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What to pair with bose 901's?

Rickster101

Rickster101

New Member
I'm looking for a pair of speakers to pair with a set of bose 901's to add some bass to the equation. Gotta have a similar efficiently ratting. I was looking into maybe klipsh... any suggestions or advice welcome. Oh btw I'm powering the setup with a pioneer sx-1980.
 
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Are you using the Bose 901 EQ of the correct version for your 901s?

Why not a sub instead of another pair speakers, if you're wanting to supplement the bass?
 
First question: are you using the (correct) Bose EQ for your 901s? This is critical for a couple reasons:

1) They will not sound right without it.
2) If you do, it could affect how the sub sounds depending on ho you connect the sub.
 
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Suggest that our OP spend some time in the Speakers forum - and request this thread be moved there, too. More knowledgeable people will see it _and_ you can learn a lot from the archives.

Its been asked before there.

Cheers,

David
 
SiliconTi said:
First question: are you using the (correct) Bose EQ for your 901s? This is critical for a couple reasons:

1) They will not sound right without it.
2) If you do, it could affect how the sub sounds depending on ho you connect the sub.
Click to expand...
Well I have the equalizer that matches the speakers... I've noticed a lot of people don't use them. I didn't hook it up because I already have a very nice equalizer that I like. If I hook up the bose equalizer am I really gonna be able to tell the difference?
 
Rickster101 said:
Well I have the equalizer that matches the speakers... I've noticed a lot of people don't use them. I didn't hook it up because I already have a very nice equalizer that I like. If I hook up the bose equalizer am I really gonna be able to tell the difference?
Click to expand...

YES. The Bose 901 is a custom curve that cannot be properly reproduced by the typical EQ.

That is not to say you still might not want more bass, but my guess is that you don't have anywhere near the amount of LF and HF boost dialed in that the Bose EQ applies.

I suggest (at least temporarily) disconnecting the external EQ and connecting the Bose EQ as recommended (in a tape monitor loop, I believe). I think you're in for a surprise.
 
Rickster101 said:
I wanna run 4ch. Not big on subwoofers. Plus I need to run 4ch or my receiver won't be at 8 ohm.
Click to expand...

If you connect two pair of speakers more than likely you will not be at 8 ohms; most likely 4 ohms, maybe less.

Using a powered sub does not change the impedance by any meaninful amount. So, where there is concern of low impedance load, it's actually a better option than another pair of speakers.
 
Agreed - hook up the Bose EQ. The amount of boost Bose used to achieve the intended frequency response is off the charts and it'll suck up every drop of power your Pioneer can output in a hurry.

I've heard properly set up 901s with 750wpc just take your breath away.
 
Ok here is a newbie question, if I'm only running my 901's on A.... then my receiver is at 4 ohms correct? If I'm running my 901's on A and another pair of speakers on B then I'm at 8 ohms correct?
 
How about this... can I hook up the bose EQ let's say through my pre amp out and ins and leave my existing EQ on my adapter spot and use both?
 
Rickster101 said:
Ok here is a newbie question, if I'm only running my 901's on A.... then my receiver is at 4 ohms correct? If I'm running my 901's on A and another pair of speakers on B then I'm at 8 ohms correct?
Click to expand...

Nope, exactly the opposite.

Assuming the 901 is 4 ohms and you run two pair of them simultaneously (in parallel, as if you used both terminals A&B) your amp sees an impedance of 2 ohms. If you wire them in series, your amp will see an impedance of 8 ohms.
 
Rickster101 said:
So my 901's are 8 ohm so I want to run only them then to stay at 8 ohms?
Click to expand...

Yes, generally speaking. That said, a powered sub can be added without materially affecting the load.

And, yes, you could use both EQs but the Bose EQ adds LOTS of boost already. I think it's not really recommended unless you use due care not to add more bass boost.

As well, some say putting the EQ between pre out and main is is not optimal. As I recall, there is more noise there and the EQ may be a little susceptible to overload, especially if you are already boosting the signal.
 
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Bose recommends using a tape loop for the EQ (plus, that way you can engage/disengage it at will). For example using Tape 1 for the EQ and Tape 2 for a tape deck.

901's are 8 Ohm. If you ran two sets of 8 Ohm speakers, the amp would see a 4 Ohm load.

You may be able to use a Tape Out to hook up a powered sub - would have to think on that a bit to be sure. That would not change the load on the amp.
 
^^^
You can, but it's inconvenient at best because the signal to the sub would not change with the volume control. At worst, may not have enough signal to drive the sub to max output (depending, of course if, one actually needs to, gain of sub amp, sensitivities, etc., etc., etc.)

In this case, if the OP went with a powered sub, putting the Bose EQ in pre out/main in probably is the only real choice. The input to sub and Bose EQ could be split off the pre out with Y cables, then the Bose EQ output would be looped back to the main in. Any other way can think of puts a Bose EQ curve to the sub too and that's not desirable at all.

OTOH, if the OP actually puts the Bose EQ into the system, there may not be a strong desire for more bass.
 
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I am doing it with a pair of Sansui SP-5500's. The only drawback is the volume can never be above 15-20 watts on my Sansui G-8000. Doesn't need to be anyways as that is plenty loud enough. The Bose equalizer boosts the bass so don't want to screw up the 15" woofers on the 5500's. I have the 901's up high in corners and 5500's are on floor by the amp cabinet in a large room with cathedral ceiling. It sounds incredible.
 
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