Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Bose 901 Series VI Speakers by jameskerry

Model:	901 Series VI
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1500.00
Description:	Direct /reflecting. nine 4.5
Manufacturer URL:	Bose
Model Picture:	View

Review by james kerry on March 09, 2002 at 23:00:33
IP Address: 63.199.241.91

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OK, So kill me-I owned 901's (series doesn't matter they're all the same to me). Aint ashame either. In fact I purchased em' in 1983 while stationed in Japan for an obscene $650 a pair including eq/stands (even then they were $1,500). Right out of the box I should have known something was up; drilling/screwing holes in the wood base, not being able to run other spker's with the eq, etc. But I had did it, bagged the lion, the same ones that had eluded my oldest brother (who coveted them) That was it; these were the shit, bar none, the greatest,baddest, ass-kickin' pair of speakers on the planet-end of discussion. Listen, I didn't have the dad who owned the tube mac'amps back in the 60's or 70's. Wasn't brought up around ham radio's or DIY kits. Hell all we had was the four legged motorola with- ahem; "real wood" cabinets and (seemingly) bullet-proof stylus. Our household was definetly "low-to-mid fi" with floor coverings of Stereo Review magazines. So owning 901's was for me ultimate hi-end. And for many years they were played at many backyard bashes, get-togethers, card games, etc. In fact they were my first home theater pair BEFORE Ht was "in". And It's funny but I don't recall any of my barracks buddies complaining about em' "sounding like shit", and other numerous remarks I've seen here and there. Moreover, before I became "enlightened" I'd argue tooth-n-nail with anyone defending the "Bose sound". In fact owning the 901's garnered unparalleled bragging rights. I think the urban legend/myth stem from the fact that they "do" cost a lot and therefore "must" sound good. In retrospect I still remember the day I auditioned em' some 20 years ago. They didn't "blow me away" then nor now. I'll be totall honest and say they were good to above avg speakers to my virgin tymphanic's (ironically my instincts leaned more towards their lower lined 601's but HEY, these were the 901's were'talkin here!!). Now having owned Vandersteen 2's, and now Magnepan 1.6qr's the veil's been lifted, the king wears no clothes, etc,etc. I'd still have my 901's if it weren't for a bad case of foam decay. I guess I owe it to the 901's for finally going bad and ultimately auditioning the maggies. This all of course is just one man's opinion..ô¿ <

Product Weakness: lots of cash, can do much better with audiophile speakers (hard to sell the public "lunch box" type speakers no matter HOW good they sound) vs "unique" 901 config
Product Strengths: urban legend, bragging rights

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Sansui AU 99x
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	n/a
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	JvC ql500
Speakers:	bose 901
Cables/Interconnects:	radio shack specials
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	rock, soul, pop,jazz rap,etc
Room Size (LxWxH):	n/a x n/a x n/a
Room Comments/Treatments:	military barracks
Time Period/Length of Audition:	15 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	n/a
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	as above

Product Weakness:	lots of cash, can do much better with audiophile speakers (hard to sell the public "lunch box" type speakers no matter HOW good they sound) vs "unique" 901 config
Product Strengths:	urban legend, bragging rights