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Bose CineMate Home Theater Speaker System Review

Real Bang For The Buck

"To date this system has been blasted by quite a few but my opinion...reasonable expectations required.

For a "home theater in a box" (HTIB) type solution the CineMate certainly sounds better as a 2.1 system than many under $1000 5.1 systems out there. Setup is easy and the sound quality is quite pleasant.

I challenge any critic of this system to compare the build quality and performance of the CineMate bass module to the cheap, poorly built, so-called subwoofers shipping with most HTIBs under $1000...or for most under $500 sub-woofers for that matter (the list price of the CineMate which includes bass module, 2 satellites, amplifier, remote control and cables!).

Rap on most under $1000 HTIB speakers and you'll hear obvious vibrations and resonances from the speaker cabinets. Not so with either the Bose bass module or the satellite speakers. They're well made, heavy and well damped, something that can't be said for most HTIB speakers.

Another unique feature of the CineMate is the virtual surround. While granted, certainly no match for a well made 5.1 system (a system well exceeding the $500 list price for the CineMate) for smaller rooms, bedrooms and apartments, the surround effect can be quite pleasant and even surprising at times, extending the sound-field well out to the sides of the speakers.

I also dare most critics to compare the amplifier output of the CineMate versus other HTIBs as well. Sound pressure levels far exceed reasonable levels for my applications and distortion seems very low, again something that cannot be said for most HTIBs.

Complaints? A few. The so-called universal remote, while well made, and very intuitive (again a plus versus the cheap, confusing, less than intuitive remotes included with most HTIBs) is certainly less than universal.With no remote learning capabilities (and no means to add new codes based on my research) this was my first letdown.

Also, unlike other Bose lifestyle systems of which I'm familiar, there are no tone controls, balance controls, bass/satellite level controls or cinema bass/music bass adjustments available with the CineMate.

While I suspect the reason is to keep things simple, I bet many of the sound quality complaints by others could be overcome by simple treble and bass adjustments.

Related, being able to shift volume balance left our right when sitting off-center, or when speakers cannot be positioned exactly equidistant (as is the case in my space) would be a welcome feature as well.

Finally, a little expandability beyond a single pair of input jacks would be a nice option (and since we're talking about wishes, a digital input wouldn't hurt). Having connections for a TV and iPod (or other MP3 player or device) for example would be nice.

Based on the design of the system...using an external input/IR remote breakout box connected by cable to the main bass unit, it seems providing as an extra-cost option a multiple input/IR (and for that matter an IR/RF remote receiver as well) would be helpful.

Right now to accomplish something similar you either must route your iPod through a TV input (as I have) and use your TV inputs to switch to the iPod, use an inexpensive switch box (available at Radio Shack for example) or use a pre-amplifier to do switching duties (thus creating additional complexity with multiple remotes, potential impedance matching issues and obvious expense).

In closing, I have absolutely no regrets...as I approached the CineMate with reasonable expectations.

I purposely chose the CineMate as I did not want the complexity of running 5.1 wires throughout my space and the poor bass response from cheaply built 5.1 speakers.

I suspect if you approach the CineMate with reasonable expectations as well, you'll agree that it is a well built, pleasant sounding system that does indeed sound better than your TV speakers or comparably priced HTIB."