Bose 601 "owner" opinions please
- Thread starter Copa1934
- Start date
Copa1934
My ears are bleeding
I'll post more images as I go along. The original owner purchased them in Spain while he was stationed there. Fellow Marine. He's still going through is storage locker and thinks he may have the original woofer (replaced some time back), the original boxes and paperwork, and a piece of the plastic grill (on the side) that broke off. I'm not going to wait on the woofer so I'm already searching for a replacement. I've seen many listings on eBay that say the 301 and 601 share the same woofer (depending of course on series). If anyone out there knows for sure and what to look out for that would be appreciated. For those not intimately familiar these are Series II.
What's funny, really, is they're not what I expected, size wise. Some images I've seen make them look a lot larger. While other images they appear smaller. Since I had my mind made up they would be "smallish", I was pleasantly surprised to find they are not much smaller than the 501 speakers I have. So, now I own a sampling of the Top Dogs, the 501, 601 and 901. The 501 speakers will be the greater challenge, which I believe I had started a post about.
Anyway, looking forward to yet another project and a chance to do some head to head with other Bose speakers, as well as other makes and models of speakers.
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Copa1934
My ears are bleeding
Interesting. I hope the kids (speakers) will play well together.
Thejtl
Active Member
So I picked up a set of 601 series ones yesterday. They have been refoamed. I've been listening and a/bing back and forth with my new set of Klipsch rf-82ii.
I know the direct/reflect thing is supposed to be more diffuse and have less of a sound field, but these things have no center when I sit in the "sweet spot".
Is this normal?
I have the weekend to listen and decide if I want to keep them. Not sure about the price, and while I like them aesthetically, but I'm not sure about the sound. Maybe you folks who know them better can help?
No center image normal? I'm pretty sure I have everything wired right.
I know the direct/reflect thing is supposed to be more diffuse and have less of a sound field, but these things have no center when I sit in the "sweet spot".
Is this normal?
I have the weekend to listen and decide if I want to keep them. Not sure about the price, and while I like them aesthetically, but I'm not sure about the sound. Maybe you folks who know them better can help?
No center image normal? I'm pretty sure I have everything wired right.
Yes normal, the idea is that the sound is comming from everywhere.
you can play with the back switch to give the front tweets more of a forward
shot.
These speakers can be dull, I crank up the treble.. they like power.
When people go from speaker to speaker there is ear adjustment that
has to happen.
These speakers are not for everybody,could be they are not a good match
with your amp.
you can play with the back switch to give the front tweets more of a forward
shot.
These speakers can be dull, I crank up the treble.. they like power.
When people go from speaker to speaker there is ear adjustment that
has to happen.
These speakers are not for everybody,could be they are not a good match
with your amp.
Cloudy yes,this should go away as you turn up the treble and volume.
Some do not consider these audiophile/hifi grade speakers, its' a aquierd taste.
They can give off a life like sound in the right room, I run mine 7in off
the wall in the asymetric mode.
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wmgwizard
Addicted Member
Speaker placement is very important to getting the best out of any speaker system.
In my experience the 601's like to be placed closer together than other speakers. I typically keep mine about 6-8 feet apart, about 8" off the back wall and pointing straight ahead. YMMV.
You may also want to experiment with the switch on the back. Make sure both speakers are set the same. Double check your phasing as well.
Once you get the placement right your opinions about midrange cloudiness may change. They will always be a little soft in the upper treble regions, that's why there are bass/treble controls.
In my experience the 601's like to be placed closer together than other speakers. I typically keep mine about 6-8 feet apart, about 8" off the back wall and pointing straight ahead. YMMV.
You may also want to experiment with the switch on the back. Make sure both speakers are set the same. Double check your phasing as well.
Once you get the placement right your opinions about midrange cloudiness may change. They will always be a little soft in the upper treble regions, that's why there are bass/treble controls.
centsless
Super Member
Having done several sets of series II and III, I can share what I have learned. The 301 and 601 woofers are similar but not alike. The 301 has a bullet shaped dust cap and the trim ring is different so save your 601 trim rings. The color of the cone is slightly different also but in an emergency, can be used.
Copa1934
My ears are bleeding
"Switch? I have no stinking switch". Just checked. There is, what looks like, a ground post. Has a rubber "tip". Mine are Series II. Based on what I've read, there are pretty big difference in performance between ALL the 601 speakers. I believe the changes between series was much more radical than just about any other model speaker Bose made. So advice, IMHO, would be most effective and useful where the Series in question are the same. Do a Google on "Bose 601 Series changes" and just the images alone will tell you there were many serious changes.
I'm in the process of cleaning my, very filthy, speakers.
Copa1934
My ears are bleeding
I'll take images of all my woofers, making sure they are the same. The original owner only changed out the one driver. If the ones I find online have the correct "markings" then I'll know I have a match. I don't feel that an "honest" impression of the speakers can be made running mismatched drivers, networks that may be in question, etc. Too many threads I've read where updated networks have made huge improvements, one of which is imaging. I noticed this in my Mach One speakers especially. Huge improvement after a recap.
Completely agree with "position", but I didn't notice anyone mention raising them (maybe just missed it?). They are NOT ear level, though the tweeters do point up slightly. I'm thinking that distance between seated position and the speakers can be more critical, i.e. too close (and you might get beaming) or too far (sound goes over your head). So these are factors I'll have to work with.
Just for fun, those who have a set hooked up, try listening in a seated position, then stand and note any change in sound. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you lower yourself slightly, like about to sit, that you may hear yet another change in sound.
I can already tell this is going to be very interesting.
I have a set of the RF-62 II's as well as the 601-I's
I get it, total diff. world in sound.
I run my 601's with some klpsch B-2 bookshelfs off my TV.amp
in stereo with a sub. I like this better then my old 5/1 set up.
Have not found the right amp for the RF-62 yet so they sit unused.:scratch2:
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Thejtl
Active Member
Interesting. I'm looking for something to suit my family room set up. I had a Yamaha AVR in there with B&W 685s anchoring a surround system, but I missed listening to music in the family room, so I sold the B&Ws (just weren't exciting me) and now I've ditched the AVR in favor of a Kenwood KA-8006.
I listened to Dark side of the Moon side one twice through on both sets of speakers this morning and they both do something really nice. My wife is pressuring me to choose. I bought the Klipsch online, so return shipping would kill me but I'm finding it hard to find reasons to return the Bose too.
I love the way they look in the room, but if i put looks into the equation, the 901s would really fit the look of the space and our taste better.
Copa1934
My ears are bleeding
Homebody, your avatar made me think you were AK'er Jaymanna at first. He has that same pic!
HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY!! Series II's for the win!!
Great score, man. Glad you got those.
I removed the fuse entirely, replaced two of the resistors (wire coming out is VERY brittle) and left the mexican poly caps.
The sound is NOT dull, and very enjoyable.
I have them a foot from the back wall, 3 feet from each side wall, and the sound is simply thrilling.
Copa, can't wait til you get those rocking, my friend. :thmbsp: