Bose Lifestyle 12 (PHASE 2) Review

Overall Rating

1, A1 cinema sound quality ( best I have heard by far )
2, Listening to music sounds just as good
3, Modern and sleek looks
4, Easy to use and setup

NONE

Since purchasing this system I have been more than satisfied with its all round performance, I did a lot of research on home cinema systems and found that nothing came close.
Bose has had very mixed opinions but personally I can not fault the lifestyle 12 and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Members' Comments onJames.Stevens@cw.com.'s Review

• John. on 19th May 2003

  I am an installer of home cinema, so I have had the opportunity to audition a fair cross section of home cinema products in the time I have been doing my job. While Bose are an inovative company,and pioneered the satellite/sub box idea back in the 80's, I cannot agree that their lifestyle approach to home cinema is THE best system going around. Sure, it has its merits,and as far as intergrating into modern living enviroments goes,it does that very well.
  As far as the review goes,James Stevens has submitted a very biased " advertisement" for his choice in Home Cinema, as I believe an honest and educated review should point out negatives as well as the positives, rather than just saying NO bad points just all good good good! ( I might as well have read a brochure from Bose!
  The Bottom line is, that Satellite systems using the single point bass source (Subwoofer)do have inherant disadvantages, especially when the 5 main channel speakers are very small in size...e.g..Bose lifestyle 35 system. I believe the inability of a main channel spkr to reproduce
  good levels of mid to higher band bass and mid frequencies, are incapable of placing sounds accurately around the listening enviroment, as the film producer intended. As frequencies get lower from midband (upper voice)..say 1kHz and lower...they gradually become monoraul..eminating from the one source..the subwoofer. Also the Subwoofer has to be a wideband design to accomodate these lower mid frequencies, which is a compromise, since the word "sub" really means a narrow bandpass design under150Hz or there abouts.
  (remember, the word SUB, refers to the SUBSONIC audio frequencies below our audible spectrum, which for most is 20-20,000. I have listened to a Bose Subwoofer box, without the Satellite "cubes"
  connected, and it sounds very mediocre...low and high midrange and various standing waves eminating from its port.
  On a last note..I must emphasise that the BOSE sound, overall is quite good.As good as it can be, giving the techniques they use, as I explained above. Its not Bose I am knocking, but rather the system (of Satellite speakers + a bass box}that so many manufacturers are using these days. It is much cheaper to produce , may I add !
  Regards, John Richards, Adelaide, South Australia.

• Compiler. on 24th Jul 2003

  Many people are having problems with this unit, which as a plus - it has a very easy setup, better than anything on the market.
  
  But the the problems of lock ups and software updates should not be part of such an expensive product.
  
  BOSE is known for their sound quality, which this unit delivers.
  
  But why by such a sub-standard DVD player? This unit does not include component output!
  
  You can buy a DVD player for 1/10th the price that have these standard features.
  
  I would think that a person who is willing to spend such large amounts of money for an A/V system would want the best.
  
  If you think of this BOSE as a great audio system with a DVD-option for a family room (Not a home theater room), this it is fine.
  
  Otherwise, for half the price buy a SONY or PANASONIC system which includes 6 speakers.

• Beeren on 29th Dec 2003

  Can someone please advise me what home cinema system i should purchase?
  Have around 1500 euro to spend!
  
  thanks
  
  M.Beeren