Bose® CineMate® GS Series II Digital Home Theater Speaker System
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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours (as of 6:19 PM CT - detail)
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- 2.1-channel speaker system with premium Gemstone® speakers, improved digital acoustic performance
- Designed to enhance the audio from your TV and existing video sources
- Universal remote controls system and most components connected to your TV
- Simplified setup, with only a few connections to make. Ideal for small- to medium-sized rooms.
Product Description
The Bose® CineMate® GS II speaker system is the easiest way to enjoy Bose 2.1-channel home theater performance and bring out the full audio potential of your HDTV. Proprietary TrueSpace® technology enables two Gemstone® speakers and an Acoustimass® module to deliver compelling sound for movies, games, sports and more. The system easily connects directly to your TV, avoiding the need to disconnect other sources. And with no rear speakers, there's no wiring to the back of your room. A programmable universal remote control simplifies operation of other connected sources.
A sound upgrade for your home theater needs
The CineMate GS II system represents a quality home theater upgrade to complement your HDTV. Two powerful Gemstone speakers flank your TV and put you in the middle of dramatic home theater sound. You'll experience a level of realism that simply cannot be matched by TV speakers alone.
A hideaway Acoustimass module provides the low frequency effects that make movies and games so compelling. It even includes dedicated bass control. Place the module in a corner or out of view--all the sound seems to come from the compact speakers. Together, the speakers and Acoustimass module provide full depth and clarity for your music, too.
Simplified setup
Setting up a CineMate GS II system is a quick exercise, with only a few wires to connect. It hooks up directly to your TV with minimal-if any-disruption to existing component connections. A small interface module houses your audio input from the TV and displays on/off status for your system. And it's all controlled with a programmable universal remote that works seamlessly with most video components attached to your television.
What's in the box
--2 Gemstone speakers
--Acoustimass module
--Interface module
--Universal remote control and batteries
--Stereo cable (6')
--Speaker cable (15')
--Optical cable (6')
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Comment:
I know a lot of people like to knock Bose. I've heard "no highs, no lows, must be Bose" and then I turn around and someone else is shouting how Bose only has lows and highs and no mids. I just went through several sound system attempting to find one I like. I wanted something simple and didn't care to have wires running everywhere so I canceled out surround sound. I went through many soundbar type systems and was disappointed to say the least.
I started researching these speakers online and found that the people who bought them liked them but others said they were no good just due to the Bose name. A person on one of the forums mentioned a soundbar system which I had previously returned as being comparable to these speakers yet nearly $500 cheaper. Now having owned both system I can laugh at that statement as there is no comparison.
None of the other systems came anywhere close to sounding as good as these. Crisp highs, loud vocals, rich mids, very deep bass. I have to turn the bass down on this system so things will stop shaking on the walls. You can feel the bass. On the system that these speakers were compared to, I could only hear bass if I had the volume maxed and I had my ear pressed against the subwoofer. Not even joking.
People who haven't owned a Bose system ever, or in the past several years, really need to stop bashing something they know nothing about. I will admit that maybe they are priced a bit high. However, you get a great sounding system and I'm not sure you could do any better at this price. I have heard speaker systems (receiver/speaker/subs) that cost over $1000 not sounding as good as this system.
My expectations were shattered by this system and I would recommend anyone who has the money to spend and wants a simple, elegant and great sounding system, to pick these up and the nice stands (~$800 at this time for both speakers and stands).
(I do not work for Bose, am not some Bose "fanboy" (this is my first Bose system), have never posted anything about Bose before anywhere.)
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Summary:
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Nice for TV/DVD, but not so much for iTunes and such
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Comment:
Bose products sound terrific. No questioning that. When you use products as they were designed, they're spot-on. So my only criticism of this system probably isn't exactly fair, but the system has no headroom at mid-to-high volume in such a way as to double as a stereo system per-se. Besides the learning remote, the other reason I upgraded to the GS is that it had RCA inputs in the back to jump in my iPhone. It works fine, but at mid-to-high volumes, like for a party or something, it sort of peters out. You can tell the headroom is missing and that there isn't much in the middle-range with respect to fidelity. It offers very crisp highs and warm lows, but no midrange to speak of and no truly thunderous bass. If you want a system that performs well in both arenas, you might be well advised to build a component system. For the record, I'm not unhappy, just a little underwhelmed.
The other criticism is really only a suggestion for Bose... If I have the optical connection hooked to my cable box and I want to watch a DVD, I have to move the optical connection from my cable box to my DVD player and back every time. It's sort of maddening. There must be a work-around for this that I haven't stumbled upon. In the future though, I would suggest that Bose add two (perhaps even three to account for ROKU type streaming device) optical inputs since most people run multiple sources.
Despite the negativity, I will say that this system is a HUGE improvement over the sound emanating from your TV speakers. And I love using just one remote now... the learning remote supplied with the system is quite intuitive and easy to set up. Lastly, the system is up and running within minutes of being unboxed. They've made it idiot proof. Nice job all around. Just make sure you're buying it for the right purpose and don't have unreasonable expectations. If you follow this advice and buy anyway, you'll be very satisfied.
Comment:
I did a lot of reading and researching before deciding on a 2.1 system. The Bose name was certainly a selling point and with their reviews, made it easier to decide on which system I bought.
The simple setup was easy and fast. The optical wire hookup on the module doesn't stay in like it should, and that is the only complaint so far.
The bass is very good, and I only have it turned up to about 30% for just the right amount for movies and music.
The system turns off automatically when there is no signal and that is a good thing.
The remote is easy to program (especially when the tech from Bose helps) and it controls all of my units. On the other hand, my Direct TV remote can control the Bose also.
I've only had this unit for a couple of weeks, but so far, I love it.
Comment:
My husband would not let me buy speakers for our house unless it was BOSE. The problem was that we don't have a Bose store here on the island. These speakers sound great but we are questioning the connection to the small box...it's loose so when we dust our TV stand, the connection comes out. We just plug it back in and the speakers work fine.
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Summary:
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expensive but excellent
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Comment:
Pricy but excellent. Ok, I think that there are probably many quality simmulated surround 2 speaker systems out there. I did not take the time to do source them so but I read a lot of reviews on available systems. First, be clear that a good 5.1 or higher system would do as well but I wanted the clean symplicity of a two speaker set-up on my 52" Sony XBR. I have had Bose speaker systems for many years and have never been disappointed in quality and reproduction. The system comes with a universal multi-componant remote (finally the Mute button on top row) but I have not used it but for control of the unit itself. Hook-up was easy and the sound is excellent of course. The system does a good job in simulating surround even in our large room with walls covered with pictures, tapestry hangings etc (hard reflective surfaces best). The powered bass unit pumped lows nicely. I knew the room posed challenges and thought Bose presented the preferred system off the shelf. Very pleased with the results. Like I said, you might do as well with another system but there is no doubt this one performs to standard.
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