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2.1 system better and cheaper than Bose cinemate

1032 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  wvu80
Hello,


I'm moving out of my brothers home where I have my audio setup in the bedroom I've been stuck in. Now that I'll have my home theater in my living room id still like a decent set up for my bedroom.


I plan to buy used or refurbished. I'm aware of the down sides of Bose systems. I previously sold home theater equipment and don't need to go in to the details of what better audio sounds like. Spending $400 or less for decent audio is ok with me but if I can get better for the same price I would like to.


So with that being said, any recommendations for a 2.2 system or sound bar?
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
Which Bose Cinemate model are you looking to better?
For 400 dollars, you can get a way better system. I have two decent av receivers, both purchased for under 200 dollars. Get a 5.1 for future expansion. Two CA s30 are about 200/pr and are excellent for the price!

The Bose cinemate system is the worse of the Bose systems, IMHO!
I'd bet my Wharfedale Diamond 9 with a NAD amp would sound better. BK Gemini sub at £200.
I found this which would be $550 total and I'd be happy spending that.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR414/Onkyo-TX-NR414-5.1-Home-Theater-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ele/4357431654.html


The speakers are the Mirage MX 5.1 speaker system being sold used as $350. The receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR414.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sruane287  /t/1520702/2-1-system-better-and-cheaper-than-bose-cinemate#post_24433344


I found this which would be $550 total and I'd be happy spending that.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR414/Onkyo-TX-NR414-5.1-Home-Theater-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ele/4357431654.html


The speakers are the Mirage MX 5.1 speaker system being sold used as $350. The receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR414.

That's a very good deal. I've got a larger Mirage center, they are excellent speakers. The sub is small and very good for what it is. Nice find.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hernanu  /t/1520702/2-1-system-better-and-cheaper-than-bose-cinemate#post_24434266


That's a very good deal. I've got a larger Mirage center, they are excellent speakers. The sub is small and very good for what it is. Nice find.

do you have these mirage speakers or other ones?


I'm also considering the cambridge audio s70s with a pair of s30's as rear speakers using a ghost center and no subwoofer. Does anybody think that would be a better/worse set up?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sruane287  /t/1520702/2-1-system-better-and-cheaper-than-bose-cinemate#post_24434368


do you have these mirage speakers or other ones?


I'm also considering the cambridge audio s70s with a pair of s30's as rear speakers using a ghost center and no subwoofer. Does anybody think that would be a better/worse set up?

Not these, I have the Mirage Omnisat V2 center speaker, which is much larger than those. It comes from the same family, though and uses the same technology.


I think you'd be very happy with these if my center is any guide. It's been replaced by a bigger system, but it did serve me well for four years and I'm saving it for my daughter when she gets a place.


I also have two Omni S8 subs, they are excellent small subs.


I would go with the Mirages if it were me. Some people are satisfied with a ghost center, I always liked to run with a real one.
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You can't afford a decent sub on a $400 budget. I would just get speakers with decent bass extension. If you have the room for them, I would go for a couple of monitors like these, very nice sound quality, not bad extension, and a simple setup.
+1 on powered monitors and add a sub later. Check out the JBL LSR305 ir the LSR308 if you find them on special.
My living room setup consists of an Emotiva XDA-1 and powered Mackie MR5 speakers.


I'm assuming since this is your bedroom, you could get by with optical out from the TV. I run optical from the TV to the XDA-1 then XLR cables to the Mackies. Amazing sound. I bought used and spent about $300 for both speakers and the Emotiva.


I'm even planning on using the JBLs that ttlnb mentioned in my theater downstairs.
Definitely possible to easily outdo the Bose Cinemate 2 for what it costs. A much better sounding system can be had for

Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145  /t/1520702/2-1-system-better-and-cheaper-than-bose-cinemate#post_24439528


Definitely possible to easily outdo the Bose Cinemate 2 for what it costs. A much better sounding system can be had for

Quote:
Originally Posted by sruane287  /t/1520702/2-1-system-better-and-cheaper-than-bose-cinemate/0_50#post_24433344


I found this which would be $550 total and I'd be happy spending that.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR414/Onkyo-TX-NR414-5.1-Home-Theater-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ele/4357431654.html


The speakers are the Mirage MX 5.1 speaker system being sold used as $350. The receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR414.
Do not walk away, RUN away from that Onk 414. They have well known HDMI issues, and it WILL fail. All the lower end Onks 616 and under use that same board. You can Google it, or look for the MANY threads on the Onk HDMI problem on the AVS receiver/amp forum.


FYI I bought a low end Harmon Kardon 5.1 AVR (don't remember which model) on accessories4less for a couple hundred bucks six months ago, and it has been reliable.


The Craigslist link you list above is dead, posting removed by the owner.

+++

The Sub-1000 by Parts Express is generally considered by many folks on AVS as best in class for $100. Run stereo wires into the sub, then let the sub divide the signal, and run speaker wire out to your stereo speakers. The video attached to the link is helpful.
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1000-10-100-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-628


The Overnight Senations speaker kit is $66 and gets rave reviews, if you can DIY. Read the reviews.
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