Please help me adjust the bass on Bose cinemate (series I)

The 1st question anyone is going to have is... why on god's green earth did you buy Bose? The rep sounds like and a**.. Another reason not to buy Bose. Sell it on craigs list..

Before you go opening up and start tweaking that Bose system, you might want to ask them if it will void your warranties. If it does, best you listen to the rep and SEND IT BACK.

According to most tests- placing the module along with the speakers into a large cylindrical container and taking that container to a landfill improves the sound 100%.

It can't be adjusted. One of the reasons why is that the bass module is incapable of going either low or loud. The Bose rep had it half right, if you don't like how it works take it back. When you do, Buy Other Sound Equipment.
It's too late to help you, but others should be aware of this before making the same mistake:
http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

. You bought a SOUND system based on looks and price. You are the target Bose customer...

^^^ Its not very helpful to attack the OP.

@dg-sound, I am not that familiar with budget systems, but I bet if you make a new thread with a budget and the basics of what you are looking for you might get some pretty good suggestions. Just having Bose in the title will draw negative comments every time--it never fails.

dg, rule #1: never mention bose. Just joking. You need to return the bose system. Then let everyone know your budget, what equipment you need, and your room size. You will get good advice here.

Look he bought Bose, it comes with the territory...He's a target for Minimal to No Positive but Mostly Negative comments

You could probably just buy a soundbar and a logitech harmony uni remote with that budget. Or try really hard to hide those wires for a decent htib

Bose isn't really liked here so just be thick skinned .

You,d be better off buying a zvox sound bar. Or the monoprice sub and speakers for 100 bucks and a 200 dollar receiver.

Boston SoundBar system
http://www.bostonacoustics.com/TVee-...shed-P842.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4TQdijk0HQ

blunt is always harsh.... I'd look at the Energy Take 5 system for $150 at the new egg and a STF 1 from HSU research currently $259 ($39 sh) first. for an extra $20, and yes more wires, the sound would be night and day. If size of the speakers is an absolute, the Ventriloquist system from HSU @ $299 + a $300 STF 1 would just spank that Bose all around your room.
Joe

I'll never understand people that buy something just because it looks good. In this case, it is speakers. Their only purpose for existing is to produce sound. And now that the OP realizes the sound quality on them is garbage (which could have been done with a simple search of the forum, or Google), he is wanting to know what else is aesthetically pleasing, sounds good, and has a universal remote (for around the same price).

Well, if you want a universal remote, they cost like 10 bucks at Wal-Mart. Pretty much the same thing as the Bose remote, so now we have 420 bucks left (or you can splurge on the most basic Logitech Harmony remote for like 25 bucks)

You say you don't want a lot of wires running across the room, so I'll stick to a 2.1 system, being that's what the Cinemate Series 1 is that you currently have.

Pioneer 821-K $200
Polk PSW 10 sub $120
Any 2 bookshelf speakers you can find $100

It will just be 3 wires. One to each speaker, and one to the sub. Pretty much what you have already.

There, I just made your system 100 times better, for the same price. You can thank me later.

my above recommendation assumes you already have a capable receiver. Or you should plan on approx $300, more or less for a decent basic model ... I know it sounds steep, from a $429 price point, for the Bose, but if quality of sound REALLY matters, ummm.... buy the right tool once.
A location would also help, as there are a couple of "I'll Demo My Speakers" and "Subs" threads where you could hear 'other' set-ups for nothing but a kind word. I have my own system listed there, and if you are local, I'd be more than willing to give a listen. (skin in the game, PM'img biotches) with only a little hint of subjectivity.
hope it helps
Joe

dg, don't feel too bad...I too purchased a Bose system once (the 3-2-1, which is absolutley the worst of all the crappy Bose systems, IMHO). In my case I was lucky...the DVD player would not work correctly, but I noticed right away that the system lacked "depth" of sound...returned after 1 day! Fool me once, same on you...I also bought a pair of Bose Companion II speakers, shame on ME and those have been in a box in my closet for the last two years and anyone can have them if they come and get them!
If you don't already own a receiver...then a decent soundbar (as suggested above) will sound much better than the Cinemate. If you have a receiver, look at the Polk Monitor series speakers from newegg.com- a really good price on a pretty good speaker.

The weakest link will be their sub-woofer, which is what produces the bass in the cinemate series.

And the lack of tweeters...

Cambridge Audio for one. I have no idea about the remote; that's the last criteria I consider where a sound system is concerned.

I could not help but respond to this posting.
Most people do that for everything in their life. Guys go for the good looking girls. Girls go for the good looking hunks or wallets. Very few actually look beyond or for that matter look for the heart or brains as the first choice.

In the budget that you listed I think that you are still going to have to look at HTIB solutions, as almost any decent stand alone sub is going to cost a minimum of half your budget. I would say that if you are willing to increase your budget slightly, you could go with something like Wharfedale DX1-HCP HTIB system.

http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/Products...lt.aspx#detail

Without getting into price talk this system can be found on the net for around your budget. It is one of the better HTIB solutions out there and will make mince-meat out of what Bose will offer you.

There are other good HTIB solutions from other manufactures, but I still think you would be better buying your speakers in groups, slowly over time, starting with say a 2.1 setup for the max amount you can spend and then saving up for the other speakers overtime. But if you want the complete 5.1 setup now, and with that budget, I fell that HTIB might be the best route.

Anyone who selects women, speakers, cars etc. based on looks with no regard for performance or reliability deserves what they get. Critical thinking is a good thing.

Return the Bose Cinemate and get this...bigger subwoofer and even cheaper

5.1 Home Theater System With Active Subwoofer and Five Satellite Speakers
Model	PHSA5
Brand	Pyle
Category	Home Theater Systems
MSRP	$317.99

100W Active Subwoofer with Built-In Auto-Gain Control

Stereo RCA Line-In Input

Stereo RCA Line-Out

10'' Long Throw Driver

Crossover Slope Adjusted to 80Hz

Impedance: 4-8 Ohms

Magnetically Shielded Center Speaker

S/N Ratio: 85dB

THD: 0.1%

Output power: Subwoofer 100W

Frequency Range: Satellites - 150Hz-20kHz, Subwoofer - 50Hz-330Hz

Drive Unit: Satellites - 3 Inch, Subwoofer - 10 Inch

Subwoofer Dimensions (DxWxH): 7.9'' x 20.7'' x 14.4''

L,R Channel Dimensions: 3.1'' x 4.7'' x 6.3''

Surround Channel Dimensions: 3.1'' x 4.7'' x 6.3''

Center Channel Dimensions: 9.3'' x 4.7'' x 3.1''

Materials: Satellites - Plastic, Subwoofer - Wood

Weight: 35.3 lbs

Color: Piano Black Lacquer Finish

Or this...even beter for the price of the cinemate

7.1 Channel Home Theater System with Satellite Speakers, Center Channel, Subwoofer, Bluetooth
Model	PT798SBA
Brand	Pyle
Category	Home Theater Systems
MSRP	$497.99
Warranty	1 Year

Bluetooth Compatible - Play Music From Your Digital Music Player or Phone

164 Watts Total Power

Subwoofer Power: 80 Watts

Satellites and Center Speaker Power: 84 Watts (7x12 W)

Bass, Treble Controls

Fully Functional Wireless Remote Control

Digital VFD Display

Subwoofer 10'' Long Throw Acive Driver

Gold Capped A/V Cables & Wires

MP3 & MP4 Compatible

DVD & CD Compatible

FM Tuner

Frequency Range: Satellites - 150Hz-20kHz, Subwoofer - 50Hz-330Hz

Drive Units: Satellite - 3'', Subwoofer - 10''

Subwoofer Dimensions (DxWxH): 16.5'' x 15.0'' x 10.2''

Front, Surround, Rear L/R Channel Dimensions: 5.5'' x 5.5'' x 11.4''

Center Channel Dimensions: 9.3'' x 4.7'' x 3.1''

S/N: 85dB

THD: 0.1%

Materials: Satellite - Plastic, Subwoofer - Wood

Color: Black

Weight: 35.3 lbs

Well, I have few thoughts short of replacing it. Number one, move the bass module into a corner of the room. A way to find the placement sweet spot is to place the bass module at the listening position and crawl around listening for the spot with the best bass. That will probably be in one corner.

If the system has no adjustments then of course you should use the receiver's tone controls or equalizer settings.

If all else fails maybe instead of increasing the bass you should lower the treble and mids. You could get some 10 or 20 watt resistors and wire them in series with the satelite speakers. This way you don't void the warranty opening anything.

Geez, what a bunch of whiny elite buttheads. He didn't ask for your opinion on his equipment, he asked for help. If you can't provide it, move on.

dg_sound, pay no attention to them. Half haven't a clue why they hate Bose, they just think it's cool to hate because someone else does. Get your system the way you like it, and enjoy it. That's all that matters.

with Bose, don't put the bass module in a corner as the low end mid range/ vocals emanate from that module and you will end up hearing dialogue coming out of that corner