About rickatk

@Dazman1963 wrote: Hello everyone, I am building myself a second Bose lifestyle system and was wondering if all the qube speakers have the same quality and sound. I did read this guys saying the redline cubes are the best. Can anyone shed some light on this as they all appear to look the same. If I want better quality which serial or model should I look for. Thanks in advance. daz     I am not familiar with the Red line (other than a couple YouTube videos) but they appear to be part of the reflected sound line and are larger cubes. The best speakers were always the smaller jewel cubes with the articulating speakers. Whatever you do make sure your speakers are correctly matched with the Acoustimass modules and consoles. ... View more

@jimgfitz wrote: Life is too short to be frustrated over such as this...     I agree. The whole Airplay 2 for SoundTouch rollout has not been stellar for Bose. Coupled with the new Smart Home line that is not backwards compatible make for decisions that do make the manufacture be insensitive to their loyal customer’s pocket book.   Unfortunately Bose is not the only company that carries out these practices and sometimes they have no choice. The upgrades can be so considerable that the software just can’t keep up.   I have always practiced “buy for the present”. I for one remain very happy with the SoundTouch line. My gear is serving me well and has given me listening pleasure and functionality for the foreseeable future. In addition to minor updates Bose has added customizable URLs for the radio section, more services such as Radioplayer and still has very good multiroom sound. I think better than Airplay 2.   Over the years I have bought and sold audio gear, sometimes only months after purchase, in search of that right combination of good sound and features. I went through a slew of products to land on a good wireless internet speaker system. Trialling Bose SoundTouch (series 1) and B and W which both had Airplay built in incidentally, that didn’t work so well. I also tried some mini receivers by Denon and Yamaha and powered speakers like AudioEngine all supplemented with an AirPort Express for Airplay. When I came back to SoundTouch (series 3) I coupled the speakers with AirPort Express. Apple Music was just launching.    Going forward I have a number of SoundTouch speakers. Fortunately I had already acquired Airport Express routers and that combination works very well. Built in Airplay 2 would be nice. But I am not going to lose sleep over the lack of the feature. Likewise I would like to see an upgrade patch that is backwards compatible to SoundTouch but that likely won’t happen. So I am going to be happy with what I have... a very good, moderately priced multiroom speaker system that has proven to be as functional as it is good sounding.   Apple TV and Airplay functionality is a good solution for AV sound bars like the 300 and 700 line. But for SoundTouch I recommend hunting down an AirPort Express, they are still around. Or sell your SoundTouch gear and move up to the Bose Smart Home line or move on to another brand if Airplay 2 is that necessary.       ... View more

@jimgfitz wrote:     Appears the ST 300 is back and available at the Bose.ca web site.   Maybe you should grab one.   Oh I know...and a pair of the 700 subs! ... View more

@JJDynamite6 wrote: Hi,    I know the ST speakers are discontinued, but I have a couple of questions.   1.  Will the ST speakers still work (and speak to each other for multi-room) after they aren't being supported anymore? 2.  Will there be a program to upgrade/trade-in to the current/upcoming speaker lineup?     The reason I ask these questions is because I purchased multiple ST speakers and spent a lot of money (to me) on them.  If the answer is no for both of these questions I would feel screwed.   I am happy with the speakers at this point.   Thanks for your help.   John   @JJDynamite6    There is no indication the SoundTouch line is being discontinued. In fact recent updates has seen additional streaming services like RadioPlayer added to the SoundTouch services lineup.  Other enhancements like custom URL tells me the SoundTouch line is alive and well. On the hardware side SoundTouch 300 bars are back on the store shelves as well.     ... View more

@Vicky_W wrote: Hello Ricktalk,    I am sorry but I do not have any information on when they will be back in stock at this time, I would urge you to keep an eye on our website.    Kind Regards,  Vicky W     Appears the ST 300 is back and available at the Bose.ca web site. ... View more

@lukejr wrote: Have been waiting years for AirPlay support, so hopefully you’re right and we’ll get it this month...       Airplay 2 comes in a variety of flavours. I access Airplay 2 on my SoundTouch Speakers using very reliable and good sounding Airport Express routers. I used to access Airplay via an Apple TV (series 3) connected to my Cinemate 130. Again, worked like a charm. Now, just to keep things interesting, I access Airplay 2 using my Samsung 8000 Series TV connected to my Cinemate 130...go figure!  I for one can’t complain. I am getting incredible mileage out of my SoundTouch purchases from sources I never thought would be possible.    None of the preceding is intended to diminish the obvious demand for built in Airplay 2 for the SoundTouch line. Going forward all these peripherals will become obsolete if Apple stays true to their projected trajectory.  That is, offering their services like built in Airplay, and Apple TV app to manufacturers willing to implement them.  Hopefully Bose will come through and include Airplay 2 for SoundTouch and all future lines. ... View more

@generalzod wrote: Just watched ENDGAME another film demo worthy to hear on your Bose gear.   The last flick I watched, Spy Who Dumped Me,  was fun albeit very predictable. A few funny parts indeed. The sound track was amazing and sounded great on my Cinemate 130 sound bar connected to my Samsung 8000 Series TV using ARC. The sound was crisp, clear and dispersive. For a virtual 5.1 system I don’t think it gets any better! ... View more

@hdow wrote: Jamie, I can't figure out what your response means.    If what you mean is that Bose SoundTouch models which have bluetooth capability can receive input from devices sending over Airplay 2, that's just wrong. In order for my iphone to send from Apple Music to my Wave radio, I have to go to Setting & connect via bluetooth. If Airplay2 were an option, the Wave would show up in Music as a device I can link to. But it doesn't.    But I sense that you mean something else - can you clarify?     Bose SoundTouch (series 3) with BlueTooth have been targeted for the Airplay upgrade. I don’t think the Airplay 2 feature is reliant on Bluetooth however. Series 3 with BlueTooth is a model identifier only.     ... View more

@jimgfitz wrote: @rickatk wrote: @Nars wrote: Hey guys!   was wondering if Bose pushed an update to support Dolby Vision on the LS600, just got mine and would be devastated if it’s already outdated :(   (Both my TV & Apple TV support Dolby Vision with a ton of Dolby Vision content out there)   Try plugging in your Apple TV directly to your TV then a single cable out to your LS 600 (TV port) via ARC. That is is what I did to get around 4K HDCP 2.2 etc. Now my TV handles the HDR and passes the Dolby Digital 5.1 to my Cinemate 130. Works very well.   Yes, do this.  It seems lots of people have problems with trying to pass video signals through the Bose Lifestyle 600/650.  As Rick said, you can avoid this problem by just sending audio to your Bose via HDMI ARC (preferred) or optical.     @jimgfitz  Sums it up very well. In fact I predict we won’t see consoles in any of the Bose lines in the future. Bose will rely on TV manufactures and standards like ARC, eARC and CEC to do all the audio heavy lifting and not worry about video pass through at all.    I am eating my own words now. I used to like the consoles and expressed consternation about relying on the TV manufactures managing the audio signals. That’s progress! ... View more

@Nars wrote: Hey guys!   was wondering if Bose pushed an update to support Dolby Vision on the LS600, just got mine and would be devastated if it’s already outdated :(   (Both my TV & Apple TV support Dolby Vision with a ton of Dolby Vision content out there)   Try plugging in your Apple TV directly to your TV then a single cable out to your LS 600 (TV port) via ARC. That is is what I did to get around 4K HDCP 2.2 etc. Now my TV handles the HDR and passes the Dolby Digital 5.1 to my Cinemate 130. Works very well. ... View more

@MrUberJim wrote: Looking for a bit of advice when the system is off I leave the rear speakers plugged in the power/receiver packs make a humming /chirping noise it's very faint and I presume it's just electricity going round the circuit. Does anyone elses do this they aren't getting hot at all and don't make the noise when the system is on just wondering if it's the resistors or similar ? It's been on 6 months plus and no issue just wanted clarification   I don’t own this system. @jimgfitz  should be able to help you, he has a ST 300 with rear speakers. ... View more

@JJDynamite6 wrote: Hi,    I know the ST speakers are discontinued, but I have a couple of questions.   1.  Will the ST speakers still work (and speak to each other for multi-room) after they aren't being supported anymore?   Bose has indicated continued support for the SoundTouch line.   I am happy with the speakers at this point.   Me too! I have no desire to make any changes with my speakers for some time.     ... View more

@mikebackon wrote: It’s the Bose home speaker 500, and I don’t really know much about the speaker but I saw it at target on sale for $120. Does anyone know if that is a good deal? I saw it normally goes for $400, but I wasn’t sure if there have been any issues or problems with it to take the price down to $120. Thanks!   Good speaker. Won’t do SoundTouch, if you are thinking of adding to existing SoundTouch speakers. Good price.  ... View more

@Mohammed ali wrote: Is it possible to add 2 pairs of rear speakers to the soundtouch 300   No, just 1 pair. ... View more

@micmac1234 wrote: bought soundtouch about four years ago has never worked correcty every update wich is all the time refuses to go in an wants me to reinstall the app every time **bleep**?  will never buy anything that says bose again your co. sucks  this thing has nerver worked right and i expect it never will a total waste of my money you people suck end of storey   Over the past 4 years I have owned 3 SoundTouch speakers and recently a ST 10, all updated. My SoundTouch speakers have worked fine. The only problem had to do with a router placement after a move. Otherwise rock solid system.   You are doing something wrong! ... View more

@NewSpeakers wrote: I bought a house and the guy previous owners left rear and front double cube speakers pre installed and mounted but took the receiver and sub. I want to buy whatever I need to connect to them and use the system.     Looks like a 10 + year old Lifestyle 35 system. There are different series, some requiring an external video bridge. The sub is a good way to identify the series. The smaller jewel cubes usually mean Lifestyle 35. The larger direct reflecting speakers usually were used with the cheaper LS 25 system.    Any information on the back of the speakers? Have you tried contacting the previous owner?   The real value is that your house is pre- wired. So a nother option is to buy a new AM 10 system, pull the old plate to access the wiring, put in a new 5.1 plate and wiring harness hang your speakers and connect to a 5.1 receiver.   Have fun!     ... View more

@davids11 wrote: Please get TuneIn to add "Dinner Jazz Excursion" internet radio station to their lineup. That was our number one favorite from vTuner on both of our Bose Wave Radios. TuneIn still does not carry Dinner Jazz Excursion.   Have you tried doing a custom URL? This has nothing to do with TuneIn or any aggregator for that matter. Often the custom URL stream are better. The easiest way to find the URL for Dinner Jazz Excursion is to contact the station directly.    You can also try this:    http://player.warpradio.com/DinnerJazz/128/index.php?id=14357&bitrate=128 ... View more

@aschb01 wrote: I'm using the Harmony Elite (switched from HDMI Arc to Optical) and I'm able to control all devices incl Bose 700 Soundbar. HDMI was a mess when switching Devices and controlling the output to Bose 700.        I only recently began using HDMI ARC after buying a new TV. For years I stayed away from ARC/CEC. The CEC settings seemed to be the source of problems for me. I was happy to run everything through my Cinemate 130 console and use multiple remotes. In addition to stability that setup allowed multiple users to pick and choose audio supplementation. Optical carried the audio signal quite nicely.    A few months ago I started to prepare for upgrades, starting first with a new 4K TV. Prior to the TV arriving I tried running all my peripherals through the TV and connecting the audio through optical. CEC still turned off. One reason I tried this setup was because I was anticipating 4K issues in that none of my preripherals supported 4K. Optical connection was recommended by the forum moderators. Connecting the optical cable to my old TV resulted in LPCM 2.0 sound. Turns out the optical port didn’t support DD5.1. Regardless everything seemed to work fine.    When the new TV arrived I hooked up all my perherals and the optical cable. That is when I discovered, the Samsung Series 8000 did apps very well and I was able to access 4K HDR streams. The optical port support DD5.1. So all of a sudden, no worries about older peripherals and 4K compromising the chain.    The next jump, after reading about @jimgfitz  success with ARC, I connected the Cinemate to the TV ARC port and turned on CEC, determined to work through any issues. After a little trial and error I was able to control all my peripherals (old Apple TV, old BD DVD player and cable tuner). At first it was a little tricky and I fought the urge to just go back to optical and forget it! With a little perseverence my system settled down and has been stable since. I was even able to leave my gear in a state that only the TV powers up without the sound bar.  Or I can grab my Bose or Samsung remote and everything powers up, sound bar included.   My point is that ARC/CEC is complicated and often requires some fiddling especially if there are many different components and brands in use. I am glad I gave it an honest try and have been happy with my Bose /Samsung setup, now using ARC. To me the sound is better and the functionality is handy.   As an aside, with the new TV and built in 4K HDR apps I really only need the cable tuner. All the other peripherals are pretty much obsolete and are just collecting dust.  ... View more

@Blakehh wrote: I had that idea.. I was concerned I’d lose audio quality with optical. Is that the case?   Optical may reduce the amount of audio signal being made available to the speaker. For example, Netflix is now putting out higher quality sound requiring greater bandwith than what optical can support. Subjectively I have found the sound on my Cinemate 130 sounds better connected via ARC(HDMI) v optical watching Netflix streams.   From Netflix: 5.1: From 192 kbps (good) up to 640 kbps (great/perceptually transparent) Dolby Atmos: From 448 kbps up to 768 kbps (Dolby Atmos is available for members subscribed to the Premium plan) https://www.whathifi.com/advice/hdmi-arc-and-hdmi-earc-everything-you-need-to-know   ... View more

I plugged in a 320Kbps URL from Smooth Jazz.com recently. The URLs for the various bit rates were posted on their web site. All radio stations should do this. Streaming URLs shouldn’t be so hard to find. Certainly contacting the stations directly works too!   Inputting the URL into the Bose SoundTouch app and creating a preset couldn’t be easier. Nice to play a higher bit rate stream as well. Sounds great! ... View more