• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Today's score!!-BOSE 901-III's-in the garbage!-PICS

randballen said:
Those look great! Well done. I picked up a pair of 901 series III recently at the Route 127 yard sale. The cabinets were in very good condition with the tulip black stands. No eq, for $85. All of the surrounds were shot but drives all worked. Just finished the replacing of the foam surrounds on all 18 speakers. As some one mentioned, the prep work and cleaning was the most time consuming. I left the speakers in the cabinet throughout the process. Relatively easy but time consuming job.

I have since acquired a Series III EQ and a Series IV EQ. I have to say, I like these things a lot! My living room has hardwood floors, 10 foot ceilings and plaster walls. Maybe that set up is a bit of luck because these things are a true experience to listen to. Maybe not for everyone, but with the correct room and set up, they are special.

Since I now have two EQ's that work with these, I might let one go if you are in need of one soon. PM if interested.

Again, great job in saving these things from the dump. I will for sure be willing to take these off of anyone's hands that want to throw them in the trash,:thmbsp:

Hope you enjoy.
Click to expand...

Hi Randballen,

Appreciate your complements and input. PM sent.


Glenn
 
I hope my previous post didn't come across as arrogant. I tried to like these speakers, I really did, especially with all the blood sweat and tears refinishing the cabinets and stands. With the correct equalizer, the bass and treble response is amazing when you consider the tiny drivers producing it. I just couldn't live with the midrange that's all.

Lee.
 
leesonic said:
I hope my previous post didn't come across as arrogant. I tried to like these speakers, I really did, especially with all the blood sweat and tears refinishing the cabinets and stands. With the correct equalizer, the bass and treble response is amazing when you consider the tiny drivers producing it. I just couldn't live with the midrange that's all.

Lee.
Click to expand...

No worries.

No speaker sounds prefect to everyone.

I'll reserve judgement regarding their sound until they are refoamed and I have the EQ. In the meantime I'm enjoying myself restoring these.

Glenn
 
Started on the 2nd Cab-PICS

The 2nd cab is in slightly worse shape than the first one. I'm not worried about the tape stains, or even the bit of paint. I've done all the sanding and the stains and paint are gone. Pics to come.
There's a gouge about 3/8ths X 1/4 inch and about an 1/8th deep. I've been putting droplets of water in it to see if it will swell up and see if it will expand to surface level. I don't want to use filler as it always shows. I'm all ears if there's another technique to bring it to the surface level.
Here's some pics.
Compared to the finished cab.

The stains & gouge.





This side is in great shape.
 
If you're asking about the gouge in the second to last photo, I don't think there's much you can do to fix that aside from replacing the veneer on that panel. I'm pretty anal myself about stuff like this, and I don't find that gouge all that unsightly. I'd probably just give it a nice dose of the Danish Oil and call it a day.

Nice job on the cabinet restoration so far!
 
Cabs finished-PICS

Finished the 2nd cab last night. Did the best I could with the gouge, the water-swelling helped slightly. All the tape glue stains are gone as well.
I'm very happy with the results.
Anyway here's the PICS.
Top one is the 2nd cab.

Bottom cab.


Side with gouge. Not too noticeable.


Other side.

 
Dude! :thmbsp:

What an excellent restoration on the wood cabinets on those 901's :tresbon:

Now just finishing them off with replacing the foam and getting an equalizer and you should be set. :scratch2:

Yes, 901 speakers are not for everyone, hell what speaker is!? :D

But that's good that you are reserving judgement once you've replaced and setup everything and hear them for yourself. :yes:
 
GD70 said:
My receiver is 60 wpc my amp 73 wpc. I'm guessing this should be enough power. If I have them refoamed before I find an EQ, I'll still hook them up to listen to them keeping in mind they will sound better with the EQ.
Click to expand...

That wattage will work, but the 901's really shine with a lot of power. You cannot over power these speakers. When we sold them, the Bose rep would plug them directly into a wall receptacle. What a terrible noise, but they were not damaged. Placement is also critical and determined by your listening room. The 901s with 200+ wpc, the right eq and proper placement sound surprisingly good!! Definitely worth the effort to get all of the pieces together. Best of luck!
 
Thanks everyone! It's satisfying work and you see results almost immediately!

Onward with the surrounds & EQ!

I'll probably jump back onto the AR-LST2 resto as I really want to get the new veneer on those.

Glenn
 
The best filler I've found for gouges is some sanding dust from a similar veneer (usually the bottom of the cab, where it won't show if you take too much), mixed in a thick paste with a clear epoxy. Be aware that mixing particles into the epoxy makes it set up faster.
 
ManFromPorlock said:
The best filler I've found for gouges is some sanding dust from a similar veneer (usually the bottom of the cab, where it won't show if you take too much), mixed in a thick paste with a clear epoxy. Be aware that mixing particles into the epoxy makes it set up faster.
Click to expand...

I've tried that technique on something else and it came out much darker. The epoxy being wet, made the wood sanding powder dark, like wood gets when wet.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Cheers!
 
There's several suppliers of foam surrounds for these. Who has the best surrounds, or are they all pretty much the same?
 
Nat said:
GD70 -- I was making a distinction between cloth surrounds damped with silicon compounds which dribble (ADC, some CTS, Leak Sandwiches (these surround also slide down the basket) and others), and cloth surrounds with different compounds that dry up and crumble off (AR, KLH etc.). Leaving aside the compounds that completely seize up, which I've seen on some Jensens (other identical drivers have completely supple surrounds) and an Oaktron.

My point is that no surround material is perfect, and none last forever. But who expected any speaker to still be in use for decades, and in some cases more than half a century, after its manufacture?
Click to expand...

Me. And many others, specially if it is made of wood. Furniture lasts nearly forever and these were made like furniture back in the day. They were expected to need some maintenance though.
 
Kahoona said:
Me. And many others, specially if it is made of wood. Furniture lasts nearly forever and these were made like furniture back in the day. They were expected to need some maintenance though.
Click to expand...

These are very well made. The veneer is a good 1/16 thick. After the sanding was done, the wood soaked up the Danish oil like a sponge. I doubt this had been done since they were new. I'll add a 2nd coat today.
 
Excellent job saving a vintage speaker from the grave!!

Sometimes it's not about how they sound in the end but about restoring a speaker that, like it or not, holds a spot in the history of audio.

Plus, it's always nice to restore something old to it former condition especially in this "throw away" society.

I've done it myself...very rewarding. Continued success!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom