My Dad has announced that he wants a Bose for Christmas. He says he has researched them (ie, he has seen their ads and infomercials...) and is convinced he wants one. Of course, I am not convinced. He is 85 years old and wants to listen to his music more often, which is great. I would like to try to convince him subtly that he can get way better sound for the same money with some Axiom bookshelves and a basic stereo receiver. He can use his dvd player to play the audio CD's. This is obvious to you and me, but I know it will be diffidult to convince him since he is believing in the magic of Bose.

It looks like I can get some M22's and a Sherwood Newcastle RX-770 receiver here for about $675. a little more than the Bose, but insignificant considering the upgrade.

Room size is large, probably 14 x20 or more, but the budget is set at $675. Bigger speakers are not an option regardless of room size.

So, do you guys see any better options than the M-22's and SN RX-770? Time is a factor also, as Christmas is nearing. I guess I am answering my own questions as I type, but I am just wondering if anybody has any different/better ideas in the price range?

M3's would be a less expensive option, and closer to the blose in size. My only concern would be this- older people generaly have hearing loss in the higher freq.'s , and 22's would would compensate slightly in that direction.
Your anti-blose argument can be the room is wayy to big for blose, and youd be right.

Unfortunately, your dad has drunk the "Kool-Aid" of Bose marketing which is basically what they are(a marketing company), not much more.

When people ask me about their products I basically mention two drawbacks to buying their equipment: 1. It is "gimmicky" and too expensive. 2.When has one ever seen any "reputable" A/V publication(internet or magazine) review their equipment? You would be hard pressed to find one.

That combination will be excellent.

Years ago Stereophile did a review on the 901s.

I would opt for the M3s if you're not going to have a sub in the mix.

Part of me thinks that if your dad, at age 85 wants a Bose system then by all means get it for him. In the end it should be about what makes him happy.

But what if he would be more happy with a system which sounds better?

Just because my grandmother was happy when she got a "free" cruise, doesn't mean we didn't reverse the charges on her credit card, and set her up with proper travel arrangements which in the end cost less.

Bose operates a scam which takes money from the uninformed and should be treated as such.

My Dad bought a Bose 3-2-1 system a few years ago, I did some FR sweeps and was astonished(not really) how bad they are, the Bass module plays alot of voices through it and the XO is around 250hz, luckily the system is now dead and I get to put a quality system in the house for them.

I think the M22s/SN would be a great system, just bump up the bass a few db to get the same sense of extra bass that the M3s create only with the extra clarity the M22s present.

I dislike Bose as much as anyone, but a big factor might be simplicity in comparison to a separate receiver and disc player.... and he may or may not want to admit that.

Anyone still make some nice-quality receiver/disc player combos as an option? Even if it's only 30 wpc or something, it would likely serve him just fine!

The M3's would be great for this purpose. I see on the axiom website they have 30% of their sherwood newcastle receivers with a purchase(s) right now.