Bang & Olufsen or Bose for sound system?

Question

Which one sounds better as a home theatre unit, or just a general home entertainment system.

As they are both high market, any ideas on prices in comparison to the quality between them? (im in the Uk)

Many thanks

Answer 1

Well, with both manufacturers, you are paying for looks, not sound quality.

Their prices are high, but the quality of sound they produce isn't - their products sell purely due to successful marketing.

Many other manufacturers make similarly priced products that sound far better.  Even many cheaper systems will sound better than either B&O or Bose.

If you really want to enjoy your music and movies, spend your money elsewhere.  You'll be glad that you did...

Answer 2

If I had to choose between the two it would be B&O however, I would strongly recommend that you buy a decent Hi-FI magazine such as What Hi-FI. If you look through the buyers guides, you will see both makes barely get a mention.

There are many much better systems on the market for less money which can trully be classed as high-end.

B&O are undoubtedly good but tend to be more of a fashion statement and gimmick loaded, Bose have ridden on their reputation for too long and are now lagging in inovation.

Go to a HI-FI store and listen to a few proper High-end systems, they'll blow you away, and save you money.

Answer 3

Bose is in no way shape or form "high quality" or, as you put it "high market".

What they are high on is PRICE.   You can get better for less.  

B&O are okay, but sort of pricey, too.  A lot better than Bose, though.  

Nobody with a serious home theater or other sound system uses Bose.

Answer 4

The only real way is to listen to them yourself, but B & O have always been the leaders in style and appearance, but never been rated for sound quality for the price. In other words you're paying for the looks more than the sound. Bose, on the other hand have a very good reputation for sound quality.

Answer 5

Bose does one thing really, really well- advertise. Bang and Olufsen is actually pretty well-made and has a better reputation for sonic accuracy. They also depend more on word of mouth and customer satisfaction. Bose tried for accuracy at one time, but has apparently given that up. They used to sell the 901's to the "man, that's really LOUD" crowd by, no lie, plugging them directly into 110v 60Hz wall power here in the States to demo them. The aluminum band voice coils made them very tough- but not very clean or sensitive.

I'd definitely get the B+O gear.

Answer 6

Bang&Olufsen all the time I'ts quality sound, whats money when the sound is the important thing here.

Rock on !

Answer 7

Neither of them have a look at KEF.

Answer 8

Neither of these two are the best value for sound quality.  Both advertise a lot, but if you really want good sound, get a magazine that tests and auditions stuff "blind" where the people listening don't know what they are hearing.  Then you can buy that giant killing system that knocks the B&Os and Boses into touch.  I don't believe either has ever won any reviews based on blind testing.

Answer 9

Both are way to overpriced if you ask me, you can put together your own system for 1/2 the price with every bit of the quality and sound. Remember your paying a premium just for the name.

Answer 10

Bang and Olufsen.

Bose does not even compare.

Bang and Olufsen will be more expensive though.