I currently own a Bose Acoustimass 5.1 setup. While I am pleased with the sound, it seams to be missing something, especially in the center (most important) speaker. We are putting together a home theater and we've had these speakers for several years so I decided to keep them and install them using wall mounts, etc. It really "looks" great, but the sound is what's most important. In another forum, someone recommended the Aperion 422 5.1 system as a comparable (price wise) setup to the Bose that I have. But they said it will sound tons better. I can't just purchase an Aperion for the 30 day trial as the speaker wire is currently setup to go to the Acoustimass Bass Module (like all Bose systems do) and then to the receiver, an Onkyo DS 595 (100w/per). I am looking at getting the Onkyo DS 702 (Also 100w/per, adds THX and component switching) so driving the speakers won't be an issue. I am solely concerned about the sound/price/value balance. We have speakers. Bose. In order for us to purchase an Aperion (or any other one for that matter), it would have to be a clear and obvious improvement to all that will be hearing it in our theater in order to make it a worth while investment for us (building this theater is already stretching at the budget). We love the small size of the Bose, but understand now that is also one of their main drawbacks to their ability to produce a full range of sound. I've heard and read all the Bose bashing elsewhere so please don't do it here. I am searching for some advise and guidance on this and I thought who else should I ask but the people at Aperion and those that use them. I hope someone has been able to compare Aperion's system to Bose's. The 422 is in our price range, but if it just won't cut the butter for some serious movie watching, then we may be able to get the next step up piece by piece. By the way, the room is about 14' wide (with sloped in ceilings on the left and right side as this is a room over the garage), and 17' long. Ceiling at it's highest is about 9 or 10 feet. Thanks for reading my long post. I look forward to your input.

First off, I'm glad to see a former Bose customer who is interested in something different from what Bose offers. The only Bose buyers that I know would never be willing to admit that their speakers might not be the best thing in the whole entire world (my GF's father is guilty of this and whenever it comes up I bite my tongue).

Secondly, because I do know people who use various speakers from Bose, I have some experience with them, although I have never experienced the Acoustimass system except in the "box store" displays - And lets face, nothing sounds good in those displays.

The Bose products I have experienced include the 3-2-1 DVD system, the Quiet Comfort headphones, a pair of the "cube" speakers matched up with one of their subwoofers, the Wave Radio and the larger (and ridiculously expensive) Wave Music system, and an older version of their bookshelf speakers.

To be completely honest, I have never been impressed with any Bose product that I have looked at, used, etc. I have done several direct comparisons with similarly priced products in the many home theatre stores that sell Bose, and, in my opinion, the Bose speakers never perform as well as their compe****ion. Whether it be detail, imaging, overall sound quality, or build quality, I know of many speaker comanies that do all these things better than Bose.

Now, on to Aperion-

I currently own 2 products from Aperion and I do intend to purchase more in the future. I have been nothing less than impressed with their products- 

• The build quality rivals speakers that are twice as much, if not more, money.
• The sound quality is as good, if not better than, speakers costing twice as much and more.
• And the customer service is quite possibly the best in the business.

Hopefully this will help you in your decision.

You really can't go wrong with Aperion.

Matt, I have never owned a Bose product, but I have heard the demos in their showroom. A friends father also owns a similar system to what you own. Basically for the same reason, he wanted small speakers in his LR, and for Home Theater, they were enough for him. He has a sperate system for music already. Well, I brought him to the HE showroom this year to hear the 422 system and he was blown away at how much more he could have gotten for his money and at close to the same size. He has gone on to recommend the 422 system to several of his friends at work considering Bose. I think you WILL notice the difference, in both music and HT presentation! I would recommend the 422 system over Bose anyday, but I think my father's friend, being a Bose owner recommending the 422's after hearing them speaks even louder. I have a pair of 422's in a LR set-up and am amazed at the sound they produce for their size and price.

 Matt,

 I also have no direct use of Bose but I will say that I am really surprised at just how much sound the 422's put out. Aperions subs are also a great booster for these speakers and make a very good blend with them. The main thing I wanted to point out however is that with the 422 set up it would make upgrading in the future much easier. Get the 422's for now. Later down the line you could easily add a couple of Aperions other speakers and go for a 7.1 or move a set of 422's to a second zone. You could also take advantage of Aperions 1 year full value trade up program. Couple that with free shipping, free speaker wire, an SPL meter and hands down the best service I have gotten from a retailer you cant go wrong!

Hi there, u guys r sure lucky in the US.  Even if i wanted to buy Aperion speakers, i could not as there r no representative here in Singapore.  Furthermore it does not make sense to order it directly from Aperion due to the high shipping cost.  Really envy u guys sometimes.

Matt..dont even hesitate..im running the 422s in a 7.2 setupwith a yamaha rxv-2500..unbelivable sound from a small package..and these guys are the best!

Matt...my first post so I'll apologize up front for the length...I too have all Bose speakers....VCS-10 center, double cubes for fronts, model 21 bookshelfs for rears, and a Cambridge Soundworks Bass Cube 8 powered sub(Acoustimass module is in the closet). I just ordered the new Yamaha RX-V2600 receiver, which necessitates upgrading my speakers as well.  I have significant hearing loss in my right ear and I really struggle with dialogue with the Bose set-up.  Everything I have read about Aperion makes me think these speakers may really help with my problem.  I hope the 533-VAC center is as good at producing clear dialogue as I believe it will be....because of the new receiver, I'm limited as to what I can spend on speakers, so I haven't decided for sure what to put with the 533 and the 10" sub....any thoughts on the 533 would be appreciated....

Thought I'd stop by to see if anyone had time to reply to my post and I just have to say...thank you to all who did. But I also have to say...Darn! Since my last post, I gave the Bose setup another round with some fairly demanding movies and came to the conclusion that I was going to keep the Bose. I thought maybe getting the VCS-10 to use as a center would be an improvement over the cube center. I bought one a couple of days ago and the speaker is still in the box because of time, but I hope to have it up this week for a test run. I tell you what though, after reading your replies, I am on the fence once again. Obviously, I have no idea what I'm missing. Is ignorance truly bliss? I know the Aperion guys and gals probably cannot come here and say "sure, our stuff is better then Bose!" so I guess there's not much more they can contibute. But if there is, please do. I want to make a wise decision. If I KNEW they would be the sonic marvel compared to what we are hearing from our Bose system, then it would be no question. The way I would be able to get this is by selling the receiver and speakers together. Then that would open the door to go for Aperion. Whew, big decisions.

Matt..go to remotecentral.com..see what the pros have to say about Blose..as they so call the company..snakeoil and mirrors..by the way..youre most likely thinking some of these posts are from aperion people..im not one..just a VERY satisfied customer..they are great to deal with..they have a REALLY nice product..get great reviews..and guess what..a couple of weeks after buying my system the CEO called me..just to chat about my experience with them..even if you dont buy these speakers..get rid of the Bose..you really DONT know what youre missing!

Matt-

I just wanted to add in that I was able to stop by Aperion's HQ yesterday while I was in Portland and give a listen the new speakers, including the 422s and 632s.

I can now honestly say that the 422 system will outperform your existing Bose system. The clarity and output of these speakers is exceptional for their size. Definitely more impressive than any other small speaker I have seen or heard.

Everyone is being as "diplomatic" as possible, but the reality is that Aperion speakers are of a MUCH higher magnitude of excellence than Bose. The strength of Bose is in their marketing, including the relationships they have forged with major vendors that allow their speakers to be mentioned highly and placed prominently at so many retail locations. Bose played a significant role in popularizing "satellite-and-subwoofer" combinations, but their sound really does pale in comparison to higher end speakers, such as Aperion. Dwain Elliott