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Bose 601 "owner" opinions please

I actually have a pair of 601 series II I got for free. However, two of the woofers need re-foaming but the other two have serious mouse damage to the cones. I'm thinking about just selling the good woofers and replacing all 4 of the woofers with some Goldwood 8" 4 ohm drivers from parts express. I imagine it would have to be as good as the original or better?
 
I bought one complete cab off the bay that arrived this past friday. Took the weekend cleaning & exploring. Sat & Sun was audition using one of the mach2s to complete the imaging balance, with the stereo balance slightly leaning toward the Bose. Ocassionally setting the balance even while we played musical chairs looking for subtle dfferences. Sunday brought about the decision to go on the hunt for series I or II. Spent more than I could afford, but seller offered good return policy. Not that I think I'll be sending them back. To my ear, using a 50 watt Fisher, the Bose bested the machs.
 
cowdog360 said:
I actually have a pair of 601 series II I got for free. However, two of the woofers need re-foaming but the other two have serious mouse damage to the cones. I'm thinking about just selling the good woofers and replacing all 4 of the woofers with some Goldwood 8" 4 ohm drivers from parts express. I imagine it would have to be as good as the original or better?
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Refoaming is very easy, take your time, and follow the multiple threads here.

Replacing with Goldwoods isn't a great idea. Thiel/Small parameters likely wouldn't match up, and the 8'' woofers Bose used were 16 ohms, I THINK.

They are easy to find, because that woofer was also used in the 301's, if memory serves.

Restore them to factory spec, and you will be unbelievably happy.

To think, I nearly passed on these. Now, roll up your sleeves and get those things restored. PM me for any questions if you wish, or just post here. I'll be watching.
 
cowdog360 said:
Was that the cabinet that had the pyramid and some other non-bose drivers in it?
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Yes, It is...the pyramid replaced the lower woofer. The upper woofer is a Radio Shack replacement as well, the front tweeters are oem & in superb condition. The rear tweeters appear to have a somewhat bleached look from exposure to sunlight.
 
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cowdog360 said:
The problem I'll have is two of the woofers with a chunk missing.. can't really refoam them because there would still be a small hole... perhaps I can patch with something?
Click to expand...

Since those cones are smoothe & without ridges, I would simply try using heavy card stock, cut a pyramid triangle out of the cones, and replace using same geometry....reinforce the back with some super glue or minute amount of polyurethane where edges meet & give them a go. I think you'd be surprised at how you can patch that up & then give the repaired area a dark wash with an acrylic paint to match up. Re-Foam & give them a workout. That would be my first step before I spent hours finding the replacement meeting specific criteria-
 
cowdog360 said:
The problem I'll have is two of the woofers with a chunk missing.. can't really refoam them because there would still be a small hole... perhaps I can patch with something?

Here are some pics/details about the damage: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=605566
Click to expand...

since your admitted goal is to flip, I'd simply part them out. Sad, because with two new woofers, you'd have a serious pair of speakers. I can't say enough about the "fun" factor on these things.
 
HomeBody said:
Since those cones are smoothe & without ridges, I would simply try using heavy card stock, cut a pyramid triangle out of the cones, and replace using same geometry....reinforce the back with some super glue or minute amount of polyurethane where edges meet & give them a go. I think you'd be surprised at how you can patch that up & then give the repaired area a dark wash with an acrylic paint to match up. Re-Foam & give them a workout. That would be my first step before I spent hours finding the replacement meeting specific criteria-
Click to expand...

Actually, that's a great idea.

Go for it!
 
Well, I could fix and keep them but the wife might not like all this new stuff in the house, considering I just got some B&W DM302. I ordered some foam kits and am going to try to refoam and patch and see what the results are. I love fixing and learning.

Perhaps try some thicker paper bound to it with tacky glue and maybe some coffee filter sections for strength? Then perhaps paint with some satin black spray paint? I'm open for all suggestions.. now I'm curious.
 
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Copa1934 said:
I'm only managed to miss one good deal. I've yet to land a pair. Some day. Nice to hear you enjoy them.
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Oh my. Out of curiosity decided to check again and a pair just got listed on CL yesterday. I'll contact them later. Asking $250, which is less than the "going" rate or "street price" if you will. Images look good too. See if they'd be interested in a barter. Wish me luck. Some timing eh?
 
Ok, so I'm going for the cone repair.. need some advice. What I did is as advised cut triangles out of the mouse nibbled area. I then found some black construction paper and Aileene's tacky glue in my house (yay wife for craft stuff!). I applied a patch of the paper to the back. I then laminated 3 pieces of the paper together with the glue and attached to the patch to form the same thickness of cone. So now, it looks really good, but I need to reinforce those cuts from the top. Should I at this point apply some coffee filter paper (or tissue paper) with the glue on the front?

Once I get that secured I'll probably just mist the whole cone with some rustoleum satin black paint I have from my amp restore. The cool thing is that once the surrounds get put back on, you won't see much of the patch!

Any advice for the final steps would be great. Thanks again, I'm getting exciting to getting my re-foam kit and firing these babies up! The kenwood 9100 demands some attention and I think it would feed the bose nicely.
 

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Don't use rustoleum yet. it could add extra weight to the cone, changing its character. for now, just run a line if super glue on the perimeter of your repair.
 
hard to edit on cell....just mist the repair like you said. that small amount shouldn't change the character or balance
 
Ah shoot, I actually applied a layer of coffee filter over the top, and the thickness is about perfect. I'm hoping all the layers don't add too much weight and change it. I actually found a bottle of kiwi shoe polish, which people on here say is the way to go (dye instead of paint doesn't add weight). I actually polished up the other woofers too. In the morning I'll snap new pics!

Thanks for the response. If it turns out sounding wierd, i'll re-do the repair. Of course I have no frame of reference :P
 
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