I OWNED and ENJOYED BOSE speakers, what about you?
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Steve comes clean about his Bose past! How about you?
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I still own a pair of 901's and I still love them for many reasons, first... they bring me nostalgia of the good old days when a few of us were really involved in audio stuff. Secondly...they sounded pretty good and loud in those days and still today if not directly compared side by side with a much expensive high end speakers. There is nothing to be ashamed of having owned or still own a nice pair of Bose speakers.
During the excess of the 80s I was 25 years old and purchased a pair of Bose 901s. I secured them from the ceiling using lightweight chains and it looked quite unique. The person we rented the house from was quite impressed with our audio set up and she would bring us cookies on Saturday mornings and we would talk about music and get our mornings off in the right direction. On most Saturday evenings we would have parties and play the music loud and reach stupid db levels. (Loud enough the surrounding homes could hear the music doors closed) Friends would place a lit candle behind the speaker's rear port and it would blow the candle out - look back at that with a head shake. Ohhhh My - Bose Story
Today, I look back at those days with a smile and some embarrassment.
During my first hunting expedition for quality speakers around 1974, I spent hours in Pacific Stereos audio room comparing a pair of Bose 901’s against JBL L100’s with white woofers that moved like jello. I chose the 901’s, but in retrospect I wish I bought the JBLs and here’s why. At the store the Bose were being powered with an actual Bose amplifier that put out something like 275 watts RMS per channel. I was a schoolboy and had a Marantz receiver putting out around 40 watts RMS per channel. Plus I happened to have a tape monitor switch which is rare on todays receivers. I believe the JBLs would have sounded better with my setup. However, the 901’s lasted until I sent them to Bose a few years ago in exchange for a set of series VI 901’s for next to nothing. In addition to finding an ideal room for proper placement of them. My next investment
will be in an amp/receiver with as many watts RMS into two channels that I can afford without breaking the bank. So the story continues and then I will submit my final conclusion. Never mind time wasted
My roommate did the same thing with his 901s. Had them hanging from the ceiling on chains, in a small-ish room with a 40 watt Tandberg receiver powering them. They sounded okay but got kind of harsh when he turned up the volume. That may have been due to the Tandberg, though. Another guy I knew had 901s set up in the normal way, on their stands, driven by a 100W Pioneer receiver. Man, did he ever get the bass out of them in his setup( so far apart and so far from the walls).It was the best experience I have had listening to Bose 901s.
I'm not at all ashamed to have owned Bose speakers 25 years ago. They sounded great on electronic music.
Their audio profile does electronic music pretty good!
I guess Bose and JBL are still aiming at electronic.
Great is a relative term
I bought a pair of Bose 601’s with a Mitsubishi receiver back in 1981 and I loved those speakers. I still have fond memories and never regretted my purchase. I wish I still owned them to see if I would feel any different about them now. I also had Bose for a professor in school and he was a very enthusiastic lecturer. He clearly had a view about sound and didn’t seem like he was in it only for the money.
My first speakers (I bought them for my father) were Bose 301s. My next speakers were a pair of LS3/5As. No regrets though about the Bose, they started me on my journey!
I bought my dad a set of 301s as well. He wanted them, but I preferred my Kenwood system.
Good video, Steve. I can't say I honestly feel "shame" about it. I bought my first stereo setup in 1977 with money I saved working at the diner. I bought a Kenwood integrated amp, Technics SL-23 turntable and a pair of Bose 301's at Audio Exchange at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, NY. The 301's were (are?) two way speakers with a port, and honestly, I really liked the way they sounded. They don't of course compare to the Vandersteen 2C's I'm listening to now, or most of the other speakers I've had in between, but to a 17-year old who loved music and wanted to get in at a level he could afford, they sounded really good. Boston, Frampton, Meatloaf and the Rocky Horror soundtrack sounded good to me! And if I remember right, most of the dance clubs and smaller music venues we went to in the city had 901's hanging from chains on the ceiling, so they were definitely good for that!
Yes
BOSE ACOUSTIMASS 6 Series ii, 2001
And i still love and use em 😋
@@johnsmith1474
So the nitwit with the enormously dull name dont want me to mention that acoustimasses were made in space back in the day
@@johnsmith1474
Astrology is a multi-cultural phenomenon. Originating from, and associated with the study of Astronomy.
That's about as 'real' as it gets.
@GeneralCurtis3LeMay
And they were small, cube speakers for cool people
I did own Bose 101 around 30 years ago for AV speakers purpose. I could remember Bose 101 was adopted in many sound projects in Hong Kong, say, disco, music lounge for filling up sound at party rooms or far corners from the main system, it was 70/100V line version. I did discover that the cross-over network (inductor and capacitor) inside was trying to dim the mid-frequency (i.e. a passive way of boosting bass and treble). Bose 901 on the other hand, I never owned one but used it a lot in my work, for the pop-up sound reinforcement in ball room, for fashion show, for music performance, etc. I reckon Bose was one of the most affordable speakers in 80's. I could see some NOS Bose 101 are still in the market trade in China region and the price tag is very very affordable.
Good to get Steve's reminder around the time my 1st job after graduated from high school... the golden era of AV/audio in HK/Japan.
The Bose 2.2s were my beginning (92). And yes I enjoyed the hell out of them. Bought them from a retail outlet that is no longer in business/ Circuit City. Had a 35watt Kenwood receiver with matching CD player and turntable. I moved on to Klipsch RF 5s and thought I'd arrived.... Lol. I still have them in my small stable of speakers. Today my Magnepans Sonus Fiber get the most listening time.
I bought bose speakers then and during my life, I’m 75 years old and still have all five sets which still sound good look good what more could you ask? I’ve changed amps, turntables, etc but always had Bose speakers as my main speakers, tried others of various price ranges etc but always went back to Bose. So throughout my life I’ve stayed with fender on stage and Bose in home, apple computers , McIntosh amps so I guess I tend to stay with brands I love and could care less what people think SHAME why? Weird as it may seem no one has ever asked what speakers I have?
The Bose Mini soundlink speaker is a fantastic small speaker that has given me hours of pleasure! Great for holidays and bedrooms - big room filling sound. 👍
I had a friend years ago, that got his hands on a pair of 901 Series 3's I believe, that I mostly helped him set up his audio system for him. He got his hands on a Phase Linear 400 Series II amp /4000 preamp combo as well. At the time, he was living in his parents basement in what was an "L" shaped room, and we found that, with those speakers, it was possible to "fill" that room with sound fairly well.Considering that 8 of the 9 drivers are "reflecting" ( facing away) in design made it somewhat remarkable that they worked as well as they did. After awhile, he had the choice of moving the system up to a large "family room" I want to say about 35 x 20 x 10 ft ceiling height, and we hung the speakers from overhead. Surprisingly, they were able to have a great sound presence in that room as well. Over the years, the surrounds all broke up, as most surrounds do, BUT, Bose did offer to do a full driver replacement at a reasonable price, so, they were returned with new drivers ready to go. I will say that, those speakers may have not had the "accuracy" of other audiophile speakers, but their ability to fill a room with sound could not be questioned. The fact that they were rated 450 Watts each was also fairly remarkable. I would consider them as my #2 speaker of choice to fill a big room, my #1 is the all time classic Klipschorn.
Back in the mid 70s my buddy had Bose 901s hanging from the ceiling with chains. Man we would party. The Rolling Stones coming from his reel to reel really loud. It was magic and good times!
Carlos maybe you know Daniel Wenzel who posted here about having 901s hanging from ceiling and had some parties 😀
THe last time I really liked the way my 901’s they were hanging on chains with nothing around them but the walls. Life got in their way and the sound went away.
Dj’d at a joint, in the 80’s....4- 901’s hanging from chains....2 big old subs facing the dance floor. Man, that system rocked!
Haha. I had mine hanging on chains, too.
Hi Steve, I bought Bose 901/II for synthesiser studio recording effects and performance back in the day. Worked well enough. The analogue active equaliser was stollen in a break-in. The speakers then lay dormant in storage for 45 years. This year I was given a Deer Creek Audio miniDSP digital equaliser equivalent. The speakers have come alive with greater subtlety, depth and tightness that surprised me. It is as likely that you won't be reading this, as it is unlikely that I am writing this comment. Les
Bose also revolutionized Aircraft headsets, extraordinary change in helicopter audio eliminating all the noise and allowing great crew communications. No shame in owning Bose speakers.
I had a pair of 501s in '76 and used them for bedside tables - they were good for that as there were tweeters on the inner side. I was twenty and I found a huge woofer and put it under the bed. Good times. Then I got some 601s and had them for years - they were pretty good. Gave them to a neighbor and he loves them. Found a used pair of 901s about twenty five years ago and I still have them in a secondary system. They are decent - all speakers have their own sound. I think they are great looking speakers. I really like vintage architectural looking speaker cabinets and I will probably keep them just for that reason. They are only worth about $400. Currently, I run Quad 57s in my main system, Ohm Walsh 4.5s in the living room, Dahlquist DQ10s and Theil CS3s get rotated in and out. I have had more speakers in the last two years than I owned in the previous 40. Vintage Advents, Infinity ref 6, Zu Omens.... it's fun!
Hi Steve, I am a relatively new subscriber to your channel but I've been 'into' hi-fi since the 1970's. I have never owned any Bose loudspeakers unless you count the little computer speakers plugged into my laptop. They are Bose and I enjoy them. My memory of Bose was going into a large branch of an HMV record store, here in the UK, and listening to the Bose speakers fixed high up on the walls of the shop. You could never say they were accurate or neutral sounding but at high volume levels they were punchy and pretty amazing.
I bought a pair of 901 Series V in the mid 80's. I still have them and listen to them most days. I bought them for their transient response! very dynamic. Looking at a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls now.
Save your money and buy a pair of Caintuck Lil 15's and add a high quality sub. I bought the new Cornwalls and have to say, I wasn't impressed. The Caintucks with a 12" Polk Audio 505 sub is better in my opinion.
I still have my original Series IV 901's that I purchased back in 1982. They have since been through a re-coning but still work as good as ever!
I recently purchased a pair of Bose 901 VI as a bucket list item. First heard them about 40 years or so ago and really enjoyed the room filling sound. I stream Spotify through an HP laptop, Schiit Modi 3 DAC, Schiit Loki tube preamp, McIntosh Mac 1900 receiver and out through to the 901's. I am very happy with the sound. I compare them to my 2nd system which is the same pre -speaker set-up out to a set of Wharfedale floor standing speakers. Again once correct placement is achieved, the 901's more than hold their own. Front firing Wharfedales vs direct /reflecting Bose. I listen to the same music on both and can honestly say, both speakers are enjoyable. Those old Bose 901's are are not dogs, by any stretch of the imagination.
I had bought a pair of 901’s in Germany in 1985. I thought they sounded great but they had to have the right room and set up. I gave them to my daughter last year. I agree with Steve, I got bored with them and quit listening to music for a long time. I just haven’t had a good room to set them up in for a long time. They also sounded better on my old Pioneer monster. I replaced them with KEF LS 50 Metas after Steve’s review. In fact I replaced everything and I wish I had done so a long time ago. I now hear what I at least thought I heard 35 years ago. Much better imaging and clarity. Still, I don’t regret my 901’s. Until I started paying attention to “audiophiles” I’ didn’t know I was supposed to feel shame. I feel gratitude for the many years I did enjoy them. At times they were great. At times, I had the room and power to let them shine. Now I enjoy my KEFs.
The 301s are decent! 8" woofer..and 2 tweeters directed in opposite directions for spacious sound...GREAT concept..but could use better components for better detail
yep.
I can’t stand Bose
@Analog Looney there are plenty of budget priced speakers that don’t require a 10 grand mains to sound good and do blow away Bose.
@Analog Looney if I remember correctly, they actually come with instructions with measurements on placement which i thought was fun. My dad bought those series IIs and they were my gateway into all this.
@Analog Looney well, my gateway into hi-fi certainly wasn’t Bose. I actually built my own speakers when I started out in this hobby. That’s how learned so much about them I know an inferior product like Bose when I see one.
Bose...What I remember. Being blown away when hearing them for the first time, stoned in Mr. Goodbar back in 1977 ☮
One pair set up in the back of a huge room would rock the entire place. Went out and got a Series 3 a short time later.
Five years and the speakers had disintegrated, after much wrangling 'Bose' agreed to replace them with Series 6, for 'shipping' & 300 bucks.
I finally 'graduated' to Sonus and don't regret the move at all. YMMV
POI sold them with stands 2yrs ago as is.
I first heard the 901's at a hifi store. I went back and auditioned them 5 or 6 times and finally bought them. There was a special deal where if you bought 2 pair and the 1801 power amp, they gave you the bose pre-amp for free. First thing I played when I got them home, was Monday Morning by Fleetwood Mac, and watched as the lights in the house pulsed in time with the music. I went from the 901 series 2 then the series 3, IV and finally 5. In some ways they were awesome, especially for listening to large orchestral music. Not so much for smaller reproduction, like a single singer. Femaies with powerful voices like Striesand and Celine sounded harsh. Finally sold them and started designing and building speakers for myself. My present system is a Marantz SR7015, a diy set of ME-2 MTM speakers designed by Lynn Olson - Nutshell HiFi, augmented by 3 - large ported powered 12" subwoofers in a 5.2.4 setup.
I never owned Bose. I grew up with a father who set up sound systems for movie theaters, churches and amphitheaters and he always had Klipsch at home. My first true speakers were Cerwin Vega D9's in 1979 and I owned them for many years. My father had 1966 Klipsch Heresy's that he purchased new and had dual custom built mono block amps. Over the years I went through many different brands and combinations too count. In 1998 my father passed away and I took the speakers and my brother got the amps. My brother sold them without my knowledge but I still own the Heresy's. I have had them refinished twice and upgraded with Crite's components too todays standards and I love them. Just looking at them brings back good memories and since the age of 6 my granddaughter has spent almost every Sunday with me listening to music and playing guitars. In the past 5 years I have had to learn her music selections which I really don't like but I'm grandpa and we have been doing this for years so we have to move on from just my selections and she already knows that this stereo, my guitars and all other related equipment are hers when I pass on. Holy shit I started out just to say no
I purchased a pair of 901's in 1976 and a then moved up to the JBL L100 in 1977 (which I still have and use). Also purchased the Bose 10.2 which I still own and use. I have a living room 20' x 40' with 30' ceiling, both the 901's and JBL 100 are in the same room. I use Bose to fill the room when I have guest but when I'm sitting down to listen to music I turn the JBL's on and they still kick ass.
Hey Steve, Martin Logan guy here.
Again, that room looks so 'refreshed' hardly know it was the same space (O:
BOSE topic. Well, as you know, 14 years with Klipschorns on the first floor, and now the ML's. HOWEVER, I listen to your presentations here in my kitchen with laptop into a BOSE Music System (Platinum finish). Liked it so much, that I bought a SECOND one for the second floor livingroom in dark charcoal finish. They are great little performers for their size and fill the bill without lots of gear taking over the room. Thats my CURRENT Bose story. (and they are designed right here in my state (MA.)
I own a pair of 301's. I bought them for my first system and I was happy. Then I replaced them with Elac's Debut B6. I compared them switching between A and B for hours over few days. The Bose with their 8" paper woofer have definitely better bass and reach lower. With the double twitter (one firing backward) they sound way more spacious and 3D than the Elac's. The Elac's sound clearer for sure and for approx. 76% of the price of the Bose's, the Elac's definitely exhibit better quality in the cabinet construction an bindings posts... The rest is just audiophiles talking to sound like audiophiles!
Bose 901 speakers are one of the best deals you can get used nowadays. I see them regularly used for $400 with the eq. They’re not really super audiophile, but nothing around that price is either.
Never had them.
I'll confess that my first speaker (1972) were Jenson 3-ways with 12" woofers and walnut enclosures. I was happy with them until I heard and brought home my first pair of Magnepans in 1982.
On my 3rd pair (1.6's) now.
Tried Definitive Technology, Yamaha and Keff, but not for long...they always led me back to Maggies.
Steve, Congratulations on 175K!
You'll blow past that soon, I'm sure!
Steve, don’t feel badly about your Bose experience. I had a pair of 601 Series lll that had 4 full array tweeters and two 8” woofers in each cab and they rocked! My receiver was Pioneer SX780 and for my budget I was on top of the world. 30 years later my son now has the Bose’s and he is rocking his basement! I graduated to the Klipsch RP600M’s thanks to you. I don’t play as loudly as I use to but definitely appreciate the improvement in sound quality.
Great video!
Nice! Still have my 601 series 3 but am shopping for something new... Ebay there are 601 going for $1K right now!
@@Selene_M3 Thanks Adam. I miss those speakers. They were my first really large electronic purchase. They still sound great. Something could be said about that.
One of my first "audiophile" experiences was back in the early 70's. At the time, my girlfriend's family owned a bar/restaurant and her older brother had a Marantz receiver, Dual turntable, Akai reel to reel and a pair of 901 hanging from the ceiling in the corners of a very large room/bar. The walls were cinder block with brick facing (ideal for the speakers IMO). You could sit anywhere in that room and let me tell you it was a "musical" experience. Well, I bought a pair a few years later, also hung from the ceiling in our listening room, powered with a 250 watt per channel Soundcraftsmen amp (power is crucial to these speakers IMO) and a Apt Holman pre amp. Sounded wonderful, a "musical" experience. They hung there for better than 30 years. They have been replaced with KEF LS50s , SVS SB1000 sub, Sonographe 120 watt per channel and my rebuilt Apt Holman pre. Now, does the new system sound better? Of course it does but anyone who likes music would enjoy that experience. I thought is sounded much better than my JBL 4311 studio monitors driven by my 80 watt per side Sansui integrated amp. Two things critical for those speakers IMO are power and placement.
Bought Bose 901s in late 70s and wore out a lot of vinyl listening to them (one reason I was so excited about CDs when they came out). I replaced the output electrolytic coupling caps on the equalizer with polypropylene, which smoothed the high end. The speaker surround started to deteriorate in the 90s and I contacted Bose and they said send them back for replacement. They charged me a couple hundred dollars and sent me a brand new pair (901 series IV) with the equalizer. Kept them about 10 more years. ( overall 20+ years of living with Bose Speakers). Really enjoyed Sheffied Lab's Direct to Disc Thelma Houston's "I Got the Music in Me" on the 901s. Have the CD now and wish I hadn't got rid of my vinyl.
First pair of speakers bought new in 1972. Decided between Rectilinear III 's, JBL 100's or Bose 901's. I bought the Rectlinear's. Owned them for 15 years and sold them in 1986 for more than I paid for them. Bought ADS 1290's which I still own and love !
This may not count, but I have and still enjoy a sound link mini Bluetooth speaker. For a time, it was my main source of listening before upgrading to a larger bt speaker and eventually a real stereo. I’m still impressed with what I get from it, considering the size, and love it for grilling and eating outside, and for travel.
I am a proud owner of 3 pairs of Bose 901 series 6 speakers. Home theater Denon AVR-X3700H with 2pairs of 901's for front and a Denon POA-1500 amp pushing both pairs, 2 pairs of bose 301 for surround and rear height speakers, Bose in wall 191's, Bose VCS-10 center channel, Klipsch 10" sub. I am in love with this setup. I like my movies and music loud at times (Slipknot, Mudvayne, Savage 21, Rich the kidd, John Michael Montgomery, ect. Im all over the place with music). It's the loud volume and still clear sound that stole my heart. I want to say im an audiophile but apperently I cant be one if I own and use Bose 901's. I had all Advent speakers prior to Bose and sounded good but couldn't handle the volume I was after. I have ran people out of my house and surely damaged my ear drums but I love it. I want clear sounding speakers that are loud as hell when I want them to be. Any suggestions on what are better sounding but can still handle very loud volumes?
And back in the late 80's I heard a pair of Bose 901's in a glass listening room i believe? or the doors were made of glass and they literally blew me away. the mids and highs were amazing. I thought the whole backside was solid tweeters and the fronts were mid bass or something? Nope not one tweeter just 9 full range speakers. Amazing. So how do I move up is the question? They sound pretty bad ass to me?
Totally guilty as charged, Bose 301s coupled with Pioneer SX 680 sounded amazing back in the day and I enjoyed that right up to last year when the foam gave way on the 301s and I also lost left channel power on the Pioneer. Not a bad run at all for a paper route budget bought in 1980.
There are kits to replace the foam surrounds on eBay ($15ish), mine blew out last year after 30 years of use but I bought new speakers instead of repairing the 301's, still thinking about buying the kit though.
@@zacknrudi yes I am aware of those kits, thanks! I actually have 2 other full systems at this point so not sure if I will fix the 301s or not. There is that side of me that wants to because it was the first thing I ever bought with my own earned $$.
I still have a pair of Bose 10.2 tower speakers in a front listening room. They received excellent reviews back in 1979, and sound so much better than the various #01 models people hate or debate over on audiophile posts.
I had a pair of 201 bookshelf speakers a few years back. I ended up pairing the 201’s with some beefy bottom end Infinity speakers and, for me, the setup sounded good. I retired them both after buying a pair of Klipsch bookshelf speakers.
Yes, I do have three (3) pairs of Bose 901 series VI and one (1) pair of 301 and yes, I love them . They are party speakers.
Yup. Bought 901's in 1969. I was overwhelmed by the soundstage and getting some kind of low bass from a bunch of 4" drivers, and boy, could they suck up the power. I was a newbie in audiophile land so ...... Later I worked for the company that sold me the speakers and met Amar at the store and he did the dog and pony show for all the salesmen sometime around 1972. Not long after that I ditched them (I had some nice choices being an employee) and I think I became a book shelf speaker kind of guy for a while. Oh, and I sold a TON of 501's in my day, pleasant, spacious, boomy and fairly unobtrusive in a room, $250 a pair. Thanks for the memories!
Still enjoy the accoustimass after 20 years. Sometimes crappy system is more musical. You spend less time trying to make it sound right and spend more time enjoying music.
So Very true. There will come a point when you give up on becoming an audiophile and go back to boseville 😂😂😂
While serving in the air force I was stationed in the UK (82-86) The base e xchange had 901 series IV at a good discount. I tried of them quickly.Also the insane equalization was apparently overloading the Nakamichi ZX-7 . I had to keep the output knob on the 7 set low or the distortion was intense. My next speaker was Infinity RS Ii. BTW the guy that bought my 901's still has them and loves them. Please feature the RS II sometime. Cheers
I owned the Bose 501 in the 70`s, later in the 80`s I got the 901´s…and endend up with 4 Bose 901 /6 one o top of the other in the right position to the walls…with two pre-and two power amplifiers, each for the right and left side…best thing I ever heart…is there somebody with this arrangement?, would love to hear they experience!
Yes many times. And enjoyed them very much. Owned the 701’s and dreamed of the 901’s. I have even own the iPod Bose Music Dock. They’re not terrible or overpriced as people claim... they have their place. I have zero shame.
I think any true audiophile has several speakers in inventory. I no longer have any Bose speakers and currently have Magnepan, Zu Audio, B&W, and Jamo in rotation. But I still want a pair of 901’s for fun.
Subscriber when you were under 3,000 subs. Congratulations on 170,000+.
I’ve also owned the Bose SoundDock for the last 15 years and have recently bought another one and modified both so one plays the left channel and the other the right channel. They are now twice as good!
@@morellf Hey that’s a great idea. For being little they do have some punch.
@@epi2045 they certainly do and that punch is definitely doubled. Also the sound quality is better as the speakers don’t have to work so hard.
in the 90's had Magnapan for a week, took em back got Bose 501, kept them for a week, took them back got Klipsch Heresy, kept them for years, rocking Zu dw's never been happier with a set of speakers.
I wanted Bose speakers but had no money back in those days. I did have Bose speakers in my 1989 Nissan Maxima SE and enjoyed them. I also own Bose NR headphones which are great for flying.
Friends had both the 901's and 501's and they always sounded fine to me.
I have six 301s: two series one and four series two. Re-woofered with PARTS Express stuff. Sound is very good for only spending little over $100 for everything.
Ed Long of Time Align speakers had worked at CTS and couldn't believe the use of a CTS ceiling speaker for full range in the 801. Imagine the load of 3 parallel speakers in parallel for an amplifier and then needing a huge amplifier like a Phase Linear 700 to power them and the equalizer. And that was the best the engineer Professor Bose could come up with.
Bose 141, what a gem of a speaker, outstanding for the size and only one full range speaker.
Still using my 301’s, purchased in 1989 as surrounds - they are now my rear height (only) speakers in a 7.2.4 set up.
I can relate to that JBL L100 goal in the 70s. In LA there was a store called Rogers Sound Labs that both sold JBL and competed with their own house brand, a JBL L100 clone called the RS3300 / RS 3600. They would audition their speakers - which were half the price - and switch back and forth while asking you , do the JBLs sound twice as good? Of course in the noisy demo area they would sound similar, so I bought the RSL - which I also still have because I never sell anything.
I used 901s as midranges, ran a sub and pair of ribbon tweeters. They were great.
I like Bose for what they are. For me, that's mellow 90s music with Accoustimass glory. Sure, not audiophile, but that's why they're cool. They know how to evoke that nostalgia.
GACK, you made me say #BOSEgack
Working as stock boy at StereoLand in early '70s (before I could drive)...
There were plenty of demo "rooms" (Klipsch, Bozak, JBL, McIntosh, KEF, Mission, etc.).
They kept Bose 901's around so customers could HEAR WHAT NOT TO BUY.
Had a pair of BOSE 901 series 2. Friend gave them to me. Later discovered you needed the equalizer! to get any Bass. Next speaker were Advents stacked.
I have 5 Sealed Box 901's that I've used for 5.1 Channel playback. Amazing sound quality ! When I'm not listening to "normal" Speakers, I'll yank out my Resto-Modded 1968 Bose 901's and amazed at the sound they produce with my miniDSP. Even the "Hater's" are amazed. Sometimes, we just have to pull our analytical heads out of our Asses and just "Enjoy The Music" !
Are they the best ? Hell no ! But in 1968, Dr. Bose & his team proved you don't need enormous Horn Systems to fill a room with sound. The Tulip Stands however are too low and this Bose 901 Freak recommends 27" Speaker Stands for them.
Those of you know my Channel, know my Journey. Those who don't (shameless plug - I don't care if Steve takes down this post).
Sealed Box 901's FOREVER !!!!
No... BUT I still want a pair of 901 for my garage!
The first speakers I bought in 1982 at age 21 were 301 Series IIs. I had a Nikko receiver and a Technics turntable. They sounded great to me at the time. A year later, my friend’s older brother came home from the Navy with 4 giant Sansui speakers and a high powered Kenwood amp. That changed everything.
I purchased a set of 901 Series II speakers in 1977. Prior to then I had never owned a stereo. So with my first career paycheck in hand I went to a high-end stereo store and purchased a Yamaha integrated amp and tuner, an Empire turntable, a Teac 15" reel-to-reel, a Nakamichi cassette deck, a pair of Stax electret headphones, and these Bose 901s. I knew "jack" about audio playback, nor of precise imaging, and was no audiophile. I purchased all this at the recommendation of the salesman. The Yamaha equipment was decent enough, the Teac and Nakamichi decks were excellent, the Empire turntable exemplary and the Stax headphones superb. The Bose not so good.
In the short term I was pleased with the direct-reflecting Bose 901s with the included equalizer that produced a pleasing, warm, silky smooth (if phony) sound . . . and then I learned about "imaging." So, I dumped the Bose (which were a problem to position in the room) in favor of a fine pair of Snell Es.
Great marketers, these Bose people. As audio engineers, not so much.
I purchased a pair of Bose bookshelf speakers in 1980 and still have them. They are still good. I run most of my audio thru a professional PA system, but still use the Bose speakers for a lot of listening.
I owned the last decent sounding Bose 901 series 2 speakers. They could play painfully loud they were open and sounded better then anything I had ever owned but, as my audiophile tastes developed I became disillusioned with the suppressed mid range lack of high end and booming bass even the EQ couldn't tame. I traded them for a pair of Spica TC50s and happily lived with them for over a decade.
I have two Bose systems.
First, I own a pair of Bose companion 2 pc speakers. They are decent for what they are and what I paid for them. I don’t really feel the need to upgrade.
Second, my car has the upgraded Bose sound system. My mom owns the same car but without Bose, and I can honestly say the Bose are a big improvement. I could upgrade to something better I’m sure, but I am content with what I have.
All this being said, I’ve never used Bose in my main system and I don’t expect I ever will.
I remember watching an interview w/1 of my favorite singers from th 80s, Tom Keifer, lead singer of Cinderella & now solo artist. After answering many questions about recording in th studio, he was asked what he listened to music @home on & he said th family listened on a Bose Acoustimass surround sound w/Alexa through it. I couldn't believe it, as beautiful as his home in Nashville is & his wife sings backup in his band, that he he doesn't have a total badass stereo system! You would think musicians would b picky about sound even @ home, but apparently not all of them😖
Maybe he’s deaf?
@@TheAgeOfAnalog maybe so!
I replaced all the surrounds on a pair of 901 for a friend, after I set them up, in my big room, they are a great back ground speaker. They fill the the room with sound all over , but not hi fi. I was shocked at how badly they were make, glue and gaps all over the place like a child had made them.
Yes a pair of 401, my dads mate have them today, they working fine after 30+ years 👍
A friend of mine gave me a small out door Bose 141 (I think) and use it in the shop. It sounds ok and louder than my little Canton Plus One. Bose is not for critical listening. But I wanted to own a 901 in my teens, it’s the print ads.
Hey Steve, did you ever see the Bose receiver/amp? The turn on button was the logo plate of the front.
I had the Bose Lifestyles system when I was younger. It sounded good for movies and TV, but was very thin for music. It worked in my apartment at the time. Now that I own a big house with a dedicated listening room I have a real 2 channel system that is in a different league.
My 74 year old father has always wanted Bose. He had some tower speakers for years which apparently vexed him over the years due to their size. So now he’s talking about Bose again. But really he’s more interested in the size. I think he would be better off with some bookshelf speakers. Do you have a suggestion under $1,800?
Listening to this video on a 901 S2 speaker set that I just purchased off of FB Marketplace. Using birch logs as the speaker stands. Better than the Vizio soundbar that they replaced. They look much better too. No, I am not an audiophile.
I have the Bose computer speakers that I received as a premium for work related purchases. They need equalization to sound good. I use the noise cancelling headphones to drown out the noise from my zero turn Toro. But I have Bluetooth earbuds under the Bose for listening. The Bose don't sound like full range phones.
I owned 'em and enjoyed BOSE 901's powered by a Phase Linear 400 then a Hafler XL-600 amp until about 1999. They really needed a 10 band graphic EQ in addition to their own EQ. They also sucked power...but I loved the imaging effect.
Hi, my name is Randy, and I am a recovering Bose owner. (Hi Randy). I have been Bose free for the last 21 years. (applause). I was initially drawn to the Bose addiction by an uncle who had a SQ quadraphonic system in the 70’s and was a ham radio operator. He set me up with a pair of Bose Interaudio SA-1000 speakers at wholesale cost. These were still better than buying speakers from a white van in the Walmart parking lot. I had an intervention from a friend who built a Dynaco clone tube amp to drive DIY horn speakers with classic JBL drivers; Led Zepplin I on vinyl. The dynamics were incredible. At that point I knew I had to break the addiction. Purchased a pair of JBL 3677 small theater speakers from JBL Pro online tent sale, gave the Bose to my brother-in-law, and have not looked back since.
Yep, Acoustimas 10 late 90s. Never could find the right placement of the twiddlers to give the “hidden” surround sound in a large room. The bass unit never gave great punch and the middle was meh. I retired them to the bedroom where I use them as my surround system. They sound better in a smaller setting.
I was fooled by the RP 600 behind you. With the black panel behind it, I briefly thought it was an RP 8000 peaking out! Any chance of a proper tested review some day of those big towers from the king? They aren’t carried anywhere within a few hours from me, and would love to hear if you think they retain some of what you think makes the 600M so very special.
Yes I bought them.
"Touching to the ears, Tasty to the nose, must be Bose" or something like that.
I also got 37 Columbia house records for 3¢,
I also got my karate instruction book for 25¢.
I also entered publishers clearing house.
I also sold seeds from door to door.
(and buds from back door to back door).
I fell for it all back in the day.
I'd have to say, the Bose were the best bang for the buck. Still have them, along with the albums and of course I'm still a karate master thanks to those four mimeograph pages of instruction!
-✌🏼
Just gave my cousin a pair of 301's I had in storage from the mid-ninties. I hooked them up to get a flashback of their sound. Ehhhh... But HE loves them! I bought a pair of Peachtree Design 5 sats new in box as yet ANOTHER bookshelf to add to the collection! The Peaches ARE better! Lol To each their own! Thanks Steve! 👍😊
Yes, yes, I must admit it, as I am in the Bose 12 step program. I do still own a Bose center channel speaker. It is boxed now, and safely away. I feel better now. Bose is good enough, sounds well enough, and gosh darnit, people still like them.
I purchased the center speaker used, as I was experimenting around with home theater and on ebay they were low profile and under 50 buck incl. shipping.
BTW, Instead of JBL L-100s, I purchased RSL 3600s back in the day. In fact, JBL sued RSL over the 3600s bec they were better than the JBL L100s and eating into JBL sales in SoCal. JBL claimed that the 3600s were copied. They were not. Almost every recording studio at the time had a pair of 3600s as the mix down speakers after the head of Warner records bought a pair from RSL in Burbank. I now have owned a pair of RSL 3800s since they were new, replacing the old 3600s way back when. Looking for a decent pair of 3600s, again.
I consider myself an audiophile because I use sound as therapy and a source of happiness, weather it comes from Wilson or Bose, as long as you get the fulfillment from music, that’s the point. :)
ALMOST bought 901s because they sounded BIG. Instead, I bought Carver Amazings, which I enjoyed for years before moving on to KEF.
I’ve had a pair of 901s with its own equalizer for ten years! The are great I’d hate to get rid of them!! Though I’m a klipsch lover!
In HighSchool me and my friend worked for a music store that let us use the Bose commercial speakers including the Bose cannon sub in the early 90’s for our house parties. We enjoyed them but as musicians thought something was missing and thought we hooked them up wrong. We later figured out it was the highs and lows and that’s how it was supposed to be.
I do enjoy their Q35 Headphones on planes and that is where I listen to them and hotels. Also I do enjoy their plane headphone system.
The do make the best sounding clock radio. Ha ha
I live in an apartment so my tower speakers are pretty much not in use at all so I just wanted an ipod dock that would atleast fill my bedroom with decent sound and the sounddock 2 by bose is pretty dam good for my bedroom especially when I payed 30$ for it haha I love this thing
I felt the seduction but I resisted the purchase 🙂
The only Bose I can afford is the one on my 1998 Nissan Pathfinder and a soundlink mini (1st gen) they are not bad, if you don't care about sound quality.
Yes, l have a pair and like them. Planning on giving them to my uncle. I’m going to add a sub and see if I like them more so he can experience a better sound. Of course I have never heard a “serious” high end system. I have klipsch kg3s with the criton upgrades, but they are not as good as I think they should be. I am listening through a Yamaha rxv-890. Anyway, I think the 901s sound good in the right room in the prescribed location per specification. The ceiling mount option is better in my opinion. But I’m not an audiophile, just a melody guy.
Dopey Pioneer Receiver!!?
Bose 901s were auditioned in 1977ish via a Mother Bose 1801 attempting to melt the speaker cables. Image was HUGE but clarity was NG. Not certain why chamber music was this huge.
Since that attempt (w/o pulling the 1977 pin) I have only very recently actually bought some Bose stuff (not including an OEM auto amp).
A pair of Bose Companion 20 computer speakers are currently in place now. Not too bad for the $$.
Also a new set of Bose QUIETCOMFORT® 35 II make long airline flights bearable with good source material.
The original Bose home stuff and most of the subsequent Home theatre sets were just meh.
I guess we like what we like based on our previous listening experiences, what and how we listen now, and a personal enjoyment quotient.
I admit to be a than virgin audiofool falling for boses marketing of the am5 series 2 sub sat system in the 90s. I enjoyed it for a bit. Yes it was more open and took up less space than the than infinity speakers in the same room. The reference infinities and not the kappa line. I think if I had exposed myself to other speakers at the time it may have been different. Local dealers at the time that are all gone had definitive audio, Polk, jm labs, acoustic research and nht I think. Looking back i wish I would have shopped around more at the kappa line of infinity speakers but would to have had a large beefy expensive amp to power them. After going around to more dealers in subsequent years I knew their was better and was ready to fork it over for some b&w matrix series speakers. The dealer must have not thought I was to serious about wanting them (especially when I found out what they sold for later). After finding them sold I researched and went online and got the next up the line and have them to this day. Enjoyed them immensely and have been treated to every change in my system over the years...good or bad.
My father had the Bose 901 Series VI speakers. Although I thought they sounded good, they always were lacking something in my ears, but I just couldn’t pinpoint what. Chalk it up to inexperienced audiophile ears.
Later I bought the Bose 301 Series III bookshelf speakers. I LOVED them, and I actually wish I didn’t sell them later. I don’t care the brand, if they sound good to your ears, they sound good, no matter what anyone else says. I like Bose, and this audiophile is not ashamed to ‘admit’ it. 😎
I still have the first 901’s attached to Marantz 7t and 250. I enjoy cranking it up and listening when I’m not watching surround Video with Denons and polks. Today I discovered one of the 901’s went silent. I’m scrambling trying to see if it can be fixed or should I finally move for my 2 channel listening. I like your recommendations. Not sure if I can discern differences now that I have hearing aids. Thanks
Never had Bose but I never consider myself an audiophile until recently. I do have a Bose blue tooth speaker that was Christmas present a few years back. It's sounds fine with background music. I remember when I first starting looking at forums and UA-cam videos on audio and discovering that no one liked Bose -- I guess I fell for the marketing.
Bose Acoustimass used as extension speakers since the early 90s. They performed well in a kitchen installation, passive sub hidden in a wall, not so good now in a small office. There, I said it!
I have four 501 speakers on a second system. They were cheap. I also have four 601 series III on my main system. Those sound very nice. But pricey.
Define "audiophile" then combine budget into the factor. I know what affordable sound I like.
I still have Bose,
5 pair.
301s, and 201s
Both paired with cheap polk subs.
(I have kids who break stuff,
Not gonna shell out a fortune)
I like the Bose tone.
I like flat, not bright.
I like tweeters no smaller than 1" diameter, because I don't like ear fatigue .
I want to listen for hours some times, without fatigue, company too, you know, background sound at a gathering.
They sound good enough and I'm often doing something while listening, but if I did get bored, I'd go outside, bought 10 acres by saving money.
Bose had like 35% of the market at one time. Out of what?, 200 speaker manufacturers?
That doesnt"t happen by accident. People like them and are return customers.
Some of these so called "audiophiles"
are the competition posting hate.
I have the ancient Model 21s
And an even smaller pair but
I forget the midel number, can look when I get home. And I have some old outdoor Bose 101s
Bose might not be the best.
But they're not bad.
I don't sit there staring at my speakers wondering if I'm adequate. And if there is a little party, people are looking at each other, not the speakers.
If you're on a budget, pick up
a used pair on ebay, and a cheap sub, then put a down payment on some land with the money you save, and get out of the city while you still can.
Edit: Got home and looked.
That little unknown pair
are Bose 141
I recently bought 2 pairs of vintage 901/2 speakers, i love the design a'd looks, sold them for a barbershop....for background music ...i didn't listen to them, but know them from before, they have qualities for pa ...voice...instruments...i know Dave Holland uses the 402 to amplify the contrabass...., In fact it can play good in some applications, like i use a jvc boombox to amplfy my elecyroacoustic cortguitar....and love the result...
Some play the bose 901 with a digital equaliser...much better then the bose equaliser...
I bought a pair of 301s before I knew what was what because they looked cool. I thought they sounded sweet but not amazing. Next pair was a pair of advents.
I love Bose. I have owned Polk, JBL, Fisher,Etc…. I love Bose. To my ears, they sound great. I’ve owned 401, 301,6.2.etc.
I still prefer Bose from more expensive “audiophile “ speakers that cost 10 times as much.
I’m 53….I’ve been through a lot😂
My friend had a pair of 801's in the late '70's. Listening, I could not point at the piano. No soundstage, lots of music. Great to fill a room, not for critical listening.
Have had Bose Companion 3 series 2 for 10-15 years that are falling apart but I'm using them as my secondary system until they melt, which seems highly likely very soon.
I owned a set of the Acoustimass speakers that came with a packaged small system. They were...okay. I still have the mini Onkyo receiver/CD player, but the speakers are long gone. As a kid, I always liked the 501s in the showroom, but they never came home with us.