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(More customer reviews)Here's my background in music and home theater. At one point I had a home with a 'music room' (isolated front room - no TV) which contained some nice furniture and was spacious - about 20x17. Had KEF 105.7 speakers, a tube amp, a good preamp - and it was great to just sit an listen to all types of music. It was a powerful system, pushing 300W (as I recall) into the KEF's. Then I moved and lost my 'music room' - but got a nice Sony DLP TV and added a Sony Home Theater, not a great one, maybe $500 total. This system was OK, but never really listened to it for music, it was just not the same as the KEF's. (Oh, these KEF's are floor standing, large speakers). They would totally dominate the room I have now, which is about 17x15. The Sony 5.1 system did OK as mentioned, but nothing to write home about. The other day I decided to do some research on the web on a new HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) system. Went to the Forums - all of them, and most had recommendations covering all sorts of pricing, and of course, it's what they purchased. Surprising to me, BOSE was not well thought of, and price always entered the equation. I had heard BOSE before in the BOSE store, and decided to check it out again. I went there, and they made it easy, a 60 day return policy, no questions ask. I took home a 321 series III GS (no music storage). I also got the small bookshelf speaker stands. Took me about 10 minutes to set it up in my bedroom and connect to the Flat Panel TV on the wall. I did not even open the manual to set up instructions, the cables only plugged in one place - can't get it wrong. Powered it up, and had music and TV via optical to Direct TV PVR. Wow, the sound was 'open' - and clear. So what does 'open' mean? The highs were powerful, the lows were the same - the voices were as if they were right in front of you. However, it was a bit to 'sharp' for me, so I cut down the Treble a bit and it was better. I lived with this for 3 days, and my wife loved it. Then I took the system to my 17x15 front room where the DLP is. Set the system up and I was immediately converted back to my KEF days - it was great. I sat and listened to all types of music - and I'm more of a Beatles guy leaning toward harder Rock, but Mozart even sounded great - the Juds - wonderful.. CCR was a new experience. A few days more and I decided I wanted the GSX, so I could store music - I called the BOSE store, told them want I wanted to do, they had a system ready for me, came to my car, got the old GS system, put the new one in my car, and I was off - after paying the difference of course. Brought it home, set it up and started burning my CD's - which takes about 5 minutes per CD - and you can only do 10 at a time as the system buffers these before writing to the hard drive. A few days more and I went back and bought my son one for Christmas - he's a great guy doing well in his new job (just graduated from College). Anyway, I now sit and listen to music a fair amount and enjoy it again.
As you have perhaps read, this system is not for everyone. The speakers are small - which was a plus for me - I've had the large ones, not what I wanted this time around. The two speakers sit almost hidden on a shelf, either side of the TV. The bass speaker is over against the wall, hardly know it's there. It's not 5.1 surround sound, but I rarely heard the Sony rear speakers before when playing music. Don't miss this - except for maybe on DVD's - but this is OK for me. Now, having said this, I am considering spending another $1300 and getting the Lifestyle 38 - but am waiting to see if I can talk my self out of this - it's a better system I think, but will I really notice? I don't know. I can use the $1300 elsewhere, but I have the money to spend so I may do it. I would recommend the 321 for a try, in your own home. I think you will see what I mean when you get it home and turn it on.
Merry Christmas '08
Scott
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12/20/08 So, I had to find out.. I went to BOSE and purchased a Lifestyle 38 - the next to the top of the line, with recording ability. I wanted to see the 5.1 system perform - and I did a comparison test, the LS38 speakers right on top of the 3-2-1 speakers. I set the LS38 to only play 2 speakers + bass, and did an A/B comparison - the same recorded song, switching back and forth. The same volume #, so it was close - and it sounded the same volume. Listening to the LS38 - it sounded good.. as you would expect.. then switched over to the 3-2-1 and it was better! This becomes a bit hard to define - if you were to put your hand in front of your mouth, maybe 1" away, and talk to someone, they could still hear you, and understand you. Now remove your hand and they perhaps hear you with more clarity. This is how I would explain the difference, the 3-2-1 with more clarity. I wrote BOSE about this and here is their response "If you purchased the new 3-2-1(R) GSX Series III system you have the latest Bose system." - this says little, perhaps they know the 3-2-1 sounds better? / different. You read into it what you want. This is not slamming the SL38 by any means, its a great system too - but I, my personal choice, is the 3-2-1 ; others I'm sure will take the LS38 - but for $1300 more than the 3-2-1 GSX, it's not worth it to me. (I would also say the 3-2-1 had more center 'presents' than the LS38, even running 4 speakers (3+1) on the 38
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