Bose 901 construction and wiring

Krakus · 20th January 2009, 04:49 PM

Need the Bose 901 Speaker enclosure construction details and the wiring diagram that connects the enclosed speakers. Either one of these Plans, or both, would be welcome. Especially for series V and VI.

I 'm trying to upgrade an older 901 to a series V, or VI version. I have the Series V crossover box.

Also have the Patent information that describes the theory behind the Bose 901 product. It contains the wiring diagram (not sure which series) but not the speaker enclosure construction details.

A prior Post, in 2002, by Timo, contained words but no pictures or diagrams--not all that helpful.

Cal Weldon · 20th January 2009, 05:13 PM

Not sure you're going to find that without some insider information and I hear the matrix inside the box is not easy to duplicate. If you are trying to upgrade, what is it you are doing to the box?

speakerdoctor · 21st January 2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Krakus
Need the Bose 901 Speaker enclosure construction details and the wiring diagram that connects the enclosed speakers. Either one of these Plans, or both, would be welcome. Especially for series V and VI.

I 'm trying to upgrade an older 901 to a series V, or VI version. I have the Series V crossover box.

Also have the Patent information that describes the theory behind the Bose 901 product. It contains the wiring diagram (not sure which series) but not the speaker enclosure construction details.

A prior Post, in 2002, by Timo, contained words but no pictures or diagrams--not all that helpful.

Try contacting Tom Tyson over at classic speaker pages discussion group. PM him once you logon. He's a well known expert on Acoustic Research speakers, and a well known historian who has added many posts recently to the Bose thread area. He's quite technical and may have what you seek.

bear · 21st January 2009, 02:27 PM

If ur doing this for home use I would encourage you to build a new speaker system and abandon the Bose layout entirely.

Back in about 1971 I built a variant of the Bose idea by taking higher performance drivers (the Bose drivers were not so good) and making a cabinet that was taller and two wide on the rear, still going for direct/reflecting. The overall sound was better than the Bose because the two vertical reflected columns dispersed more evenly than the Bose's 4x4.

It required far less LF EQ and no HF EQ, as I used tweeters (gasp!) for the high end rather than relying upon heavy (15dB or so) EQ to force some sort of flat response out of the paper cones that Bose used. (a bad idea)

Later, around 1975-6 I went to a straight direct radiating vertical column of 5.25" drivers (you can see that on my website in the Archives area, if you want to). That was better still, by far.

You're short a drivers, i think, if you try to go for the newer ported version anyhow...

A whole bunch depends on what ur trying to do, and what ur using it for... the effort/cost vs. result equation ought to be sufficient to guide you that it might be cheaper and easier to buy/find some newer Bose cabinets if that is what you want... shouldn't be too difficult to find them with blown drivers too...

Ymmv...

pvdfan11 · 5th August 2009, 03:22 PM

I'm a newbie here @DIYaudio. My question is does anyone know how to wire these things back up if you don't really know how to. I took on this project and I'm kinda in a bind right now as how to wire them back up. I'm a major dummy when it comes to this stuff.

Cal Weldon · 5th August 2009, 03:46 PM

Welcome aboard.

They were wired differently according to the series of 901 so you need to know that before we can help. Do you have a multitester to measure the DC resistance of the drivers?

901Fixer · 5th August 2009, 05:49 PM

The series V were wired in series, all 9 of the drivers. It doesn't really matter what order they are wired in unless you still have the original wiring to use. The original wiring order made it easy to assemble as you went and ended up at the last driver which where you had to access the insides. I may have a schematic somewhere or I can at least tell you the sequence that makes it the easiest to assemble.

Jrat · 27th February 2010, 04:55 PM

I have some 901's that my father gave me. I had to replace all the speaker foams due to rot but like an idiot i didn't remember the wiring sequence. do you have a diagram that can help.

Cal Weldon · 27th February 2010, 05:03 PM

Please read post #6

Jrat · 27th February 2010, 05:08 PM

I have no info on them. they were just a hand me down. is there a way to find that info

20th January 2009, 04:49 PM	#1
Krakus diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2009	Bose 901 construction and wiring Need the Bose 901 Speaker enclosure construction details and the wiring diagram that connects the enclosed speakers. Either one of these Plans, or both, would be welcome. Especially for series V and VI. I 'm trying to upgrade an older 901 to a series V, or VI version. I have the Series V crossover box. Also have the Patent information that describes the theory behind the Bose 901 product. It contains the wiring diagram (not sure which series) but not the speaker enclosure construction details. A prior Post, in 2002, by Timo, contained words but no pictures or diagrams--not all that helpful.

20th January 2009, 05:13 PM	#2
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Not sure you're going to find that without some insider information and I hear the matrix inside the box is not easy to duplicate. If you are trying to upgrade, what is it you are doing to the box? __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

21st January 2009, 02:27 PM	#4
bear diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York State USA	If ur doing this for home use I would encourage you to build a new speaker system and abandon the Bose layout entirely. Back in about 1971 I built a variant of the Bose idea by taking higher performance drivers (the Bose drivers were not so good) and making a cabinet that was taller and two wide on the rear, still going for direct/reflecting. The overall sound was better than the Bose because the two vertical reflected columns dispersed more evenly than the Bose's 4x4. It required far less LF EQ and no HF EQ, as I used tweeters (gasp!) for the high end rather than relying upon heavy (15dB or so) EQ to force some sort of flat response out of the paper cones that Bose used. (a bad idea) Later, around 1975-6 I went to a straight direct radiating vertical column of 5.25" drivers (you can see that on my website in the Archives area, if you want to). That was better still, by far. You're short a drivers, i think, if you try to go for the newer ported version anyhow... A whole bunch depends on what ur trying to do, and what ur using it for... the effort/cost vs. result equation ought to be sufficient to guide you that it might be cheaper and easier to buy/find some newer Bose cabinets if that is what you want... shouldn't be too difficult to find them with blown drivers too... Ymmv... __________________ _-_-bear http://www.bearlabs.com ...ur feeback please - like/dislike my what I have written? PM/email tnx. --

5th August 2009, 03:22 PM	#5
pvdfan11 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009	Bose 901 Series V I'm a newbie here @DIYaudio. My question is does anyone know how to wire these things back up if you don't really know how to. I took on this project and I'm kinda in a bind right now as how to wire them back up. I'm a major dummy when it comes to this stuff.

27th February 2010, 04:55 PM	#8
Jrat diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010	wiring diagram I have some 901's that my father gave me. I had to replace all the speaker foams due to rot but like an idiot i didn't remember the wiring sequence. do you have a diagram that can help.


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

5th August 2009, 03:46 PM	#6
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Welcome aboard. They were wired differently according to the series of 901 so you need to know that before we can help. Do you have a multitester to measure the DC resistance of the drivers? __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

5th August 2009, 05:49 PM	#7
901Fixer diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN	The series V were wired in series, all 9 of the drivers. It doesn't really matter what order they are wired in unless you still have the original wiring to use. The original wiring order made it easy to assemble as you went and ended up at the last driver which where you had to access the insides. I may have a schematic somewhere or I can at least tell you the sequence that makes it the easiest to assemble.

27th February 2010, 05:03 PM	#9
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Please read post #6 __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

27th February 2010, 05:08 PM	#10
Jrat diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010	I have no info on them. they were just a hand me down. is there a way to find that info

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Original Bose 901 Internal Wiring Diagram	sdep777	Full Range	24	28th February 2010 05:14 PM
Focusing on wiring cable for gainclone!!!Share ur experience in wiring cable....	thomgun_lc	Chip Amps	38	31st August 2005 02:46 PM
I'm wiring my 4 channel 8 parallel LM4780 boards... check my wiring :)	Audiophilenoob	Chip Amps	9	16th August 2005 04:37 AM
Construction and wiring basics for a newbie…	DIYNewbie	Multi-Way	4	19th July 2004 01:31 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read