# I really really hate not having a good enough sound system. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 20, 2002, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958 "2002-12-20T02:45:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/21 "2002-12-20T14:32:31Z")
**ElwoodCuse** , that subject deserves its own thread, and probably as a GD. I don’t think you’ll get much argument here. ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/22 "2002-12-20T14:42:23Z")
ElwoodCuse, if you wanna start a seperate thread on it, I’ll give you the lowdown. I am currently running speakers that are $10k a pair up front. The rest of the system matches. But, really… If you have a decent ear, all you really need to do is pay a visit to the appropriate store and have a listen. You will certainly hear the difference. If that difference is worth the money to **you** is a completely personal question. If it isn’t, that is fine. It happens to be worth it to me. My system is my best sanity reclaimer/retainer. It never fails to take me some place else. ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/23 "2002-12-20T14:43:43Z")
And… if “Way down in Deep” is near the Dallas area, I can arrange a personal demonstration. ---
**Author:** ![longjohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@longjohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longjohn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/24 "2002-12-20T16:11:57Z")
Elwood, I have three stereos in my house. One in the bedroom is worth nothing (paid £300 for it ten years ago) one is worth about £700, and the big rig in the lounge is worth about £2000. I can tell the difference between these three immediately. Hell, my other half, who thought I was mad when I told her what I intended to spend on hi-fi and said she’d never notice the difference, can tell the systems apart. The difference is quite easy to spot. The two cheaper ones sound like a stereo playing music. You can hear the system imposing its sonics on the music (treble too tinny, bass too flabby, whatever). The more expensive one sounds like Miles is blowing his horn, or Jimi is tearing away at his stratocaster in my lounge. No doubt if I had the means to buy a ten grand stereo, the flaws in my current set-up would be exposed. But you see, here’s the upside of the law of diminishing returns, because I’ve spent that cash (and acquired various bits and bobs from a friend who works for B&W) I’m now in a position on the curve where I wouldn’t see a very great deal of improvement unless I spent massive amounts of cash. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/25 "2002-12-20T16:18:09Z")
You all misunderstood me - My dad’s system is **not** a bose. It was me that wanted a bose - because I hear it produces good sound and is compact enough for the way my bedroom is. And I am too lazy to mess about buying one of the stupidly-abundant different brands of ‘normal’ sound system. I am a complete beginner - so would have no clue what to buy. the bose seemed to be a safe bet. ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/26 "2002-12-20T16:20:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lobsang \* > \*\*You all misunderstood me - My dad’s system is **not** a bose. > It was me that wanted a bose - because I hear it produces good sound and is compact enough for the way my bedroom is. And I am too lazy to mess about buying one of the stupidly-abundant different brands of ‘normal’ sound system. I am a complete beginner - so would have no clue what to buy. the bose seemed to be a safe bet. \*\* We understood. We just think you will be very dissappointed with the Bose once you spend the money on it. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/27 "2002-12-20T17:04:33Z")
I haven’t bought the damn thing yet. I wasn’t going to buy it until I’d heard the opinions of other dopers. Now that I have, I don’t think I will. Can anyone reccomend a good system for around 400 pounds? (damn it there’s no pound sign on this keyboard) ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/28 "2002-12-20T18:37:47Z")
£ - alt+0163 ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/29 "2002-12-20T19:29:05Z")
400 pounds? What’s that in dollars these days? If you want a compact piece you can try and find a used Linn Classik ( I’ve seen them as low as $750.00 used, though I’ve seen them much higher than that as well ) and some inexpensive ( but decent ) speakers from NHT, Paradigm, PSB, B&W, Energy, Tannoy, or what have you ( audition ). Still likely more than what you want to spend, but wait just a bit and save up and it will sound _miles_ better. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/30 "2002-12-20T19:38:45Z")
**ElwoodCuse** I have a nice system, and multi-thousand dollar speakers. (no surround sound for me!) I will admit, however, that 20k speakers stretch what even I could justify. You will no doubt be floored to learn that $20k is not even the top of the line. There are more than a handful of speakers out there in the $40k+ category. In the end, it’s what it is worth to you. DO NOT BUY BOSE! ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/31 "2002-12-20T19:43:05Z")
400 quid is roughly $500 or $600. It’s all futile unless any uk people can answer - even if i take into account the exchange rate things will be sooo much more expensive here in rip-off-britain. something costing $700 (500-600 quid) in the USA would probably cost 1000 quid) ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/32 "2002-12-20T19:47:23Z")
> [@](#): > > There are more than a handful of speakers out there in the $40k+ category. I might be imagining things, but I seem to recall a $250,000 pair being manufactured at one time. I _know_ I’ve seen a $100,000 pair ( but I can’t remember the brand ). Me, I can maybe see 10k if I had the cash ( and a larger room to listen in ). There are some awful nice speakers out there in the 5-10k range. On the other hand, there are some damn good speakers at rather less, as well. Dunno if I’d ever go as high as 20 though, even with unlimited funds. Sort of the difference between a BMW 740 and a Rolls Royce Corniche - At a certain point the extra refinement isn’t worth the $$ for me. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/33 "2002-12-20T19:52:48Z")
Hmmm…Well, not a single piece, but a used Receiver + CD player from NAD or Marantz and some inexpensive speakers ( from a decent manufacturer ) can be had in that range, I’m sure. That, too, will sound miles better than the Bose ( but take up a bit more room ). - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/34 "2002-12-20T19:56:25Z")
For your consideration… (from _Stereophile_ October 2002) Burmester Audiosystems B99 = $47,780/pair B&W Signiture 800 = $20,000/pair Dynaudio Evidence = $85,000/pair Linn Komri = $40,000 Meridian Digital 8000 = $49,000/pair Rockport Antares = $41,500/pair (Rockport also makes a $73,000 **record player** 😮 Nearfield Accoustics Pipe Dream = $50,000+/pair Mission Pilastro = $35,000/pair Impact Technologies Air Foil 5.2 = $35,000/pair ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/35 "2002-12-20T20:25:41Z")
Lobsang, as you’re in the UK and these brands are a little cheaper there than where I am, I suggest you check out Rotel and Arcam for a CD/amp combo. Then hook up 20 types of speakers, and listen. I’ve got a Rotel set with Tannoy speakers which sounds awesome. Bought it for about £900 4 years ago, here in Holland. I’m assuming you can get it cheaper there, since Rotel and Tannoy are both British. ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/36 "2002-12-20T20:41:52Z")
Rotel is an excellent suggestion. Their equipment is extremely underrated. Truly some of the best equipment for the dollar (or pound). The small integrated Rotel pieces get along very well with the B&W DM series speakers. Comparing Tannoy to B&W… For a given amount of money, I generally see that Tannoy delivers slightly more speaker, but of slightly lower sonic performance than B&W. I lean toward the B&W’s in their lower range lines, but not strongly so. You might be flatly amazed to hear what a small Rotel reciever driving a pair B&W DM602’s According to this review (By a guy in the UK), you can get them for £250. [http://www.reviewcentre.com/review9473.html](http://www.reviewcentre.com/review9473.html) I bought a pair for my stepson to go to college with. They were for the previous series, but sonically extremely similar to my $10k pair of Hales Design Group Transendence 8’s. Clearly, they can’t match the bass performance or fill as big a space, but… they are voiced so well, it is a very impressive speaker for the money. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/37 "2002-12-20T20:53:23Z")
I had a pair of 602’s until recently and couldn’t complain. Well scratch that, I could and did 😃 - I found the bass a little boomy and it doesn’t extend very deep. But for the price, they’re certainly compeititive. You really should audition, though. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/38 "2002-12-20T21:02:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tamerlane \* > \*\*I had a pair of 602’s until recently and couldn’t complain. Well scratch that, I could and did 😃 - I found the bass a little boomy and it doesn’t extend very deep. But for the price, they’re certainly compeititive. > > You really should audition, though. > > - Tamerlane \*\* Questions on this one: 1. Where they placed on a bookshelf or out on a stand? Putting them on a shelf (close to the wall) makes any speaker “boomy”. 2. What series? The series 2 were much better than the previous, and suspect series 3 are better yet. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/39 "2002-12-20T23:36:20Z")
On stands ( single piece hollow Standesign, weighted with sand ). And they were series 2 ( haven’t heard the 3, but the 2 was definitely an upgrade over series 1 ). But you shouldn’t get me wrong - I think they’re fine speakers _at that price point_. I was perfectly happy with them. When I say they were a little boomy ( and only with some music ), I’m really comparing them to more refined models. The only reason I mentioned it at all, is that was part of my self-justification for upgrading :D. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958/40 "2002-12-21T15:00:36Z")
Ok… I see it now. That was the reason _the wife_ got for why they had to be replaced. I had those reasons too when I was moving up from a pair of Definitive Technology BP-30’s. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-really-hate-not-having-a-good-enough-sound-system/143958.md?page=3)