Bose 901 Review Well Done.

A very entertaining, well-written article. Just another reminder why I chose a career path as a hifi peddler and speaker nerd, rather than a wordsmith.

I am working on an article (to be released shortly?) in defense of 901s from the unique perspective of one who has turned the speakers (and EQ) inside out and performed some significant performance mods. I also want to get "real" and disclose that there is just so much you can do with "mid-fi" 4 1/2" drivers slinging 89% of the signal off (untreated) back/sidewalls. The Bose 901 design is the polar opposite of my patented design. That being said, "getting things out of the way that make them sound worse" did reveal some nuance, delicacy, and focus that compelled me to strap myself onto the listening chair for an extended period of time and genuinely enjoy the experience.

The new Bose/Mac relationship got my wheels turning. How about a set of $45k Mac901s with 9 x 50 watts of onboard active amplification, DSP, and audiophile-grade full range (up to 20 kHz) drivers? Optional pedestals? Of course. This time with amplified compact subs/passives with useable output below 20 Hz. I’d trade of couple of cars I don’t drive very much these days for a set.

I am curious if anyone remembers the 901 demos back in "the day."  One very impressive demo to prove the durability of 901s was to take pure AC right from the wall outlet to the inputs of the 901s.  Flip the switch and "BRRRRRRR" for a half a second.  Then, the sales rep would exclaim: "270 watts!!"

We've heard the "popular" comments from the competitors: "No highs, no lows ...".  Here's another, when prompted: "They sound great.  As long as you don't try to play music through them."

Quick 901 story:

We have a second home on a lake.  Across the cove, about 50 years away is a nice(r) home with the beautiful boat house.  My neighbor (we'll call him "Tim") knows he has the most expensive and elegant home in the cove -- and, the most awesome stereo.  "Tim" often blurs the definition of a "subdivision" and inserts "resort" and "party central" into the classification.  "Tim's" stereo is made up of a big boy Pioneer SX1280, and 901s.  So far, so good.  Except .... the Bose 901s are hanging in the corners with the faces pointed towards "Tim" and his guests.  In theory, this seems viable.  In reality, not so much.  The 901s hang UNDER the soffits of the boathouse.  So, when it's party time at the "Tim Resort" he cranks up the music loud enough to satisfy his "louder ... LOUDER" guests, totally numb to the fact that 89% of the sound is being "shared" with the rest of us.  Anyone who has spent time on a lake knows how sound reflective water is.  This is the ultimate execution of Bose Noise-Cancelling principle.  It cancels ALL sounds in my vicinity and replaces them with "Tim's" playlist for the evening.  This would be somewhat tolerable if I were a strong advocate of "Tim's" choice of music genre.  I'd scratch my fingernails on a chalkboard, but no one would hear.