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Bose 901...really

The good book says that there is a time and place for everything. Even Bose 901s?

I am building a pool house addition to my house, 36 X 26 with a cathedral ceiling about 24 ft. The entire interior is hard surface wood, glass, and concrete, so it will be very reverberant. I want to install a set of multichannel speakers. For the fronts, I am all set, with NHT1259 woofers in a 3 cu ft wall cavity, along with three Dynaudio monitors, mounted on the wall. (I have all this on hand). The rear wall includes a very large set of windows. They say that if the world gives you lemons, make lemonade. Why not use that expanse of glass and wood as a reflector for Bose 901s? I have a hunch it would work quite well. And the darned things a cheap as speakers go these days.
eldartford
inpepinnovations
134 posts
 
Eldartford, I will not take that bet, because I feel that the Bose will do fine in the environment that you are describing. If you run full bass to the rear speakers (Bose, I presume) you will be surprised at the amount that these can render.
I still use the 901s in my 'B' system and they run flat to 30 Hz easily and the equaliser is quite usefull, which you will see (hear) when you start setting up your system in that highly reflective surfaced room. They are also quite sensitive, so power will not be a problem. I run mine off a Dynaco ST-70.
Salut, Bob P.
eldartford OP
4,262 posts
 
Thanks to all who offered encouragement. I suspect that there is a Bose in the past for a lot of audiophiles although some are afraid to admit it! I will report back when the building is complete and the speakers are up and playing.
telescope_trade
539 posts
 
Well, I'll admit it! I have owned a bunch of speakers
(Hi end up to Wisdom 75's) and 20 years ago had two
pair of 901's.
About 2 years ago, I got the ole bug for another pair
of 901's because I personally like them, went to a Bose
store...mind you this was even in the middle of my
maniac high end buying spree...and listened to them, and
if it were not for the fact they were "completely" out
of stock that day, I would have went home with a pair.
They are fun!

Long live BOSE!!!!! ;o)
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
the 901 is still an enigma, just like the klipsch kornerhorn. for big rock and classical, it hangs in with most new designs, and ironically many music lovers dig it. for better or worse its going to outlive most hi end brands too.
jtgofish's avatar
jtgofish
209 posts
 
I have owned all sorts of speakers and I hate to admit it,but the Bose 901s are certainly one of the better ones.

From an audiophiles perspective they cannot be taken seriously but that does not mean they can't be immensely enjoyable.

They certainly can sound horrible in the wrong positioning or room-but if you have the right space for them nothing I have heard does orchestral music as well.Many great audiophile speakers sound pathetic on orchestral whereas the 901s come much closer to the vastness of the sound you get at the real thing.Music that can sound great on audiophile speakers however can sound a mess on the 901s-and this of course is where they cop criticism.

They are what they are and you need to enjoy them for their strengths.
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