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4 x bose 901s , advice on amp setup and connection

T

Thags

New Member
Hi Guys
Hope you well
I have just acquired 4 X bose 901 series VI with the 2 equalizers.
I am not sure how o should set this up but regarding amps I thinking of carver or crown 2000
Amplifiers
I am not a guru in sound but understand basic and hope you guys the specialist can guide me in right direction
 
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how many power amps do you plan on using?

keep in mind that by connecting both sets of speakers to one amp it'll play havoc with the impedance. i'd advise against it. use two power amps.

you really only need one eq. the output can be split to feed both power amps.
 
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the skipper said:
how many power amps do you plan on using?

keep in mind that by connecting both sets of speakers to one amp it'll play havoc with the impedance. i'd advise against it. use two power amps.

you really only need one eq. the output can be split to feed both power amps.
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Hi mates
Foe sure defiantly 2 Amps minimum or the best one solution 1 amp per speaker
 
That's the Series I and II, which is the rumour...though I have had Series II since new in the 70's and they have worked fine with receivers 50 watts/ch and under.

From Series III and up they were supposed to be more efficient, however there is the possibility that the drivers may need some work...maybe not Series VI?
 
Yes they sound better with more power. I ran my 901 IVs with a 250 per channel Soundcraftsmen. I'm sure a 100 or so would sound fine but I wouldn't bother with any less. For a short time I had them hooked up to a Sonographe (made by Conrad Johnson) 120 cus the Soundcraftsmen had an issue. They sounded better with the 250 IMHO
 
Interesting post.

This was the basis of what was called the “Super Bose System” back in the 70’s.

It also included a Bose 1801 amplifier.

As I recall, there was only need for one EQ required for the 4 speakers

And, there was only the one 1801 amp. However, I think @the skipper is on to something. These speakers are truly power sponges. Generally speaking, the more the better.

Assuming that they are in good shape and are not in need of any reconeing, the other big consideration is placement.

With regards to placement, much has been discussed on AK on proper placement for 901’s. Without providing exact dimensions on room size and treatments (I will leave that to others more knowledgeable), it boils down to having (or as close as you can get) perpendicular walls in order to appreciate their design and get the most out of them. In addition, there should be ample distance between the speakers such that they will not conflict with one another (as to the right measurements see my previous comment on others that are more knowledgeable).

The other consideration is whether or not you plan to mount them on their tulip stands (or something equivalent in height) or, are you planning on hanging them from the ceiling?

Lets assume that what I said above is directionally correct. If true, than take what I said and multiply X2 as you have four of these guys to play with (that is of course assuming that you want all four I the same room).
 
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As always, how much amp you need depends heavily on how much you like to crank it. I've a pair of 901 Series VI and they can easily suck up 200-300W peaks if you like to crank it up.

With the big bass boost from the EQ they like to have plenty of power on hand especially if there is lots of bass and/or lots of punch/slam in the material being played.
 
THF2 said:
Interesting post.

This was the basis of what was called the “Super Bose System” back in the 70’s.

It also included a Bose 1801 amplifier.

As I recall, there was only need for one EQ required for the 4 speakers

And, there was only the one 1801 amp. However, I think @the skipper is on to something. These speakers are truly power sponges. Generally speaking, the more the better.

Assuming that they are in good shape and are not in need of any reconeing, the other big consideration is placement.

With regards to placement, much has been discussed on AK on proper placement for 901’s. Without providing exact dimensions on room size and treatments (I will leave that to others more knowledgeable), it boils down to having (or as close as you can get) perpendicular walls in order to appreciate their design and get the most out of them. In addition, there should be ample distance between the speakers such that they will not conflict with one another (as to the right measurements see my previous comment on others that are more knowledgeable).

The other consideration is whether or not you plan to mount them on their tulip stands (or something equivalent in height) or, are you planning on hanging them from the ceiling?

Lets assume that what I said above is directionally correct. If true, than take what I said and multiply X2 as you have four of these guys to play with (that is of course assuming that you want all four I the same room).
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Hi Mate
thanks for the valuable input ,this setup will be housed in my car condo , upstairs we will run one pair setup at bar and entertainment area , that about 35 Square meter and down stair where my vehicle will be based will mounted as per spec by bose from ceiling , that square in meter will able about 45 x 30 squares .
i like to know as well how should i wire both amps and add a pre amp in the mix , what would you recommend and also how the proper way to wire them
Thanks
Thags
 
Thags said:
Hi Mate
thanks for the valuable input ,this setup will be housed in my car condo , upstairs we will run one pair setup at bar and entertainment area , that about 35 Square meter and down stair where my vehicle will be based will mounted as per spec by bose from ceiling , that square in meter will able about 45 x 30 squares .
i like to know as well how should i wire both amps and add a pre amp in the mix , what would you recommend and also how the proper way to wire them
Thanks
Thags
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G’day.

Again, i am not the one to ask about exact measurements.

That said, are you planning on listening to the same source in both the upstairs and the downstairs? If so, two amps (one for downstairs No one for upstairs) with one preamp and one EQ should work fine.

If however, you want the flexibility to listen to two different sources at the same time, this will require a 2nd separate preamp and the use of the other EQ that you have.
 
THF2 said:
G’day.

Again, i am not the one to ask about exact measurements.

That said, are you planning on listening to the same source in both the upstairs and the downstairs? If so, two amps (one for downstairs No one for upstairs) with one preamp and one EQ should work fine.

If however, you want the flexibility to listen to two different sources at the same time, this will require a 2nd separate preamp and the use of the other EQ that you have.
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Cool
Thanks but you mentioned measurement therefore my response
It will be one source
I still did not get the answer I am looking for
Thanks again for your advice
 
T
SoCal Sam said:
Carver is not suited for low impedance loads. Crown pro audio is. Get a couple of Crowns.
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Thanks Buddy this is teh answer i was looking for , So i Will get 2 x crown Ce2000 .
I need to see know for a preamp to run those boxes with 2 preamp outs
Any way you can supply a wiring diagram of how this will be wired up
 
I've been in more than one roller-skating rink that used two pair of 901s. Based on the years those rinks operated, I'd say 901 III or maybe IV for the first rink, almost certainly IV in a second rink.

I don't remember the first rink's amplifier system, but the second rink used a Phase Linear amp. 400 watts per channel, I think; but that would have been rated at 8 ohm, and two pair of 901s in parallel would be a four-ohm nominal load.

The Bose owner's manual said that the speakers would take "unlimited" power...IF (big IF) you put a 3-amp fast-blow fuse in the speaker wire. I worked the math once upon a time, I think it came out to the equivalent of 400 watts into 8 ohms. Which--in 1977--1980--was a huge amount of power.

My 901 Vs in the shop are running off of a "35-watt" receiver. I have all the volume I need. The 901s are very flexible in terms of amplifier power--"not much" power gets reasonable volume, yet they'll accept huge wattage without damage (except to your ears.)

As already said, one equalizer is all you need for two pair of speakers wired in parallel to a stereo amp. That would change if the speakers are wired independently to a four-channel amp set up for "multichannel" sound.
 
I'm driving a pair of 901 series VI with a Carver PM-350. The only issue is I get heavy on the volume and blew a driver in one of the 901's. repaired the driver and fused the outputs haven't had an issue. In the past I drove them with a Mac MC 2100 with no issues.
 
Might I offer a suggestion.....

Instead of asking questions and guessing, why not just download the actual Bose 901 Series VI Instruction / Owners Manual?

Who else can better answer your question(s) than from the manufacturer themselve's.

You can download one for free from HifiEngine.com....just sign up and join.

Believe me it will answer all your general questions, concerning hook up, installation, power requirements, set up, etc., etc. and a load of helpful information to go with it all. (Keep in mind that the type of speaker wire (gauge) that you will be using to connect to the speakers is very important as well, read page 6, Speaker section).

Once downloaded.....go to page 12 and read under Technical Information (Amplifier Power Requirements) to answer your question, specifically.

Just my $0.02

(I currently have 4 Bose 901 Series VI driven by a Kenwood Basic M2A Power Amplifier.)

(I also have 2 Bose 802 Series III each one driven by separate power amplifiers, one amplifier being a Bose 1800 Series V and the other is a Carver PM 1400.)

BOSE 901 VI speakers.jpeg
 
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Thags said:
T

Thanks Buddy this is teh answer i was looking for , So i Will get 2 x crown Ce2000 .
I need to see know for a preamp to run those boxes with 2 preamp outs
Any way you can supply a wiring diagram of how this will be wired up
Click to expand...

You only need one set of pre outs if you daisy chain the amp inputs or use "Y" cables to split the pre out to both amp inputs. Daisy-chaining the inputs is easy on those using the screw terminals.
 
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