Bose 901 any good?

Serendipity

So - I heard the Bose 901 Series VI yesterday in a 2 channel setup similar to mine and I'm really confused.

Now, over the past year I've been on 3-4 audio forums and the general consensus is that "Bose sucks." However, I did not hear anything about the 901s that were especially bad. In fact, they didn't sound bad at all with classical music.

What's up with that? (I'm just trying to be open minded about demoing speakers and even though many do not like Bose I decided that I should hear them for myself first.)

heiney9

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71330&highlight=bose+901*

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66220&highlight=bose+901*

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56708&highlight=bose+901*

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44419&highlight=bose+901*

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23671&highlight=bose+901*

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13632&highlight=bose+901*

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4748&highlight=bose+901*

A 2 minute search reveals that this subject may have been discussed before.

H9

Serendipity

Okay, but that still doesn't explain what I am hearing....

The 901s sounded very natural and smooth with classical music. As a classical pianist I have come to appreciate this kind of sound and I didn't think the 901s were bad at all with regards to this.

Fongolio

Someone said the "B" word.

heiney9

appadv wrote: »

Okay, but that still doesn't explain what I am hearing....

You are a fast reader......you read all those threads and posts? I am seriously not trying to be an a** I thought the posts which involve the 901 would be provide helpful info in addition to what might be added here in this post.

Bose tend to be a catalyst for the fireworks so not sure what type of "answer" you will get.

Bose, IMO, has never sounded real. Greta high volume party speaker like Cerwin Vega's............serious music......forget it, IMO.

H9

heiney9

appadv wrote: »

Okay, but that still doesn't explain what I am hearing....

The 901s sounded very natural and smooth with classical music. As a classical pianist I have come to appreciate this kind of sound and I didn't think the 901s were bad at all with regards to this.

You have to be kidding? Piano and it's timbre is the hardest to reproduce accurately.

Hey if you like em............you like em.

Serendipity

heiney9 wrote: »

You are a fast reader......you read all those threads and posts? I am seriously not trying to be an a** I thought the posts which involve the 901 would be provide helpful info in addition to what might be added here in this post.

Bose tend to be a catalyst for the fireworks so not sure what type of "answer" you will get.

Bose, IMO, has never sounded real. Greta high volume party speaker like Cerwin Vega's............serious music......forget it, IMO.

H9

I was actually reading old threads before you posted.

Serendipity

heiney9 wrote: »

You have to be kidding? Piano and it's timbre is the hardest to reproduce accurately.

Hey if you like em............you like em.

Why? Piano sounded accurate on the 901's, especially in the midrange.

Also, steveinaz's opinion of the speakers is very similar to what I noticed - they are not bright at all.

Pauly

Everyone has their own set of ears... All the Bose i have ever heard sound flat with no "life" behind them. Might be why the Classical sounds good on those. Not much mid range nor low end to really get the full effect. Just crank up the Treble on some Polks and call it a day.

IMHO of course


Pauly

Serendipity

spasticpitbull wrote: »

Everyone has their own set of ears... All the Bose i have ever heard sound flat with no "life" behind them. Might be why the Classical sounds good on those. Not much mid range nor low end to really get the full effect. Just crank up the Treble on some Polks and call it a day.


Pauly

You have a point there. Piano shouldn't sound bright like what I'm hearing with my Definitives - it should be accurate. On my setup there is a bit of harshness in the upper midrange and the Bose didn't exhibit that.

dkg999

The 901's do sound good, right up to the point where you realize what you are missing I had a pair for several years. It's the best that Bose has to offer. If you like them, buy them and don't make any apologies.

For a serious party speaker the Bose 801 commercial series could really rock a dorm party. I had a set of those driven by Crown DC300's I believe if my memory is correct.

heiney9

appadv wrote: »

Why? Piano sounded accurate on the 901's, especially in the midrange.

Also, steveinaz's opinion of the speakers is very similar to what I noticed - they are not bright at all.

They can't be bright because they use full range speakers.....no tweeters. Or the tweeter's are 3" paper cones which by design don't produce very accurate highs

Serendipity

Why does this sound more accurate then? Pardon my ignorance, but the brightness I am hearing on the Definitives when listening to classical piano is not present on the Bose???

heiney9

appadv wrote: »

Why does this sound more accurate then? Pardon my ignorance, but the brightness I am hearing on the Definitives when listening to classical piano is not present on the Bose???

In all honesty it's either an upstream gear issue, room issue, recording issue or a combo of all three.

Were the Bose with your system in your room with the same recording?

Serendipity

Same recording, driven by an Onkyo AVR and Onkyo CDP similar to what I am using.

madmax

Every speaker has its strong and weak points. Its up to us to figure out what we have to have and what we can give up. The 901 is producing a strength your Definitives don't excel at. Listen longer with more stuff and you will figure it out.

Serendipity

madmax wrote: »

Every speaker has its strong and weak points. Its up to us to figure out what we have to have and what we can give up. The 901 is producing a strength your Definitives don't excel at. Listen longer with more stuff and you will figure it out.

Thanks. Like stated before, I've seen lots of posts stating that "Bose sucks" but when I heard the 901s for myself, they weren't that bad.

Overall the Definitive BP10B outperforms the Bose, IMO. However, I like the fact that the Bose aren't as harsh with piano.

Serendipity

heiney9 wrote: »

In all honesty it's either an upstream gear issue, room issue, recording issue or a combo of all three.

It may be a room issue, as my piano sounds bright in the same room. The speakers used to be in the living room though - I've moved my Definitives to the basement and it's still bright.

Pauly

appadv wrote: »

Thanks. Like stated before, I've seen lots of posts stating that "Bose sucks" but when I heard the 901s for myself, they weren't that bad.

Overall the Definitive BP10B outperforms the Bose, IMO. However, I like the fact that the Bose aren't as harsh with piano.

Get a speaker switch, hook up both. When you listen to Classical switch to Bose, Anything else switch to the Def's. Grab a beer, sit back and enjoy. Then call it a day.

Pauly

Serendipity

spasticpitbull wrote: »

Get a speaker switch, hook up both. When you listen to Classical switch to Bose, Anything else switch to the Def's. Grab a beer, sit back and enjoy. Then call it a day.

Pauly

I'd like to, but midrange is the only thing I like on the Bose. On the Definitives the detail, imaging, and soundstage is MUCH better.

Serendipity

What could I do to help tame the brightness of the Definitives? When they were upstairs they were very bright, and my piano (in the living room) is also very bright sounding.

I've always thought it was because I have a crappy piano

hoosier21

appadv - the DTs are bright to you, the Bose are not bright, you think they sound good, then to you the Bose sound better, what is the big deal.

Others here and everywhere else (many others) have heard the Bose 901 and do not like what they hear, simple.

Why why WHY.... f*ck dude nobody here knows, it's your ears, trust them for what you want from YOUR speakers.

hoosier21

spasticpitbull wrote: »

Get a speaker switch, hook up both. When you listen to Classical switch to Bose, Anything else switch to the Def's. Grab a beer, sit back and enjoy. Then call it a day.

Pauly

can't forget the Bose EQ that is required, add push in the tape mpn. button

Pauly

hoosier21 wrote: »

can't forget the Bose EQ that is required, add push in the tape mpn. button

DOH! :rolleyes:

Serendipity

I'm looking to make the Definitives sound a little less bright - they already have more detail and great imaging compared to the Bose - its just that one thing that I don't like.

Pauly

appadv wrote: »

I'd like to, but midrange is the only thing I like on the Bose. On the Definitives the detail, imaging, and soundstage is MUCH better.

They are BOSE, not a well rounded speaker (Can i say that?). Call it a day


Pauly

Serendipity

In this thread I posted pictures of my setup:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70062

Since then I have added carpeting in the back of the room and a large foam mat in the front - but the sound is still bright.

Serendipity

What else should I be doing with regards to the room issue?

treitz3

Are we still talking about this room?

hoosier21

you can add resistors to the tweeter

here is a great little tool
http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Calculator/LPad/

Serendipity

treitz3,

Nah, the other room....