Bose Cinemate for $350. Good deal??

[bigpoppamac31]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/...l-home-theatre-speaker-system-save/1004616588

So I've been talking with this guy about his Bose Cinemate (series II) system and he says he'd sell for $350. This sells brand new for $650 Canadian. Is $350 a good deal. I'm looking for a simple set up for a "home theatre" and I don't want to fuss with lots of wires. The picture below is my current set up with the exception that the speakers are now on stands. I didn't know where else to ask this on this forum.

https://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=484396&stc=1&d=1407257222

 

[ChrisA]

It's hard to see why this would be an upgrade.

But then I can't possibly see what you have now, the photo is not clear enough.
If yu have a $400 budget you can do pretty well with normal floor standing speakers and a cheep 50WPC amplifier

 

[Irishman]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/...l-home-theatre-speaker-system-save/1004616588

So I've been talking with this guy about his Bose Cinemate (series II) system and he says he'd sell for $350. This sells brand new for $650 Canadian. Is $350 a good deal. I'm looking for a simple set up for a "home theatre" and I don't want to fuss with lots of wires. The picture below is my current set up with the exception that the speakers are now on stands. I didn't know where else to ask this on this forum.

https://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=484396&stc=1&d=1407257222

I would instead recommend something like the ZVoxx ZBase 580 soundbar. It's internally amplified like the Bose, uses a single wire to connect to your tv. (Either fiber optic, digital coax, or stereo), sounds leaps and bounds above the Cinemate, as it has 2 eight inch down-firing woofer drivers in it, plus the ability to add a dedicated subwoofer if you wish to upgrade down the line.

The 580 runs new at just about a hundred less than the Bose, and is , in every respect, a fine upgrade. I know that in the US you can demo the ZVoxx lines at Magnolia Best Buy, but I'm not sure about where you are.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

It's hard to see why this would be an upgrade.

But then I can't possibly see what you have now, the photo is not clear enough.
If yu have a $400 budget you can do pretty well with normal floor standing speakers and a cheep 50WPC amplifier

It's a Sony Stereo mini system. It comes with surround speakers and has a subwoofer output also.

 

[ChrisA]

It's a Sony Stereo mini system. It comes with surround speakers and has a subwoofer output also.

For $350 you can start on a "real" stereo system:

Two of these speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290271

One of these power amplifiers
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PAMP1000-Channel-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B002UL0XH2/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1407343207&sr=1-4&keywords=audiosource

If you care about the sound just ignore subwoofers, sound bars, anything made by Bose and anything in a plastic case. The above gear will never go out of style or become obsolete. And it fits your budget. There are other products like these by other brands. and the amplifier is sold under some other brand names.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

For $350 you can start on a "real" stereo system:

Two of these speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290271

One of these power amplifiers
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PAMP1000-Channel-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B002UL0XH2/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1407343207&sr=1-4&keywords=audiosource

If you care about the sound just ignore subwoofers, sound bars, anything made by Bose and anything in a plastic case. The above gear will never go out of style or become obsolete. And it fits your budget. There are other products like these by other brands. and the amplifier is sold under some other brand names.

Well I think I'm gonna go with these.

Receiver:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/ottawa/sony-6-1-surround-sound-reciever/1006773444

Either bookshelf or towers from this guy:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/ottawa/psb-speakers/1008686172

Still looking into Subs.

 

[ChrisA]

Well I think I'm gonna go with these.

Receiver:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/ottawa/sony-6-1-surround-sound-reciever/1006773444

Either bookshelf or towers from this guy:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/ottawa/psb-speakers/1008686172

Still looking into Subs.

Get the Towers. This is a good deal.

Sub is useful for movie sound tracks and games. What car crashes and explosions Not so much for music.

 

[Irishman]

Well I think I'm gonna go with these.

Receiver:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/ottawa/sony-6-1-surround-sound-reciever/1006773444

Either bookshelf or towers from this guy:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/ottawa/psb-speakers/1008686172

Still looking into Subs.

PSB makes phenomenal speakers. Consider Hsu, SVS, and Outlaw Audio for the best performance value in subs.

For an AV receiver, Sony makes solid ones, but make sure you get one that is either 5.1 or 7.1, not 6.1. 6.1 is not a supported format, and hasn't been for a good half decade.

Hope that helps .