9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Very good system but a few GLARING drawback
Date of Review: Aug 9, 2005
The Bottom Line: Excellent well worth the money. Be sure if you want to get into higher quality sound formats. There arnt many SACDs/DVD-Audio. But some SACDs are out of this world.
The system is very good in terms of sound. Standard CDs churn out very impressive surround sound, with its own 'Bose Sound Stage' decoding. Goes without saying for DVDs.
As all cubes are of the same high quality, the sound is extremely natural, even at high volumes. The base unit sends out amazingly low base, and the music is all around you. Once you listen to the system it is difficult to appreciate music from another cheap system.
You can store 200 hrs of Music on the built in HArd Drive. Though the quality is Good, it does not match the original CD.(As can be expected with any compressed formats). But it is convenient when you have guests who are musically demanding and your are too drunk to fetch the CD. Any way the sound quality difference does not matter when you are legless.
I have to mention the radio-controlled remote, where you could control all the other peripheral equipment (TV, Cable etc) without having a line of site from any where in the house.
The drawbacks are as follows,
1. Does not play SACD format audio CDs in full Dolby 5.1 (Only the CD Layer)
2. Does not play DVD audio format audio CDs in its full quality potential.
The most ANNOYING bit is, even if you buy external players, you cannot connect all 5.1 outputs. (I am resorting to drive the other channels through a separate amp)
If it did not have the above problems, this system would be one of the best All-in Audio and Video systems on earth.
If you are looking for a system, which will give you very good Audio as well as very good video and you, want it to be non-intrusive, this is the system for you. But if you are a person who wants higher quality audio formats (SACD/DVD-Audio) or want to connect 5.1 inputs (A game box for example), don't bother with the BOSE Lifestyle 38.
This is the feedback i got from my question to BOSE
"Mr Kariyawasan
Thank you for your e-mail. The Lifestyle 38 does not have a facility to plug in the individual channels of 5.1. You can however use the analogue audio input or the digital optical input, providing that your SACD player is compatible.
Roy Lambert
Spares/ Technical Services
Bose Ltd
1 Ambley Green
Gillingham Business Park
Gillingham
Kent
ME8 ONJ
United Kingdom"
Though Roy indicates that i could connect analog or digital output, I can only connect 2 channels to it. the other 3 channels and the Sub will have to go without hearing. I was listenning to the Blond on Blond - Dylan (SACD) album, and i cannot hear the channel where the voice is recorded.
But I am still well impressed with sound quality and the price I paid for it.
