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

[GD70]

So I replaced the bad front driver. Refoamed it and all is good.

Listening impression is these could sound great. The issue is the highs. They are very hiss-she sounding, is the only way I can describe it. The highs are not crisp and clear. Is this a symptom of caps needing replacement in the EQ?
Bass seems fine, no distortion there.

 

[Nat]

I assume you mean caps in the equallizer since there aren't any in the speakers themselves. If so, I would first make sure your settings aren't boosting the high end too much -- without the boost the high end is pretty muted.

 

[GD70]

I assume you mean caps in the equallizer since there aren't any in the speakers themselves. If so, I would first make sure your settings aren't boosting the high end too much -- without the boost the high end is pretty muted.

Yes, the EQ. I get the same hi end distortion through my other speakers with the EQ on as well. I turn it off, and they sound normal, the 901's un boosted as expected without the EQ.

 

[GD70]

So it seems the EQ needs a re-cap. Listening without the EQ on, the highs are clean and clear, not hissshe sounding.

There's a fleabay seller who sells a cap kit, but seems a bit pricy for what it consists of.

Anyone have a cap value list for a series 4 EQ? Figure I'd order them from PE.

Thanks!

 

[Copa1934]

So it seems the EQ needs a re-cap. Listening without the EQ on, the highs are clean and clear, not hissshe sounding.

There's a fleabay seller who sells a cap kit, but seems a bit pricy for what it consists of.

Anyone have a cap value list for a series 4 EQ? Figure I'd order them from PE.

Thanks!

If you don't find a listing, it's not too hard to figure out. Popped the hood on mine and read right off the caps. Came up with the same values as published by the person who makes the kits. Only issue I have with the kits is the seller doesn't list the rating (1%, 5%, etc). I tried contacting the seller but no reply. Using cheap readily available caps the seller is over priced. Using Erse or other quality brand caps and the sellers prices are a bit less.

I'm rethinking using poly since there have been positive reviews. I was going to do like for like electrolytics. Only issue is making sure the replacements aren't too large to fit.

 

[mtlmn1971]

Def shouldn't have distortion. Have mine set up in the attic and holy smokes do they sound good. I have been thinking of having one of my EQ's serviced by the person on fleabay. Seems reasonable and has great feedback. I have 2 pairs of 901's and a extra eq that emits static (seems like a short). GD, Once you get them all together you hopefully should be blown away by them.

 

[GD70]

If you don't find a listing, it's not too hard to figure out. Popped the hood on mine and read right off the caps. Came up with the same values as published by the person who makes the kits. Only issue I have with the kits is the seller doesn't list the rating (1%, 5%, etc). I tried contacting the seller but no reply. Using cheap readily available caps the seller is over priced. Using Erse or other quality brand caps and the sellers prices are a bit less.

I'm rethinking using poly since there have been positive reviews. I was going to do like for like electrolytics. Only issue is making sure the replacements aren't too large to fit.

Took the numbers off the existing caps.
Power caps 470uf/25v
Small caps- 10uf/35v

Besides the uf rating, is the voltage rating critical? I know with the caps I installed in my speakers, uf value was important, higher volt ratings didn't matter.

I'd like to order these today and will go with polys. I'm also guessing 1% tolerance is best. The caps PE has listed have a 20% tolerance. In this application is tolerance important, and they only list electrolytic, no polys. I may need to check Madisounds listings.

 

[Tetrode]

So I replaced the bad front driver. Refoamed it and all is good.

Listening impression is these could sound great. The issue is the highs. They are very hiss-she sounding, is the only way I can describe it. The highs are not crisp and clear. Is this a symptom of caps needing replacement in the EQ?
Bass seems fine, no distortion there.

Are you hooked through the tape loop or the pre/amp connections?

 

[GD70]

Are you hooked through the tape loop or the pre/amp connections?

Hooked up through the tape in & tape out on the receiver as described in the owners manual.

I just ordered the caps from Mouser, 6 bucks. Figuring this EQ is from 1979 it can't hurt to replace them.

 

[GD70]

Got the caps from Mouser, all exact same values. Took about a half hour to do the job. The 901's sound better. I think the high end issue may be too much treble boost from the receiver's built in EQ. With the receiver EQ set to zero across the spectrum, the 901's are much better. I still need to play around some more, but it's amazing how much boost the Bose EQ gives the speakers.
Over all I like them and need to spend more time listening. I don't think they sound quite as good as the AR LST2's, the KLH's or the JBL's, but they are pretty good. As I said, I need more critical listening time with them.

Glenn

 

[Copa1934]

Got the caps from Mouser, all exact same values. Took about a half hour to do the job. The 901's sound better. I think the high end issue may be too much treble boost from the receiver's built in EQ. With the receiver EQ set to zero across the spectrum, the 901's are much better. I still need to play around some more, but it's amazing how much boost the Bose EQ gives the speakers.
Over all I like them and need to spend more time listening. I don't think they sound quite as good as the AR LST2's, the KLH's or the JBL's, but they are pretty good. As I said, I need more critical listening time with them.

Glenn

Cool. So much about positioning (like any speaker eh?). Once I had mine at the right height, right distance from the respective walls, things really jelled. Still feel my room is too small though. Hoping to sell this house (too many small added on rooms and no need for them), if we do I'll be scouting for a place with a room better suited to listening to music and Home Theater.

 

[onwardjames]

Cool. So much about positioning (like any speaker eh?). Once I had mine at the right height, right distance from the respective walls, things really jelled. Still feel my room is too small though. Hoping to sell this house (too many small added on rooms and no need for them), if we do I'll be scouting for a place with a room better suited to listening to music and Home Theater.

Dear God, don't I know it. Same here, copa.

Only so many iterations of setups you can go thru before you realize...

you don't have enough space.

Good luck.

 

[GD70]

Cool. So much about positioning (like any speaker eh?). Once I had mine at the right height, right distance from the respective walls, things really jelled. Still feel my room is too small though. Hoping to sell this house (too many small added on rooms and no need for them), if we do I'll be scouting for a place with a room better suited to listening to music and Home Theater.

Right now they are about a foot out from the wall, about 5-6 feet apart.
My basement is not the best environment for critical listening, floor joists, R/C airplanes hanging all over the place. You've seen pics of my current set up.

I'll live with them for a while and decide to keep them, or not. Time will tell.

 

[GD70]

Listening to these again after a long hiatus.

Well....

I decided to give these a listen tonight. For some reason, they are sounding GREAT! The bass from these is shockingly insane! Highs are crisp, voicing is full and rich, sound stage is huge. And this is in my cave!


Well.... I could say I'm loving them,....finally!

I'd say the "Angelicas", AR3's LST-2's are a better overall sounding speakers,
but the 901'a are no slouch!

Glenn

 

[c5corvette]

"I'd say the "Angelicas", AR3's LST-2's are a better overall sounding speakers,
but the 901'a are no slouch!"

You have a great collection of speakers. I will take any "slouches" off your hands.:thmbsp:

 

[mtlmn1971]

Glad you are enjoying them, Glenn. I have no shortage of bass with mine. Put on some live tracks and turn up the volume.

 

[jdmccall]

Great story of finding the speakers at the curb and then bringing them back to life. Good pics, too. Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad you are enjoying the 901's. They are unique speakers, for sure. I am on my second pair and just enjoying the heck out of them. The first pair were Series IV's from about 1976. The current pair are Series VI's that I bought in '09.

 

[Audiofriends]

You made a perfect job on the cabinets :tresbon: !

Best regards, Fred

(special edition mk5 sounds actually the same)

Best regards, Fred

 

[turnitup]

Beautiful job! I love restoring old speakers, especially with quality wood that has not been tended after. Gives me a great feeling of satisfaction to bring them back to their glory. No matter who wins the debate on old technology versus new, it's hard to argue that the quality of old wood cabinets beats the heck out of anything new...

 

[GD70]

Thanks fellas! After my initial listening sessions, I was a bit disappointed. The cabs have beautiful veneer, nice and thick. They cleaned up quite well.

Glenn