The Best Speakers in the World!


The Bose 601 Series II.

At least that’s what I thought about 36 years ago.  To this 21 year old at the time, I truly believed that to be the case.  Back in those days, unless you had access to a high end stereo shop, you were not aware of many other offerings.

But anyhoo…so my girlfriend at the time was kind enough to purchase me a pair.  I had them for about ten years until I split from my ex-wife and somehow she ended up with them.  

Having not heard them in damn near a quarter of a century, I always had a soft spot in my heart for them.  The looks, the sound (though I didn’t remember the sound, I just know I liked them) and knew some day I’d want to pick up a pair.

That someday happened just this past week.  Found one locally in really good shape and priced right so even though I’ve got a ton of other speakers, thought, “What the hell?” 

Brought them home and cleaned them up a lot.  There was so much caked on dust.  I think the previous owner had them stored away in a garage somewhere.  One of the tweeters has a small hole, which I can easily repair at some point.

Set them up; hooked them up; prepared to be enthralled in the luscious sound.  Except it wasn’t at all.  They actually sounded pretty bad, like the lower frequencies were missing.  Touched all the woofers and they were moving, but these sounded quite anemic.  

I didn’t listen before buying.  But i probably would have chalked it up to the room/equipment it was in and bought them anyway thinking they’d sound different once back home.

i can’t figure out what’s wrong with them.  I’d get it if the drivers buzzed or distorted, but they don’t.  Or if it was just one speaker with the low bass output.  That I’d understand, as well.  But both speakers sounding the same?  I don’t get it.

They have dual 8” drivers per cabinet so the bass should be abundant.  I’ve got a few other Bose speakers in the house (not any cubes) and they all have plenty of bass output.  But not these.

So I got to thinking.  Can something in the cross-overs cause a reduction in bass output?  I get it that it’s probably unlikely to have both speakers’ cross-overs having the same issues.  

Then I thought maybe the woofers were replaced at some point, as opposed to being re-foamed, and the owner put in the wrong woofers (possibly not as efficient as the originals).  I’ll have to text the previous owner and ask him.

Any thoughts on what could be the cause of this anemic bass?  

Snide remarks are welcome, as well.

Thanks,

Mamoru

128x128audiodwebe

lanx0003 I would be pleased to welcome you to my very modest old home to hear my horn speakers.  I live in rural NW Georgia near Rome.  Where are you located?

lanx0003, after I posted the post above I sent you a message providing my cell phone #. 
Give me a call.

I'm in south Florida over 600 mi away from you. I am kind of hoping you could record a certain genre of music that could demo. the true strength of your speakers at your listening position and post it on youtube for the great group.  I understood the limitation of auditioning over youtube but given the situation this is probably the most doable way.  No pressure.  Appreciated.

lanx0003, thanks for the compliments, but I will pass on the You Tube video.  I don't have good microphones any more so the best I could do is an I-phone video.  Being a contrary geezer I tend to avoid doing unnecessary things I can't do really well.  Besides that I have watched/heard a number of such videos, and all of them even for MBL 101 Extremes sound to me like the old Mirage MS 290 bookshelf speakers I use as computer speakers.

Indeed, kingharold, good recording does require some efforts.  There are decent budget mic. out there with reasonably low noise floor. I am on a quest to find them (with the digital recorder) for myself now.  Nice talking to you and if I pass by your place next time will give you a ring.