The Bose Lifestyle V20 home theater is a 5.1 system that has multiple modules designed for display, connectivity, and amplification separately. The package includes four main dual-cube speakers, one center channel, a subwoofer module, the media console, the display, a remote control, and several cables for connection.

The setup of the Bose system is a little more complicated than the average home theater product. This is due to the fact that the display, the video inputs and output, and the amplifier are all in three separate modules. Typically the video display is on the front of the main unit and the amplifier hardware is built in, but with the V20 you have extra components to plug into your system, albeit with handy proprietary connections. External video sources, such as DVD players, game consoles, cable or satellite dish boxes, will plug into the media console. The main display and subwoofer also plug into this media console via special cables. All of the speaker amplifier hardware is internal to the sub module and makes it much larger than it should be for a dual 5-1/4 subwoofer. Note that the three main components should be placed reasonably close together for all the proprietary cables to reach.

The speakers in the system consist of one center channel, as well as four dual-cube speakers for the front and rear channels. These speakers also have special connectors and cannot be used with standard speaker wire (without cutting them apart) if extra lengths are needed. Since the main speakers are so small, the sub module must fill in sound that they cannot physically reproduce. We would recommend placing the sub module directly below or behind the center channel so the sound stage can be properly reproduced. The cubes work by sending direct audio to the listner and filling the room with reflected sound as well. This system will sound best in smaller rooms from 10x10 feet to approximately 12x16 as the cubes will distort the audio if cranked too hard. If your room is larger than this, we would advise finding a system with larger two-way speakers to fill the space appropriately.

The V20 does have lots of inputs if you have lots of audio and video hardware, and it will upscale video from the HDMI output up to 1080p. The remote control is laid out pretty well, and the most used functions are within easy thumb reach. The sound quality is pleasing for the right kind of room, but the soundstage and imaging are a little unfocused; this is almost certainly due to the speakers firing in different directions. The system is priced very high for the sound quality and features. Similar sound and functionality can be found in systems costing a quarter of the price, though they may not be as elegant looking and the speakers may be a tad larger. One thing going for it, however, is the auto-calibration system. This allows the user to plug in a special headset that calibrates the speakers to the room. It is a little odd that we had to wear the headset instead of just placing a single microphone in the listening position, but it does help the overall sound. In conclusion, the Bose Lifestyle V20 home theater can work well in smaller rooms, provides lots of inputs, but comes at a higher than average price.

Pros: Multiple A/V inputs, 1080p upscaling, auto-calibration
Cons: Very high cost, proprietary connections, cumbersome subwoofer

Warranty
1 year, limited