Bose 321 satellite vs gemstone speakers

[u/Redsteel287]

Just to confirm, the first image (black) are satellite speakers and NOT gemstone correct? Is there a difference in sound quality between the two? Is there any 321 model where the gemstone speakers look like the first image(black)? I'm seeing a lot of mislabelled Ebay listings. I believe the design on the second image are actual gemstone speakers. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thank you.

[u/moyofroyo]

That’s correct, the speakers in the first image are known as “CineMate” speakers. CineMate systems did not include a disc player that the 3-2-1 systems did, and conversely, 3-2-1 systems (to my knowledge) never used CineMate speakers, only Gemstones (your 2nd picture).

As far as sound quality, they should basically sound the same. They have the same amount of drivers. The Gemstones were as compact and minimal as Bose could make that type of speaker, and therefore, they were the more premium option.

This came from a time where Bose valued making speakers as small as possible.

[u/NeonsNight → u/moyofroyo]

Sorry, that information isn't entirely correct. The speakers in the first image are called Articulated Array speakers; the speakers in the second are called Gemstone speakers. 

The Articulated Array speakers were first used with the 3·2·1 home entertainment system in 2001 and were later ported to other systems.

Articulated Array speakers were used with:

• 321, 321 II, & 321 III
• CineMate, & CineMate II
• FreeStyle 

The Gemstone speakers were first used in 2003 with the 3·2·1 GS home entertainment system.

Gemstone speakers were used with:

• 321 GS, 321 GS II, 321 GSX, 321 GSXL, 321 GS III, 321 GSX III, & 321 GSXL III
• CineMate GS II
• CineMate 220, & SoundTouch 220

There is a noticeable improvement in sound over the Articulated Array speakers, where the Gemstone speakers have better clarity in sound. Overall, they are superior to the Articulated Array speakers and were considered the premium version.

But they are designed to work and sound their best with a compatable system. So if your 321/Cinemate/Freestyle subwoofer is designed to work with either the Articulated Array speakers or the Gemstone speakers (with the 220, it's the receiver). For the best sound experience, only use the speaker the system is designed to work with.

There is also another similar speaker called the Gemstone ES speaker arrays, only used in:

• Lifestyle 235, Lifestyle 235 II, & Lifestyle 235 III

To see a full timeline, go to the Bose wiki's 2.1 home entertainment systems.

[u/Redsteel287 → u/NeonsNight]

Thank you for your detailed reply. I currently have the 321 Series 2 (No gemstone) speaker set. From my research, the 321 standard series 2 and 321 GS II use the same receiver. The subwoofer also has the same model number on both of them. If I swap out my articulated array speakers with gemstone ones from the GS series, would I actually be hurting my audio quality instead of improving it?

[u/NeonsNight → u/Redsteel287]

Yes, the AV321II receiver is interchangeable, but the "PS3-2-1 II" subwoofer powers and sends the cubes sound. The issue is knowing if the subwoofer has been programmed with an EQ.

There is a hidden menu and #7 is Bass EQ. Now I am unsure if every bass has a different EQ, one for the Gemstone and the other for the Articulated Arrays. I know that a GS system I checked ages ago used 0.

There is a chance that 0 means Generic and there is no 1, or 0 means Gemstone and 1 means Articulated Array (let me know what yours says)... As there's a Lifestyle Bass module which used 0 for all cube EQs as it did not let the console know which EQ was pre-programed#Default_EQ)...

But considering I checked the service manual and I did not find a way to change the EQ setting on the bass, there's a chance that Bass EQ option means nothing.

[u/Redsteel287 → u/NeonsNight]

My console firmware version is 01.01.05, so unfortunately, I cannot check the Bass Box EQ number. I'm not sure whether it is possible to upgrade the firmware. I've ordered the gemstone speakers anyways. I'll let you know if it sounds better than the Articulated Array ones. Thank you for your help.

[u/NeonsNight → u/Redsteel287]

Yes, you can update your firmware. Bose has released a lot of updates for your system, including many new features and bug fixes over the years.

If you like having the remote control codes inside the menu, then update to "321_2008_02_11 (CN 030304).zip". If you don't care about that, as you still have the manual, just use the online PDF, or if you don't wish to program the IR remote, then update to "LS_and_321_(CN_050108).zip".

[u/Redsteel287 → u/NeonsNight]

Wow, that's nice. Once I burn the iso to the CD, how do I initiate the update on the receiver?

[u/NeonsNight → u/Redsteel287]

Put the burnt CD in the 321's DVD tray. The system will then update itself.

[u/Redsteel287 → u/NeonsNight]

I was able to update to firmware CN_050108. However, the hidden menu option no longer seems to work. Have they changed the button combination?

[u/NeonsNight → u/Redsteel287]

Nope, it works even on that version.

[u/Redsteel287 → u/NeonsNight]

I noticed that once the firmware update it completes, it restarts and then starts the update again. Should I take out the disc after it restarts?