4 out of 5 TOTL that I sold now in the house.

[macalot]

Thanks for that. These are going into a large garage building, what 30 x 30 or more and hanging with studded walls behind them. If they don't perform facing forward, maybe try facing backward, à la Bose 801s. If they need a reflection surface, I'll recommend something more than sheetrock.

Facing forward they do sound different. I used my setup at a wedding reception for a friend. There was nothing to reflect off of so I turned them around and they made volume, but sounded nothing like they do at home. My solar room is 25 feet wide and they are hanging about 5 1/2 feet from a corner and 38 inches from the glass to speakers. You may have to move them a few times to get it right, as I did. I believe a softer reflecting surface will require placing them closer to the reflecting surface as well.
Let us know how it works out!

 

[Nemo bit]

When you brought up the 901s it brought back memories for me and also a recent experience also. My older brother had 4 901s run thru a big Kenny 200 watt reciever they were series 3s. I at the time had a pair of klipschorns totally different animals. I remember the movie top gun when the burners were lit on take off and those 901s it seemed that you were there it was impressive to say the least. He would come to my house and ask to hear mine at low volumes. I really didn't understand why at the time but than it occurred I had never heard the 901s other than loud! Some where along the line in a move to alaska my brother lost the 901s and gave me a series 3 controller (EQ) I had it for thirty years when I ran across it and posted it on my local offer up page. I only received offers from wholesalers and didn't want it to go and be a big profit shipped abroad. I removed the post and put it out of my mind fast forward to recent I one again ran across it and this time I took the time to clean and detox and check to assure specs and posted again with the heading to all you series 3 901 owners whom don't understand why you hate how they sound you need this and went to explain. I have found that many owners of some really special gear have never heard it as it was intended only because they had no idea like those whom have sdas without an interconnect cord. I had a response in minutes it turned out to be a young college student whom had purchased a pair of 901s for $40 with all surrounds bad. He did the repairs and had indeed hooked them up and got what he expected he also has a pair of decade 36s so he's hope for the future and he had the patience and work ethic to repair those 901s I heard back from him that finding that controller was divine province. I had only posted it for 5 minutes and it was the first time he looked. There is definitely audiokarma! And it's good.
Cheers!
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left "

 

[Blue Shadow]

@Nemo bit nice story and great use for the EQ getting some younger listeners the proper sound from their vintage gear. You are right that lots of gear today is not being heard the way it can sound for all sorts of reasons.

 

[Wolverine]

Nice thread! Best of luck finding that last pair of speakers on your list.

 

[keitht]

I first heard 901's in 1977 in Okinawa. There was a demo room right off the base.
They didn't sell them, they just let you listen.They had all the models there and a wall of albums to choose from.
I can't remember the electronics they used. They had a long open wall and they sounded great.
If you wanted a set, they would refer you to one of the base audio shops, or would give you a stateside dealer
to order and pick up your speakers from when you got back to the US. I went a different route, since
I couldn't use them like intended. I still couldn't. Welcome to being married.
I don't know if I would still find them good. I've listened to a lot of quality speakers since then.
I have looked around a bit, but between surround rot, and the fact that 90% of people selling
them have lost the EQ, It hasn't happened. Add to that the $$$ people are asking, no thanks.
Nice to see someone got a decent pair.

 

[restorer-john]

Congrats on getting the 901s, they made an impression on me as a young child and many times over the years. I've never owned a pair however.

I loved my DCM Timewindow 1as for about 12 years and then let them go. They were great in small to medium rooms but simply couldn't fill the vast space I was living in at the time. Probably should have kept them- they were mint.

I play almost everything on small speakers these days. The sound I like is objective accuracy which is mostly delivered by high powered amps like my L-09M's.

Same with me, I currently have two Sony TAN77es running a pair of Dali Zensor 1s and alternate with other 6.5" two ways. They are my favourite size at the moment.

 

[E-Stat]

The brands and top speaker at the time were Bose 901 Series III, Dahlquist DQ-10 (with a sub or two), DCM Time Window (with the Time Bass subwoofers), Epicure 3.0 and the Magneplanar MG-II.

I had a pair of MG-IIs in the mid seventies but they were never the top of the Magnepan line. That distinction was held by the Tympani series - either the six panel 1-U or the massive eight panel T-III.

It was hearing tri-amplified T-IIIs using Audio Research electronics that introduced me to the brand and led me to buy them.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Yup I was dead

wrong. The largest Magneplanar we sold was the II as we didn't go for the Tympani.

Smallest Magnepan we handled was the Unitrac I. Nice piece of gear that one.

 

[E-Stat]

I was wrong.

No worries as I've never been mistaken before.

Just wanted to clarify as the big Tympanis were darned impressive. I heard that system when I was 17 and it completely recalibrated my POV as to how realistic an audio system could sound. I drove my MG-IIs with a modified Audire One power amp. That was the era of Frank Van Alstines Double Dyna 400 amp. I took a page from his book and added an external capacitor bank with an additional 60,000 uF to the stock 20,000 uF along with a 30A bridge. That improved transparency and did wonders for dynamic impact. Which taught me the value of power supply stiffness.

I worked briefly for a Magnepan dealer in college and still follow the product. An audio reviewer friend had a killer multi-channel system using 20.1s as mains, dual CCR centers and 1.6 rears driven by an Edge power amp sourced by a Conrad-Johnson MET-5. And five Nola Thunderbolt subs. Great for Telarc MC content and movies!

Are you aware of the 30.7?

 

[Gibsonian]

Never heard a pair of 901's but I want to now!

 

[E-Stat]

Never heard a pair of 901's but I want to now!

Bring plenty of power. Amar had to equalize the bejesus out of the midrange drivers to deliver response at the frequency extremes. Even then, don't expect anything remotely resembling top end delicacy.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Just waiting for the 30.7 to make it to the AK pricing structure to upgrade. With them now becoming available the 20s might be ones to step up to.

 

[SoCal Sam]

...I see SoCalSam in a target rich environment having put together an amazing collection of amplifiers that he probably has very little in since he has moved a bunch of receivers and other gear. I've been fortunate finding speakers in my area. Sure the deals are harder to find but they are still out there.

I really need to figure out what speakers to keep, I have too many. Probably would trade em all for a middle of the line current speaker of today like the tens of thousand dollar Magico 3 of some letter. Wow speakers sure have gotten a lot more expensive in the past 20 years or so. But for now, it's like I'm in the soundroom at the store choosing a speaker to play

I flipped my way to the top. I would accrue audio dollars and buy what I want at market price. Otherwise, I could never see myself paying what I have paid for vintage. Like you, it is time to re-align the collection. I'm always thinking about trading numbers and moving upstream. Not sure what I'll get but it will be fun. Interesting to me at least, I'm not into speakers like I used to be. Even moderately sized bookshelf boxes eat up space fast. The floorstanders and the monster 15 inchers are all gone.

 

[turnitdown]

I actually think that Bose got it right with the 802s. All I (might) have to say about that. Signed, Forest.

 

[harman/kardon]

I just would like to mention that my 901/III had been refurbished professionally in 2006. The man gave me a six years warranty back then, but now, after 12 years, everything is still fine!!!

 

[bruhl001]

"I'm not a Bose fan but...." Geez, when will folks stop being so timid about liking Bose. I fllippin LOVE BOSE and a belated thanks to Amar for his brilliant point two series line of speakers.

 

[Blue Shadow]

It is ok to not be a Bose fan but like some of their products. I liked the 901 but I liked all the other speakers I have better. The 901 has provided the most memorable album introduction I have had. It has its place in history but I like to use other speakers better. I'm not timid, but honest about my position on Bose.

Bose is providing a listening experience folks seem to be very divided on with either love or hate. There was good work done by Amar to help sell boatloads of goods to Americans and that is just fine. There are a number of folks that like the Bose speakers here on AK and a very large number that are disappointed with their sound to the point of near violent rejection of the brand. I don't get that part. But whatever, liking or loving Bose shouldn't be a bad thing that some think it is.

 

[danomar]

Somewhat tangential but still TOTL-relevant, I recently got a Luxman 5M20 and 5C50 back from my servicer. Before that, I was using a restored Acoustat TNT-200 and Acoustat TNP preamp to power my Acoustat Model 3s. They were impressive, but the Luxmans make the Acoustat amp/preamp sound dull in comparison.

Now I remember why I lusted after the Luxmans back in the old Hi-Fi House days. Amazing stuff.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Somewhat tangential but still TOTL-relevant, I recently got a Luxman 5M20 and 5C50 back from my servicer. Before that, I was using a restored Acoustat TNT-200 and Acoustat TNP preamp to power my Acoustat Model 3s. They were impressive, but the Luxmans make the Acoustat amp/preamp sound dull in comparison.

Now I remember why I lusted after the Luxmans back in the old Hi-Fi House days. Amazing stuff.

The LRS rig was our standard in the soundroom. This was late 70s in Knoxville, TN not much demand for the expensive high end, yet. We sold a lot of that gear. Refurbished that amp and preamp should be something. All I have from the series is the tone control unit the 5F70. Slowly acquiring my stack. Gotta sell a lot before I get the next piece unless it is a reasonably priced as this one was.