Bose Lifestyle V30 (black)

Summary: I have heard many different brands of audio equipment in prices ranging from a $500 system to speakers costing $50,000 a pair. However, this is a review on the Bose V30, and the reason I have given it the lowest rating possible is because I've heard systems costing less than a third of the price that blow it away.

To begin, "Bigger Sales Through Advertising." Or in other words, Bose is an advertising company. You see their TV advertisements on all the time bragging themselves up. In their stores, they put the speakers right in front of you and are usually turned up all the way, which of course is going to make them sound good to the people with out discerning ears (no offense). Which also brings me to the question: what other brands have you heard? Again, no offense to you people that haven't gotten into the world of audio a whole lot; it's not your fault you haven't been exposed to the amount of other brands out there. Anyway, the people I hear say Bose is the best are people that have never heard any brand that's not carried at Wall Mart and Best Buy, which are all sub par to what you can get for the same money if you do some research. Yes, Bose will sound better than those sub-par brands, especially in the manner they set up their systems in the store.

Bose's speakers are greatly flawed. To understand this, you need to understand what makes a speaker. A speaker is made up "drivers," usually two, which are what vibrate to make sound. The two most common is the tweeter, which makes the high sounds, and the mid-bass, which makes the low sounds. There?s also the mid-range driver; however, these are more common in big speakers; and, a good balance between the tweeter and mid-bass creates good mid-range. Then there's the subwoofer, or just sub, that's usually separate from the main speakers and is made to play the lowest notes.

Bose's "Jewel Cube" speakers that come with the V30 are nothing but tiny mid-range drivers; therefore they can?t play the high notes because they lack a tweeter. They also lack a mid-bass; however, Bose proclaims their Acoustimas generator produces the mid-bass; this is what they say makes their speakers ?sound like big speakers.? But, the Acoustimas generator is basically a cross between a mid-bass and a subwoofer, which means it can't accurately reproduce mid-bass because it plays too low. Not only that, because of this, it also can't play as low as a sub, which means this system can't reproduce the lowest notes of the sound spectrum; notes you "feel" more than hear. So, this system can't even play the full sound spectrum. This is where the saying "No highs, no lows; must be Bose" comes from. Also, the speakers themselves are cheaply made; paper cones and thin plastic enclosures.

Now, for what I recommend. First of all, like I hinted before, don?t go to Best Buy or Circuit City. Find a place that specializes in audio and/or video only. They will most likely carry brands that you?ll find being reviewed in audio magazines, and often possessing amazing value. While there are plenty of brands like this out there, the ones I?ll use as examples are Paradigm speakers, Velodyne subwoofers, and Yamaha RX receivers (the models you can?t get at Best Buy). Anyway, people often buy Bose speakers for their small size. But, Bose's systems make a sacrifice in performance in order to get small; I was even told this by a Bose salesperson. But, I?ll tell you right now that you don?t have to sacrifice performance in order to get small. Paradigm?s Cinema series mini-speakers are some of the best on the market. The smallest one is about 7 inches tall. It is a bit bigger than the Jewel Cubes; but seriously, unless you live in a dollhouse, when would 4-inch speakers be necessary? Anyway, the Cinema?s do have a tweeter and a mid-bass; therefore can produce the full sound spectrum. Adding a Velodyne sub can produce the solid lows you don?t get from the Acousitimas generator. And, a Yamaha RX receiver, except for the lowest-end one, is capable of 7.1 surround sound, which has 2 more surrounds than the V30. In another review, a person said their V30 won?t be out of date in a year. Well, it?s not expandable to 7.1, so it looks like it has.

You?re probably wondering how much a system like this costs. Well, I heard one that consisted of 4 of the smallest Cinema speakers plus the Cinema center, a middle-end 12 in. Velodyne sub, and the lowest end Yamaha 5.1 surround sound receiver. The whole system was about $1200. And let me tell you what, it totally blows away the V30 system. There?s simply no comparison. And, for the price of the V30, you could get something AMAZING. Surround sound consisting of 7 Paradigm Cinema speakers, a high-end Yamaha 7.1 receiver, Veledyne?s 1000-watt 8 in. sub, and even a Logitech multifunction remote.

In conclusion, if you want a good sound system, STAY AWAY FROM BOSE. You?re wallet and your ears will thank you if you?ve compared the V30 to one of the systems I recommended.

Updated on Nov 1, 2008

Oh yes, please note that all the question marks are supposed to be apostrophes. I'm guessing it's Cnet's fault.

Updated on Nov 1, 2008

Also, I'd like to mention that all of Yamaha's RX series receivers have a room optimization feature, just like Bose's AdaptiQ system.

Updated on Nov 2, 2008

Sorry for all the updates, especially this one cause it seems so unnecessary. Anyway, change $500 to < $100. I was thinking of surround sound systems I've heard, but since I listed the $50,000 a pair speakers, I figured I should list the prices of all the systems I've heard, including 2 channel system.

Updated on Nov 4, 2008

Sorry for all the updates, but I?d like to further comment on Bose?s marketing strategy. In their "Music Theater" stores, they give a video demonstration of the Lifestyle 48, which is the V30 with a CD/DVD player. The show highly-exaggerates what the system is equivalent to and what it is capable of. I think the most notable thing is the way they demonstrate the AdaptiQ system. While the video is explaining it, a salesman puts a three-sided box over the center channel, and the system sounds as if it were muffled. But then, the AdaptiQ system "activates," and the system sounds normal, even with the box over the center speaker. Think to your self, if a box was placed over one speaker, then how would the whole system sound muffled? This is what I noticed; when the guy put the box over the center, the whole system sounded as if it was muffled. This means it was it was obviously recorded into the audio. So, this is a clear example of a sneaky marketing trick.

(Continued below).

Updated on Nov 4, 2008

(Continued)

Go into a Best Buy, and notice how all the Bose products are separated from the rest of the speakers. A place called D&R actually keeps their Bose stuff in a separate room. At Bose stores, there is no other brands to compare to. To further demonstrate my point, there?s another audio company that does this, and although their earphones are nice, which I own, Bang and Olufsen is the other. B&O is a company that makes really expensive audio/video equipment that looks pretty. People that go for B&O are status-crazed who think because something?s high-status, then it?s the best. But, with an exception to their earphones and highest-end speaker, B&O almost has a worse cost-to-performance ratio than Bose does. Sorry for getting off topic, but as you can see, the two audio brands that have their own stores are both very mediocre for the price. This should be a red flag, because it?s obviously intentional.

So, don?t be fooled by Bose?s ?Bigger Sales Through Advertising? strategy.

Updated on Dec 1, 2008

This update is mainly for the people that have replied to my review. First of all, if you already own the V30 and you don't like this review, then please write your own review that gives reasons on why its great.
If you find this system for half price, I highly suggest you still stay away. Like I said, I heard a system worth about $1200 that blows away the V30. Also, Sony (Sony does have a more exclusive line of products that are much better than their mass-produced products), just released a Blu-ray box speaker system that they have been developing for 30 years. It's 5.1 surround sound, and the speakers are about 12 inches high and about an inch wide. They completely blend in with your HDTV to the point they are almost invisible. Although they don't have the same performance of the Paradigm Cinemas, they sound amazing. I don't know how much they cost, but I'm guessing about less than or equal to $1500. And yes, they are much better than Bose, and not to mention they are much smaller.

Updated on Dec 1, 2008

Again, sorry for all the updates, but this is important. First of all, the Paradigm Cinemas do have a tweeter, but the thing I said was a mid-bass is actually a mid-range driver (but is unlike Bose's, which is a cross between a tweeter and a mid-range, or "twittlers" as they call them). This is the thing with small speakers; there will always be a compromise in performance when compared to bigger speakers.
Speaking of which, if you have the room for them, then don't get small speakers. This brings me to another point about Bose; for the price of a V30, you could get something AMAZING in the bookshelf and tower range. A system with Paradigm's Atom Monitor bookshelfs (which I own), 4 surrounds, center channel, a 12 in. Velodyne sub, and a mid-priced Yamaha amp, you're around $2800. If you want to go bigger, get Paradigm's Monitor 7 towers, which would make the system about $3200. But, if you don't want to spend over $3000, just downgrade to a 10 in. subwoofer; it'll still impress!

Updated on Dec 1, 2008

I just found out more about that Sony home theater system. It's called the 5.1-Channel Blu-ray Player Home Theater System. I was about $500 off, too; this thing costs $2000 . However, this system would mainly compete with Bose's Lifestyle Systems, so I won't go too in depth of what it can do. However, I will say that the speakers are MUCH more discrete than any speakers Bose makes; they are about 15 inches tall, and get this; a half inch wide! And, everything a Bose Lifestyle system can do, this Sony system can do better. The only thing it doesn't have that the LS systems have is a hard drive you can save music to. But, I'm sure you could find a way to connect an iPod. Also, not to mention the main unit is a Blu-ray player, something no Bose systems come with. I was even told by a Bose sales person that their systems won't come with them in the foreseeable future. That's one thing that shows you Bose isn't exactly with the times.

Updated on Jan 11, 2009

To thdr73:

1) Did you even read my review?(<also to humbertdcr) I didn't say that only big speakers are better. I recommended a system with small speakers that are cheaper than Bose.

2) Unless you're buying a sound system costing upwards of $20,000, you don't need speaker wire that costs $10 a foot. For a system costing the price of the ones I recommended, you shouldn't pay more than a dollar/ft.

3) 7 ft. tall speakers? This is something else Bose does. They exaggerate how tall tower speakers are and how much they cost. The tower speakers I'd recommend are about 3-4 ft. tall, and you CAN build a system with the right towers and still have it cost less than a Bose system. Or, get bookshelf speakers. You could get Paradigm's Atom Monitors, which are less than a foot tall and are about $300/pair.

4) If you can't hear any difference between Bose systems and "other" systems, then why spend way more on a Bose system if you can't tell it's better?

Updated on Feb 19, 2009

I have a very minor correction to make. I mentioned a dealer called D&R, but they are in fact called J&R. I know they keep their Bose stuff in a separate room because there's a video on YouTube that proves it.

Also, if you have a question like many people have had, I'll answer it in a reply.

Updated on Apr 13, 2009

To Usomania:

I'm glad to help. Alright from what you said I take it you're not too concerned about small speakers. So, for about $3000, I'd recommend:

2x Paradigm Mini-Monitors (fronts)
A Paradigm Monitor CC-190 (center)
4x Paradigm Monitor ADP-190s (surrounds)
A Paradigm DSP-3100 or Velodyne DEQ-10R subwoofer
A Yamaha RX-V565 A/V receiver
A Logitech Harmony remote

Depending on how much you want to spend on wires/cables/accessories, this would be very close to $3000. But, this is only a suggestion. Go to a Paradigm's website and search for a dealer. Also, other good brands to look for are Wharfedale's Diamond 9 series and Bowers and Wilkins's 600 series. And for how these would compare to Bose, there'd be no comparison. Even the lowest-end system you could put together with these brands would blow the V30 away.

Also, stay away from Best Buy, and brands like Klipsch, Polk, JBL, and Sony (Sony speakers only; they do make some good receivers, but the good ones aren't at BestBuy).

Updated on Apr 16, 2009

To matthewdpaul:

I own the ADPs and the 110 center speaker, which I would say are both outstanding. However, I wouldn?t get the box system, which means you?ll have to find a dealer because Paradigm doesn?t sell any of their products online except the box system. Anyway, the reasons why to not get the box system are that you?ll want a better subwoofer, and you?ll have a choice of different types of front speakers (depending on whether you want to mount them on the wall or on stands). Also, I would get a new receiver. Your old Yamaha most likely doesn?t have the latest surround sound decoding.

Anyway, here?s the equipment I?d recommend:

(Fronts) 2xParadigm Cinema 110 L/Rs or 2x Paradigm Atom Monitors (which I own)
(Surrounds) 2x Paradigm Cinema ADPs
(Center) ? ? 110 C
(Sub) Paradigm DSP-3100
(Receiver) Yamaha RX-V665

Including cables/wire, this would cost about $2000. However, the dealer will be able to help you further on mixing and matching and other options.

I hope that helps!

Updated on Sep 17, 2009

C) No highs no lows?
Bose's cubes, as tested by professionals, go up to about 13KHz, and the Acoustimass module goes down to 40 Hz. The average human can hear 20KHz (the highest) to 20Hz (the lowest). All the speakers in Bose's price range can play up to 20K Hz, and an actual subwoofer should go down to at least 25 Hz; this is the frequency you "feel" more than "hear." And yes, these frequencies DO exist, and you CAN hear them. And, where's your proof that Bose's frequency range is better than other speakers?

C) Overpriced
Before you bought your Bose system, what other brands did you listen to? Paradigm, Wharfedale, Bowers and Wilkins? Have you ever even heard of these brands? Some of these brand's speakers are in the same price range as Bose's systems, and use MUCH more expensive materials than Bose does. Bose should be MUCH cheaper considering the materials they use. So, they are indeed VERY overpriced.

Updated on Sep 17, 2009

D) You think the systems that people think are better than Bose are "ghetto priced" that you can get at Walmart? This really shows how much knowledge you lack about audio equipment. Like I said, the brands I mentioned are what audio enthusiasts are comparing Bose to. Their systems begin at about $1000, and even these systems will blow away your V30. A system of the same price would destroy it. Go listen to them.

But then, as every real audio enthusiast out there would agree, and even people who simply know Bose is nothing but marketing, you are so sucked into Bose's marketing. Bose targets people like you; people who lack knowledge about real audio equipment. You think Bose is the most respected brand? They self-proclaim that. Look in credible magazines like Stereophile and The Absolute Sound. You'll see the brands I've mentioned getting rave reviews, but you'll never even see a review on a Bose system. Bose is the joke brand among people that actually know about audio equipment.

Updated on Feb 23, 2010

@ Joelsoh

Yes, that would be a very good system for that size of room. I would go with the DSP-3100 subwoofer though. The new DEQ series have a weird sound to them that I noticed when I heard them being played next to Paradigm's subwoofers.

I calculated that, including cables, this system would cost about $3150. That includes everything you mentioned, but with a DSP-3100 subwoofer, and a Logitech Harmony 900 remote, which relies on radio frequencies to control your components instead of emitting IR signals (it has an IR transmitter you put in front of your components). This means you don't have to point the remote at your components to make them work. But, it is $350; $150 more than the Harmony One. Anyway, I know this is breaking your budget a bit, so if you want to save some money, you could go with the Paradigm PDR-10 subwoofer for $150 less, which is still amazing (I actually like it more than the DSP-3100). But, with a component system, you can mix and match a lot.

Updated on Mar 23, 2010

@ myyounger55:

That Adaptiq demo is nevertheless fixed somehow. The headset scans the room, not things that are placed right over the speakers. And BTW, almost every modern-day receiver has something similar to Adaptiq. It's nothing special.

Receivers that are 7.1 or 6.1 capable have Dolby Pro-Logic IIx, which upconverts a 5.1 signal, or even a stereo or mono signal, into 7.1 surround sound. Sure, 7.1 may not be neccessary in some rooms, but for how much Bose charges for their systems, they should be including it, along with more than 2 HDMI inputs (a $300 Sony receiver has 4 HDMI inputs built in, plus 7.1 surround sound), and in their DVD systems, a Blu-Ray player. After all, Bose claims they're the most cutting-edge audio company out there, and puts tons of "research" into their products, and on their home theater page on their website, it says "it's time to expect more from a home theater." More of what? Out of date electronics? Cheaply-made, plastic speakers w/ paper drivers?

Updated on Jun 29, 2010

Really. Did you take into consideration that the Bose V30 only has 2 HDMI inputs, and doesn't support either Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, when those codecs have been out for a few years now (Bose finally did catch up with the V25 and 35, but still only have 3 HDMI inputs), and for this system's price and even less, you could get 4 HDMI inputs, plus Dolby True HD and DTS-HD? Did you take into consideration that the V30 only has 5.1 surround sound, when for its price you could get 7.1? As for the Lifestyle 48, how can at be at the top when it comes with just a standard DVD player, when for it's price, and less, you could get a system with a Blu-Ray player? How can the LS48 also be at the top when it's 2 HDMI inputs only support video and not audio, which means if you wanted to upgrade to Blu-Ray, you couldn't?

You're not fooling me. You either work for Bose, or are so caught up in the Bose hype and "name", you mentally can't see how Bose has it's technological shortcomings.