Bose 901...really

Since the speakers are designed to take advantage of reflected sound, there is a logic in your proposition.

However, it's Bose's logic that I can't quite rationalize. Bose are suggesting, correctly in my view, that you hear a lot of reflected sound as well as direct sound, hence their direct/reflecting speakers. So far, this seems logical.

However, if you record stereo using a traditional recording method, a pair of microphones in Blumlein configuration for example, then you are capturing reflected sound in the original recording, as well as the direct sound. So since you have already captured reflected sound in the orginal recording, what is the logic of reflecting it again with the speaker? It seems that it would just put you another step away from the original music, with more opportunity to mess things up in some way.

On the other hand, it's not a high fidelity situation anyways, so why not have some fun. Give it a try and tell us how it turns out.

The rugged professional Bose speakers are 802. They look a bit like the 901, but are really a different design, and cost just a bit more than half what the 901 costs.

Well, I owned a pair years ago...not really a bad idea you have. Member Inpepinnovations may have a good idea also...aren't those called 801"s?

Dave

As you said, it's not a room for reference sound. The Bose speakers have a great sound for parties. Your guests will love them.

I would find a good used pair of the Bose 901 on Ebay or here on Audiogon and give them a try. Why not? If they don't sound right in your pool room, you can always re-sell for minimal loss. Then again, they might be just the ticket for a fun time in the pool with good sounds.

If you get the Bose 901s, get the version used for outdoor concerts, which should mitigate against any humidity problems. They should work fine in those conditions and the equilizer does give you some control over the brightness caused by the glass surfaces. Not sure about what the price might be for used outdoor 901s.
BTW, I have found the 901s to be excellent rear channel speakers for home theatre, due exactly to their 'direct/reflecting' properties and healthy bass.

Salut, Bob P.

Shadorne...Based on similar pools I have visited, humidity will not be a problem. This is a small exercise pool, 8X20. The building is well ventilated, and has AC for dehumidification. And it is a pool house, not an audio room, so the sound will be whatever it will be.

The Bose idea occured to me precisely because the room will be so reverberant. These speakers are based on reflected sound, and might be just the ticket. Does Bose offer a home trial period?

you have good speakers in place why not use Dynaudio or nht instead for a better match?

Yikes. A highly reverberant room can be very tiresome and fatiguing. I can't even read comfortably while teh kids are playing in most pool environments ( the noise is just too much ) The problem with traditional sound absorption (lots of wooden surfaces) is that the moist environment quickly causes rot....maintenance issues will be high - it is already a good idea to disconnect this building from the main house.

California redwood works better than most woods including cedar but I am not sure you can buy this anymore (maybe second hand from a building being torn down?) Of course you can treat cheaper wood extensively but who wants to breathe all that stuff in!

The most pleasant sounding pool environments I have heard are with a tarpaulin tent like roof...this allows the reverberant field to escape out the roof rather than being reflected back in.