901s not so good

[Godzilla]

I heard the bose 901s this weekend and didn't like them at all. They were sibilant and too bassy at the same time. They also sounded muffled. They were running thru an onkyo receiver with bass and treble set to flat.

[Kensai]

You weren't surprised, were you?

Kensai

[chrisb]

Originally posted by Godzilla
I heard the bose 901s this weekend and didn't like them at all. They were sibilant and too bassy at the same time. They also sounded muffled. They were running thru an onkyo receiver with bass and treble set to flat.

the next sound you hear will be the lawyers knocking at your door - don't you know these are an audio classic?

JGH's 1975 Stereoreview article says it all?

The 901 series has been in production for over 3 decades, and if the sample you heard were early enough production, the combination of drivers' raw sensitivity and EQ's compensation could be enough to severely test any modestly powered amplifier, and demonstrate it's grace under fire (i.e. clipping characteristics) . Furthermore, deterioration of the foam surrounds can certainly cause issues with any driver - multiply that potential by 18 "full range" ....

A brief stint in audio retail in the mid 70's afforded me the opportunity to hear / own some interesting combinations of equipment.

Aside from some of the absolutely atrocious house brand products by numerous fly by night speaker builders (think antecedents to the White Van speakers) the 901's were easily the worst sounding and hardest to properly set up.
Imagine a demo room that included Quad 33/303/ESL57, and Crown IC150/DC300 and 901's (oh, the humanity)

[zeonrider]

Do you have 901 Active Equalizer?

Regards zeoN_Rider

[Godzilla]

I was at the Bose store at the mall. I simply asked if the speakers were hooked up and the lady said yes and put them on. Another man came quickly to listen too. They started playing, i checked the receiver was set to flat and the man and i both were surprised about the way they sounded. Overall they sounded muffled. The 301's were put on next at the other man's request and those sounded even worse. The 301s were muffled and boxy sounding.

901s cost $1399 she said. Not sure that includes the equalizer.

[zeonrider]

Without active eq. 901 sound is bad, the badest can be.
I,have 901 many, many years, driving with Onkio receiver too.
When i, adjusted EQ,I, get a sound(good enaught).


Regards zeoN_Rider

[chrisb]

It's hard to imagine that a mall employee wouldn't be fully trained in presenting the best performance from any audio product in their store.



"hi, thanks for shopping Biggi-Buy, would you like that sub supersized today sir?"

[planet10]

I only had the pleasure of listening to 901s once (thankfully)... i was delivering and setting up a Linn LP12. Turning the speakers around so you had 8 drivers facing improved things quite a bit, but they were still bad.

dave

[Cal Weldon]

If the active EQ isn't there, they sound like a midrange.

[planet10]

Originally posted by Cal Weldon
If the active EQ isn't there, they sound like a midrange.

They ain't a Bose 901 without the EQ,

dave