Bose 161 Bookshelf Speaker System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Admittedly I'm a music lover, not a technophile. I'm more interested in Charlie Watts than I am in watts per channel. But my ear is well tuned and I know what sounds good. It would seem that there is some Bose backlash out there; perhaps in response to the Rolls Royce reputation it's carried through the years. I don't know, and frankly I don't care.
I will tell you that I bought my pair not as part of a surround system but as bookshelf speakers for my small home office and I couldn't be happier. They're attractive, have a low profile, and provide total range at all volumes. I tested them in the store with CDs that had lots of challenging highs, sizzling cymbals, that sort of thing. The definition was clear as can be. When you crank them up the sound holds together beautifully, no mud, no distortion. I find that solo piano is another good way to test speaker clarity, I went with The Koln Concert by Keith Jarrett and the results were mesmerizing.
As far as bass response is concerned, good grief, what's the fuss? Even at low volumes I can hear Mingus plucking the strings, when I listen carefully I can even hear him dropping ironic hints. As to the higher register, that's where the clarity of these speakers really shines, Stephanie Mills soars and swoops like an angel.
Then of course there are those irresponsible moments when I simply must blow off a little steam. Out comes the Coltrane, Ayler, Dolphy, Hendrix, Winter, Tower Of Power and up goes the volume. The desk toys start dancing because everything in the room is vibrating. Even then, these unassuming monsters deliver like tomorrow might never come. I've held minority opinions in the past and I'll hold another here, as far as I'm concerned these speakers are fantastic and actually under-priced.

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Enjoy rich, full sound from music or movies with this compact pair of sleek Bose speakers. Whether placed on a desk or bookshelf or mounted on a wall for use as surround speakers, these speakers are designed to deliver balanced, spacious sound with minimal or moderate amplifier power (10 to 100 watts per channel). Automatic protection circuitry keeps the speaker drivers from being overdriven, heightening the speakers' reliability without interfering with your listening.

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Bose VCS-30 Center/Surround - Speaker Package, home theater sound for component systems - Black Review

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(More customer reviews)For several years now I've enjoyed the use of these speakers, especially the VCS-10 center channel speaker which works wonderfully in conjunction with the receiver's settings to bring voices out and I've used the Model 100's as the front B speakers just to bring in some additional sound. The advertising here suggests using the Model 100's as rear/surround speakers, either way, these speakers are very good speakers and will work very well in whatever capacity you place them.
I've recently replaced all of the speakers on my primary system with the Bose Acoustimass 10 Series III Home Theater Speaker System and have moved these speakers to the secondary system in conjunction with a pair of Model 301 Series III speakers and another pair of Model 100's as the rear/surround speakers and have found this to be an enjoyable combination for this system.
All three of these speakers are magnetically shielded so you can go right ahead and put that VCS-10 right on top of your television set and it won't affect it any way. The Model 100's can be placed anywhere you desire to put them and Bose also manufactures wall/ceiling mounts for them which are very affordable and simple to install.
The VCS-10 Center Channel Speaker can also be purchased independently and is a highly recommended item for those, like myself, whose hearing just isn't what it used to be. This model definitely brings those voices out during those "low" moments in movies.
Overall, I'd highly recommend the VCS-30 II Home Theater Surround Set as it is an affordable solution to a desire for a quality set of surround sound speakers and serves as just another testament to the long history Bose and the quality that goes with that name! {ssintrepid}

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Wondering what all the surround-sound fuss is about? Now you can experience thrilling home theater sound easily and affordably without having to toss your existing stereo speakers. The Bose VCS-30 Series II speaker package features a center-channel speaker optimized for reproducing all critical dialog and music for your favorite DVD movies and Dolby Digital-encoded HDTV soundtracks, as well as a pair of matched surround-sound speakers (left rear, right rear) to deliver the discrete ambient sound required of an enveloping home theater surround system.
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Bose 161 Speaker System (White) - ideal for stereo or home theater use Review

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(More customer reviews)We bought several pairs of these 161 speakers when they were first introduced a little over a year ago. We use one pair for the surround speakers in our theater system, and a pair in each of the other rooms of our home.
Although we are longtime Bose fans, we decided to audition these in an audio store as we had been disappointed in a Bose center channel speaker we had purchased previously, (based on reputation, we didn't listen first!). We were favorbly impressed in the store and have been very pleased with them in our home. Regardless of room decor, the speakers produce clean, stereo sound. (Its possible to identify orchestral instruments and their location!)
These speakers are very linear above 80-90Hz, to the audible limits. They drop off rapidly below about 80Hz. Bass frequencies are adequately reproduced for orchestral music but will need to be augmented for heavy bass or special cinematic effects. (sub-woofer)
These speakers are intended to be wall mounted and are easily installed with the included brackets. They do not sit well on a shelf!

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Enjoy rich, full sound from music or movies with this compact pair of sleek Bose speakers. Whether placed on a desk or bookshelf or mounted on a wall for use as surround speakers, these speakers are designed to deliver balanced, spacious sound with minimal or moderate amplifier power (10 to 100 watts per channel). Automatic protection circuitry keeps the speaker drivers from being overdriven, heightening the speakers' reliability without interfering with your listening.

Click here for more information about Bose 161 Speaker System (White) - ideal for stereo or home theater use