Bose 802 Deluxe Speaker System

[Dj FastMind]

Anybody know where u can read about the Bose 802 Deluxe Speaker System and maybe where it is compared to other high end systems?

[kevinkr]

I wouldn't put the 802 in the high end category, it's just loud. Sounds ok in small to medium venues. Think of it as a pro version of the 901 with one less driver in a different cabinet. (Also it's not direct/reflecting)

I am sure if you google it you will find a few reviews. B*se isn't very nice to reviewers who find fault with their products so I would not put a whole lot of weight in a glowing review.

[Cal Weldon]

Hi,

This is a site where people build their own speakers, not do reviews so you might not get a thorough response. Have you tried to google it?

Also when you refer to Bose as high end, you're asking for trouble. It only costs a lot.

[anatech]

Hi Dj FastMind,
Cal speaks the truth. I sense people are holding back with their replies.

Bose is not a high end product. They are very good at marketing.

-Chris

[sdclc126]

I've seen many inquiries about Bose products here - I think it shows how successful they've been in CONVINCING the unsuspecting consumer that they're high-end, when they're really just very popular and overpriced mass market junk.

I've been to so many homes where there's a Bose system and they all sound like garbage, but Bose's marketing and aggressive salespeople have convinced them they're buying "high-end." They're told "This is the best" so they believe it - the power of suggestion.

There is a lot of mediocre audio equipment out there, and for the majority of consumers it's all they need because they simply don't have the ear for, nor do they care about, true high fidelity, and companies like Bose know this. What's sad is when people pay more money for stuff that's no better than alternatives costing much less.

[davidlzimmer]

And it's getting easier and easier to fool people. Most now have heard little if any good live music. So they are only comparing sounds of reproduced music which has been engineered to sound good on cheap systems.

Example: When my 13 year old first heard an all acoustic live band, he was shocked at how sweet it sounded compared to his metal CDs.

He still listens to the metal but now, joins me often to listen Jazz bands recorded 40 years ago.

[dhenryp]

I agree that the current Bose lifestyle equipment is decidedly mid-fi. and is very expensive when judged on audio quality. I'm sure some would argue the "mid" but if I define lo-fi as $10 clock radios, then Bose id mid-fi. Bose is aiming at the market of people who want equipment that is easy to set up, easy to understand and unobtrusive and are willing to pay for the convenience. It's "hi-fi" for people who have happily lived with a clock radio until then.

Bose is a different company now than the company was back in the 70's. The original Bose 901 was well reviewed by the hi-fi magazines back in the day (30+ years ago) and was considered a "high end speaker". Speaker technology has passed the 901's by now.

The original 802 was a pro version of the 901 where the the speaker was turned around so the speakers on the "back" were turned around toward the audience while two speakers where used so the band could here the sound. I don't know how any of the 802 versions would fare as home speakers.

[Salas]

I remember them being better than JBL of early 80's in a discotheque enviroment back then. Far sweeter. They used Bose 803 sub, Crown amps and active cross.

[sdclc126]

Originally posted by Dj FastMind
Anybody know where u can read about the Bose 802 Deluxe Speaker System and maybe where it is compared to other high end systems?

Hey Dj - I don't think anybody meant to scare you off here or chastize you for being interested in Bose - maybe you'd like to tell us why you are inquiring about these speakers - is there a particular application you have in mind, or perhaps a project you're working on?

If there is a certain aspect of these speakers that intrigues you, or you want to build something similar to them (with better components?) - please let us know - that's the sort of thing you might get some help with.

By the way, it looks like you're new to the forum - don't go away! Welcome!

[imix500]

...and if you need parts, I think I can get around 10 pairs cheeeap. It's hard to give those things away. Btw, I agree that they were better than some other boxes back in the day, they were great for dj gigs and cruise ships (I've installed many on fairly recent Carnival ships)