Customer Reviews

BoseŽ LifestyleŽ V25 home entertainment system--Black

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I admit this system is pricey, and you are over-paying for the speakers it is still IMHO worth it. The interface is perfect and the bose system becomes your media center. One remote on radio frequency (that works through walls) controls my TV, DVR, BluRay, Ipod (on built in dock station) ... the unify system that makes set-up idiot proof and is a breeze to calibrate to the room. Plus the system is sleek and aesthetic. And the sound is phenomenal. Pricey, but worth it. You get what you pay for ... I am very happy with the purchase.

I just bought the V25 system last week. Here's a rather long review with points to consider...
The Good:
Setup is of the system is ridiculously simple - with guided instructions that show up on your TV and verify that you have everything connected correctly. Bose also includes a setup system called AdaptIQ that uses 2 microphones in place of speakers on a set of headphones (note: see "Bad" below). You wear them and sit in 5 different locations around your room while the system plays a series of test tones from each of the system speakers and the Acoutimass subwoofer. Then the system analyzes the readings and automatically sets up the system to match your particular room acoustics. It's smart enough to know if you haven't moved position between test tones, displaying on the screen "It doesn't appear as though you have moved since the last test, please move to another position" (or a message to that effect).

The same intelligent design goes into their remote control unit. The system guides you through setting up the Bose remote control (very solid - almost seems like billet aluminum) to take over the functions of all your other remotes. Anyone can do this - Bose really has machine/human interface and usability down to a finely tuned science.

All speaker wires are color-coded and marked for polarity at both ends. They have RCA audio jacks on one end and solder-tinned bare wires on the other. Speaker connections are made without tools by pressing a button while inserting the wires into the clearly marked holes. The rear speaker wires are 50 feet long - easily long enough to allow drilling through the floor and running them across your basement ceiling to the exact location you need in your room (assuming you have a basement). I had the entire system setup in about 90 minutes - including running the wires as described.

It's incredibly convenient to run every conceivable component, from Playstation, to iPod, to DVD, to Satellite or Cable TV, to Satellite radio, etc., all from the one Bose remote. When you press the "Source" button, a list appears on your TV that you can scroll through and the system switches to it. You have almost complete control of your iPod (I couldn't get to the iPod setup menu via the remote). Song titles appear on your TV screen. If the source isn't on or somehow got disconnected the system tells you how to fix it - right then and there. If your iPod is off, the system turns it on. It's incredibly intuitive to use. Bose effectively re-wrote the book on designing for usability. The remote is a radio-frequency remote so it doesn't need a line of sight to the unit and you can put the main unit in a cabinet or wherever. It works through walls. The remote also has a nice feature where you can temporarily turn on backlighting with the press of a button on the back, just above the battery cover (4 AA batteries, included). The only downside to the remote is that the buttons are a little too close together and the "Source" list disappears pretty quickly if you don't select from it (about 2 seconds or so). That beats some systems where informational banners or messages stay on the screen so long that you miss whatever it is you're watching (or worse, need to find the button in the dark to dismiss them).

The Bad:
In my situation and opinion, the V25 system has poor bass response at low volume. In order to get a good bass response, I had to turn up the volume to above 50 (on a scale of 0-100), which makes it much too loud for casual listening.

I have a set of Bose 901 speakers that I was hoping to somehow tie into the surround sound. 901s have incredible sound and the V25 system just doesn't match them for clarity and bass response. You can't tie them in. In fact, there are no other accessible audio outputs to the system than those for the 5.1 speakers (which originate from the Acoustimass subwoofer - the Acoustimass speaker is connected to the main speaker with a proprietary cable). I know, I know, additional speakers would destroy the surround sound effect. However, I would have liked to use the 901s in place of the rear direct/reflect speakers. The supplied speakers are very small and meant for mid and high frequencies. The system equalization sends very little bass to them, so the 901s can't just be connected in their place or you'd be wasting their awesome bass capabilities. Prior to buying the system, I spoke with Bose technical support and was told that I could expand the system to use the 901s, effectively getting simulated 7.1 sound. Great, I thought, that's what I'll do. However upon setting up the system, it was readily apparent that there were no other audio outputs to use. I called customer support again and the guy I got this time said that even if I bought the optional expansion kit, I wouldn't be able to use the 901s in the same room without getting a distinct echo effect. The expansion kit is meant to expand the sound in to other rooms as a separate system (i.e. listening to a separate source) - not as part of the same source audio.

AdaptIQ: If the bass response of the V25 system had matched the 901s, I would just use the 901s in another part of the house and leave it at that. However, after using the AdaptIQ automated equilization program, you are restricted from turning the bass up beyond +6. If you don't use the AdaptIQ setup you can turn the bass up to +14. Good, I thought, I'll just turn off AdaptIQ and turn up the bass via the "More" menu. Too bad. Once you run AdaptIQ you are stuck with the reduced settings and there is no way to manually turn the bass up past +6. To their credit, Bose offered to send me out a new system free of charge so that I could set it manually to suit my tastes. However, before doing that I had an idea while on hold with their technical support: re-run the AdaptIQ setup while covering the Acoustimass subwoofer with pillows and blankets. When Kevin the tech support guy took me off hold, that was also his suggestion. I tried it and it worked! The system hears less bass during setup and adjusts the middle setpoint of the bass gain to a higher level - allowing you to effectively turn up the bass. (I think it would have been simpler to just put a gain control on the Acoustimass module, or allow turning off AdaptIQ) In my opinion, Bose is so intent on keeping you from setting up the system "incorrectly" that they restrict the system too much to allow for individual tastes.

The Ugly:
I lied. There is no ugly. The system is beautiful to look at, use and listen to. I gave it a 4 because of the contortions I had to go through to adjust it to my liking. I've since ordered the expansion kit and am going to try using the 901s in the living room (same room) only for my serious audio-only listening with the main 5.1 system turned off.

Updated: 12-Mar-2011
I've since bought the Bose expansion remote (RC-35S2) to use the 901s in the same room as a second set of speakers. This requires me to use a separate power amp for the 901s, but I had one anyway and am simply using it. Now when I want to crank up the music I simply turn on the 901s and can nearly shake the plaster from the walls. I can also use these with the V25 5.1 surround sound without any noticeable echo effect - so perhaps the Bose technical support guy has better ears than me - I simply can't hear any echo. I'm all smiles these days and it's like listening to all my old music for the first time. Good thing it's winter and the windows are closed or I'd probably have the cops here.

Its powerful
Acoustics and Surround vibrates walls, spotlights
and your couch even at low volume.

Highly recommended!
Best home theater ever!

Why does Apple sell so many Ipads and Iphones? Simple...because they work. Bose is still the leader in home audio without spending $10K. This is my second Bose system. First was purchased in 2003. This V25 is a big leap forward. Unpack it, plug it in and it works. One remote runs everything. On screen display and control of Ipod, XM, DirecTV, etc. Wireless rear speaker option is great. Not sure what else you could want.

If you like music, go ahead and spend the money...you won't regret it.

I have had this set for a week and couldn't be more pleased. I agree with all the sentiments about the ease of setup , ease of use and the full and total integration of the whole system. Yes, it is pricey but I think you do get your money's worth. The sound is clear and in movies, the conversation comes through.
I am also pleased with the bass response. This may be due to the accoustics in my living room but I actually have had to reduce it from normal{which I found too heavy ) to -2. I found out that not using the rubber feet for the module helped increase the bass response. You just have to experiment.
I normally don't write reviews but I decided to put this out to help folks who cannot make up their minds bccause of the reviews of the so called audiophiles who know all the technical jargons. What I do now is turn on the sound from whichever source( cable,Ipod, FM radio, blue ray) and close my eyes. The quality of the output is IMHO outstanding.It doesn't need any technical jargon to describe it.
If you decide to get this,BoseŽ LifestyleŽ V25 home entertainment system--Black make sure you take the time to set it up for your own surroundings. If you do so you will be pleased.

There are some audiophiles out there who like to bash this system and say it's too expensive for what you get, but for most of us who can afford it the Bose V25 offers an excellent combination of performance, integration and ease of us. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The sound is finely calibrated, vocals are clear, and the bass isn't too heavy. The speakers are small, well designed and much more aesthetically pleasing than big speakers systems. And I especially appreciate the ease of set up and the ability to control everything through one system and one remote. The only drawback is that the remote can't control my Panasonic TV's streaming internet capability. Even so i would still recommend this system highly to those who can afford it.

This is the ultimate in compact home theater systems. It provides superb audio, has excellent switching for HDMI, and even has an iPod connector that allows you to play your audio and video on your large screen TV. It was easy to set up and even comes with a microphone for balancing your speakers (which it does automatically). I love it. It is worth the price!

Excellent product! arrived the same way i expected and sounded like i expected. If people are looking for a big bass in thier audio quality, then this is not the system to go for, however for clarity this is the best out there.

as the old saying goes you "get what you pay for" this unit is famtastic easy to install & what a sound i`m glad i dished out the money