Bose 901's for $60 - you bet I did

bluecomet

I have owned Bose 901 Series 3,4 and 6. The latest version I enjoyed the most but none of them came close to Polk SDA speakers. The lack of a tweet hurts these speakers. I like the mids and bass but they are lacking in my opinion on the high end. I still have Bose 301's which I enjoy and are nice speakers for there size. For the money you paid for the 901's, it was a good deal to test drive these speakers and see if you like them.

rebuy

I have never listened to 901's enough to comment on the sound quality they give but I did follow the link to the stereophile review that was posted. I read the review, understood it, but was very disappointed that they did not give the 901's the same treatment as other speakers they test. They caved in and didn't post measurements, they gave Bose a free pass that they do not give to other speakers. Then to add a comment from Bose at the end was just pathetic. When they test other speakers, do they allow manufacturers comments? They Kissed the stinky part of Bose and lost credibility with me. Just shows what stereophile is, just a pile.

gmcman

When I was in Europe back in the mid 80's, I remember a brochure on the 901's....it read something like 10-30 watts minimum..not sure, and "No Maximum input power"

Thought that was kinda cool.

Michael8it

From This To This:

Waiting on a knob for the Eq then off to Craigslist.

Schurkey

rebuy wrote: »

I have never listened to 901's enough to comment on the sound quality they give but I did follow the link to the stereophile review that was posted. I read the review, understood it, but was very disappointed that they did not give the 901's the same treatment as other speakers they test. They caved in and didn't post measurements, they gave Bose a free pass that they do not give to other speakers. Then to add a comment from Bose at the end was just pathetic. When they test other speakers, do they allow manufacturers comments? They Kissed the stinky part of Bose and lost credibility with me. Just shows what stereophile is, just a pile.

Do you understand that the review is AGES and AGES old, from long before Stereophile had any measurement equipment (other than the ear/brain of JGH?)

Manufacturer's Comments were (maybe still are--I don't subscribe any more) a big part of Stereophile's policy. It does happen that sometimes they aren't printed in the same issue as the review because the manufacturer doesn't reply in time to make the printing deadline. Stereophile on-line then misses the manufacturer's comments on occasion.

Tour2ma

Hard to ID the "before" pic as Continentals... Nice resurrection.

Will certainly be easy to flip now... and profitable.

The early 901's actually do get a modicum of respect 'round here. Everything that followed... not so much...

Not sure you answered before, but what generation EQ did you snag? If it's other than Series I or II, it's not a match. Hard enough to get them to sound their best even with the proper EQ. Really have to dedicate a wall to them... really need proper stands for them...

And for whoever asked above, the max continuous power rating was 270 WRMS. Each of the nine, "full-range(ish)" drivers employed could handle 30 W... 30 x 9 = 270.

Michael8it

I got a series I EQ. Waiting on a knob for it from Mouser, then I need a creative way to recover the back panels. They were stapled on the 1/8" staples which I cannot find.......

westmassguy

Hi, new here, and just snagged my first pair of Monitor 5s that I'll be rebuilding shortly, so I'll be needing some advice on those.
Regarding the 901s, you cannot duplicate the Bose Equalizer's boost curve with conventional Graphic Equalizers. Cascading two Parametrics has been done with some success, but it's expensive, and you'll be doubling the added noise.
I own a small speaker repair business, and specialize in vintage Bose products, not the new stuff. One of my specialties is rebuilding early 901 Equalizers. Besides a general cleaning and Deoxit treatment for the switches and jacks, capacitor replacement is a must. With audiophile grade caps throughout, the difference is dramatic. Many of my customers who have owned their Series I & II 901s since new, are floored when they get their Equalizers back.

RTA12C'er

westmassguy wrote: »

Hi, new here, and just snagged my first pair of Monitor 5s that I'll be rebuilding shortly, so I'll be needing some advice on those.
Regarding the 901s, you cannot duplicate the Bose Equalizer's boost curve with conventional Graphic Equalizers. Cascading two Parametrics has been done with some success, but it's expensive, and you'll be doubling the added noise.
I own a small speaker repair business, and specialize in vintage Bose products, not the new stuff. One of my specialties is rebuilding early 901 Equalizers. Besides a general cleaning and Deoxit treatment for the switches and jacks, capacitor replacement is a must. With audiophile grade caps throughout, the difference is dramatic. Many of my customers who have owned their Series I & II 901s since new, are floored when they get their Equalizers back.

Hi WMG, I've a pair of 901 Series VI bought new last year. They've the foam surrounds and the EQ has Nichicon Caps inside. What better audiophile caps do you recommend to replace those with, bearing in mind the Nichicons are quite decent. I've installed an IEC plug and using the EQ with a good aftermarket power cord. Thanks !.:-)

westmassguy

RTA12C'er wrote: »

Hi WMG, I've a pair of 901 Series VI bought new last year. They've the foam surrounds and the EQ has Nichicon Caps inside. What better audiophile caps do you recommend to replace those with, bearing in mind the Nichicons are quite decent. I've installed an IEC plug and using the EQ with a good aftermarket power cord. Thanks !.:-)

PM me and we can discuss it. I don't want to hijack someone else's post
Thanks

soundfreak1

Actualy sold them back in 1979: deffenitly need the Eq and they always sounded best Hung from the celing