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| $569.99+ $26.49 *Shipping | Used
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| | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 41 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
112 of 115 found the following review helpful:
 Great Sound, Small Footprint, Huge Upgrade from Series II Aug 25, 2008
By J. Siegrist
I bought this late August '08 from a Bose store (prices fixed at $1k at all stores right now). First off, it is 2 speakers that fit in the palm of your hand, and a somewhat large woofer that can be put out of sight (e.g., behind TV cabinet). Sound is amazing given it's only 2.1 speakers. System does an okay job at filling the room with sound (I don't think it's fair to say it seems like there really are rear speakers, but the sound is for sure big and full), but it does deliver all 5.1 channels of sound through the 2.1 speakers when listening to those sources - awesome. Big + for me is that music sounds really good - not always true on home theater systems. Unit is easy to use and set-up - onscreen menus straight forward, and universal remote really is universal (including my cable box). Upconverting of DVD picture looks great. Sound from TV and DVDs is amazing (especially digital 5.1 sound from HD channels).
Now, for the cons: I wish it served as a video receiver as well - it does not. Example, this means when I watch cable I need to turn the TV on to cable video input and set the Bose to cable audio output - not a big deal but a bit annoying. There is only 1 optical audio input (which you can assign to any available source), but digital coax inputs are there for all sources (sound and signal for optical vs. coax digital audio is the same, differences heard are people playing vodoo). There is a bit of a sound delay when switching sound sources or when changing cable channels (~0.5-1 second) before the sound starts again.
Lots of people knock Bose because they are expensive. Well, Bose really does have superior speaker (always have) and now digital processing technology - look into it yourself, don't just trust reviews online from random people (such as myself). But, you should take a trip down to a Bose store or Best Buy and listen for yourself. And bring a full band audio CD to listen to of your own (the Dave Matthews acoustic demo they always play is stupid - acoustic guitar sounds good even on crappy speakers).
If you have the $$ and don't want to hassle with 5.1 speakers, at least give this some serious consideration.
Another note: I shelled out another $100 for the overpriced speaker stands (floor stands), and did notice a slight increase in quality as the speakers can spread out their sound a little better (as opposed to my previous set-up where they were on the edge of a shelf).
41 of 41 found the following review helpful:
Worth Every Penny (All 100,000 of them) Mar 26, 2009
By Corey J. Robinson
"Researchoholic"
Being skeptical of such an expensive purchase, I really worked this thing over once I got it to make sure I was going to keep it. It did not take long to find out that it can't be beat. For such a simple system I was amazed at the performance. Let's start with the good: Very stylish, compact, and super easy to set up. The set-up I did was not your standard set-up either. I took advantage of running optical audio from my cable box (good idea) and I use the HDMI output to a 37inch LCD. I did not want all of my sound to always have to go through the unit so I had to use a few more wires. The sound is absolutely unbeatable for the size of system. If you are a sound junkie like myself you will appreciate the clarity and reality of the reproduction. Music is concert-like, DVD's play like you are in a mini-theater. People that do not like the sound of Bose generally like a lot of unnatural bass and Bose refuses to give in to that fake noise. I replaced a high end Sony 5.1 system with this for aesthetics and am kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The sound is now simply way better at all volume levels. Even 2.0 sound sounds better through these tiny speakers than they did with my old system. Now for the not so good: You need a fairly recent and not so cheap universal remote if you want to control this thing. Unless you don't mind the remote it comes with which claims to be universal but I found otherwise. The aqua display of text on the front of the unit can detour your focus when watching the TV screen. There is no equalizer if you wanted to create a different sound other than the Bose standard. Sometimes I want that cheesy bass although it pumps out plenty. Lastly, you almost need to use the optical audio connection to ensure full volume control. Without it you have to turn up the volume for different applications. I use the optical so I have no complaints. Before I go, I just want to let you know that if you want a small system that can fill your room with rich authentic sound then you are on the right track with this system. You can put a pretty nice system together for the price of this thing but what for??? 3 wires and you are done and have the best sound money can buy.
52 of 59 found the following review helpful:
 Good not great Jun 06, 2009
By MrAceJD
I just bought a Series III Bose 321 system. I have it connected to a Samsung 46 inch 1080P HDTV.
I wanted to run my cable box, Sony PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Apple TV through the Bose 321. The only way to do this without having to change wires non-stop is to run the digital optical audio cable from the TV to the Bose system, giving you PCM 2.0, not Dolby 5.1. There is a noticeable improvement over performance from just the TV speakers alone, but nowhere near as good a a direct 5.1 connection.
I wish Bose had more optical audio inputs.
Also, I wish they had a Blu Ray instead of a regular DVD player in the system.
Like I said, good but not great...
19 of 21 found the following review helpful:
Great Sound !! Expensive but worth the $$!! Dec 09, 2008
By Furman Walter
I just purchased the Bose 3.2.1 GS Series III last week. Looked at several other systems but realize you always "get what you pay for". THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! You must cut TV speakers volume up(although you will not need them) and VERY,VERY IMPORTANT you must use either the optical or coaxial connection from Cable Box to the 3.2.1. I was ready to return the unit because of not enough sound volume. In fact, I had it backed up to return the next day. Then I thought, Bose is to good of a product to have this problem, so I unpacked and set up with the OPTICAL digital cable and BINGO!! What a product!! Sounds better than my old true surrond sound unit a(Sony) I purchased eight years ago. I would recommend this unit HIGHLY. Never owned Bose but their reputation out did itself. The small system looks "nifty" and MY what a sound!!! Spend the extra BUCKS and Get ONE!! fkwalter
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
 Fantastic sound except the quality problem Feb 09, 2010
By buxton
"bhux"
I been using the the system for about 6 weeks mainly for movie, TV and gaming. The sound is great so far and I am satisfy. The 2 small speakers able to provide the surround sound feel and the bass is good. Thats amazing. This system does what it advertise. Some people say this system is not loud enough, but I would say it does have enough sound with reasonable/good quality.
However, This is my second system because the first one was not working. It shut off randomly. The build quality is very cheap for the main unit. FYI, the inside component just a regular computer DVD rom hook up with a media motherboard.
I got it for a great discount so that I don't complaint at all. But for the regular price $999, I guess I will go for something else.
For a thousand dollar system, it should add some option, like extra optical/HDMI input and "Blu ray".
Overall, The sound is fantastic and i enjoy it. But Just make sure you got the working unit.
Pro
Very easy to setup, just plug and play.
Good surround sound feel (consider this is not the real 5.1)
Enough bass
Good sound for movie and gaming.
Con
Cheap built quality on the speaker and the main unit
The sound of mid and high range is clean but could be better.
It shut off randomly.
Only 1 optical input (big mistake)
No HDMI input
Option for sound adjustment is very limit.
Missing Blu ray.
See all 41 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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