Bose? Lifestyle? 12 Series II Home Theater System (White) (LS12IIWHT)

Rating:
Summary: OK, but .....
Review: I've wanted a Lifestyle system for several years, and finally found a system for less than...(it had been returned after one day and was heavily discounted). I brought the box home, connected the wires and boxes (very easy) and sat back to enjoy great bose sound. After several months of use, I can say that the system is OK, but not worth the cost (especially if you are paying retail). First, the quality of the materials is not that good. Cables and connectors are cheap and the music center is "brushed aluminum" - which is a nice way of saying painted plastic. Second, the system lacks features that are standard in other systems costing this much. DTS is a glaring omission. The system does not have enough jacks to accept all devices you may want to attach (VCR, DVD, cassette deck, turntable (a turntable requires an additional pre-amp). You also have to buy stands/mounting brackets (will cost another $120+). On the positive side, the CD player, radio and remote work great. Operation is a snap and the documentation good. The sound is OK. Not spectacular, but not as bad as some reviewers will have you believe. Bass is a bit muddy at times and highs are clipped. But the satellite speakers are clear and produce good sound in the mid ranges. I'm 46 and my hearing is good, but not as good as it was at 26. If you're younger or have 20/20 hearing, you may want to comparison shop before buying Bose. Sound distribution and crossover are a bit disappointing. Not the "big" movie sound I was expecting. Again, you may want to compare Bose with another system before buying.
Bottom line: not a bad system, but has average sound and many little flaws and annoyances. The marketing of Bose products in stores often makes it difficult to compare with other brands. Before you spend ...plus for this system (or another Bose product), I highly recommend comparing features and sound to make sure it fits your needs and is the best buy for your money.