I use my old Bose Accoustimass 5 speakers (Bass module and two small satellite speakers on stands for each side) as my rear speakers for my home theater project. I use the Axiom M60ti as my front speakers and the VP100 center speaker. I have the Yamaha TVR1400 receiver. The Bose speakers can on occasion sound a bit tinny or like a small maraca shaking, likely because of its size. I am also using the Bose bass module in the rear. My question is whether I have made a good choice for rear speakers or could I get better sound replacing the Bose?

Welcome sparkybird! I think most will agree with me here if I say that you will definitely gain from an upgrade to say a QS4 or QS8. I've heard the Bose systems and they do OK. However, the sound quality from an Axiom Quadpole QS type speaker will give your movies more realism. In this case it's almost day and night. Keep in mind that I'm NOT bashing your Bose speakers they are fine for the average home theater. If you go with Axiom surrounds it will match the sound quality of the M60's that you already own. I think you would be in audio nirvana with QS4's or QS8's.

I bought Bose 901s series II in the late 70's. I think they were fine for their day and certainly gave me a very wide soundstage. However for Home Theatre I went with a pair of QS8s for my surrounds.

I have since sold the 901s and have zero regrets over parting with them.

I suggest strongly that you ditch the Bose and go with Axioms.

QS4 or 8 would make a world of difference. I am still amazed every time I hear them.

If your considering new surrounds, I would also highly recommend the Qs4's or Qs8's. I've yet not heard a better surround speaker. BOSE was good in their day, I also had some 901's in my college days, but I don't feel the current BOSE cubes are in the same league as Axiom's quadpolar design. In fact, I don't think any bookshelf or di-pole bi-pole brand of speakers can match the quality. Below is some results from my Axiom speaker polls on my website for the surround category. The polls have been running for 3-4 weeks, so I'm sure not all the Axiom owners have voted yet, but you can see the pattern...

QS2 (disc.) 1% (1 votes)
QS4 16% (27 votes)
QS8 82% (139 votes)
Non-Axiom Surround used with other Axioms 2% (3 votes)


Good Luck on your decision.

M60ti's VP150 EP350 4-Qs8's
Denon 2805
Sanyo Z2 Projector
Toshiba P.S. DVD
Samsung OTA HD receiver

Thank you for everyone's advice. I will probably get the Qs8's. The next question is do I use my Bose Accoustimass for the rear back speakers since my receiver allows 7.1, or will that be overkill in my 14' x 14' home theater room?

I think you will be amazed by the QS8's. I still catch my self looking around the room to see where a particular noise came from and it can be startling in a good way.
The 7.1 idea certainly wouldn't hurt to try. I would try it in 5.1 with the QS8's first then hook up the little cubes to see if adds or takes away from the desirable effect. As far as overkill, I think I'm the overkill king so any advice I have may be a little extreme. Honestly, I like to keep my system fairly basic and then add incremental changes.

Anyway, Good luck!


Tom

I can't comment on the Bose surrounds, not having really heard them. On the other hand, the QS8's are unreal. They don't so much surround as envelope you in great gobs of sonic bliss. You will "duck and cover" during war movies and get flat-out paranoid during suspenseful movies. At least I do. Then again, everyone on the boards here knows I can be a little twitchy...

bluestater- speaking of the "duck and cover" effect from the QS8's, i couldnt agree with you more..

if you are kinda into scary movies, go rent 'the others' with nicole kidman. there are scenes in it when you could swear you can hear things/people in your attic, and coming out of the walls. very good use of surrounds to create a very creepy feel to the movie. i highly recommend.

warning- movie starts a little slow, but gets very good.

bigjohn

As far as surround rears, I dunno. You could continue to use the Bose's there I suppose. Or you could look into the M2- or M3ti's for that purpose. The M3ti's especially get rave reviews for pretty much any use they are put to. I am considering them for my surround rears. Plus the sound would blend more seamlessly with the other speakers, giving you the true surround experience. Remember that you can return them within 30 days and get your money back. So buy 'em, try 'em, and I doubt you will send 'em back. The reason I suggest the M3's is that from what I understand you want directional speakers for the SB's as opposed to true di- or quad-poles for side surrounds.

Qs8 or Qs4 are great surround and rear speakers, but if you use Qs8's for the left/right surround, I'm sure it won't hurt to use the Bose for the rear channel, as there is not a whole lot from that channel anyway...

good luck

Oh yeah...try watching Master and Commander in 7.1 - this movie's DTS has AWESOME sound with plenty of use for Surround backs...I haven't tried the Dolby version...but WOW...

I've got the Denon 2803 with M60Ti front's, VP150 center,and QS8 surrounds. Since my setup is quite similar to yours, may I suggest that you stay with a 5.1 setup with the QS8's(most DVD's are still 5.1 anyway) and use channels 6 & 7 on the Denon to feed zone 2 and put the Bose set out on the patio. Better yet, sell the Bose set in a garage sale and use the proceeds to get a good set of outdoor speakers.