the low end for sure and seems like the upper end somewhat too. Maybe that's why the "no highs, no lows, must be Bose" statement you hear alot. I have mine in an entertainment alcove and they reflect the sound waves wonderfully. I don't think I'd hesitate to use them for normal monitoring with the placement as they are, other than I'd raise them off the floor for monitoring.

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http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2177,CONTENTID=9486

 

 

Here is the story. I saw the Logitech speakers that were the same as the Alesis 5.1 with the Logitech name. They are the manufacturer of these for Alesis.

 

They were a closeout and I got them for $199. The problem with them was that the sub woofer was very poorly balanced with the satellites. Also, after 4 months, the wiring to the sub had a horrible short in it. I contacted Logitech and they said the product was discontinued and they were sorry that I had this trouble. Since it was under warranty, they said they would sent me the new speakers listed above. I just had to wait for a month or two for them to be shipped since it hadn't been released yet.

 

This system came in and I was stunned at the clarity and balance of the bass compared to the original design. These speakers are the best there is for this ridiculously low price. Logitech was wonderful about standing behind their product and I am so glad that they replaced the defective unit with a much better system. If you need an affordable 5.1 system that will not break the bank, this is the one. It has analog inputs so that you can even use it to accurately mix 5.1.

 

I hope this has been helpful.

 

Regards,

 

KB Gunn

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dak,

 

Maybe I can work the Bose 301's into the studio design... I've looked at the 501's in the past but they were a bit too big for what I wanted; although... I like the sound.

 

boseengineer,

 

I looked at this exact system that you refer to on Sam's web site.

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It's something that I will DEFINITELY own in the future, but not something that I can spring the cash for immediately. As I said, maybe after income tax refunds for 2005 come around it will be within my reach. I'll own one whether or not it becomes a fixture in my studio, or an added pleasure in my home environment. I have Bose 301's now and I've enjoyed them for quite some time... If I'm going to change the way I listen to music; it's only going to be a step upward.... and certainly for pleasure; the only way you can beat a Bose is with a better Bose system than what you already own. ;-)

 

Right now, on the job we are looking at getting some sort of a "bonus/settlement" that is rumored to be anywhere from $1000.00 to $5000.00; no one knows for certain the amount or the exact date, but it's supposed to be before the end of the year. If the amount is on the high end of the spectrum; I'll own the Bose in the very near future. If it's on the low end, I'll be knocking out some Doctor bills and leaving it at that; with the exception of an inexpensive and yet accurate monitoring system.

 

For now, I'm wanting to get set up and going in full swing with my recording gear while having something to accurately listen to the playback.

 

The Logictech that KB Gunn posted look interesting enough; anyone else familiar with this system? Positive? Negative? Feedback of any kind on them?????

 

5018.jpg

 

These are also interesting for a $100.00 more....

 

8193.jpg

 

Thanks for all the input everyone...

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Originally posted by Ani

KB Gunn,


Tiger Direct has the Z-5450's for $349.00 as opposed to the $499.00 listed on Logitech's site.

 

 

Sounds like a great deal for the same speakers with wireless rear channel. How much are the 5500's at tiger?

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Originally posted by Ani

dak,


I've looked at the 501's in the past but they were a bit too big for what I wanted; although... I like the sound.


 

 

Yeah, the 501s are a floor model so you'd definately need a room studio. I was primarily giving my thoughts as to the use of a reflective loudspeaker as a studio monitor. If the 301s are reflective but smaller you could certainly build a reflector around them. Also, I would think they wouldn't work as near fields because of that, but midfield or farther I think they would be killer.

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