5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Not worth the $$$..
Date of Review: Jan 19, 2004
The Bottom Line: For much less money you can buy a much higher quality system.
Ok, I've reviewed this Bose system on another website but not here. I have had this system for about two years as I bought it when it first appeared on the market. I purchased this system (impulsively/regretably)after chatting with the Bose rep at Best Buy while he was setting up this 3-2-1 product display for the first time.
Wanting simplicity and a nice size and trusting the Bose name, I bought his schtick. I am now (two years later) about to purchase a new system to replace this 3-2-1. The reason I am replacing this is primarily because it can do nothing well. Bose tried to make a "do it all in one" package and while it is a great idea in concept, it just ends up doing nothing well in reality.
The first problem is with DVD's. I use it for this mostly (until recently) and I notice that although the picture is great on my projection screen tv, the lack of a proper center channel means that often (every new DVD) I have to adjust the audio settings to adequately hear dialogue in the film. If you turn up the volume, you only end up with booming bass which p's off your neighbors and that's not good. So, for every DVD I mess with the audio settings until I find the best voice clarity.
Next problem is with music. Since this thing is designed to be an "all in one" player, it doesn't seem to be able to crank out clear, crisp music. Yes, you get thundering Bose bass but it is rather crude and any system with a sub can do that. Fortunately, I'm an adult and don't care to boom out bass to impress my neighbors. I would however like to hear crisp guitar/violin strings on my Eagle's and Mozart CD's etc and this 3-2-1 is just not capable of this. Also, to hear it anywhere else in my home (and my home isn't big), I have to crank it way up.. again, with booming bass and p'd off neighbors.
Next problem is technical. I assume it's probably just because I purchased one of the first Bose units but it has never functioned properly. The DVD's will occaisionally come on with no sound or low sound and I have to reset. About every other day, the cd drive won't open with a readout on the screen saying: "bad disc". This leads to me having to turn off the power (pulling out plug) and starting over just to get the dvd out so I can return it to Blockbuster. This may be due to the software I have which I certainly hope Bose has corrected by now. The problems don't stop me from using the unit but are an inconvenience and should not happen at all on a $1000 unit. Interestingly, I've read other reviewers here on Epinions who have listed the same problems.. (problem here Bose??)
On the Positive side, I would say that this thing is easy to set up and doesn't take up much space but for the $1000 I paid I expected more.
In recent days, through the wonder's of Epinions, CNet, and audioreview.com, etc, I have educated myself quite a bit about home audio equipment. What I quickly realized is that no audiophiles even consider Bose stuff. It's seems like Bose is yuppie stereo gear or something..overpriced and overhyped, maybe like the Sharper Image of stereo gear??
With an afternoon of research on the web you can find home theater systems (or put your own together with a high quality receiver and speakers) that will cost $400-600 and give you a hell of a lot better sound than this $900 peach. Take a look and make your own decision but trust me on this one: this 3-2-1 isn't worth the $$$. Anyone wanna buy a used one with two bose speaker stands?? Make me an offer!
Note: Please pardon my typo's, I don't have time to do the correcting.
