Great bass and treble when the speaker hit the end of my baseball batt...talk about inovative..

paper cone.....not just paper..were talkin your local gas station's P.A. system after it was set on fire

Sometimes you come across something so great, it just changes the why you think about it. Same thing with the bose 5.1 dolby digital system. If the speakers Were pointed towards my garden outside they got earth shaking bass all of the way down to 200HZ!!!!!!!!!!!! not to mention that the subwoofer probably hits the increadible lows of 100Hz and above especially if it was pointed towards your local quickmart .......................................................OK THESE SPEAKERS SUCK...THATS ALL I GOT TO SAY

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K-mart clock radio, Laptop speakers, headphones, Stock car speakers, tv speakers, and not to mention those speakers that are inside those robotic stuffed animals.

wow...i'm looking for a new amp because i think i clipped one of my 901's (adcom 535). anyway, i was just browsing around on this site and thought to myself "hey, lemme just see how my speakers are rated." i couldn't believe after seeing many product rated in the 4.whatever range, that these time-honored and acclaimed speakers rate so low. wondering why, i started reading some of the reviews. it appears that there are people out there who just really don't like Bose for some reason. i've figured out that the reason the rating is so low is due of several factors: 1. it looks like some people have submitted more than one bad review, bringing the average down (i didn't look for multiple good reviews, but i'm assuming they're less in quantity); 2. some of the people submitting reviews haven't even owned (or probably listened-to, for that matter) a pair of these speakers; 3. audio equipment reviews--especially those covering speakers--are quite subjective and individual in nature; and 4. the 901's are direct/reflecting speakers that require unique placement / environment variables.

i don't think i have to cover points 1 & 2 above (because basically i think you're an ignorant a**hole for doing either), but i'd like to talk about #'s 3 & 4. i've been a music lover for about 15 years or so (most of my young life). on #3, in sincerely believe that speaker preference is on a person-by-person basis, so if it sounds the best to you and more-importantly fits into your budget, then that's the best choice. whatever brand/model you're considering when you're purchasing, buy a pair on your credit card, take them home and try them out - and if you don't like them, return them! almost every dealer i know will let you try out several pair on spec knowing that the first couple pair are probably going to come back.

going on to #4, i've never owned a surround sound system, and i don't even think this model would be good for that application because they'd be hard to match and just not appropriate for a front-deadened environment (see home theatre acoustics theory--there are 8/9 individual drivers facing the rear of each speaker cabinet in the 901). when i do get myself into the 1990's (haha), i will definitely hold on to my 901's for an application somewhere outside the theatre i'm sure. so that being said, and if you've got at least 18 inches of clearance between the back of each speaker and the wall, keep reading. like i said, the drivers in these speakers are "direct/reflecting" (more of the latter) in configuration, so YOU CAN'T MASH THEM UP AGAINST THE WALL. actually you can, but the sound is quite different. they're intended to sit at least a foot and a half from the wall...more is better. with this setup, i think these speakers most-accurately depict live performances--the true intention of every home audio system--without needing to sit a 1-square-foot "sweet spot" or spend a LOT of money. anyways, i'm tired of typing now so i'll stop. i could go on forever about this topic.

just to reiterate, no matter what you get out of this review, don't take anyone's subjective opinion over the next when you're considering a new speaker purchase. GO TO THE DANGED STORE AND BUY THE ONES YOU THINK YOU LIKE AND TRY THEM AT HOME...TRY SEVERAL PAIR UNTIL YOU FIND THE ONES THAT YOU CAN AFFORD AND SATISFY YOUR LISTENING TASTE. also, as a small note, when buying audio equipment, the most expensive component of the system should always be the speakers...speakers are the 'bottleneck', especially now in the digital age. i'm giving these speakers a 4 in overall only because i can't justify spending astronomically more right now for a different pair. i've been very satisfied so far.

happy listening!

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Infinity reference series speakers

Absolutely none

Absolutely many

I do not understand why anyone would pay $1500 for these speakers. They sound absolutely horrible when compared to other speakers that cost as much as half. If one truly wants to fill the room with sound, one should get good bi-polar speakers from Mirage or Definitive Technology and they cost much less too! It is no wonder that no reputable audio speciality shop carries Bose speakers.

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Martin&Login, B&W, Thiel, PSB, Mirage

Read the "lengthy" review from Rich below.It is possible to get OK sound from these! So there - I did not just simply thrash Bose as I did in my other reviews!

As Rich has illustrated below,considerable effort is required to extract decent sound from this speaker design.Is it worth it?

Follow the guidelines below only if you have already bought these speakers!If you have 1500 bucks to spend on a pair of speakers,try another brand (like B+W,Klipsch,RBH,etc..,)that is designed to give you good sound without all the hassle.Because,even after all the hassle,you still will have sound that,while OK,does not necessarily beat out or equal others in or even below the Bose price range.The problem stems,of course,not from Mr.Bose's contention that maybe naturally perceived sound is 89% reflected and 11% direct(Which is not an absolute rule! - If you are one foot from a trombone on stage,those proportions of supposed direct/reflected- sound change,obviously...Ditto for those in the audience who may be sitting outside of Bose's theoretical "sweet-spot" in the concert hall,such as way off to the side or up in the balcony,etc...),but from the attempt by the Bose engineers to somehow mimic the desired "direct/reflected"- effect via these speakers in a typical home's acoustic-environment.What you probably will end up producing by following the rigorous ceiling-corner arrangement outlined in the review below here is really the type of sound that other speakers will give you with a thougtful placement on the floor.(This will be "direct propulsion of reflected sounds",to some degree,out to a limited "sweet-spot" in any given room).Experimentation for best sound is alway's the key,and there are some rooms that have such a high noise-floor(due to reflectivity),that nothing but a drastic change of surfaces or a move to another room is in order.But the point is that it is possible for an Egghead to become so infatuated with psycho-acoustic theory when designing a speaker that sympathy with the plight of the common-man is ignored.Even the best speakers do not sound exactly like a real performance heard from a good seat in the house,of course,Imagination is always needed with even the best of equipment! But a good product makes the lie easier than a so-so one...

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B+W,others.

Amazing clarity and presence, ability to handle high power with no distortion, overall fantastic sound

The legions of people who trash this speaker

Okay, so we understand that people feel very strongly on the issue of Bose speakers. May be you like 'em, maybe you hate 'em. That's your opinion.

I started seriously pursuing audio equipment more almost 30 years ago. I've heard more kinds of speakers than you can imagine. I'm not some casual listener, or someone who equates BOOMING, wall-cracking bass reproduction with the overall sound quality of high-end speakers. I've auditioned many, many different speakers and STILL find the 901's to offer the cleanest, most life-like & accurate reproduction for my money. That's they way I like to hear my music. I don't go on the rampage on the B&W or Paradigm or other boards disparaging their products because I don't like them as much as my 901's. I don't insult other audiophiles because I feel the 901's are suited to my listening preferences and not to them.

What I don't understand is how people can get on this message board, ranting & raving about sound quality, when IT'S JUST THEIR OPINION. THEY MAKE THE CLASSIC (and might I add fallacious) MISTAKE OF SUBSTITUTING THEIR OPINION AS ACTUAL FACT. My taste in sound reproduction is not the same as yours - it's as simple as that. These naysayers want to call everyone an a** if they say they find the sound of the 901's to be clean, life-like and suited to their particular taste. I'm sorry, but you simply have different preferences - that's all. Your cannard is simply that; an attempt to present your taste in sound reproduction as the high-fidelity be-all and end-all. Obviously there's enough of us audio purists around who feel differently.

I suggest that if you're really so upset about 901's, that you ignore them (and hopefully this message board). I'm proud to own these speakers, I love their sound quality. I respect your right to listen to whatever sort of speaker you like. I would simply ask that you conduct the discussion in a thoughful and intelligent manner, that you save your insults for someone who actually cares, and that you leave your hysterical rants elsewhere. In declaring yourselves to be wise above all others, you simply reveal yourselves to be fools.

For everyone else who may be considering purchasing these speakers: please see through the noxious blather of these overly-opinionated "audiophiles." I recommend that you audition the 901's and see if they suit YOUR individual musical tastes.

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Too many to list

Excellent sound

Piss Poor Review site that can't get the technical data on 901's correct.

People rating items they have never owned

That goddamned Equalizer

Amazing sound. Damn shame they need that EQ. The EQ ruins an otherwise perfect speaker, but they sound like garbage without it. I personally have never heard anything better for under 5g's a speaker. Don't believe me? Ask any NON-commissioned sales person this. HEll, even the schmucks at the Good Guys will tell you these rock. How can you trust a review that doesn't site the very plain and obvious mistake of driver size stated when you first post to 901? Or a site that has reviews on a non-existant speaker? Any Schmoe can post here. So this place is essentially useless. Just use your damned ear folks!

See my review a few postings ago...

Ditto...

I now understand why Rod likes 'em. He stated something to the effect of "use your damn ear, folks". Well, Rod has only one ear. I am NOT making fun of him - as a matter of fact, I have a very good friend that is severely hearing impaired. This does not, however, explain his propensity to trust sales people at Good Guys. (Wasn't that the name of the killer doll in that movie?) Anyway, I had to clear this up. Thank you very much for your time. Oh, yeah... they sound like trash without the EQ? Maybe it's because they ar ... never mind. Thank you all for your time.

Power handling, durability

Lack of definition

About 12-15 years ago, a buddy of mine and I decided to try an experiment in which we 'traded' components with each other for a while. We were both audio enthusiasts, and couldn't afford to upgrade equipment every six months, so we decided to swap with each other to try out each other's stuff in different systems.

So, I traded my Boston Acoustics T1000's for his pair of Bose 901's for about 4 months. Admittedly, this was back when I was in the time when my primary demonstration of sound was to see how loud stuff would play (a trait which seems like a few other reviewers here haven't grown out of yet). At first, I found the Bose sound strange - unfocused with muted highs and boomy upper bass-lower mids. They were a moderate rock speaker, but were poor for jazz or classical music. They did play loud, though. Driven with a 200 wpc (RMS) Carver M1.0t, they played every bit as loud as the Bostons I had.

My buddy didn't want to trade back, but after some convincing, I did get the Bostons back, and was much happier. Suddenly, I had imaging, detail, and smooth frequency response again.

To me, the Bose 901 will never be a speaker for an audio enthusiast who enjoys any kind of music other than loud rock, nor will it be a good speaker for the rock listener who likes a detailed soundstage.

It will, however, continue to please those listeners who's primary concern is playing as loud as possible, regardless of detail (or quality). The problem I have with this standpoint is that the 901 isn't the loudest speaker you can buy. Heck, if you really value volume over detail, then pick up a pair of Cerwin Vegas and really piss off your neighbours with a cheap receiver - 100+ db of efficency for 1w of power is hard to beat.

For detail and soundstaging, this isn't a good speaker. For loud rock, it's not too bad, but you can find a louder speaker for cheaper if that's what you really want.

If you're really curious, I'd suggest you look through the used market before (over)spending on a new pair. They are quite overpriced.

Unparrelled spacious sound and realism.

Turning them down

First these fools that say these speakers are crap are not well versed or not familar with live performances and the variety of sounds live music creates.

The 901,s when hooked to my harmon/kardon 35 amp 45 amp peak high current 850watt AVR
produce sound so real and clear no other speaker can come close. I today spent some time with some new ribbon 5K pair speakers and was impressed, but placed against the 901 with similar power source they sounded like any other ribbon speaker and you have to be in the"sweet spot" to get nice sound (they also seemed schrill). The bass of the 901 is very tight and drops my artwork off the walls. When in digital sorround mode with optical input (total of 26 bose 4.5" speakers with front and rr-lr)jorassic park cracked the stucco on my home when the t-rex walked. neighbors 100 yards away were pounding on the door to see what made this sound.

To properly drive these speakers a high current amp/high watt is best. if you are looking for a speaker on a 100-300 watt sony this is not the speaker for you (fools). this speaker is for the true listener that can toss 35 high current amps in the 4-500 watt per channel range. If you are going to spend the roll on a clean signal and power follow it up with the 901. If you are going to buy a lower watt 2-300 system don't buy the 901. The new ribbon speakers are impressive but still create a fine line listening environment. The 901 will give you stereo all over the listening environment, but you need CLEAN/high power! They suck power up and want more, there is no limit as long as it is LHD and available.

Anyone complaining has crap for source. There is no speaker that compairs. Even live music can be poor sounding after some time with 901's. My friends band sounded good this weekend but did not sound as fine as his CD on the 901's.

To the fools that gave poor reviews, a q-tip will help your issue.

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There is no similar product to the 901.

Best sounding average speaker in the world.

Average sounding speaker

I wanted to conduct my own blind test. The kind where you gather a few of your crazy audiophile freinds and see what they think of your new speakers. I bought a set of 901s and hooked them up. I told everybody that They were The paradigms, the 7's of course I had everyone blindfolded. I played some music. For 2 hours everyone was trying to figure out what I had changed in my system. I heard ever comment from the transparency is lacking, to the bass is muffeled. I never told anyone that they were listening to 901, they thought they were listening to monitor 7s. I then switched over to the 7's. People liked the sound. I told them that they were the 901s. I got told by 6 people that they simply can't believe that the 901's sound that good. They could not believe their ears. Now the blindfolds came off. The saw that the 901's were not playing. The whole point is that just based on the sound, the 901s lost the blindfold test. I took the 901s back the next day.

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