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Its about time that someone reviewed these Latest Bose 901's !
Tone Publications is doing the review right now...the review coming soon !
Follow Ups:
.. . . WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT TASTES !.......
If you feel the need to be our resident Bose Fan Boy, fine, but there's no reason to shout (all caps). Very annoying to look at, and it still doesn't make that Bose crap sound any better. ;)
It's very sad that you have such "bad tastes" !... LOL
Linked below is Stereophile's review of the original Bose 901, from the early 1970s. (Ignore the posting date, which I need to fix.)
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
I paid $270 for my little Rogers in 1977. Compared to that the 901 is cheap. Who says Bose is expensive?
Bill
Jeff , these 901's sound their BEST on milk crates, 12 inches OFF the floor. I already tried them on the BOSE stands and they sounded BAD that way compared to having them on milk crates about 12 inches off the floor.It seems that the height of these 901's off the floor is the "MOST IMPORTANT" thing to get right when you set-up these speakers in your room !
Another important thing with these 901's are using GOOD interconnects and speaker cables....this might be even more important than set-up !
The Crimson R.M. Music Link cables brings a HUGE amount of Emotion into my system that is very very RARE for any cables and is a perfect match for these 901's !
Jeff , you said your not going to take off the fiberglass grilles for this review because you want to resell them after reviewing them.
That's fine, BUT these modified 901's do sound much better !.......
Edits: 02/23/12
I hope Stereophile isn't planning on reviewing the latest 901's , their even more hideous sounding than the originals. If anyone has a pair they want to get rid of I'm always looking for firewood.
In "stock forum" we think think one pair of these 901's sound better than the new Magnepan 1.7's.
Two pair of these 901's "stacked" with all the grilles off with some teflon tape covering all the plastic parts on the back side of these speakers...the ports and other plastic parts sticking out back there. We all think they sound as good as my friend's Quad ESL 2905's !
We will never get a review of these speakers with all the grilles off and teflon tape covering all these plastic parts sticking out BUT maybe some of the 901 owners out there will try this and let us know what they think .
Stacking speakers goes against all setup principal's, others here may be able to explain in more detail why. The only time I've heard of that being done is when someone is looking to get higher output level's. It can make a thin sounding speaker sound a little fuller.
As always, if your happy with the sound, forget what others think and enjoy.
Yes, two pair of these 901's "stacked" gives you a more fuller sound BUT these 901's also sound "very different" with ALL the "fiberglass" grilles OFF !! and teflon tape covering all plastic parts on the back side of these 901's !
It might be even better if you cover these plastic parts with non-hardening modeling clay...I don't know yet.
I have never heard any speakers that sounded better with the grilles ON and sure not grilles made of "fiberglass"...NOT GOOD AT ALL !....
After hearing two pair of these modified 901's together it's very addictive and very hard to go back to just listening to one pair.. ever again !!
We will get some more feedback on this as soon as other 901 owners out there try this out...
One can't help but wonder if a speaker has been designed correctly if two pair must be used and must be modified in some way to sound right or at least different. Two pair will set up phasing problems plus other inherent problems that may not be audible at first. The cost of both must also be weighed against one pair of better speakers.
This takes me back to audio's hay days of the 70's and 80's when speaker modifying was common place. It was not unusual to add felt strips to either side of the high frequency drivers to stop beaming on wide cabinet speakers. Another trick was to add more internal bracing and weight to the cabinet to lesson the boom that seemed to be built in to the speakers of the day.
Yeah the good old days, I sure miss them.
Regards Tim
All speakers can be modified to sound better...
I have a good size room at 18 by 24 with a high ceiling, maybe two pair of these 901's in a smaller room will have problems...
This news could be GOOD news for some 901 owners out there and very bad news for all those "BOSE BASHERS" out there... .. ... ...
" All speakers can be modified to sound better ". Maybe that should read , all Bose speakers can be modified to sound better. If a new speaker needs to be modified than the design team did not do their job.
While the 901s and this guy are both silly, speakers have to be made to a price point and there are a lot of mods that can be done by a skilled set of hands to improve things in most designs.
Bass is supposed to sound big. 6.5" is not a woofer size.
I think all designers, not just Bose's, are aware of improvements thru modifications but refrain from incorporating them in commercial productions due to price considerations.
Cheers
Bill
" Because you want to sell them after reviewing them. " !
NO , All speakers on the market can be modified to sound better...
...and compare that review with the one from 1995.
These Crimson cables are so damn good with these latest 901's that its like Crimson custom made these cables just for the 901's !!....
In order to comapre Bose 901 (whatever series they are now) to conventional high end system..one would need to have 2 of the same amplifiers and source components on hand. Since the 901's must use the equalizer to get them to "Bose voicing" the other system must have stand alone electronics. In all fairness it would be how the people like their sound presented.
Standing alone a properly set up 901 system can play music (if you ignore the veiled squishy high end coming from paper dustcaps, moving along with the low frequencies and the ultra wide effects from room reflections..(all of which deter from accurate reproduction) BUT...they can be LEARNED, to be satisfying. Once a listener gets used to the sound of that and gets sold on it they could be a rough act to follow if the listener seems to prefer this presentation.
In the early 70's I heard a nice room with massive power and a set of 901's and I dare say no speaker ever for it's size had the low frequency extension or sheer output levels of that system for a moderately large room. (~18X28) driven by Mono'd Phase Linear 700B's per channel. These were the sealed ones when they claimed "usable bass to 23Hz" with the 18 cTs drivers.
To me, they lack clarity, immediatcy and "you are there" realism but they did put on quite a show. The owner of that system (Long deceased) also used a pair of 31 band equalizers to help level the system further. For Opera, Symphonic, Orchestra and combo Jazz, they were a heck of a fun listen. I would go back to my system (Then Klipschorns / McIntosh) and hear the brush strokes, sticks on cymbals and notice the lack of dynamics of the Bose system compared with the Klipschorns. For Rock, the Klipschorns flat out stomped ass (Boogie mode)and the 901's sounded like a soggy, sizzly clustered mess. A lot of convoltution with the 901's and the imaging was flat out fake with vocalists wider than the room.
so a review by someone I'm unfamiliar with means close to nothing. I'm sure it'll be an interesting read, but won't change anything either way.
If the reviewer doesn't like them, the Bose bashers will stand up and cheer. If, on the other hand, the reviewer like them, the Bose bashers will stand up and shout about the reviewer's inabilities as a reviewer.
So in the end nothing will change.
I'd be REALLY interested in reading a review of the new 901's by the likes of Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Dudley or Mr. Harley.
Now, THAT would be interesting. At least to me.
Cheers.
"Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)
I would like a review by John Marks too.
Bill
...wouldn't it be better to hear them yourself, THEN make an evaluation? While the 901's might not be to everyone's taste, I'd bet the fact they've been in production for something like 40 years means SOMEBODY likes them.
I certainly don't require anyone to tell me how to think.
My point was simply this: When someone I've never heard of, or have read a single review from, provides me with their opinion, I have nothing to base that on. But, on the other hand, if a review comes from someone whose reviews I've been reading for years, it offers me more insight.
If that makes any sense.
As for the listening part, I've been a fan of some of Bose gear for many years, particularly the 901's. I've had the Series VI on two different occasions, and have been curious about the newest version of the VI for a while.
Cheers.
"Man, that mouse is Awesome." - Kaemon (referring to Jerry, of Tom and Jerry fame)
...(and I suppose at some time every reviewer has been unknown to a majority of his readers), then it would still generate some interest if I was shopping for speakers. Big time reviewers can have their own agenda that doesn't necessarily preclude a unbiased product evaluation.
Edits: 02/16/12
Someone needs to do a review with two pair 901's in one system...
Horn loaded (of course).
This is what you hear if you go to Mecca.
.
the savor of everything - Bob Neill
How GOOD are these LATEST 901's with these Crimson cables...
One of my friends told me that he likes my 901's as much as his Quad ESL 2905's BUT you can play the 901's louder and I think the 901's have a better bottom end...
WOW ! If Jeff only had some of these Crimson cables with his reference gear for this review on these 901's then he would really find out the true full potential of these amazing 901's !! Everything sounds SO SPOOKY REAL !! Has to be heard to be BELIEVED !!........ $$$
It's been so long since I heard a pair I can't remember a damn thing about how they sound, we're going way back ... waaaaay back!
LOL
the savor of everything - Bob Neill
"It's been so long since I heard a pair"
That's the problem for them for all of us that trash Blose sopeakers. We heard the 901s in the mid to late 70s. It's not like we were all buying Beveridge's and the big Maggies. Not that I wouldn't have loved to have been able to have myself. Most of us were punks either about to leave home, at college, or working and trying to get ahead. Cinder blocks were the stereo stand of the day. And who didn' at leat know someone with a cable spool for a coffee table. As long as we had booze, tunes and whatever else did it for us, life was good. Few of us would consider what we had back then to be all that good considering what is now available. My point is, let's see what J.D. says. They may not be all that good. But then again he might say that they are good for some.
I see that you are a member over on the Steve Hoffman Forum too.
They kicked me off that forum for posting too much on these LATEST 901's and I was wondering if you could please do something for me...
Could you go over on the Steve Hoffman Forum and let Jeff know that hifisoundguy said that he really needs to try out some of these Crimson R.M Music Link interconnects and speaker cables too for this upcoming review he is going to do on these 901's and see what he thinks...These two together has to be heard to be BELIEVED !!
Could you please post this in the link below...
THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS FOR ME...
...is that if Dorgy doesn't pull the grills off, turn them upside down, face them towards the wall, and use these special cables, (Did I miss anything??), that will be why the review is no too good (if it is, in fact, not too good).
I have never heard any speakers that sounded better with the GRILLS ON...
AND these Bose 901's have GRILLS made of Fiberglass...not GOOD !
So bose doesn't know how to make a speaker, you have to reverse their setup and remove the fiberglass grilles, and use specific cables, and THEN these garbage speakers with terrible design become god's gift?
put the pipe down kid.
Bass is supposed to sound big. 6.5" is not a woofer size.
Ok badman this guy sells BOSE or smokes crack
Looks like a sales pitch for speaker asylum to me
.
the savor of everything - Bob Neill
Be@@tch...PLz
I have my two pair of 901's "stacked" off the floor about 12 inches on milk crates. When you toe-in these speakers "just right" these 901's are MUCH more enjoyable to listen to !!I have front and back grilles off, because they sound better like this and on the back side of these speakers I put some teflon tape on any plastic parts that are sticking out..the ports and other plastic parts, because it sounds better after doing this !
Someone PLEASE do a review on Two Pair of "STACKED" 901's turned around BACKWARDS !............. WOW !!....
Edits: 02/19/12 02/19/12
Does this sound like they'll get an honest review? :
"I haven't heard 901's in years. I've never trashed anyone else's product in print, so I won't do it to Bose either. If the speakers are God awful, I'll send them back."
The quote above was lifted from the link you provided, and was made by the publisher of TONEAudio Magazine.
So if they're good, great, or just OK he'll say so, but if they're "God awful", he won't?
I have no anti-Bose axe to grind. It says to me that he's not going to be honest if they do suck. That doesn't sound like a publication I'd lend much credence to.
And for bose in particular. Bose sued Consumer Reports over a review- and won. It was later overturned but the precedent was set.
I would write a bad review of a piece of gear if it were bad, but I have a similar "no bad" policy regarding shows- I don't draw judgement on show systems in the negative direction, because show setups make for some strange bedfellows and it's often not the gear's "fault" that a setup sounds awful.
Bass is supposed to sound big. 6.5" is not a woofer size.
It would be unfair for a professional reviewer to trash a piece of equipment heard at a show. Too many variables.
But if a full review of something turns out "God Awful", to say nothing? Just pack it up, send it back, and then change the subject when someone asks, "What happened to review of X you promised?” To me, that lacks integrity.
Even if it was a simple "Mom always told me, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." that would be enough.
But perhaps you didn't notice- Bose sued consumer reports over a review.
You think "Tone Audio" has the money to bicker with Bose in court?
Just another way the USA lets those with the money write the rules, is lawyer bullying.
Bass is supposed to sound big. 6.5" is not a woofer size.
Yes, I did read that, and I understand that the wrath of lawyers could be Tone's fate.
But only if they find the speakers "God Awful" (Tone's words) and have the balls to say so. But the publisher has already admitted he doesn't.
I'd say that publication is more objective than the many of the majors we all cow tow to over in Critics. One more. I feel that the Bose wave radio is a pretty darn good little do what she needs rig for the woman's office.
Bring on the flames.
That may in fact be the case, but that's not my point.Let's try it this way. Say there's a restaurant reviewer in your local paper and he does good reviews which you enjoy reading.
Then one day he goes into a new restaurant. The serve him spoiled food, and the service is the worst he's ever experienced.
Do you think it would be honest of him to not print the bad review, simply because he had such negative, albeit truthful things to say about the restaurant?
I’m not implying the Bose will be bad. In fact I hope they’re not. But if they are, I won’t know it by reading Tone Magazine.
Edits: 02/14/12 02/14/12
Come on, your 1973shovelling it. ;-) In most cases Dorgay reviews stuff so ungodly expensive and of such high quality that the reviews can probably write themselves. Maybe this is his one such time he makes mention of a bad dining experience. Perhaps not as he tends to weigh the cost versus the quality and intended listening audience. I recall reviews of 70s vintage amps and JBL L100s.
Several years ago I heard the 100 watt per monoblock Tim DeParavicini amps at the New York show. 30 Gs per pair. They absolutely stunk. And with a Pass amp you know and are willing to cough it up for good stuff. If they turned up the volume at all there was horrible noise coming from the speakers. Two months later there was a review of the very same amps, praising them. A few months later it was mentioned that the amps had the wrong output transformer in them, thus causing horrid distortion levels above a few watts. I ask, did that Stereophile reviewer actually listen to the amps?
If he finds the Bose 901's "God awful", a simple "My mom always told me, if you can't say anything nice..." would do it.
If he loves them, let him sing their praises.
Tone Magazine is a beautifully photographed and designed e-zine. They may have had a few credible reviews from credible reviewers, but overall the writing and reviews are terrible. I had high hopes for Tone, but now I can't even scroll through it for eye candy anymore.Waxxy
Edits: 02/14/12
I have found to be 100% credible and the writing to be every bit as good and with less airs than the standard-bearers. I'm sure the review will be fair as Dorgay is known for being very meticulous in speaker setup which is a definite requirement for the Bose 901. Plus the reference system is as good as any reviewer in the industry from what I've read. Interesting to note is that Tone bought the speakers from Amazon.com outright.
Sorry to disagree. IMO it is a very good read.
.
the savor of everything - Bob Neill
I knew one of you cool guys from "critics" would show up. Estat'll probably be along shortly. At least he's got what I consider high end sound happening.
The wave radio is what it is. A table top radio with a CD player. That "bloated" bass you speak of is an intentional design to fool people into believing they are hearing deeper bass than there really is. You know, like ported woofers and mini monitors with 6 inch drivers and a 3 or 4 db boost at 80 Hz. But then I'd expect someone with your vast audio experience would already know that. Pull that little guy away from the back wall and voila, it's smoother and the bass is seemingly extended to boot. Kathie puts on some coffee shop type music and she's happy with it. Tip toes, tube traps or AC cable upgrades necessary.
"Wow, that coming from a guy with PSBs"Too lowly for your tastes?
Oh well, but ya; know even if they didn't break the bank I have to say I'm more than pleased with my PSB Stratus Gold-i speakers, bass included!
the savor of everything - Bob Neill
Edits: 02/14/12
No offense but a quick search shows you have 18 posts on Bose. It's fine for anyone to have interest and/or favor for components they own but you seem to be almost a solo drummer leading the Bose parade, at least the one here on AA.
"For a nominal service fee,
you can reach nirvana tonight."
Edits: 02/13/12
NO, I just LOVE these Latest 901's SO MUCH that I want everyone on these forums to know that these LATEST 901's are different for the ones made in the past !!..
...the ones I recall from about 1970 were shaped like an obelisk with a bunch of 7 inch drivers firing in every direction so sound could be bounced off of the walls and an equalizer to extend the bass.
"No highs, no lows, it must be..."
With these LATEST 901's BOSE put a clear coat coating on the speaker cone's voice coil wires and this improved the top end and bottom end performance of these 901's...
I have NO complaints AT ALL with the performance of these LATEST 901's...And my room is not small at 18 by 24 !..
Yes, at the very least, this WILL be an interesting read... And maybe end all the controversy? Naw!!!
"If the audio industry built gear that sounded as good as it did 50 years ago, there would NEVER be a need to re-issued anything!"
A quick search shows that I have 22 posts on Bose, so HiFiSoundGuy will have to fall in step behind me in the Bose parade. Actually, it looks like you have 22 Bose posts yourself, though they lack the rabid frenzy of the true devotee.
Even though I have no plans to own them (my current home simply will not allow proper placement of them), a new, professional review of the 901's is exciting news. Even the somewhat disparaging write-up that the original got in Stereophile mentions some things they did exceptionally well*; it will be interesting to read Tone Audio's impression of the current model.
*"it produces a more realistic semblance of natural ambience than any other speaker system"; "the 901 made our few treasured 78-rpm discs sound as listenable as we have ever heard them, and managed to do this without deadening their high end"; "The 901 sounds fantastically open and spacious, with a big, fat low end and a socko you-are-there presence that seems to put the performers right in the room, surrounded by the original auditorium."
but I only found 10 posts I've made in Speaker Asylum with Bose as the search word. And one of those was a tongue-in-cheek reference to Dr. Bose. Yes,none of those even approach the position of a "true devotee".
Actually, I don't "hate" Bose as many others seem to. But I do feel their products are overpriced and not of a quality to be considered by serious audio hobbyists and music lovers. But to each their own . . .
Regarding Stereophile's first review of the Bose 901, I subscribed beginning in 1971 and I remember J Gordon Holt's comments that criticized the Bose concept because the designed reflected sound (89/11) duplicated the ambience most recording engineers already included in the mastering.
"For a nominal service fee,
you can reach nirvana tonight."
"I only found 10 posts I've made in Speaker Asylum with Bose as the search word"Oops, I came up with 22 for each of us by doing an all forums search. Just looking at the speaker asylum, I guess HiFiSoundGuy does have me beat.
"I do feel their products are overpriced and not of a quality to be considered by serious audio hobbyists and music lovers. But to each their own . . ."
Blanket statements are tough. Better to take a case-by-case basis and explore what a person is looking to accomplish with a particular purchase. Every Bose product I've purchased, and kept (I have made use of their 30-day trial period to return some things that didn't work out for me), has been both better sounding and cheaper than what I was using previously, or when compared with competitive products I was auditioning. If I didn't think it was a good buy, I didn't keep it.
Edits: 02/14/12
oh, wait....
Bass is supposed to sound big. 6.5" is not a woofer size.
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