Best Music systems for the home

[sky121]

I am looking to purchase a home music system for a gift. Besides for the Bose systems which I know are supposed to be good I am wondering what else you all suggest. Looking to spend less than the Bose systems cost.

[notanonymous]

I am looking to purchase a home music system for a gift. Besides for the Bose systems which I know are supposed to be good I am wondering what else you all suggest. Looking to spend less than the Bose systems cost.

Polk is another good brand.  You can get a 5.1 in the 250-300 range.

[notanonymous]

I am looking to purchase a home music system for a gift. Besides for the Bose systems which I know are supposed to be good I am wondering what else you all suggest. Looking to spend less than the Bose systems cost.

I should have clarified - are you looking for an enclosed set (i.e. 'boom box type'), receiver and speakers, or just speakers?

[sky121]

I should have clarified - are you looking for an enclosed set (i.e. 'boom box type'), receiver and speakers, or just speakers?

Honestly I'm not sure. It's a gift. I think of like something that's all in one.

[jaywhy]

Honestly I'm not sure. It's a gift. I think of like something that's all in one.

How many rooms do you want it to support? Wireless? For music or for movies and tv?

[notanonymous]

Honestly I'm not sure. It's a gift. I think of like something that's all in one.

How are they going to use it?  Radio/tape/CD/mp3/ipod?

[sky121]

I would assume mostly with their iPhone and mp3. I was also wondering if there was a system that connected to online to play music like that somehow as well.

[jaywhy]

I would assume mostly with their iPhone and mp3. I was also wondering if there was a system that connected to online to play music like that somehow as well.

Apple TV or Airport Express will allow them to play wirelessly over Airplay. You can use any app in the iPhone to play music over the speakers.

[sky121]

Apple TV or Airport Express will allow them to play wirelessly over Airplay. You can use any app in the iPhone to play music over the speakers.

Why is that different than Bluetooth? Just cuz you can go further?
Sorry, don't have much experience with these things.

[jaywhy]

Why is that different than Bluetooth? Just cuz you can go further?
Sorry, don't have much experience with these things.

It works over wifi. Also works much better than Bluetooth

[sky121]

Got it. Are their any systems that can access apps directly on them?

[jaywhy]

Got it. Are their any systems that can access apps directly on them?

Apple TV and most other set top boxes.

[sky121]

They don't have a TV.

[jaywhy]

They don't have a TV.

So Apple TV is out as it needs to be hooked up to a screen.
Airport Express is an option.
How many rooms? For music or movies?

[sky121]

So Apple TV is out as it needs to be hooked up to a screen.
Airport Express is an option.
How many rooms? For music or movies?

Music. I wouldn't mind if it only worked for one room.

[jaywhy]

Music. I wouldn't mind if it only worked for one room.

Budget?

[sky121]

Budget?

Honestly I'd like to spend less than $200 but I'm open to suggestions.

[DovtheBear]

Budget?

Free?

[jaywhy]

Honestly I'd like to spend less than $200 but I'm open to suggestions.

The Audioengine A2 for $199 is a fantastic pair of speakers. Google around, you'll see the serious respect that these guys get from the audiophile community. They have silk tweeters, custom Kevlar woofers, gold connections, and a wooden cabinet, things which are normally found on much higher priced speakers. They are also very small, and are fully self-powered so no need for an amp or receiver. I have their big brother, the Audioengine A5+ and I couldn't be happier with them.

Other options include, the $139 M-Audio AV-40 , the $169 Harman Kardon Soundsticks, or the $95 Edifier Exclaim.
I think that the Audioengine A2 are the best value out all of these.

[sky121]

The Audioengine A2 for $199 is a fantastic pair of speakers. Google around, you'll see the serious respect that these guys get from the audiophile community. They have silk tweeters, custom Kevlar woofers, gold connections, and a wooden cabinet, things which are normally found on much higher priced speakers. They are also very small, and are fully self-powered so no need for an amp or receiver. I have their big brother, the Audioengine A5+ and I couldn't be happier with them.

Other options include, the $139 M-Audio AV-40 , the $169 Harman Kardon Soundsticks, or the $95 Edifier Exclaim.
I think that the Audioengine A2 are the best value out all of these.

.
Thanks. I'm going to look into all of these today.