Bose 901 EQ question

[johnny_fever]

Has anyone here ever tried another brand of EQ with the Bose 901 speaker?
Or can you run the Bose EQ flat and add another EQ to the system?
Thanks for your time. Rick

 

[Whaleman]

I've used an ADC 10 band EQ, but it did not have the amount of boost of the Bose series 4 EQ. The only way to run the Bose EQ flat is to switch it out since even a minimum you are getting quite a bit of boost. The Bose EQ is definetly the way to go.

 

[cabinover]

You can run another EQ with the Bose EQ, sure. However like Whaleman said the Bose EQ is like a preset EQ curve with a little more adjustment that can be made by you.

As for whether the other EQ can exceed Bose's, I seriously doubt it. I vaguely remember reading about the Bose EQ and the amount of adjustment was up around 18dB IIRC.

 

[Aage]

I think Bose made a mistake calling that little box an "Equalizer".

Without it properly connected to the system, you are not listening to what the Bose engineers designed and called the Bose 901.

Conversely, you cannot use the Bose EQ with another speaker to modify your sounds (in any meaningful way).

In other words, it is part of the speakers, just like the cabinet, and all those little drivers inside each box are. The curve it applies to the sound is there to make them sound "normal", not to spice them up.

And yes, as another poster said, you can connect another equalizer along with the Bose EQ box.

 

[outshined]

Just to sum up what the others have already said, you must use the Bose EQ that is made specifically for the series of 901 you have, to make the speakers work right.

 

[Zilch]

Didn't we just go through the 901 EQ stacking thing here rather thoroughly, including the curves?

 

[avguytx]

I concur. I tried (for kicks and grins) using my 901 Series IV's both without the 901 EQ and also with a ADC SS-450X and it was not good at all either way. Better with the ADC of course but you gotta have the original one to make them do more what they were designed to do. Just make sure you have an amp that has some "nuts" behind it.

 

[fsjonsey]

I've always wondered this about the 901. Why would any loudspeaker require an equalizer in order to sound "normal." Isn't that just compensation for a flaw in the speaker design?

 

[stuwee]

I've always wondered this about the 901. Why would any loudspeaker require an equalizer in order to sound "normal." Isn't that just compensation for a flaw in the speaker design?

I think "flaw" is too harsh a word, there have been many very highly regarded speakers that had to have an EQ as this was the only way the designer could get the sound just right, you use whatever tools you have to make your idea of what sounds the best. This is also why there are so many amplifier designs etc....

Craig

 

[fsjonsey]

I think "flaw" is too harsh a word, there have been many very highly regarded speakers that had to have an EQ as this was the only way the designer could get the sound just right, you use whatever tools you have to make your idea of what sounds the best. This is also why there are so many amplifier designs etc....

Craig

I see. It just always confused me.

 

[Zilch]

I've always wondered this about the 901. Why would any loudspeaker require an equalizer in order to sound "normal." Isn't that just compensation for a flaw in the speaker design?

The design has unconventional objectives.

It's the only rational way to get full-range response out of a gaggle of midrange drivers. The EQ is "extreme" by normal standards accomplishing that.... :yes:

 

[Zilch]

i guess they plotted the responce of the speaker, in free field and made the electronic curve the mirror image of the result to get a flat responce, if i remember it boosts up to about 20db below 200hz

Not freefield. The design relies upon reflection....

 

[stuwee]

In an ideal world.....one pair of speakers, one amp, one TT, one cart.

Craig

Oh and of course, one pet, one spouse, one bad ass car/truck

 

[Aage]

Didn't we just go through the 901 EQ stacking thing here rather thoroughly, including the curves?

I don't remember. Is the the one where one of the posters insisted that the only way to listen to them was with two Bose EQs?

 

[Zilch]

I don't remember. Is the the one where one of the posters insisted that the only way to listen to them was with two Bose EQs?

Yes.

Lotsa good infos in that one.... :thmbsp:

 

[avguytx]

It just goes with Bose's concept of getting BIG sound out of a smaller enclosure. Overall, it worked for them and they've sold tons of them in all the years they've been out. Sure it's a lot of marketing hype that goes along with it but isn't that what being in business is all about? Making money? There aren't too many speaker companies still left standing that can say they've been making the same model of speakers for 30+ years and people still buy them today like they did back then. Hey, if that's the sound THEY like and it performs to what THEY want them to, then I see nothing wrong with them.

If given the right amount of power and set up right, they don't sound too damn bad. If you don't own a pair, don't bash them until you can hear them in your own place. I've been on the basher side of the fence till I recently refoamed an entire set, recapped the EQ and refinished the cabinets. I could live with them for a lot of my listening habits and for gatherings. I want to think I own some nice, older speakers including Altec Milano's (Valencia basically), Small Advent, New Large Advent, ADS L810, Klipsch Heresy, Polk SDA SRS II's of which I enjoy them all for what each one does well. Do the 901's do everything perfect? Of course not. But if you don't have space for larger more efficient speakers but can do a larger amp, the 901's do well.

Sorry...that sounds like a rant in a way. Well, maybe it is. I like 'em for what they are and if you have the "nuts" to put behind them, they are worth a try.

 

[johnny_fever]

thanks Guys.
my 901's are hooked up to a Sansui G-22000. The room Is about 20x40. The Bose have no problem taking the power or filling the room with sound. I wanted to somehow add a Sansui SE9 EQ to that system. Thanks for your time. Later Rick

 

[Aage]

IIRC, the Bose EQ has a Tape Monitor circuit. If I am right, then that is where your Sansui SE9 will connect.

Have fun, and don't forget to warn the neighbours.

 

[johnny_fever]

Thanks again...Later Rick

 

[avionic]

The Bose EQ ,Something like a active crossover for the 901's