Bose loudspeakers and double blind tests
- Thread starter bob412
- Start date
Sgt Shultz
Addicted Member
My earlier comments were not to bash Bose, they are what they are, they meet their design goal. The 901 variants can sound stellar when properly set up.
Eagle_1
Active Member
This is exactly why I said the more I learn about Bose speakers the better I like them. The 501’s that I am currently restoring have a knob that you can adjust the sound deflection based on the room you are using them in. I’m not aware of any other speakers who do this.
IMO these speakers do a great job of playing all the different audiophiles in the music.
IMO these speakers do a great job of playing all the different audiophiles in the music.
Attachments
As far as subjective listener evaluations between equipment is concerned, double blind instantaneous comparisons are the gold standard. Sample listening time can be as long or as short as the subject chooses. Great care must be used in setups between loudspeakers to be compared- not only to ensure that both speakers are level matched but that they are positioned to keep acoustic dissimilarities to a minimum. Of course this could be challenging if the speaker(s) being compared have specific positioning requirements in order to perform optimally.
The speakers also need to be out of the listener's sight either behind an acoustically transparent curtain or with the listener being literally blindfolded. Once the test subject is aware of the equipment in use, the testing is invalid.
The speakers also need to be out of the listener's sight either behind an acoustically transparent curtain or with the listener being literally blindfolded. Once the test subject is aware of the equipment in use, the testing is invalid.
cgutz
AK Member
IMHO, Bose are maybe not the most accurate speaker, but are designed to be pleasant to listen to. I find listening to jazz and classical they are smooth and don't sound fatiguing. With rock, I do feel they lack punch.
I agree with others above that very many speakers outperform them, especially for the price. I would never pay the price for new. 301 show up at thrifts all the time for $25 to $35 and are a bargain at that price, if what you want is pleasing speakers for general listening. I've picked up several sets of 301 and 201 (and even some System 5) for basement price bargains to set up inexpensive systems for friends..
I do have a small bluetooth Bose that for streaming backround music in a small room, are surprisingly pleasant.
I agree with others above that very many speakers outperform them, especially for the price. I would never pay the price for new. 301 show up at thrifts all the time for $25 to $35 and are a bargain at that price, if what you want is pleasing speakers for general listening. I've picked up several sets of 301 and 201 (and even some System 5) for basement price bargains to set up inexpensive systems for friends..
I do have a small bluetooth Bose that for streaming backround music in a small room, are surprisingly pleasant.
DesertRatt
All Bark, No Bite!
Bose is just another speaker flavor in the market. Millions love that flavor. I've tried it. It didn't make me vomit. Pleasant, warm, womblike. It's not hard to see why they have a broad following. I hear that 16,000,000,000 BigMacs have also been sold. Not the best burger I ever had, but not the worst either. The Pinto, Vega, and early Explorer sold well too. When the market is 325 million people, there's going to be something for every taste.
Bose is the "flannel shirt" of speakers. Or the "timex watch" of speakers. I've heard a LOT WORSE speakers than Bose, that's for sure. And what company doesn't consistently tell the world that their thing is the "best?"
For sure Amar Bose understood the problem of speakers in living rooms. He had an idea about it - - not the worst idea in audio - a pretty good one about reflected sound. Now, we all talk about moving speakers away from the walls. I guess he was on to something?
Bose is the "flannel shirt" of speakers. Or the "timex watch" of speakers. I've heard a LOT WORSE speakers than Bose, that's for sure. And what company doesn't consistently tell the world that their thing is the "best?"
For sure Amar Bose understood the problem of speakers in living rooms. He had an idea about it - - not the worst idea in audio - a pretty good one about reflected sound. Now, we all talk about moving speakers away from the walls. I guess he was on to something?
HB3
Well-Known Member
They have all moved along. I sold the Series V a few years ago because my listening space is a 9x12 spare bedroom and they overwhelmed the room.Forgive me if I'm wrong. How many, if any Bose speakers have you kept? Are you using any of them?
I brought the Series II home with me from Okinawa. Sold them because I was getting married and needed the cash. Bought 301's and then sold them to get 501's. Sold the 501's when my wife gave me the Series V as a graduation gift. Had them for 35 years. And that's my story.
Last edited:
RVT1K
Super Member
I often use the food analogy...if you like it, it's good! And if you don't like it, it's not good. I don't know what you like and you don't know what I like.
It really is that simple.
Eagle_1
Active Member
Ironically I have a pair of AAL’s that I have put this to test with, minus the blindfold and any pair of speakers. What I am saying is that people who have actually heard my “cheaper” speakers have responded with “wow those actually sound great”. Sometimes quality sound can be found without breaking the bank.
As far comparing speakers to other objects, as a retired mechanic I tend to compare Bose speakers to the infamous Quadrajet carburetors. Most mechanics didn’t completely have a grasp of the way they function and therefore they received a negative review. While on the contrary I have seen some 10 second cars built with Quadrajet carburetors. It’s all in how you set them up.
jdmccall
Super Member
I owned 901's twice: a pair of Series IV's in the late 70's and a pair of Series VI's from '09 to '19. So I like'em! I always thought they sounded more like live music than most conventional speakers. Not live in a studio, but live in a concert venue. They were/are great at putting the listener in the concert hall. If you dig that, then more power to ya'! If you don't, then move along. I also owned at one time or another, 301's, 201's and 161's. All were good values, especially considering resale value.
Blind test, not commenting on that since there are to many factors.
I've only owned 301 & 501 models, but listened to 901's a lot while overseas in the 80's since we partied with a guy that had them frequently. No complaints from anyone, but not a critical listening situation, lol. As with all speakers, everyone has a preference, is it mine, or is it yours, who cares! I think as we grow in this hobby it is easy to put down speakers that may not live up to your personal expectations or preferences. Some members may have not had the numerous years of listening to the many different manufacturers and models that some of us have had. Bose speakers are not terrific or terrible in my opinion, but that's my opinion. If that's what you own and enjoy them, rock on! It's all about enjoyment, not critical listening.
I've only owned 301 & 501 models, but listened to 901's a lot while overseas in the 80's since we partied with a guy that had them frequently. No complaints from anyone, but not a critical listening situation, lol. As with all speakers, everyone has a preference, is it mine, or is it yours, who cares! I think as we grow in this hobby it is easy to put down speakers that may not live up to your personal expectations or preferences. Some members may have not had the numerous years of listening to the many different manufacturers and models that some of us have had. Bose speakers are not terrific or terrible in my opinion, but that's my opinion. If that's what you own and enjoy them, rock on! It's all about enjoyment, not critical listening.
knotscott
Super Member
I must have zero knowledge about proper setup of 901s.
Like you, my comments also aren't meant to bash, but are indeed my perspective and experience with the Bose 901s.A good buddy from work had a pair of 901 series IV driven by a Pioneer receiver of the day, and likely an average turntable and midrange needle (don't recall). I was just getting started in audio, and he was way ahead of me. I had what in hindsight was a pretty decent entry level high end pair of speakers called Mariah LS2s, on an early 80s Technics SA500 receiver. I knew the Bose handled a ton of power, but was never much impressed with the sound that "Mike" was getting....he was happy so I was happy for him. I didn't have the insights and the reference point back then to identify what I didn't like, but I knew it wasn't what I wanted hear in a system.
Fast forward about 12-15 years later, and I'm heavily into audio, and am building and repairing lots of speakers as a side gig. By now my system was a pretty nice Lazarus preamp, a Distech amplifier (B&K ST-140 mod), driving an impressive imposing pair of Merlin IVs...(the big daddies!), Cardas and Kimber wire throughout, and a tricked out modified AR-ES1 TT w/the Premier MMT arm...all in all a fairly nice reference system of that era for a working stiff in his 30s. The point of all this prefacing? A pair of 901 series 3 came into the shop for woofer re-coning/repair. The 18 drivers take a while, but its straight forward stuff and the job gets done. I fire them up to check function, and get a serious pit in my stomach! I really thought I had done something very wrong.
For the next several hours I thump on them with bass heavy tunes for a few hours to break in the surrounds.....give them another go but they still sounded awful. I was really struggling with charging the guy what was a considerable sum at the time 
. I went to bed that night and literally dreamed about what I had done to his speakers, and how I was going to face him. Got up the next day and visited Sounds Great to hear the new Series VI, just to get a reference. Hhhhmmm...they sound a lot like the Series 3 that I'm hearing at home, so I'm actually a little relieved I hadn't messed anything up! I had installed the EQ he supplied, set everything mid level, and experimented from there....nothing remotely close to what I consider good sound. I set them up on the stands, around 2.5 feet from the rear and a 2-3 feet from the side walls, as my room allowed....my wires, my amp, my system. Maybe I missed the setup, but at least I knew they worked. Anyway, the gentleman picks up his speakers in a couple of days, then calls me back within a few hours. "Uh-oh", I think to myself after I say hello 
. Customer speaks loudly, ..."These things sound great!!!!" "They've never sounded this good!" He's in Heaven! ...and now, so am I! Repeat the story about year later for another customer...minus all the panic about ruining them, and I get similar comments - "Love the new woofers", "Never sounded better", "Thanks so much!" My jaw drops...I was absolutely amazed at the love for these speakers that I thought I had really boogered up!In fairness, I've heard 501s, 201s, and 301s that I liked better than the 901s, but honestly nothing I'd ever recommend or buy. Also in fairness, I'm open to the fact that I just haven't heard them done right yet. My view is pretty negative, and I know it sounds harsh to some, sorta like calling a guy's best girl "ugly". (Honest...I wouldn't do that!) But the window opened up here, so I was hoping all honest views would be welcome. For anyone who loves the 901s, I apologize for any wincing caused. It's just how it all went down. That said, I also realize that we all love different things for different reasons, and I will support someone's pursuit of the experience you get when you really love how your system sounds. No one needs my blessing to enjoy what they have. Cheers all!
Last edited:
