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Bose 601 "owner" opinions please

HomeBody said:
Im old enough to still enjoy Casablanca. Amped Audio FX wouldn't add much IMHO. Besides... this is a vintage thread aimed at people who know you cant deliver real audio from a plastic box. And you cant beat a coke with a paper straw!
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Well, first, I have to give credit to my sister-in-law where credit is due, but in her world, arguing for stuff within marketing firms in Manhattan (and despite my low estimation of the services that marketing firms provide, I believe she's right in this case), that whenever you say either "technically" or "IMHO", you've lost the argument. Think about it for 30 seconds before responding to that particular point.

But there are two bigger issues to consider:
  1. You got a problem with 5.1? Why not have a problem with stereo? Casablanca was recorded in mono. Why would you ever need to listen to anything in stereo?
  2. But the bigger issue is whether you should see and hear an artist's creation as the artist intended it to be heard. If someone puts out a movie in 5.1, then they intended you to hear it in 5.1. Lest you think that they put the stereo option in the sound configuation because they wanted you to hear it in stereo, you're wrong. They want you to experience their movie as they envisioned it, in a full, 5.1 (or more!) surround mix.
 
As mentioned earlier- this us a thread regarding a speaker that we are admiring. My view on 5.1 is merely a comical intermission for those viewing. Hi-Fi Stereos and paper straws please....5.1 may be found in the 5.1 section if this website. Plastic sucks. Any artist that embraces plastic sucks. Any producer thinking plastic is the last word in today's typical home theater....etc etc ad nauseam. This thread's focus is the celebration of a product line with a notorious ....uh...marketing strategy. Come to think...Bose makes a nice plastic 2.1.

Hmmm-
 
I do a few degrees toe-in due to the drapes behind the speakers, otherwise the drapes would absorb most of the reflected energy. When I do new windows & blind treatments, I may leave them staggered & toed.………o_O
 
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HomeBody said:
The IMX expander on Radio Shack's EQ is a welcome option
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10 or 12 band? I was working for the shack when those came out. Pretty cool, but one can get carried away with it too. Especially nice for "live" or orchestral music and for "dull" rooms (having a lot of treatment). I wouldn't use in my home, too lively. Wood flooring, no curtains. Would likely exaggerate things quite a bit. I know my receiver dials things back (automatically) slightly due to the liveliness of our room. Had the STA-860 which had the built in expander.
 
12 band (31-2010)..indeed, orchestral and most jazz sources are fine on its lowest setting. Notice the slight bump & drop between 36Hz - 190 Hz...slight drop at 60 & 190...100Hz left flat (which can be controlled at the amp). After 190Hz, the EQ settings are flat. This brings a slightly sharper decay on the low end to my ears, while a not so pronounced bump around 35Hz. Pleasant yet Striking for all of my listening sources-

Come to think of it.. I need to spin some Fleetwood Mac! Somebody Stop Me..
 

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Celt said:
I have no doubt that many who bash all Bose products haven't even heard the ones they bash. They pile on for the sake of doing so.
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They'll follow anyone at the podium leading them to a mirage. And when they find there's no water, they'll drink the sand- Too many internet babblers react before even thinking. And the mere mention of Bose proves their wreckless thought processes. Proof again of their lack of education.
 
Thejtl said:
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.
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Try placing them about 6 feet apart....about a foot from the wall...and a tad toe-in....
 
thejtl, it is kinda part and parcel with these speakers that the listening experience is atypical. Not bad, just different.

I've grown to love the sound for casual listening.
 
When I had my set of 601 series 1s I did toe in, not because it sounded better but in my 1 room w/ my sets I needed to for logistics and found it really did not effect the sound all that much that could notice. Like I said previously I also had the rear switch set on both to symetrical because I did not have a wall to bounce the sound off of. If another set were to come by cheap as series 1s I would get another, they were that good,and the work I put into them ie. refoaming and cabinet cleaning really paid off. Very powerful speakers w/ the right amp pushing them. My Adcom did just fine.
 
I've come across some original (first gen) 601 woofers. Anyone think that these would be a better match for the Series II, rather than 301 Series II woofers. Around the same "money" but the 301 caps are solid paper as opposed to the "breathing" cloth caps like original 601 woofers.

Thoughts welcome, of course.
 
Tough call. As a business model, I'd think the series 2 of both the 301s AND the 601's would share the same drivers, cost being less for Bose.

I'd probably go for 301 series 2 drivers.
 
HomeBody said:
A better woofer....into a new pair of Bose cabinets? Share with us this profound discovery. . .
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New cabs??? These floorstanders must be 30-40 years old. I swapped in a early 1980s NOS 10" Realistic bluebox 100w woofer into each replacing the Bose 10" with bad surrounds. They were direct replacement for the T-200s. The bass is a lot better over stock, handles more power and is not boomy and it was a perfect fit. Not sure why the sarcastic comment though about a profound discovery :scratch2:. It worked out great, a pretty well balanced replacement
 
onwardjames said:
Tough call. As a business model, I'd think the series 2 of both the 301s AND the 601's would share the same drivers, cost being less for Bose.

I'd probably go for 301 series 2 drivers.
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I have some concerns over the dust caps. One other plus is the casting number in the 301 series II is identical to that of the 601 Series II. I might have to forget about the dust cap issue given the 301 may well be identical otherwise.

By the way, Kudo's on the solar energy. Something I have to look into down the road. We're not likely staying in our present home so something to consider moving forward.
 
HomeBody said:
Should I replace the original solid wire running to the woofers with a braided...?
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Based on what I've read, and the lack of proof that changing makes any difference I'm not sure I would. Only thing I am considering is quick disconnects. High quality pieces work well, for me. Cheap, softer metal, connectors are worthless.
 
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