HomeElectronicsAudio & VideoTVs & HDTVsBy SizeBose® CineMate® GS Series II Digital Home Theater Speaker System |
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| $669.00Shipping Free | Used
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| $690.00+ $20.49 *Shipping | Used
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| $700.00+ $28.49 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | |
| $715.00+ $20.49 *Shipping | Used
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| New | |
| $799.00 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00+ $20.49 *Shipping | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.00+ $38.93 *Shipping | New | | |
| $799.95Shipping Free | New | | |
| $799.95Shipping Free | New | | |
| Used | |
| $600.00+ $20.49 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | |
| $635.00+ $20.49 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | |
| $669.00Shipping Free | Used
- Mint | | |
| $669.00+ $20.49 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | |
| $690.00+ $20.49 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | |
| $700.00+ $28.49 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | |
| $715.00+ $20.49 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | |
| | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 64 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
257 of 260 found the following review helpful:
 Simplest and Best 2.1 System! Dec 14, 2009
By CM
"CM"
I did extensive research before purchasing the Bose Cinemate GS II Series; but before I start my review I have a quick comparison to share by comparing a $300 panasonic system to the Bose Cinemate GS II: I previously owned a panasonic 2.1 system with built in up-convert DVD player which recently broke (lasted about a year). Sound quality on the Bose Cinemate GS II is markedly better than the panasonic system! Plus my audio system is not tied to a standard DVD player. I should have bought this first--instead of being $300 behind the curve than if I just bought the Cinemate GS II to begin with. Just though I should share that in case you are trying to justify the cost.
REVIEW--Info I discovered during my research and since owning for 3 months: I listened to the Cinemate II and the Cinemate GS II side by side in the store, both using the Toslink (digital optical audio) connection and also with the Component (analog audio) connection while watching an action scene from Kung Fu Panda in both BluRay and regular DVD. To me, the Cinemate GS II's sound was clearer and also sharper (crisper highs and clearer mids like with voices). The Cinemate II sounded great too (a lot better than the panasonic), but the sounds tended to be more muddled in the mid-to-high range (as compared to the the Cinemate GS II). But for $200 less and if your ears don't mind the difference (or can't tell the difference) then the Cinemate II is the better bargain. Also, the Cinemate GS II has the universal remote, but I don't use it ( I use a logitech Harmony Universal Remote). The Cinemate II remote has volume up/down, mute, and power on/off. The Cinemate GS II remote has quite a bit of features (a lot actually), and it feels good in your hand; but if you really want one, they are available from Bose for $30.95.
Other good to know info: You can connect both the Toslink and Component audio into the interface module at the same time. The interface module will automatically default to component audio unless there is an active Toslink connection (an active Toslink connection will always override the component audio). What does this mean? I have my DishNetwork receiver connected to the interface module via the component connection for watching TV--this is how I normally use the Bose Cinemate GS II (sounds great by the way). I then have my BlueRay player connected to the interface module via the Toslink connection. When I want to watch a movie, all I have to do is power on the Blueray player and the Bose Cinemate GS II will automatically use the Toslink connection (overrides the component audio). When I am done watching a movie, I power off the Blueray player and the Cinemate GS II automatically switches back to my TV audio. Of course the Toslink audio is the better of the two, but with only two connections available I had to compromise (plus my TV has no Toslink out--which would have been the preferred solution). The interface module works exactly the same whether you have the Cinemate II or the Cinemate GS II. Also, there is a Bass adjustment knob on the Acoustimass module, so you can turn it up or down to your preference. Sorry there are no other manual adjustments that you can do to the Bose Cinemate GS II.
Room filling sound: I have the Bose Cinemate GS II in my living room which is pretty big and it opens directly into the kitchen; total size is 20x60. Despite the room size, and even at a pretty low volume, I can easily understand a TV shows conversations because of the crisp and precise audio reproduction. I use to watch with closed captioning (so the TV can volume can stay at a normal level), but now I have turned closed captioning off.
Even at max volume (watching GI Joe), it was very very loud and the whole house was shaking, but the system did not distort at all--in almost disbelief it seemed to sound even better and clearer. I think that is attributed to the Bose TrueSpace technology which is used to covert 5.1 audio into a 2.1 system; the louder it got, I guess, the more the TrueSpace seemed to kick in.
Despite my acclaim for this system it is pricey; but, it sounds great, it was very easy to setup and it has the Bose 5 year limited warranty on the speakers. However, no matter how much a 2.1 system is touted as a possible replacement for a 5.1 or even a 7.1 system, in my opinion there are no 2.1 systems that can truly replace a 5.1 or 7.1 system. But if you don't like running wires and want a minimalist system with superb sound then I strongly recommend the Bose Cinemate GS II; or if budget minded, or can't discern the audio difference, then the Bose Cinemate II is a solid 2nd choice.
205 of 224 found the following review helpful:
 Save $200 and buy the Bose Cinemate Series II Dec 03, 2009
By Nicholas Taylor
Please note that my rating is purely based on price to value (not the actual sound quality which I believe is a 5 out of 5)... If you're considering the purchase of the new Bose CineMate GS Series II system please note that you might want to save some money and go with the earlier version, The Bose CineMate Series II system. I've been researching both systems for several days and have been trying to figure out how much better the new GS version is. After finding very little information online that compares the new GS version to the older version I finally decided to pick up the phone and call Crutchfield. They told me that the only difference between the two systems is that the newer version has smaller speakers and a universal remote... other then that there's really no difference except the price. The subwoofer is exactly the same size, it's only the main speakers that are different in size. The older version main speakers are (3-1/2H x 7-1/2W x 5-1/4 D) and the newer GS version has (2-1/2H x 5-1/2W x 4-1/8D). I was in my local Best Buy store earlier today to get a preview of the older CineMate Series II system and WOW does it have a great sound! Unfortunately they don't carry the newer version so I couldn't do a side by side comparison. It's hard to find good info on the new GS Series so I thought I'd throw in my two cents for others currently in their research phase. So in conclusion, if you don't care about slightly larger speakers and don't care about the universal remote then save yourself some money and go with the CineMate Series II system.
71 of 76 found the following review helpful:
excellent 2.1 system Nov 21, 2009
By J. Curran
I bought this system for a bedroom AV setup. I live in a townhouse and my bedroom is shaped in a way that will not neatly or economically accomodate a 5.1 or 7.1 system. I also decided that I wanted the biggest TV screen that my room could accomodate and therefore needed small speakers that would fit neatly below my HDTV. For a situation such as mine, this system is amazing. I give it 5 stars because I am comparing it to other 2.1 systems with small sized speakers. It's not truely fair to compare this with a system composed of a high powered receiver, 7 large speakers and a powered sub. It's not meant to fill the needs of a large family room or mini in-home movie theatre.
The down side of this system is that it is high priced for what you get. You really should only consider the Cinemate GS II for a situation such as mine where space is at a premium and therefore options are limited. Unlike the Cinemate II, the Cinemate GS II does provide rich sound and ample bass. It also does NOT require a stereo receiver so you will save that cost.
Initially I was hesitant to buy a Bose system because I've always heard the criticism that Bose lacks Bass and sounds rather hollow. I went to the Bose store to listen for myself and discovered where those criticisms come from. You must be careful with Bose products. Some sound great while others are over-priced, mediocre sounding junk. The Cinemate II (NOT GS II) is a perfect example of what gives Bose a bad name. My TV's built-in speakers produced better sound.
So, in conclusion, if you are a discriminating, high-income audio/videophile with a large home, this system will disappoint you. If you live in a modest sized home with limited space and want a compact system that delivers surprisingly rich audio, the Cinemate GS II is hard to beat. Best advice is to shop around and let your wallet, your ears, and your space constraints be your guide.
31 of 31 found the following review helpful:
Excellent Sound Jul 24, 2010
By J. Hodges
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.)
40 of 43 found the following review helpful:
 Won't output any DTS content Mar 13, 2011
By B. Kemper
Pros: Remarkable sound from Dolby 5.1 sources. Easy to install if you have an optical digital output from your HDTV
Cons: Won't decode any DTS-ES or DTS-HD signal, the latter being the most common for Blueray discs. You must step down DTS sources to PCM, losing most of the 5.1 mix and ALL of the magic this system offers with Dolby-encoded content.
I experienced the Cinemate system at both Best Buy and at the Bose store in our local mall. Best Buy used the Bose propriety demo disk. The Bose store used the Blueray disk of Toy Story 3. What the Bose employees didn't tell me was that they had changed the settings on their BlueRay player output to PCM to allow it to be played by the Cinemate system. Most BlueRay discs are coded in DTS-HD. This system will not play any DTS content.
It took me a while to figure out what the issue was and a call to Bose's tech support confirmed that Cinemate systems do not support any DTS content. They said I would have to step down the output to PCM. I did this and then compared the Balin's Tomb scene from The Fellowship of the Ring using Dolby 5.1 and the DTS-ES choices in the film's menus. The difference was devastating. The Dolby 5.1 sounded rich, with all the proper echo and sound effects. The DTS output sounded flat, had no separation of the sound effects and might as well have been coming out of my TV speakers.
If simply want to get great sound from Cable or Satellite HD content (all broadcast in Dolby 5.1 or less) this is great system. If you want to use the system with a Blueray player, don't buy it.
See all 64 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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