Buying BOSE(R) Lifestyle 28 Series II DVD home entertainment system

I bought this system about three years ago. I bought it more for the HomeLink system than as for its functionality as a surround sound system for our entertainment center. I didn't need or want the mp3 storage capacity so opted for the system II vs the III.

Once I upgraded my TV to an HDTV (Sony Bravia), I wanted to use the HDMI connections. The solution was to acquire the Bose VS Video Enhancer. Evidently this device is used even now on the Bose Home Entertainment Centers that also feature a CD/DVD player. I just got off the phone with Bose technical support. They will be sending me my second replacement of the Bose VS. While not happy that I've had nothing but bad luck with the VS (the signal to the television over the HDMI connection eventually failed entirely - resetting no longer solved the problem), I must give a shout out to Bose Tech support. They have been nothing but helpful and made the process of diagnosing and subsequently replacing the ailing component an easy one. The replacement is in the mail and a return label for the old VS is enroute to me via e-mail.

Quite often in posts here at Amazon, Bose gets slammed for not being responsive to customers. I can't say that I've ever had that problem with Tech Support.

The HomeLink feature that I purchased this unit to use, works quite well. My wife wanted music in 5 rooms of the house when guests arrived. Our first inclination was to rewire the house and install speakers in the targeted rooms. The minimum bid to do that approached $10,000. So, we opted instead to try the Bose LS 28 vII. Since we already had two Bose Wave Radios, I thought I'd roll the dice and gamble that the HomeLink worked as advertised. I had to buy a transmitter and two receivers as well, but after setting up the LS 28, I found there wasn't a spot anywhere in the house where the Bose Wave Radios didn't receive a good signal from the transmitter attached to the LS 28. This solved our whole house music system problem. I've subsequently acquired tow more Bose Wave Radios and receivers. When we have company, we pop an mp3 CD into the Bose LS 28 and bingo, we have music in every room we set up the Bose Wave Radios, as well as the room with the Bose LS 28. If we don't want music in a particular room, we simply turn off that room's Wave Radio, or use that unit independently of the HomeLink setup.

The only problem is that the receiver cones are bulky and unattractive, as are the home-link cables. Hiding these in the rooms with the Bose Wave Radios is a challenge. They can be tucked into cabinets out of sight if these are convenient. Managing the remotes for all of this is a bit less straight forward in practice as it is in theory. It will take some experimentation with the remotes to figure everything out. If you're in a remote room and have a HomeLink remote, you can advance to the next song, adjust volume etc. on the LS 28 from the remote location. However, we've found that once the individual radios are playing, that its best to use the remote for the Wave Radio to adjust volume locally. And to use the master remote for the LS II for other features.

Given the huge difference in cost between rewiring our house and investing in the LS 28, the transmitter, 4 receivers and two additional Bose Wave Radios, we're fairly content with the LS II with HomeLink.

Good luck.

Get more detail about BOSE(R) Lifestyle 28 Series II DVD home entertainment system.

Buy Acoustech H-100 Cinema Series 500-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer, High-Gloss Black

After reading tons of reviews online on a budget subwoofer, i decided on the Bic H100 and couldn't be happier! For this specific price, I dare you to do better. This replaced a Onkyo subwoofer from an htib system that I had and the difference is night and day! I've been amused, watching some of the older dvd's I own and noticing LFE (low frequecy effect) where my Onkyo sub had apparently just given up. A case in point, the scene in Moulin Rouge where Satine is meeting Christian in her room after her show. Well, everytime the windmill outside does a rotation, the H100 rumbles! EVERYTIME, even when the windmill is not IN the scene and the two actors are speaking, you can still hear the melodic rumble. Very cool. Get more detail about Acoustech H-100 Cinema Series 500-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer, High-Gloss Black.

Purchase Klipsch KHO-7 Outdoor Loudspeaker (Pair, White)

I have these speakers on back patio and they are very high quality. Plenty base and great sound. I would purchase again.Get more detail about Klipsch KHO-7 Outdoor Loudspeaker (Pair, White).

Order Definitive Technology ProSub 1000 120v Speaker (Single, Black)

I bought this after months of looking and researching. I wanted to make certain I had a sub that could make the house rumble and shake and scare you during movies. I had some large JBL HLS 820's and no sub and they did a wonderful job. I just wanted to downsize my speakers to get that clean look so I bought 2 Definitive Technologies ProMonitor 1000's for the front channel so I needed a sub. This sub is perfect. It took me a short time to get things wired and setup correct but after that it sounds awesome. It can get scary loud to and I would say it outperforms my old JBL's. My room is approximately 12ft wide by 24feet long and it does a great job. I have it wired to my Pioneer 1019ah. When I was shopping I wanted to make sure I had the quality I wanted without overbuying. I was looking at the ProSub 800's and the Super Cubes so I went with this one as it was in between. I am very happen with my choice. Get more detail about Definitive Technology ProSub 1000 120v Speaker (Single, Black).

Where To Buy Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 Speaker (Single, Black)

I ordered this speaker on the recommendation of a home theater guru. Amazing that amazon sells this speaker in black for $1000 and silver is like half the price. Supply and demand... The grill is black anyway and the silver while great looking is barely visible in my application. This is one hell of a speaker. i have always bought Polk and boston acoustics and these are great speakers. This however, is in a class above. Very crisp sound. I am currently using it with an additional set of rear speakers and a sub. Once the amp was calibrated and all the levels were set appropriately for the speaker positions this speaker really shined. The sound is very full and clear. The construction of this speaker is also exceptional. Full cast aluminum body you can just tell it is high quality. The only down side i would say is the packaging from the factory, not amazon. Because of the weight of this speaker it could have benefitted from more insulation, mine arrived with slight damage on the screen (nothing visible or that warranted return). In talking with my friend who orders and installs these units often, this is a common issue. Otherwise highly recommended. Get more detail about Definitive Technology Mythos SSA-50 Speaker (Single, Black).

Shop For Polk Audio RM7 Satellite Speaker (Single, White)

I bought these when I re-did my home 7.1 theater system. I have a pair of these, 2 pair of the larger RM8 for front and side, and the center channel. I like the sub/sat types of systems as I don't loose any floor space using towers. As long as you get a stellar sub, these work amazingly well. The dispersion is fantastic, completely fills our large living room with sound. Whether it's a Blu-Ray movie or a satellite radio channel, it all sounds amazing.Get more detail about Polk Audio RM7 Satellite Speaker (Single, White).

TIC GS-10 4-Inch 2 Way 80-Watt Outdoor Speakers, Black (Pair)

I got these speakers for pool use, first I connected them using a very good sound player, if you try to raise the volumen, these speakers automatically turn it down without explanation ( probably because the player is too much for them )After that I try with another player and sound that these speakers deliver is so low that it impossible to listen the music, even at the highest volumen of the player. I'm looking for something else to replace them.Get more detail about TIC GS-10 4-Inch 2 Way 80-Watt Outdoor Speakers, Black (Pair).

Pyle Home PDIWCS62 Dual 6.5-Inch 2-Way In-Wall Center-Channel Speaker System Review

This speaker was as described except that the grill was glued into place and had to be removed to do a proper install. the screw heads to attach to the wall were under the grill and given that the grill was glued in it could not be installed without destroying the grill and digging it out. Now, we cannot find another grill to buy and the company is unresponsive to our request to purchase another.
Get more detail about Pyle Home PDIWCS62 Dual 6.5-Inch 2-Way In-Wall Center-Channel Speaker System.

Pyle Home PCB4WT 4-Inch 200-Watt Mini Cube Bookshelf Speaker (White) Top Quality

What can I say, these are not $300 speakers and do not sound like $300 speakers but they do sound fine and are perfect for my application (surround spearkers). So I give them 4 stars for being a decent sounding speaker for low dollars.Get more detail about Pyle Home PCB4WT 4-Inch 200-Watt Mini Cube Bookshelf Speaker (White).

Philips HSB3280/F7 Micro Hi-Fi Soundbar System This instant

This Philips soundbar is a little gem. Small enough to set up easily, a wireless subwoofer that actually works and can be heard, without the silly DVD player to break that everyone already has, great loud gaming sound -- we use it with our Xbox for more realistic gaming sounds. We purchased it for our living room and with our old TV and old satellite box, we were very very pleased. We upgraded and realized there were no HMDI connections and we were out of luck. Our new Samsung TV did not recognize this unit in it's Anynet+ system. Couldn't make it work properly with the system that we acquired, and so it went with the old TV and became the gaming soundbar. We are using it, we do like it, we do recommend it. We just recommend checking the connections you need before you buy.

We think Philips makes a great product. We like the sound. It was a good price. It even comes with the wall mounting bracket in the box. Everything you could want. Our problem is that we didn't check to get the right connectivity for our system.Get more detail about Philips HSB3280/F7 Micro Hi-Fi Soundbar System.

Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 Bookshelf Speaker (Single, White) Immediately

Pleasantly surprised! I needed to downsize from larger bookshelf speakers (Oldie but goodie JBLs). All around, these were a great choice.
I consider myself somewhat of an audiophile that no longer has a budget or space. I looked around on the internet at various small bookshelf models from Yamaha, Infinity, JBL, etc. I will say I took a leap of faith and bought these sound unheard...They sound great. Realistically, they are what they are. You're not going to get huge sound from them. I did notice that the are rated at a higher SPL (91) than most speakers and you can tell. The sound is quality though. Bass response isn't outstanding, but baritone to soprano vocals are full and clear.
Seeing as I'm a cheapskate, I didn't want to pay full price. I noticed that Amazon Warehouse had some at a reduced rate. The site stated that they were in "very good" condition with some "cosmetic blemishes." I used super saver shipping - they shipped within 4 days and they have no blemishes on them! They are very attractive speakers - the wife unit is very pleased.
If you're looking for a small bookshelf with good sound and great looks, I think these are it.Get more detail about Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 Bookshelf Speaker (Single, White).

Klipsch Reference Series RB-61 - Left / right channel speakers - 100 Watt - 2-way Best Quality

I have the RB-61's in the cherry color. They look great and are built solid. They are hooked up to a Yamaha RX-797 stereo receiver which has very good specs and is advertised as being made with high-end components. I listen to classic rock, pop, smooth jazz and new-age.
The first thing I noticed about the RB-61s is the bright highs. I like to hear the higher frequencies in music,and so I usually have the treble set very high. In the case of the RB-61s, I had to turn the treble down to about "6" just so I could tolerate it. I have listened to these speaker for only about 12 hours. Up to this point I must say that they can be "tiring". The bass and mid-range is very good. The sound projects well and fills my living room with music. But the high-end can almost be annoying. It's my belief that the horn-shaped tweeter housing contributes to the harshness. I've heard that Klipsch speakers tend to require a longer break-in period than most others. For this reason, I will be patient and give them a chance. I'd give them 5 stars for their beauty and quality construction. The harshness (before break-in ?) warrants 4 stars. Get more detail about Klipsch Reference Series RB-61 - Left / right channel speakers - 100 Watt - 2-way.