The best home theater option for self setup. Period.
Crutchfield customer from Ashland, OR on 1/16/2021
The Bose Lifestyle 650 exceeded all of expectations. The sound quality is phenomenal. The components are small enough to not be intrusive in the space. The setup was straight forward. The calibration process was well explained. I was skeptical about the price and the promises made by Bose but they hit it out of the park. Kudos to Crutchfield for an easy ordering process and fast shipping.
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0 of 1 found this helpful
Replaced older Bose system
Crutchfield customer from Reedsville, PA on 1/15/2021
The system sounds very good for the size of the speakers. This system replaced an older Bose Acoustimass system and sounds much better. The new system went into the same room as the old system and no changes to the acoustics took place. So I had a pretty good control on the test. The 650 passed with flying colors.
Pros: Speakers take up very little space
Cons: Set up time was several hours.
4 of 4 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 home theater system
Crutchfield customer from Kennewick, WA on 7/14/2020
0 of 5 found this helpful
Great sound but a dated and clunky experience
OMAR from Santa Ana on 6/24/2020
So when you are actually listening to music or TV audio, the sound is great. It is not wireless at all. Everything is wired. What they mean by wireless is that some components don't need to be plugged into the console. But they still do not work without a wire that plugs into an outlet. The remote is absolutely horrible. It is not useful in any way and yet it's necessary sometimes or you get no audio. The system is also missing key technology in audio like Dolby Atmos. Using the app is unpleasant, updating the firmware has a high failure rate without explanation, and generally any time you have to mess with any settings or anything, you are going to get annoyed. But once you are done, most of the time you will be enjoying the sound without having to fiddle with it. It's just that these frustrations shouldn't be there in a $4,000 system.
Pros: Great sound. People who don't value great audio as much as you will like how it looks.
Cons: Gigantic but worthless remote. It's not wireless as it claims to be. Updating is a miserable experience, and it almost always breaks something as it fixes something else.
7 of 10 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 home theater system
Crutchfield customer from Seattle, WA on 4/16/2020
Once I got this system going I was pleased. Unfortunately you need to open the "system menu" to set up the console or administer the system and the setup menu portion of the system is not compatible with my expensive LG OLEG TV that I purchased from Crutchfield. I worked with Crutchfield tech support for hours (they were great by the way) but we could not get the TV to hold the image of the setup menu. It kept flashing on and off. Finally I connected a little Samsung TV that I had purchased from Crutchfield a few years ago and it worked perfectly. Using this little TV I was able to complete the set up. Once it was set up I could reconnect the LG OLEG TV and it worked fine. But if I try to go back to the setup menu to make some changes, again the TV would not hold the image. Crutchfield and I both tried calling Bose but their tech support was closed due to the Corona Virus. Why they can't work from home like Crutchfield I will never know. We went on line and found that many other people were having similar issues with differant TVs. So as long as I don't have to administer the system I am OK. I am pleased with the sound. But I am really disappointed that I cannot make changes on the console without dragging another TV into the living room. Hopefully when Bose comes back to work we can figure this out. If we can get this fixed I will update this review.
Pros: Sounds great once you get it going
Cons: Setup and Admin menu for the console is not compatible with all televisions. Bose should at least publish a list. I know they are aware of the situation because the problem is all over the internet.
7 of 7 found this helpful
Great Sound - However Some Disappointments
Jim from Baldwinsville, NY on 3/28/2020
I purchased this for its compact size. Love the small speakers that sound outstanding. Also like the streaming functionality. I have run a CD player, Apple TV, Blueray player and cable box through the system. It would be nice if the Bose remote act as an universal remote. Unfortunately this isn't the case. After defining the remotes to the system, the Bose remote only has limited functionality of each one. It can't even change the channel on the cable box. The result is I still need a pile of remotes. The biggest disappointment is with Bose's Soundtouch capability. I would like to add additional wireless speakers throughout the house. Now it appears that Bose is no longer making speakers that are Soundtouch compatable. They have moved on to new platforms such as Soundlink which are not backwards compatable. If you are looking for a whole house solution, look elsewhere.
Pros: Great Sound Great Appearance
Cons: Remote Functionality Obsolete Wireless Compatibility
8 of 9 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 home theater system
MARIA from Fort Mohave, AZ on 2/13/2020
1 of 7 found this helpful
Best System in a box!
Ron from Elgin, IL on 9/9/2019
I have read so much online about Bose Lifestyle systems. Most of it is rubbish. People parroting reviews about a system they never heard. Some call themselves "Audiophiles" And the information they offer is so far from the truth it's not funny. Let's set the record straight. The system has a ported 10" bass module that has Quiet Port technology. Which is a huge advancement. This system offers deep lows and not a woofy sound from the low resonance of a deep voice. The clarity is just amazing with the new center channel using 5 drivers. The adapt IQ works flawlessly. The sound is balanced and immersive, not overpowering and doesn't cause ear fatigue. The transient detail is quite shocking coming from the Omi Jewel speakers. This is the best Lifestyle system to date from Bose. I re-purposed my old Bose wall mounts and the result was perfect. Trust me you won't be disappointed in the sound quality of this system. The SoundTouch app is wonderful for listening to your favorite radio stations. And if you are a movie enthusiast, this system is a must.
Pros: Exceptional sound quality and dialogue!
Cons: Some issues with older TV's.
8 of 8 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 home theater system
Crutchfield customer from Marana, AZ on 7/18/2019
The Bose Lifestyle 650 is amazing!! I have been a Bose customer for many years and this system blows away all of my expectations. The sound is fantastic and the look is ultra-modern. Could not ask for a better system.
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3 of 3 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 home theater system
Crutchfield customer from Tunnelton, WV on 3/27/2019
Excellent purchase. From the fabulous packaging, to the ease of setup, to the great sound, well pleased.
Pros: The packaging is so good it helps identify all parts and they are organized to flow with the installation. The installation is very easy to accomplish with the video presentation, built into the software.
Cons: The Bose brand speaker brackets and stands are a bit pricey, but they fit and work flawlessly as compared to after market brackets. I tried both.
6 of 9 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 home theater system
Matt from Baltic, OH on 11/6/2018
Bose Lifestyle 650 is exactly what I was looking for in my home. It is ultra clear and the small Omni Jewel speakers are incredibly powerful. I've always enjoyed Bose and this system keeps me loving Bose.
Pros: Great sound Small space saving speakers Rear wireless speakers
Cons: None yet, but only have had for a couple weeks.
3 of 3 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 home theater system
Michael from Sammamish, WA on 6/17/2018
I will admit this is my third Bose entertainment (lifestyle) system and the sound is much better than on my old v35. I also really like the satellite speakers (design) and have noticed a huge difference with the center channel. From a sound standpoint, it has been a great investment/upgrade. Setup and installation was very easy... just follow prompts on screen. Dislikes: I don't like that I can no longer see control options on my tv. For example, when I change the volume or change source, the only place to see this information is on the controller... my v35 allowed me the option to see this info on my tv. The remote does not seem capable of powering my LG tv on or off... this seems to be a well documented complaint on Bose forums and am hoping for software updates.... fingers crossed. Using the tv remote to power tv is ok, but it seems like Bose should be able to figure this out.
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12 of 14 found this helpful
Great Sound, Mediocre Bose Customer Service, Worthless Remote Control
Hugh from Bethesda, MD on 5/27/2018
Love the style, love the sound, setup took forever but wasn't bad, and customer service had me waiting on hold forever before they, very politely, were unable to resolve some of the troubles I was having with their sleek but infernally frustrating remote control. I'm now using a Logitech Harmony One universal remote (no longer made) to control the Bose Lifestyle 650, Sony XBR-65A8F OLED TV, and Apple TV 4K, all properly connected with the latest and greatest HDMI cables. Thank goodness it worked! The Bose remote control is in the drawer with the rest of the junk.
Pros: Great style, small-ish size, sound, convenience of component placement.
Cons: RF/IR remote, and IR repeaters, did not do their job when trying to change TV channels and execute other functions, even after repeated "fixes" suggested by Bose "customer support". The Bose tech support person eventually put me into "hold purgatory" for a looong time, ostensibly to escalate the problem to a senior advisor for more help to resolve my technical issue. Eventually I gave up waiting and hung up.
6 of 7 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 home theater system
Guest from Cincinnati, OH on 5/20/2018
My system seems to smell like its burning when I'm havin fun with it and we are gettin sick. Thinkin of gettin my money back and findin another system . Sounds great though but not up my standards unless my unit is bad. Only had it 2-3 months
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11 of 14 found this helpful
Awesome sound
Chad from Lakeville, MN on 5/6/2018
Absolutely love the sound in this system.
Pros: Very easy to set up and great sound.
Cons: None
11 of 18 found this helpful
almost invisable
Bill from Cary, NC on 12/16/2017
Good sound for its size,but disappointed that it doesn't have the ability for all channel stereo.
Pros: size and sound
Cons: price and speaker surround
24 of 32 found this helpful
Performs as Advertised
Adam from Cookeville, TN on 9/1/2017
Set up was simple as advertised. The system walks you through setup with onscreen images and instructions. Wireless speakers all powered up and connected immediately. After software update from the internet, the system seamlessly integrated with our TV, Satellite Box, and Blu Ray player. The system fills our large family room with sound and offers more volume than needed.
Pros: Big sound from a small, discrete package
Cons: Universal remote required system firmware update before working fully
12 of 14 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 home theater system
Crutchfield customer from Sedona, AZ on 8/27/2017
So far, so good. Sound is very clear, and finally I don't have to use "closed caption" on British BBC series. Set up was reasonable with only some remote pairing issues that Bose cleared up in short order. Love the wireless rear speakers as I was not interested in crawling under the house to install wires. All in all, Crutchfield is as always helpful, and maybe Bose got it right this time.
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22 of 24 found this helpful
Bose Lifestyle 650 WH
Chulwon C from Wyckoff, NJ on 7/18/2017
This is the best among the mid-end home theater systems.
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8 of 9 found this helpful
Superb sound
Richard from Mansfield, TX on 3/1/2017
Simply the best sound system I've heard in many years. The sound quality is something you have to hear to believe. It feels the room from all directions you cannot side where the music's coming from it's incredible.
Pros: Sound quality comma ease of installation, integration into my home surround systems outstanding. Worth every penny
Cons: None
12 of 22 found this helpful
