Bose Lifestyle V25 Review

Today, increasing numbers of people want to enjoy a movie theater like entertainment experience in the comfort of their own home. Doing justice to a Hollywood blockbuster requires a giant plasma screen and a 5.1 surround sound system. On the other hand, such systems can be a headache to set up as well as taking up lots of space. What would benefit many people is a compact system that delivers high quality, plenty of ‘oomph’ in the bass, but a small footprint in the living room. A prime candidate is the Bose Lifestyle V25 system.

 

Until recently, setting up a full-blown home entertainment system required a television set, a standalone DVD player, digital TV receiver box, hi-fi amplifier, loudspeakers, plus maybe a music player like an iPod. Such a cobbled-together system would also require four remote controls, not to mention a spider’s web of connecting wires! The Bose Lifestyle 25 system aims to simplify and streamline this unwieldy arrangement, so that more or less everything is managed through the Bose control module. The optional SL2 receiver unit also enables wifi speakers, which dispense with the need for unsightly trailing cables.

 

Although a wireless entertainment system like the Bose Lifestyle 25 is immediately simpler than any system completely made up of separates, nevertheless many people are still fearful of what is involved in the set up process. Bose recognizes this and has focused a lot of attention on supplying the user with clearly written and illustrated, step by step, walk-through instructions regarding set up of the system.

 

The Bose Lifestyle 25 consists of a control module, an Acoustimass unit (subwoofer), five loudspeakers for surround sound, plus a remote control. Where cables are required, they are color coded, and the manual does a great job of describing how to position everything and connect it, step by step. Even the most technophobic people should have no trouble, provided they follow everything a step at a time.

 

Up to six audio or video sources can be fed into the Bose V25 control module. It is then a matter of selecting the appropriate item under ‘Source’ on the screen of the supplied Bose remote control. The sources depend on what devices you have but the Bose can handle DVD or Blu-Ray disc players, CD players, cable or satellite TV receiver boxes, games consoles, plus music and media players. In addition, the Bose unit is specifically fitted with a dock for attaching Apple devices like the iPod and iPhone. Finally, the Bose control module has an AM/FM radio built in.

 

Supplied with the Bose Lifestyle 25 system are the five loudspeakers necessary for 5.1 surround sound playback. These comprise front left, front right, and front center speakers that connect to the Acoustimass unit by means of supplied cables, plus two rear speakers that should be positioned at the back of the room. These rear speakers are also normally connected by cables from the Acoustimass module; however, if you purchase the optional SL2 wireless surround link from Bose, wireless speakers become a possibility.

 

The Bose Lifestyle V25 system has a lot going for it. You get top notch sound quality, pleasing design, and the peace of mind knowing that Bose have spent a lot of time making this system easy to set up and use for those who want the latest in home entertainment but don’t want to spend hours tinkering with complicated systems.

Today, increasing numbers of people want to enjoy a movie theater like entertainment experience in the comfort of their own home. Doing justice to a Hollywood blockbuster requires a giant plasma screen and a 5.1 surround sound system. On the other hand, such systems can be a headache to set up as well as taking up lots of space. What would benefit many people is a compact system that delivers high quality, plenty of ‘oomph’ in the bass, but a small footprint in the living room. A prime candidate is the Bose Lifestyle V25 system.

 

Until recently, setting up a full-blown home entertainment system required a television set, a standalone DVD player, digital TV receiver box, hi-fi amplifier, loudspeakers, plus maybe a music player like an iPod. Such a cobbled-together system would also require four remote controls, not to mention a spider’s web of connecting wires! The Bose Lifestyle 25 system aims to simplify and streamline this unwieldy arrangement, so that more or less everything is managed through the Bose control module. The optional SL2 receiver unit also enables wifi speakers, which dispense with the need for unsightly trailing cables.

 

Although a wireless entertainment system like the Bose Lifestyle 25 is immediately simpler than any system completely made up of separates, nevertheless many people are still fearful of what is involved in the set up process. Bose recognizes this and has focused a lot of attention on supplying the user with clearly written and illustrated, step by step, walk-through instructions regarding set up of the system.

 

The Bose Lifestyle 25 consists of a control module, an Acoustimass unit (subwoofer), five loudspeakers for surround sound, plus a remote control. Where cables are required, they are color coded, and the manual does a great job of describing how to position everything and connect it, step by step. Even the most technophobic people should have no trouble, provided they follow everything a step at a time.

 

Up to six audio or video sources can be fed into the Bose V25 control module. It is then a matter of selecting the appropriate item under ‘Source’ on the screen of the supplied Bose remote control. The sources depend on what devices you have but the Bose can handle DVD or Blu-Ray disc players, CD players, cable or satellite TV receiver boxes, games consoles, plus music and media players. In addition, the Bose unit is specifically fitted with a dock for attaching Apple devices like the iPod and iPhone. Finally, the Bose control module has an AM/FM radio built in.

 

Supplied with the Bose Lifestyle 25 system are the five loudspeakers necessary for 5.1 surround sound playback. These comprise front left, front right, and front center speakers that connect to the Acoustimass unit by means of supplied cables, plus two rear speakers that should be positioned at the back of the room. These rear speakers are also normally connected by cables from the Acoustimass module; however, if you purchase the optional SL2 wireless surround link from Bose, wireless speakers become a possibility.

 

The Bose Lifestyle V25 system has a lot going for it. You get top notch sound quality, pleasing design, and the peace of mind knowing that Bose have spent a lot of time making this system easy to set up and use for those who want the latest in home entertainment but don’t want to spend hours tinkering with complicated systems.

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