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Bose speakers..

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DocMontana

Active Member
In my search for a new/old set of speakers, I decided to look at various Bose sets on Ebay. I've always been under the impression Bose was top-of-the-line and accordingly pricey, but I'm seeing a lot of Bose stuff for sale there at really cheap prices, at least when compared to stuff like JBLs..I was kind of surprised.

There's certainly a lot of unusual designs with Bose, something I'm seeing a lot of is the "Stereo everywhere" designs, and so forth.

So what are some more desirable vintage Bose speakers among audiophiles?
 
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I will jump in here, shields up!;)

I owned a set of Bose 901 Series II speakers from new in the mid 70's. Loved them. I have recently passed them along to my son, who has wanted them for a long time, and he is quite happy.

I what I enjoyed about them was, especially if you were in another room, it sounded like the band was playing in the next room. They were pleasant and easy to listen to. They are not the speaker you want if you must hear that the person playing 2nd clarinet is stage left, third row, specifically...or the opening low bass tone to Also Sprach Zarathustra. Just sayin'

As a wedding present several years ago, we bought our son (and wife) a pair of Bose 301's (whatever the latest series was), which they enjoyed, though son felt them lacking in bass; now that he has the 901's the 301's serve as a rear channel and he likes them for that.

Using the term "audiophiles" and Bose in the same sentence will raise a lot of hairs on the backs of many necks here, be forwarned :rolleyes:

As to 901's, the Series 1 and II theoretically need more power to drive them than later series, however due to the style of drivers are not subject to the "surround rot" of later series foam cone suspensions, which is a labor intensive task to repair; there are some other Bose models that also my suffer from this, so be careful if buying unseen or unheard.
 
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DocMontana said:
In my search for a new/old set of speakers, I decided to look at various Bose sets on Ebay. I've always been under the impression Bose was top-of-the-line and accordingly pricey, but I'm seeing a lot of Bose stuff for sale there at really cheap prices, at least when compared to stuff like JBLs..I was kind of surprised.

There's certainly a lot of unusual designs with Bose, something I'm seeing a lot of is the "Stereo everywhere" designs, and so forth.

So what are some more desirable vintage Bose speakers among audiophiles?
Click to expand...

Bose had some very effective advertising as evidenced in your post, they definitely are not TOTH (top of the heap). As for what's the TOTL Bose speaker I would say the 901, the 301 also has somewhat of a following as their best all around speaker for cheap.

Keep in mind Bose speakers use the room as part of the speakers design (the reflected part of "direct/refected" advertising) hence the "stereo everywhere" statement.
 
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Bill Ashton said:
I will jump in here, shields up!;)

I owned a set of Bose 901 Series II speakers from new in the mid 70's. Loved them. I have recently passed them along to my son, who has wanted them for a long time, and he is quite happy.

I what I enjoyed about them was, especially if you were in another room, it sounded like the band was playing in the next room. They were pleasant and easy to listen to. They are not the speaker you want if you must hear that the person playing 2nd clarinet is stage left, third row, specifically...or the opening low bass tone to Also Sprach Zarathustra. Just sayin'

As a wedding present several years ago, we bought our son (and wife) a pair of Bose 301's (whatever the latest series was), which they enjoyed, though son felt them lacking in bass; now that he has the 901's the 301's serve as a rear channel and he likes them for that.

Using the term "audiophiles" and Bose in the same sentence will raise a lot of hairs on the backs of many necks here, be forwarned :rolleyes:

As to 901's, the Series 1 and II theoretically need more power to drive them than later series, however due to the style of drivers are not subject to the "surround rot" of later series foam cone suspensions, which is a labor intensive task to repair; there are some other Bose models that also my suffer from this, so be careful if buying unseen or unheard.
Click to expand...

That's for the heads-up on the audiophile bit!

No ill intent there, but I know what you're sayin'..:rflmao:
 
While the 901 and 301 have been mentioned, dont overlook the 601 series 1 or 2. They will probably need refoaming but that is easy and inexpensive.

Bose does not always compare well when going head to head with other speakers but do not underestimate them. They tend to be easy to listen to for hours on end without causing listener fatigue. They are also not so accurate to point out flaws further up the signal chain making them a good match for mid fi gear.
 
Audiophile is a loaded word. So much judgement of equipment just comes down to subjective opinion - or not. How so? I have found, your mileage may vary, that much Bose criticism is based on opinions formed from internet bashing. When pressed, you will often find that those with the strongest opinions against let’s say, 901s, have never owned or even heard them set up properly. Or, they’ve heard them in passing. YOU, need to be the judge. I have 301s, 401s and 901s. If you set them up as intended, they deliver. They weren’t intended for critical listening, but they often make for a great party speaker.
 
That is one thing I should have mentioned, Bose 901's are very room...or better...flat, continuous wall...dependant. They must be positioned 12-20" off the same flat wall. The eight 4 1/2" speakers on the rear of each reflect off said wall. If you cannot situate them like this, then they are not for you!

901's also require a specific equalizer, inserted either into your receiver/amp's Tape Monitor jacks or electrically between your preamp and amp. They will sound horrible without their specific-series' equalizer. A standard graphic equalizer will not work well, if at all, as it will not have the boost the Bose specific one does.
 
DocMontana said:
In my search for a new/old set of speakers, I decided to look at various Bose sets on Ebay. I've always been under the impression Bose was top-of-the-line and accordingly pricey, but I'm seeing a lot of Bose stuff for sale there at really cheap prices, at least when compared to stuff like JBLs..I was kind of surprised.

There's certainly a lot of unusual designs with Bose, something I'm seeing a lot of is the "Stereo everywhere" designs, and so forth.

So what are some more desirable vintage Bose speakers among audiophiles?
Click to expand...

You won't find many Bose owners within the higher end audiophile community. Not a player there. That said, there is a sizeable contingent of fans. The only advice I will give is that you audition a variety of speakers and buy what you like. If that is Bose, buy them. If it's not, don't let prejudices block your path. Those old JBLs have a following as well. That could be your path. Or it could be Pro-Acs or something else.
 
I'll say that I have a set of Bose 201 series IV and a surround sound system comprised of high end studio monitors and subs. I can't deny that I enjoy the Bose system immensely even if they are not as technically accurate. They just allow me to enjoy the music without analyzing flaws in the recording or performance. My brain relaxes when I listen to them and I just enjoy the music. It sounds dumb, but it is what it is. Don't discount those Bose because of a perceived technical inferiority. Buy whatever you enjoy. If that's Bose, so be it. Just don't ge telling people LOL. Listening to Bose is like riding a Moped or enjoying a romantic relationship with an obese partner: they are incredibly fun, but your buddies will likely make fun of you for it.
 
You know if you do the math the combined square inch area of nine four inch speakers is the same as that of a 12 inch speaker. 12×12=144. 4×4×9=144.
Of course since speakers aren't square it's actually about half of that. Nothing earth shattering here I just found it an odd coincidence.
 
A 12" woofer doesn't necessarily need equalization to reach lower bass notes. With multiple 4" full range speakers, an equalizer is essential.
 
I have a pair of 601 series 1- nice sounding speakers IMO. No dig on the 601s performance but found a set of DCM TF-600 that i enjoy better so selling my 601s as we speak.
 
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