[chrisdicko]

Hi,
Im wanting to spend around £1000 on a 2.1 System, with a good DVD player.

What would you guys recommend? I've read on here the Bose system doesnt seem as good as the Denon, why is this? Are the DVD features on the Denon a lot better etc?

Could there be other make to consider? Obviously things like HDMI connections are needed. Im currently using a normal Sky digi box, which will be getting changed for a Sky+ box soon (dont know if this makes any difference?!). Also, Id like upscaling....does the Bose do this? As I know the Denon does.

Thanks for any help and advice

[subbu68]

As I wrote earlier don't touch Bose 321 even with a broomstick. I regret having spent about USD 1000 for it (in UAE). There is an article I posted about Bose's drawbacks in the Forum.

[chrisdicko]

Yeah, I read your post mate Why do you loath Bose so much?

What would you go for?

Thanks for the reply.

[subbu68]

I felt some of the midrange and the highs missing in Bose 321 when I listened the same CD on my Yamaha AX496+JamoE855 (plain stereo)combination. Detaling is missing in Bose even with the treble high. The bombs of Pearl Harbour sounded like damp gunpowder on Bose whereas they really exploded in the my stereo! And I had to spend all that money again for my stereo( with a tape deck, CD changer and Monster cables cost about the same as Bose but gives a much better performance). If I knew Bose would blow up on me I would have just replaced my old ONKYO PTS707 step by step with better quality separate components. Not being a keen movie watcher I would have been happy to see the movies on stereo.


By the way I got the article on Bose only after I expereinced all these. So my moving away from Bose was not biased by anyone.

[unklewibble]

I demo'd the Bose 321 and there was little in the way of "surround sound". When playing music, the volume wasn't that loud and the high notes were muffled. It just sounded awful, to me.

I'm leaning towards the Denon S102 (as a gift for my Mum - as I said in another thread), but I'm not sure if there's anywhere in the West End that has it available for demoing. The Harman Kardon HS200 looks really beautiful, but there are no buttons on the main unit, which makes it less simple to operate. Still, you should check it out if you don't mind controlling everything through the fussy remote.

[chrisdicko]

Cheers for the advice guy.

So really keep away from the Bose and look at either the Denon or Harman maybe?? He wants an all-in-one really rather than seperates.

[subbu68]

I saw one in Yamaha 2006 catalogue- DVX-S30. Yamaha PianoCraft series though not 2.1 are all-in-ones with sub-woofer option.

Onkyo too have one in their lineup.

I have seen Nakamichi (Soundspace?) at one store.

Haven't heard any of these as after Bose experience went for separates.

Cheers

[chrisdicko]

Ok I'll have a look in to them thanks. Im wanting an all in one over seperates really, but will have a good read up on them.

[unklewibble]

Originally Posted by chrisdicko

Cheers for the advice guy.

So really keep away from the Bose and look at either the Denon or Harman maybe?? He wants an all-in-one really rather than seperates.

That's what I'm doing. Will be heading to Tottenham Court Road this week to see if there's any equipment I can test.

There's also a Panasonic 2.1 system, but I don't know how the quality stacks up. It's got an 80gig hard drive, so it can store all your music - quite handy.

[chrisdicko]

Reading up on the Harman Kardon HS200, it seems good! And cheaper than the Denon S302.

Out of these two which is best? As the Harman is £300 cheaper which is a bonus!

[interbear]

Originally Posted by chrisdicko

Reading up on the Harman Kardon HS200, it seems good! And cheaper than the Denon S302.

Out of these two which is best? As the Harman is £300 cheaper which is a bonus!

I have a Harman Kardon HS200 - it's superb in terms of sound quality and style, I'd highly recommend it. I sound-tested both the Bose 321 and the Denon S301 (predecessor to the 302) before buying the Harman. The Bose was poor, the Denon and Harman were both much better. For me, the Harman sounds as good as the Denon, even better in fact as the large subwoofer provides great low level power (suffice to say that I thought the Germans were attacking the house when I watched Saving Private Ryan on DVD). The Harman looks much better, but that's very subjective. Haven't yet tried the USB connection for music etc but I'll get to that eventually. For now, I use it for Sky TV (connected to Sky HD box via HDMI), DVDs and CD music. Excellent all round performer and for me, great value given that it's cheaper than the Denon by several hundred quid.

[unklewibble]

Today I listened to the top of the range Sony 2.1 system (with the weird stubby little speakers) and the Panasonic 2.1 with the 80 gig hard drive. Sony was ok for music, crap for movies. The Panny just sounded harsh and cheap. Then I tried the HK HS200 and guess what? Awesome. Except for the fact that there was no "play" button on the unit, and the display model couldn't read DVDs! Um, so that was a worry. I *assume* it's a good surround system for movies, but I obviously couldn't test it for that. Also, the remote is indeed ****.

The HS200 sub is huge, and sounds it. This system can fill a large room with deep, rich sound, whereas the Sony/Panny competition are more like irritating little mosquitos which have landed in your ear and laid eggs.

Didn't get to demo any Denon systems.

Rob

[chrisdicko]

Thanks for the replys guys, thats very helpful!! Will give me something to think about.

[cmcdonnell]

Just bought a Denon S302 for £999 and am very impressed. The picture is excellent as is the sound.
My only complaint is that I would have liked more optical inputs as I have SKY HD and a PS3 that both use optical outs.

Chris

I recently bought a Denon s302 and it is really great. Superb sound, picture and style. An HDMI input would have been nice to enable upgrading the player to HDDVD or Blueray. Also i would like to buy the speaker stands but they cost around 250£. Not sure how they justify 25% of the system price for speak stands!

Also worth mentioning that people seem to be having problems with WiFi connectivity (i certainly am). If i get mine working I will post back here...anyone got theirs working?

I think the Bose 321 system may have been superceded by the new V30 system? If so there is an interesting review/comparison of the two here http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Reviews...inema/H2N5T6Q8.

[BF1]

Are there any alternatives to the Denon stands that will accomodate the speakers?

Its quite absurd that the Denon stands are £250.

[sethwp1]

Go with DENON
Bose lacks Mid range and Bass
They have great marketing but crappy sounding products
(personal opinion)
SMALL BUT NOT REALISTIC

WHEN TESTING SPEAKERS:
PICK FEMALE VOCALS, REAL LIVE INSTRUMENTS (NOT TECHNO)

BRING YOUR OWN MUSIC AND MOVIES TO DEMO
(YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SOUND LIKE BECAUSE YOU HAVE HEARD THEM A MILLION TIMES)

DENON 2.1 sounds better to me WHY?
SUB HITS SLIGHTLY HARDER
MIDRANGE IS BETTER
BETTER RIGHT TO LEFT
LOWER LOWS ON THE SUB

NOBODY ON AVFORUM CAN DECIDE FOR YOU LISTEN AND DEMO BOTH!

GOOD SPEAKERS KLIPSCH OR B&W I THINK WILL BLOW BOSE OUT OF WATER EVERYTIME

B&W MAKES A $250,000 speaker FOR ONE SPEAKER!