Bose AM5

Irocl98

Irocl98

Member
Divorce has caused me to put my Klipsch RF-7’s in storage and move to an apartment. I know opinions vary on Bose products but I picked up an AM5 system for $100. It’s decent for a small apartment. Here’s the deal…..I’m thinking about replacing all the drivers with upgraded speakers. I’m curious to see how much better I can get the system to sound with better drivers. Don’t get me wrong, I know this system isn’t even close to audiophile quality but it does have a certain warm and inviting sound to it for a small speaker system. Any opinions?
 
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The only think I can think of that would make sense is maybe some external tweeters for them. The bass module and satellites are designed to work together. Any driver change would affect that, probably adversely. I'd also suggest a subwoofer, but living in an apartment, that might not be advisable.
 
I realize that everything is meant to work together. I’m thinking of this project as a reimagining of what could have been if Bose used better driver material.
 
I realize there’s not a lack of Bose basher’s. I’m just curious how upgraded drivers could overcome the limitations of the original system. It’s a cheap project and my curiosity is killing me.
 
The AM5 crosses over very high between the sub and satellites. Somewhere above 200hz. I wouldn’t start pulling drivers without also redesigning the crossover. I would probably not touch the drivers in the bass module. The enclosure is designed to maximize their performance.

That being said, I would love to try out one of the Acoustimass systems. It’s a footprint that my wife would definitely appreciate.
 
Me? I would listen to it for awhile, then make up your mind. I've had the AM5 system. It worked where I was at the time in my journey. Don't try to improve them...it's a system. If you wind up hating it, pass it on and get what you want.
 
Irocl98 said:
I realize there’s not a lack of Bose basher’s. I’m just curious how upgraded drivers could overcome the limitations of the original system. It’s a cheap project and my curiosity is killing me.
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You are opening a complete can of worms. You would have to completely revamp the crossovers. The "twiddlers" (that's what they called them) cut out hard and fast at 500-600 Hz. The "bass module" is a 6th order box with humps at about 70 and 140. Keep in mind that the box will drop off rapidly, like 24dB/octave from 140, resulting in a massive response hole between the bass module and the sats, since they also drop out fast. This is the fundamental problem with the design, poor frequency response and poor dispersion characteristics, which explains the twisted modules. This allows a way to fake proper dispersion.
This is the ultimate problem with Bose speaker designs, poor frequency response. But, their target audience was never experienced audio people. Their audience doesn't mind these shortfalls, actually seeing them as a benefit.
Either settle for the AM5s as they are, or buy a good pair of bookshelf speakers. I think you would be happy with a pair of 2-way 6" bookshelf speakers with a nice fabric or metal dome tweeter. A configuration I have been running for decades. Trying to mod the Bose will prevent you from getting your $100 back out of them.
 
My original garage system has AM-3's (the single cube 'version' of AM-5's) mounted in the rafters firing down and in. The bass unit is up there too and gets some corner reinforcement from that location. I used this before the garage became my 'cave'. I still use them time to time, especially if it's just background music. If I listen to them for a while, I warm up to them and enjoy them. Back to back, against the ADS L-880/2's that are in the main garage system, they sound muffled, and the bass isn't as good. I found that boosting the treble helps a bit, but I can't see how one could realistically do anything else to improve them.
I'd recommend using them as-is and looking for a different sat-sub system. Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble would be a good option. I've had a pair since they were first released in '89. The finish on the satellites turns to sticky goo, but alcohol gets that off for a simple sand and repaint. I've had to refoam the woofer on all the satellites, which is also cheap and easy. The two bass units fare much better; they use a laminate on the cabinets and rubber surrounds that don't disintegrate like the foam ones do. Another good thing is that they are usually cheap. I picked up a pair of the originals plus a pair of Ensemble II's with the single woofer unit for $40 a couple years ago. They are quite good and very easily beat the AM-3's and 5's.
 
The first gen used some cheap-assed Panasonic speakers probably from a boombox line. The real problem is there is terrible 13 kHz peak that makes them shrill. You'd need to crack them open and see if Tangband or similar makes a small speaker that will fit. It will still probably sound like **** tho because there's not enough volume in the enclosure. Knock yourself out tho.
 
The first thing I'd do, is spend some time on placement. With the AM-5, you have the position of the satellites, the position of the bass module, and also the rotation of the cubes to play with. Placement can dramatically affect results with these speakers so take your time.

I'd start with the bass module in a front corner, and the satellites up high, with one cube pointing at the listener, and the other out at a side wall. If you get them really dialed in, and place the bass module in such a way that its location isn't too audible, this system can be quite satisfying.

If you find you like them a lot, look out for some later series cubes, as they did improve over time. All things considered though, why not enjoy what you've got and have some fun playing with the "hot" consumer product of the early 90s.

I wouldn't bother to try and "upgrade" beyond perhaps making sure you use quality speaker wire, and a decent amp. The bass module relies heavily on resonance to work properly, so a different driver would make it sound boomy and throw off the tuning. With the satellites again I don't see much point, since by the time you've bought four high quality full range drivers, you've already spent more than you already have in the system.
 
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OK, so you needed tiny speakers, you bought some Bose and now want to improve on them. Much easier to just replace them with other better small speakers.

The Rat Shack Minimus 7 is a favorite here and I have about a dozen, a tad larger but not really much of an improvement, just different.

I've had most of the speakers this size and the best are the Canton Plus S, real bass out of such a diminutive speaker is remarkable, great German engineering on display.

They weren't cheap new and still aren't, but much more so than new and worth way more.

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They also offered a 12" passive subwoofer the Plus C, and the identical looking powered Plus B.
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They also came in white or this beautiful real wood veneer.
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The sub is only about 13" square.

Well it appears the secret is out on these little gems, the prices are up but still a huge bargain, especially the pair new in box currently on eBay, $199, WOW. If I didn't already have 3 pair.........although mine are all black....hmmmmmm.

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Add the sub for about another 2 bills and you have one killer system. But I would recommend listening to them without the sub first, you just might find you don't need it, ya these little babies rock. About 5yrs ago you could get this setup in black for about $130.

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I also suggest replacement vs. upgrade. I actually like AM-5s and used a set for years as my primary audio so my first choice would be: Do nothing. But to upgrade is easy - a nice set of satellites something like @Sgt Shultz suggests and a sub. For a similar footprint as the AM-5 I recommend the excellent Dayton SUB1000L. For nice apartment size full range speakers, EPI 100s are hard to beat.
 
A fools errand.

Bose designed this as a SYSTEM, engineered to work together. If you change one thing, three other things will be affected.

Enjoy what you have for what it is, save your time/money and get something better when you can. There have been HUGE advances since that system was designed, you can do much better.
 
Advances or not, those Bose systems were not designed to be the best money could buy at their price points. They were designed to provide sound without being seen.
 
Sgt Shultz said:
I've had most of the speakers this size and the best are the Canton Plus S, real bass out of such a diminutive speaker is remarkable, great German engineering on display.

They weren't cheap new and still aren't, but much more so than new and worth way more.
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FWIW, I just missed out on a pair on eBay for significantly less than the numbers you quoted (didn't need another set but figured I'd get them if they sold very cheaply, which they didn't). But I'd suggest that the NHT SuperZero is a good alternative if you can deal with its slightly larger size. They are certainly much more plentiful.
 
opnly bafld said:
Advances or not, those Bose systems were not designed to be the best money could buy at their price points. They were designed to provide sound without being seen.
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They might not have been marketed as "the best money could buy" but in their time they did command a premium price.
 
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