Bose 2.1 home entertainment systems

Bose 2.1 home theater systems began with the Lifestyle 10 CD-based system in the early 1990s. These systems included analogue inputs, CD players and AM/FM radios. The current range includes DVD-based systems and AV receivers which are designed for use with sources (i.e. DVD and Blu-ray players) and released on 28 September 2012.

Timeline of Bose 2.1 systems

Systems have been color coded by their receiver models.
Some names have been abbreviated and at times full names have been shortened to save space ("LS" = Lifestyle)
Sources: Bose owners guides^[1]

CD-based 2.1 systems

CD-based systems (using the CD5, CD10, CD20 and C1 amplifier) were produced from 1990-2003. The CD10-based Lifestyle 10 was the first system released, and used a single-disk CD player, AM/FM radio and can output different sources to 2 rooms (termed "Zone 2 technology" by Bose). In 1992, systems based on the CD5 were released.

Models based on the CD20 amplifier, which included a 6 CD changer (using a magazine, so playback needs to be stopped when changing any CD), were released in 1996. In 1999, the C1-based models were released, which included a touchscreen remote. The Lifestyle 40 model could output different sources to 4 rooms (termed "Zone 4 technology" by Bose).

The speakers used over the course of the years included "directional" speakers, "direct/reflect" speakers, and "Jewel Cubes". A Lifestyle 901 system was released, using the 901 speakers. All systems include an active subwoofer.

Model	Built-in	Expansion	Audio Inputs	Audio Outputs	Supported Formats
CD10	1 disc CD player AM/FM Radio RF Remote	2 Zone	3 RCA	2 RCA 1 Headphone out	PCM Dolby Digital CD
CD5	1 disc CD player AM/FM Radio RF Remote	A/B	3 RCA	2 RCA 1 Headphone out	PCM Dolby Digital CD
CD20	6 disc CD player AM/FM Radio RF Remote	2 Zone	4 RCA	1 RCA 1 Headphone out	PCM Dolby Digital CD
C1	6 disc CD player AM/FM Radio Touch-screen RF Remote	4 Zone	4 RCA	1 RCA	PCM Dolby Digital CD

DVD-based systems

3-2-1

Bose's first DVD-based 2.1 system was the 3-2-1, released in 2001.^[2] The 3-2-1 and 321 DVD-based systems remain in production as of 2012, in the form of the 321 Series III and 321 GS Series III. In 2003, the 3-2-1 won a Red Dot award for product design,^[3] note this design award does not include audio quality in the judging criteria. The first series had a CD-DVD player, AM-FM radio, two "Articulated Array" speakers, a subwoofer ^[4] and virtual surround effect (termed "TrueSpace" by Bose).

Model	Built-in	Expansion	Audio		Video		Supported Formats
			Inputs	Outputs
AV321 & AV321GS	1 disc CD/DVD player AM/FM Radio IR Remote TrueSpace	No Expansion	3 Digital Coax 1 Fiber Optic 3 RCA	1 RCA	Inputs	1 S-Video 1 Composite	PCM DTS Dolby Digital CD DVD VCD MPEG-2 CD-R/RW DVD-R/RW MP3 CD/DVD
					Outputs	1 S-Video 1 Composite
					Resolution	576i (PAL) 480i (NTSC)

3-2-1 GS

In 2003, the 3-2-1 GS was introduced with "Gemstones" speakers.^[5]

321 Series II

Model	Built-in	Expansion	Audio		Video		Supported Formats
			Inputs	Outputs
AV321II	1 disc CD/DVD player AM/FM Radio Universal IR Remote TrueSpace	No Expansion BoseLink In	3 Digital Coax 1 Fiber Optic 3 RCA	None	Inputs	1 S-Video 1 Composite	PCM DTS Dolby Digital CD DVD VCD MPEG-2 CD-R/RW DVD-R/RW MP3 CD/DVD
AV321 GSX	1 disc CD/DVD player AM/FM Radio uMusic (200 hours) Universal IR Remote TrueSpace				Outputs	1 Component 1 S-Video 1 Composite
AV321 GSXL	1 disc CD/DVD player AM/FM Radio uMusic (340 hours) Universal IR Remote TrueSpace				Resolution	576i/p (PAL) 480i/p (NTSC)

In 2004, Bose succeeded the 3-2-1 with the 321 Series II (the hyphens were dropped from the model name) with two versions: the 321 Series II with the original "Articulated Array" speakers and the 321 Series II GS with the "Gemstone" speakers, as used in the 3-2-1 GS. The amplifier was relocated to the subwoofer (termed "AcoustiMass" by Bose), hence the control unit was smaller and the satellites connected to the subwoofer. "BoseLink In" was added, which allows separate Bose systems to be controlled using the same remote and music from one system can be played across all connected devices. The system included a universal remote .

The 321 GS Series II was featured in 'Potentials Magazine' as one of the "Best Products of 2005". The 321 Series II was praised for its performance for movies, but was criticised for its performance with music and for lacking a HDMI connection. The 321 Series II GS had similar outcomes, however it was also criticised for value for money.^[6][7]

321 GSX

In 2005, Bose released the GSX, which includes an internal hard drive for the storage of mp3 and wma files (termed "uMusic" by Bose). The system remembers playlist history, so playlists based on this history can be created. The 321 GSX uses the "Gemstone" speakers.

321 Series III

On July 31, 2008 Bose released the 321 Series III version with an HDMI connection and 1080p output, making it an upscaling DVD player.^[8][9]

321 GSX Series III and 321 GSXL Series III

In 2008, Bose released the GSX Series III. This name was chosen to coincide with the timing of Series III for the other 321 models, therefore a GSX Series II was never released. The GSXL Series III is the same as the GSX Series III, but can hold 200 hours (the bitrate used is not known) of music. The 321GSX III was discontinued on September 2010. and the 321 GSXL III was discontinued in July 2009.

Lifestyle 235

Model	Built-in	Expansion	Audio		Video		Supported Formats
			Inputs	Outputs
AV35	AM/FM Radio iPod Dock 2 USB 2.0 Unify AdaptIQ Universal RF Remote Videostage 5 TrueSpace	BoseLink Out BoseLink In	4 HDMI 3 Digital Coax 3 Fiber Optic 6 RCA	1 HDMI 1 Headphone out	Inputs	4 HDMI 2 Component 3 Composite	PCM DTS Dolby Digital LPCM Dolby TrueHD DTS Master "Core" JPEG
					Output	1 HDMI
					Resolution	1080i/p 720p 576i/p (PAL) 480i/p (NTSC)

Bose released the Lifestyle 235 on September 28, 2010. This system includes an AV receiver, iPod dock, subwoofer and satellite speakers. The "Gemstone ES" satellite speakers have three drivers each, two pointing forward and one pointing to the side, which are claimed to widen the soundstage and make it more "enveloping" .^[10]

The system has four HDMI 1.4a,^[11][12] two component and three composite inputs. There is one HDMI 1.4a video output that scales input video up to 1080p output resolution. There are 3 other audio inputs: optical, coax and RCA. The AV35 receiver decodes DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-MA (core) and uncompressed multi-channel PCM (aka LPCM). The receiver has two USB jacks for firmware updates and to view pictures & RCA connectors for "BoseLink In" and "BoseLink Out" connection to other Bose devices.

An on-screen setup wizard is included (termed "Unify" by Bose) and it can detect 3rd party remote controls to assist in programming Bose's universal remote. Surround sound emulation was included (termed "VideoStage 5" by Bose) to attempt to provide surround effects to mono and stereo sources. A microphone is included to help tune the system for the room acoustics (termed "AdaptiQ" by Bose), much like many other home theatre receivers.

Television-input based systems

Model	Built-in	Audio in	Supported Formats
Freestyle	Simple IR Remote TrueSpace	1 Digital Coax 1 Fiber Optic 1 RCA	PCM Dolby Digital
CineMate I	Universal IR Remote TrueSpace	1 RCA	PCM Dolby Digital
CineMate II	Bass Adjustment Simple IR Remote TrueSpace	1 Fiber Optic 1 RCA	PCM Dolby Digital
CineMate GS II	Bass Adjustment Universal IR Remote TrueSpace

The television is used as the primary input to these systems.^[13] A small "interface module" is connected to the television, then the audio signal goes to a 2.1 speaker system.

Freestyle

In 2002 the Freestyle system was introduced. The system uses the same "Articulated Array" speakers as the 3-2-1.^[14]

Cinemate (Series I)

In 2005 Bose released the CineMate system. Since the Cinemate is designed to be connected to the audio output of a television, the only input is a stereo RCA connection. The Cinemate uses the same "Articulated Array" speakers as the 321 Series II.^[15]

CineMate Series II

On October 27, 2009 Bose released the CineMate Series II. A fiber optic input was added, as well as a control to adjust subwoofer (termed "AcoustiMass" by Bose) volume.

CineMate Series II GS

This refers to a CineMate Series II system, but with "Gemstone" speakers and a universal remote.

References

1. Bose Music Systems Guides, Bose Home Theatre Owners Guides, Bose repair service, Bose system names.This is a list of self powered 2.1 home entertainment systems, Retrieved October 5, 2010.
2. Schnell, Bill (2001-12-05). "New Bose DVD Home Entertainment Systems Feature Cirrus DVD Video Processor". Cirrus Logic. Archived from the original on 2008-04-16. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
3. http://en.red-dot.org/319+M583c656ac23.html
4. C|NET Review - Bose 321 Home Entertainment System
5. ZDNet - Bose 3-2-1 GS Series I
6. C|NET Review - Bose 3-2-1 GS Series II
7. C|NET Video Review - Bose 3-2-1 GS Series II
8. Barker, Dennis (2008-07-11). "Bose Intros Enhanced 3-2-1 DVD Systems". electronichouse.com. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
9. ElectronicsMe Review - 321GSX III
10. Electricpig - Bose Lifestyle 235 Home Entertainment System
11. 3D Update
12. Update Manual
13. http://worldwide.bose.com/commom/en/assets/pdf/guides/speakers/freestyle_system/en/owg_en_freestyle_system.pdf
14. C|NET Review - Bose FreeStyle PC multimedia speaker system
15. C|NET Review - Bose CineMate