I’m still here! Just don’t get to this site as often as I used to!
You can still get am 5s at Best buy I think 400$ a pair. I have a set of am5s and se5s both series 1s. Had 9 pairs of different models over the years. Except 901s. I didn't research the 401 model before buying them in the PX. I promptly sold them. A subwoofer would help them a good deal . Not rockers.Those 401's look good. I don't recall ever hearing a pair, though. Are drivers on both the rear surfaces or just the outside and front?
The only Bose I have now are my little pc speakers. I don't remember the model. But over the years I've had a bunch: 901's (twice), 301's, 201's and 161's. I guess that about covers it.
Bose seems to be almost out of the conventional speaker business now, at least as far as conventional hi-fi is concerned. Even the cubes have apparently had their run. It's almost all sound bars and bluetooth speakers.
I've used the 1801 with 901 series IV in the 8 ohm mode it worked very well but I felt the 901s would like more so I experimented. FYI, I found the 1801s don't like driving into 3.6 and 4.5 ohm loads (901s wired at 4 ohm mode). Also I tried using a McIntosh 500 wpc @ 8 ohms. I do love McIntosh but the output coupling transformers don't like the 901s. 901s really like 968 dynamic wpc. One example I can use listening to music with large output changes like say the CD Titanic sound tract # 7 I notice some big sound spikes at normal low listening level of around a 1/2 to 1 1/2 wpc, a good low listening level. The CD had some passages that were pulling 400 wpc. So it was pulling about half the total power I have. I'm glad I was listening at low levels to begin with or I would have been clipping. The Telarc cds can do this also. It's just nice if you can to give extra head room to the 901s because they will suck it up and say is that all you got!
Well, I have heard 401s, and other Bose speakers, and I can honestly say that I have never been enthusiastic about any of them. Obviously, there are people who like them, and that is their own taste (however misguided I think it might be). Personally, I would love to have a pair of completely refurbished 10.2s from the late 1980s, but they would NOT be my main speakers; they would be more of a "dust-collector" and "conversation piece". Yet, for me, the axiom "NO highs, NO lows, it must be BOSE" rings true. 
I've had no issues at all using my MC2500 amp with the 901 Series I, II or V. They sounded fine to my ears, but I do usually play music at a level where the meter needle rarely goes past 10 watts. Now I did once experiment with the Series I, to hear if the rumors were true about how much power it could take. Those rumors turned out to be facts, as the Power Guard lights were dancing while the speakers showed no signs of stress and still sounded great.
I am about to try the same pairing, with the Series VI.
Reading this thread... hmmmmm
Keep on Loving it and listening to it, Cheers
I believe I came across more critical sounding than I should have. The MC2500 was one of the most awesome amps I've ever had the pleasure of having. Moving, needed money, gone. You've heard the story before I'm sure. The MC2500 will run the 901s very well and sound sweet. It's more like the MC2500 prefers a slightly more efficient speaker system. Just my thoughts and I wish I had More time to play with the setup at the time but you know...
) I just don't like the way they sound. I did hear, probably 10 years ago, a pair of completely refurbished and refoamed 10.2s They sounded unique... something special, but again... not really for me. There are, in my opinion, so many better speakers out there than ANY Bose product. Bose, however, as a company, is gifted with wonderful advertising people.
For sure! I also believe if he would have promoted the Spacial Control Receiver 901 setup, and showed how to properly add on amps to pump up to 1,000 or so watts per 901s speaker he would have been heading down a better road for selling a working persons affordable respectable rig. For a CHEAP easy to move around system it would have made the big boys set up and take notice or not... Throw it all in the back of a car, take it out and start the party. I've done this many times when I was younger. Do need a good 120vac power supply. The funny thing is I normally listen to this at low levels, sounds really good. They're are times I like to step it up for sure! Double the power to gain 3db you know.
Thank you for the info, may he R.I.P. Glad to hear you're still around! Take Good Care.
I hear you. Sounds like you have a nice system that I would love to drool over... but not to much it might short out... I'll stand back some. LOLI have heard 901s too... and they, well, are also not my thing. VERY inefficient (not to mention really weird looking!!
If you heard the 901s wired in the Spacial mode using all three speaker terminals on the Series IV 901s you may like them a little better...or not. This setup is rare to find, let alone a modified setup. I've never seen another. Now is when you say, probably with good reason too, right? Ha HA You don't know what you don't know. I would be curious to hear what you'd say after a listen. Ultimately if money was no object, certainly I would be listening to way better. Smiles!I have heard 901s too... and they, well, are also not my thing. VERY inefficient (not to mention really weird looking!!
That is very sweet of you to say. My system is all pieced together from here and there... lots off of Ebay, and then cleaned to an inch of its life... some bought new after I saved and saved. Some like my Adcom amps, completely refurbished by a good friend in Wyoming at is an Adcom guru....I hear you. Sounds like you have a nice system that I would love to drool over... but not to much it might short out... I'll stand back some. LOL
Enjoy and then Enjoy again
Very Nice! Keep you're sound and equipment clean. I respect your privacy so I won't push to know more but I'm listening. Thank you kindly for sharing some about what you have been able to accomplish.
This forum is all about sharing of information related to music, stereos, and pop-culture. I have to say, with the Adcom pieces, I finally found the right pre and power amp combination that I really love. My husband is a handy wood-worker who has built so many furniture components for my stereo and related items. That too helps.
