Which high end sound company do you prefer?

If you had to choose from Bose, JBL, or Harmon Kardon, which would you choose (If I'm missing some, just add to the list)?

I would say, for home and personal entertainment, I would definitely choose Bose since we have Acoustimass systems all around our house and I have one in my room. They're simply fantastic.

For a car though, I would choose Harmon Kardon.

I was in a new Range Rover and was testing out the radio, and it had the newest version of Harmon Kardon LOGIC7 system...:eek: holy mother of god, I've never heard anything that clear and that good in a car. The acoustics were simply amazing and when we were travelling at highway speeds, in addition to the quiet cabin, holy crap! It was like being in a fully sound proofed room with the most professional balance of sound in every speaker.

I'm not exactly a sound expert, but I've done some research and was the sound manager for school assemblies in middle and high school so I know a little bit

In the poll, admins can add choices if they know of any.

i chose bose, had a bose system in my mum's car, it was the best car audio i've ever heard (besides my friend's straight-through exhaust) and it gets louder as you go faster.

Well, having compared older model Mercedes with the Bose system and newer model Mercedes with Harmon Kardon I'd definitely go with Harmon Kardon out of the two. It's leaps and bounds better in my opinion. BUT, I chose JBL because the speakers in my truck are JBL and they sound better than anything I've heard from either of the other two companies.

It also depends on your own ears, though, and the style of music you play. I listen to mostly hardcore/metal music so I bought the JBL's knowing that's what they were designed for so naturally they sound better than Harmon Kardon's. Classical music, on the other hand, sounds much better out of the HK's. :2cents:

Overall my favorite audio company would be Image Dynamics (http://www.imagedynamicsusa.com).

i chose bose, had a bose system in my mum's car, it was the best car audio i've ever heard (besides my friend's straight-through exhaust) and it gets louder as you go faster.

I've heard a bose system and it made me weep with joy. I think most of the cars now are coming with that speed sensing volume feature. I'd trade my speed sensing wipers for that any day.:frown:

Bose. I haven't tried anything from the other companies and don't really care what they have, either. Always had Bose and it's always satisfied my needs to the point where I'm happy to buy more of it.

for home theater it has got to be wharfdale

car audio KICKER

I don't know too much about car audio but I've always been impressed with Bose home systems. My laptop has some HK speakers in it and they are pretty damn nice too.

My laptop has some HK speakers in it and they are pretty damn nice too.

When somebody says laptop speakers are nice, you know they've got to be good. The speakers in my laptop :disappoin

I have infinity in jeep, sony surround, and bose for laptop.

if i could i'd go with bose for everything, but I cant so i get whats cheap but still reliable.

what about nakamichi?

I use my dad's JBL speakers from the 70's for my radio at home. They still sound as good as new. I haven't heard anything about HK, so I can't say anything about them. Between Bose and JBL, I'd go with JBL just because I've been around them longer and like what I hear.

Are Mark Levinson systems really that good? I sampled an ML system in a Lexus GS a while back and I actually felt somewhat disappointed, definitely not as good as Lexus makes them out to be. Nice definitely, but I felt a wee bit cheated.

Guys I am not joking stay away from Bose, especially their home theater systems. They are quite literally a scam.

here is some detailed info:
http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html


also for proper advice on real audiofile equipement head over to http://www.head-fi.org/

i'm partial to Klipsch for home entertainment and multimedia, for car i suppose i'll go with Focal. My friend had them and i was dissapointed my Quarts didn't sound as good when i got them.

No seriously, what the hell about nakamichi??!?

No seriously, what the hell about nakamichi??!?

Never heard of it. :dunno:

No seriously, what the hell about nakamichi??!?

That sounds like a food.

i think i've heard of nakamichi. don't know much bout them though

Seriously, Bose blows.

No Highs, no lows, it must be Bose.

DIY audio > *

Dad has Bose Acoustimass in the living room. It sounds nice but nothing amazing. Got it for cheap, otherwise, just get Cambridge Soundworks.

Home audio - has to be either McIntosh or Bang & Olufsen. B & O have these bud headphones with triple polyurethane cone things that COMPLETELY insulate the sound - they're as effective as professional ear plugs for keeping outside sound out, and just as good keeping inside sound in. You can conserve iPod battery by keeping the volume low, as low volume with those headphones is just as loud as loud volume with budget buds...

Car Audio - McIntosh. Outstanding sound and components built like tanks (though great looking). The MCC602TM power amplifier weighs 50.5lbs!
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/mcprod/..%5Cimages%5Cproducts%5CMCC602TM-front.jpg

Out of the choices... mcintosh holds a special place in my heart. as well as Resonant Engineering, JL Audio's overpriced gems, Elemental designs, Sound splinter, Treo, acoustic elegance.... to name a few. bose is ok for factory car systems... thats about it

Never heard of it. :dunno:
That sounds like a food.
It is actually a very good brand. I know they were stock in the Mitsubishi3000 GTs and i believe they can be found in older lexus vehicles as well as a few other import luxury/sporty cars. I don't know if they have had anything recently. but definitely a reputable brand IMO. I think bose is WAY overrated. harmon kardon is my pick, though JBL is good too.

Out of the choices... mcintosh holds a special place in my heart. as well as Resonant Engineering, JL Audio's overpriced gems, Elemental designs, Sound splinter, Treo, acoustic elegance.... to name a few. bose is ok for factory car systems... thats about it

RE has just gone down the crapper, the only ED I like are the old flatcones, they have had WAY to many bad business pratices for me to EVER buy anything from them. I had an flatcone 8 and just positively loved it though. Sound splinter is some nice stuff too, I should be buying a RL-P from them real soon.

Home I have sony and JVC, not too teribbly important at home, not there enough.

Car audio: Decks I usually use Pioneer, subs are generally kicker although I do like JL audio just not the price. Amps currently kicker, but I like some of the JL's. And components are usually kicker.

Guys I am not joking stay away from Bose, especially their home theater systems. They are quite literally a scam.

here is some detailed info:
http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html


also for proper advice on real audiofile equipement head over to http://www.head-fi.org/
if anything, this website you've listed here is a scam.

I personally like JBL and Onkyo for home. Boston and Alpine for car audio

Guys I am not joking stay away from Bose, especially their home theater systems. They are quite literally a scam.

here is some detailed info:
http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html


also for proper advice on real audiofile equipement head over to http://www.head-fi.org/


I really don't have the patience to read all of that, simply because I'm happy and my dad is happy with our Acoustimass systems. What's that saying in short form minus the technical part, and is it true and how can the writers prove that it's true?

Also, if not bose, what would you suggest would be ideal for home theater systems, because since the Acoustimass in my room is his, I might soon buy myself a decent system. I want the best without going too expensive, and want a real kick ass deal for the money.

bose is crap. it's just a bunch of good marketing and fancy packaging. i say good stuff would be JBL and Klipsch.

I really don't have the patience to read all of that, simply because I'm happy and my dad is happy with our Acoustimass systems. What's that saying in short form minus the technical part, and is it true and how can the writers prove that it's true?

Also, if not bose, what would you suggest would be ideal for home theater systems, because since the Acoustimass in my room is his, I might soon buy myself a decent system. I want the best without going too expensive, and want a real kick ass deal for the money.

*Hint*

Build your own, best way to audio bliss.

RE has just gone down the crapper, the only ED I like are the old flatcones, they have had WAY to many bad business pratices for me to EVER buy anything from them. I had an flatcone 8 and just positively loved it though. Sound splinter is some nice stuff too, I should be buying a RL-P from them real soon.

RE's SX and XXX ared still the shizz. RE just raised all their prices all of a sudden for buying direct from them. I think they are trying to promote buying from dealers :dunno:

and enjoy the rl-p while you still have your hearing

for anyone who doesn't know what the hell nakamichi is, here is their website
www.nakamichi.com
They aren't as big in the US compared to the rest of the world. Lineup is relatively small also, but seem to have more home theater stuff and high quality TVs than car audio. Their car audio is equipped on lexus models nowadays, but i knew an asian guy who i worked with at a dominos back in the day and had a nakamichi system in his drop dead gorgeous black 3000 gt and is quite possibly the best factory system i've heard yet.

i say good stuff would be JBL and Klipsch.


YES!!! another klipsch fan!!! haha I was beginning to think I was the only one.

I personally have the old 4.1 comp speakers and used to have the quintet home theater system with the 12 inch woofer they offer. Man was that system siiiick. Never heard another system that was that clear, that powerful, and packaged so small before. I'd say it blows away most of those huge towers from other brands, and it can be had for under 1000...

YES!!! another klipsch fan!!! haha I was beginning to think I was the only one.

I personally have the old 4.1 comp speakers and used to have the quintet home theater system with the 12 inch woofer they offer. Man was that system siiiick. Never heard another system that was that clear, that powerful, and packaged so small before. I'd say it blows away most of those huge towers from other brands, and it can be had for under 1000...
i have a 4.1 klipsch speaker system too (well was mine, now my roomate's) and is definitely sweet, especially when playing unreal on the computer. my dad also has an old klipsch home theater speaker system in the guest room and will never replace it its so good. another brand that should be included in the polls.

if anything, this website you've listed here is a scam.

I personally like JBL and Onkyo for home. Boston and Alpine for car audio



Pardon? I do not post scam sites pal. If you would notice I also posted the head-fi forums which is a very well klnown audiophile comunity. Try asking them there what they think of Bose.

As I said you have been warned if you would like to continue to be scammed by Bose then by all means feel free to waste your money but do not accuse me of posting scam sites.

oh and if the head-fi is not enough try this:
http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33

its the audio subsection of a very well known comp hardware site hardocp. Ask them also what they think of Bose






Anyway there is plenty of stuff to choose in the top end audio as long as you can afford it. Much comes of course to preference in the house sound. One favorite of mine is a Rotel amp/receiver paired with KEF reference speakers.

Klipsch is another good choice especially if you are a bit more on a budget, Denon makes again some good receivers for decent prices.

As far as headphones go Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Grados are probably my 3 fav brands. I'm really eyeing some Beyer DT880s btw.

Pardon? I do not post scam sites pal. If you would notice I also posted the head-fi forums which is a very well klnown audiophile comunity. Try asking them there what they think of Bose.

As I said you have been warned if you would like to continue to be scammed by Bose then by all means feel free to waste your money but do not accuse me of posting scam sites.

oh and if the head-fi is not enough try this:
http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33

its the audio subsection of a very well known comp hardware site hardocp. Ask them also what they think of Bose






Anyway there is plenty of stuff to choose in the top end audio as long as you can afford it. Much comes of course to preference in the house sound. One favorite of mine is a Rotel amp/receiver paired with KEF reference speakers.

Klipsch is another good choice especially if you are a bit more on a budget, Denon makes again some good receivers for decent prices.

As far as headphones go Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Grados are probably my 3 fav brands. I'm really eyeing some Beyer DT880s btw.


So Klipsch is ideal? Because I'm looking for a decent home theater system. I have my dad's Bose Acoustimass right now.

So Klipsch is ideal? Because I'm looking for a decent home theater system. I have my dad's Bose Acoustimass right now.


klipsch is good but ideal i don't know. Sound is a very personal thing, each speaker company has its own trademarked "house sound" that defines them.

The best way to make a decision is go to shop around some specialty store (small high end specialised store-type) and listen to their demo units and see what you like.

Out of the big store chains the only one that I saw to carry proper high end stuff is Ultimate Electronics. Might want to check them out.

Anyway as i said my best advice try to find a local expert that can advise you based on your preferences and help you set up the system properly. A profesionally configured setup is as important as the components.



PS. this is the Rotel model i mentioned earlier, I'm set about 99% on it for my next home theater system, as far as speakers go still undecided (leaning towards kef but nothing set)
http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rsx1067.htm
this is another cheaper alternative:
http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rsx1057.htm

PPS. For the Bose owners don't feel bad, I used to be taken by their marketing too. Very effective, only after doing some proper reaserch i have discovered the grabage they peddle.

if anything, this website you've listed here is a scam.

I personally like JBL and Onkyo for home. Boston and Alpine for car audio
alpine is great for car audio! my friend has a pair of 15" alpine type R woofers in his mustang gt and it is omfg amazing. the bass is very crisp, it never distorts, it hits HARD and yeah just all around great. here's a pic of it, please ignore the towel and wiremess, it doesn't look like that now.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e177/quteasabutten/subs.jpg

i wanted to get a pair of alpine type r 6 x 9's for my car but they were too pricey by about $150 :(

about the boston tho. i haven't heard it for car audio but i do have it for my computer and idk if i just have a crappy sub or if it's their company. but it constantly is crackling, and distorting and overall sounds like crap. i don't even have the sub nob turned up all the way. they were fine for like a week and then it all just went to hell with them.

alpine is great for car audio! my friend has a pair of 15" alpine type R woofers

Alpine type Rs, good...

in his mustang gt and it is omfg amazing.

mustang GT bad...

the bass is very crisp, it never distorts

crisp bass good...

it hits HARD and yeah just all around great.

whoa! calm down, toots, we're talking about car audio here...

RE's SX and XXX ared still the shizz. RE just raised all their prices all of a sudden for buying direct from them. I think they are trying to promote buying from dealers :dunno:

and enjoy the rl-p while you still have your hearing

RE Audio was bought out by the owner of US Amps. The prices have been raised to promote dealer sales.

Oh and the RL-P would be for home audio duty. Lord knows my new mains shouldn't have a problem keeping up with one, or two for that matter. :uhoh:

LOL!

I wouldn't buy any of those. They have high end prices, but they sure as hell don't have the high end quality. I would consider those consumer level crap. If you want high end look into Sunfire, Adcom, or Rotel. There are a ton of other brands, but the ones you listed aren't even close.

for home theater it has got to be wharfdale

I love my Wharfdale bi-poles and center. Very inexpensive for the sound quality.

This is a forum full of DIY people, I figured more people than just myself were DIY audionuts...

I actually just noticed that. After reading a little about the Bose rip-off and some reviews on how it seems flat, I just recently notices how the Bose in my mom's Infiniti is outrageously flat...I had to raise the treble quite a bit but still the mid frequencies almost sound like they're non-existent...however, i don't think so with my Acoustimass in my room, I think they sound phenominal. Does it help that I have a really big Yamaha cetner speaker/amp conencted to the reciever as well?