Speakers: all-time worst

Of course we're talking opinion here. We could create a sub-class which would include most expensive garbage-worthy hardware..in which case Bose could easily be outclassed. But I think that my trash can is already too full of ill-considered opinion (in my opinion).

The best way to optimize a pair of 901's or any other Bose product is to put them exactly where they belong, IN THE GARBAGE!!! I wouldn't put that shit in my enemies homes( and I have a few enemies too). The owner of one of the local shops here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa told me that at one time many years ago they had a demonstration to show how truly poor the 901's were. They had their best electronics and 2 or 3 other pairs of speakers to compare against the Blose. Well, someone at Blose got wind of it and sent him a cease and desist letter and also threatened to sue his pants off. Since as he says "they have more money than God", he decided to stay in business and remove the offending demonstrations. If I remember correctly, this happened back in the late 70's or early 80's. They must have been pretty scared the truth was coming out to pull a manuver like that.

Being a late-comer to this thread and having read most of its contents I must point out that the original question will engender many alternatives to the oft-mentioned Bose variants. True, given the retrospection of the last 30 years or so, there are MANY systems which would be preferable to the sensitive listener. But, even given its many weaknesses, the 901s produce a more realistic illusion than the almost limitless versions of the hollow, cardboard-walled box. Listen to current KLH creations, or any Cerwin-Vega (solidly built but how unnatural) etc....and these are well known brand names. During the early '70s I worked for a high-end shop to supplement my income as a musician.One day we were gathered to hear something new. Amir Bose was there to demonstrate his 901s. A dedicated room was set up with the 901s suspended from the ceiling. The system was fed by a reel-to-reel playing a tape supplied by Dr. Bose. This tape demonstrated various single instruments and ensembles. I must say that at that time, the results were very impressive. Especially the illusion of space and timbre. There was really nothing quite like it at the time. Bear in mind that these 901s were presumably optimized in their setup (Most of you will probably admit that you haven't heard 901s well setup, especially in the typical mass-market scenario where they are typically sold now). Now, I'm not claiming that the 901s are outstanding in any way given today's competition. But there are still many midpriced and lower box-systems which don't present as satifying an illusion. I should also add that I've never owned any Bose product. Finally, we should remember that the presumed goal for this hobby is the enjoyment of music (hardware is of course, a valid interest in and of itself). And that Bose products are purchased and enjoyed by numbers of listeners which would be the envy of many so-called high-end mfrs. PS: Although I've had quite a few fast-food hamburgers in my time, I also cannot appreciate the paint-by-light fellow. De gustibus non est disputandum.

Jay@viaccess.net, would you deny your friend a glass of fine French red wine, even though he has enjoyed Thunderbird all his life? Just don't be surprised if he does not respond in a positive way. My audio group once had a budding audiophile that visited for the listening sessions, week after week. We assumed he was finally "getting it." I offered to get him a top of the line phono cartridge at a super deal to replace his antique Pickering (or whatever it was). His response was, "NO, I cannot do that, my records are used to this cartridge." Perhaps his automobile is used to tires with no tread as well?

Over the past several months I've spent a lot of time, research, and money upgrading my system. During this time, it was typical that the subject of audio would come up in conversation with friends and aquaintances. Well, one day I was invited to a friend's house to hear the speakers he was so proud of. They were Bose 901's. I was astonished. I was speechless. They sounded like a bunch of 'transistor radio' 2" drivers, NO, no, they sounded like a bunch of old telephone earpiece drivers mounted in a very resonant wooden box. Upon closer inspection, I realized why they sounded that way... Now I'm faced with a serious problem. I wound up buying some very nice stuff, sounds great. But I fear for my friend. He's in his mid to late 40's, he loves his speakers, and has had them for a decade or so. What should I do? Upon hearing my system, he may all of a sudden realize that the past ten years of his life were wasted, as if he was living a lie, a bad dream. It could be too much of a shock to bear.

Bose is the anti-christ of the audio world.

Yes this is true. That does not change the fact that speakers sound different (better/worse) than other speakers and that there still can be a "worst" list even though none of the speaker re-create Boston Symphony Hall.

The truth of the matter is nothing can duplicate an actuality (be it instruments/voice), simply because a duplicate CAN NOT BE the actuality. There is absolutely NO way you can actually recreate the acoustics of Boston Symphony Hall or any other space in your living room no matter what you do or have. Want to hear the "space" of Boston Symphony Hall, then you must BE IN THAT SPACE. Realise that a sound system is a reproducer and a reproduction is not the actual thing. You may enjoy what you hear more keeping this in mind.

This list of postings made me laugh at times and sometimes i winced at the comments. Especially the knocking KLH as an all time worst speaker. Obviously some here don't have knowledge of Hi-Fi more than a few yrs back. The KLH company manufactured one of the all time legends of reproducers, the KLH-9 electrostat. Those, coupled with a pair of Marantz Model-9 mono tube amps or the Julius Futterman H-3a/a OTL's set standards that in some areas are still unsurpassed today. I wonder how many are familiar with the Toshiba turntable that featured a tonearm no thicker than a pencil which tapered to a broadpoint containing an electret cartridge. The detail & replication of true to life dynamics was absolutely amazing with the above componets for instance.

Actually Tubegroover I was mistaken in my post, I have not auditioned the Vandy 3A Sigs, I have auditioned I believe it was 2ci's, they were actually my brother's which he still has and mated with a Vandy sub and it is very good sound. They were good in my room, just not better and worth the purchase at the time. I do believe from what I've heard and read the 3A sig's might definitely displace the Polk's and could be my next move! Speakers are a tough decision for me, my tastes seem to always change and I'm so accustomed to the characteristics of the Polks I don't have a clue where I'm going to go. IMO really good hardware can make modest speakers closer to exceptional so that has allowed me to put it off. Enough of my problems though - the music is good!

Well Pops I respect your opinion and taste as well and I am sure whatever you have in your listening room that can't be displaced by the Vandy 3A Sigs especially must be quite special indeed. There is no way we are talking about the same speakers I heard with old Bob Carver gear. All that auditioning with the Polk speakers became a moot point when I heard the Vandy 2C's which I ultimately purchased after owning the Fanfares for a short spell.

Khrys, try to contain yourself - I'll let you be the first to know.

I too Am amazed how many people think the Bose System is state of the art! I simply explain to them that for less money they can get a pair of NHT Super Ones with a matching NHT powered Sub . This setup is a great introduction to audiophile quality music.

Pops, you are so lucky to have a "dealer/friend" guide you in your purchases. Let us know if he guides you to the ART or the 16. We can't wait to know.

Tubegroover, you are certainly entitled to your opinion and I respect it but I must disagree with you as well. The SRS tl (trilaminate tweeter) was an upgrade from the original series, don't know whether you heard that one or not. The crossover was also changed. I heard both and the original was no doubt bass heavy. The later model was a different speaker altogether. You can't get these obviously and believe me I'm not trying to sell you or anyone else on their merit. I will say that in my system they sound great. Open and airy with excellent midrange and tight bass. I've had 3-5K speaks in the room (aeriels, ML, Vany 3's) and they can't displace the Polks - it will take a bigger investment which I will no doubt make one day. I had a dealer/friend in my room and he was pleasantly surprised, instead of trying to sell me speakers now he working on a CJ ART pre or 16. Good listening.

Until this day I thought I was the only one who felt this way about Bose !!! I Remember in college ( UND ) back in 1983 a radio station played there sound system for an outdoor party between the dorms ( In the courtyard ) 4 Bose 901's. I am the only person in the world, besides the others that were at the party, who actually heard Bose 901's that sounded good. I was really DRUNK.

One more Bose story: in the early 70's, I purchased one of the first pairs of B&W DM6's to be imported into the US. With a Luxman integrated amp and a decent moving coil cartridge or my big reel-to-reel, they sounded better than any of the dozens of speakers I had auditioned. Put it this way: the YAMAHA NS-1000M's were my second choice! Went out with a nice (not good, but nice) young woman at the time, and we went to a rockin party featuring a sound system consisting of Bose 901's driven by Phase Linear electronics. The thing was deafeningly loud and terrible. My girlfriend was tremendously impressed, and later quizzed me why I hadn't bought a really good stereo like the one at the party? Although some of her other orifices were more suitable than her ears, the relationship didn't last long!

I am in total agreement. Bose has no idea what good quality speakers are. I have a friend who loves his Bose 301's based solely on the fact that Consumer Reports recommends them. Are you kidding me. Is Consumer Reports a true judge of audiophile quality in a speaker. I think not. The fact remains. Bose speakers don't produce accurate sound. The Accoustimas system is extremely overpriced. For the same amount of money that they are charging for the Accoustimas systems, you can get yourself into some very nice sounding high quality gear.

Pops I remember well the Polk SRS/SDA from the 80's and could not disagree with you more! Their bad rap is well earned. The bass on that speaker was horrendous and really overpowered the rest of the frequency range. Tonal balance was all wrong. Regardless of the SDA circuit being removed, I can't imagine too much of an improvement on the big speaker, the one that looked like a 6' coffin. Now that you remind me of it I would probably include that speaker among the worst especially for the 3k they were charging for it at the time. I did however like the smaller one in the SRS line that mounted on a bookshelf speaker, can't remember the model #. At the time around 1986, I did an audition with a pair of Fanfare speakers a 3-way design. The speaker was direct order from the manufacturer and offered a 30 day money back warranty. I was considering the stand mounted Polk at the time and wanted to do a comparison side by side. At 339.00 a pair the Fanfares (I can't remember the model name) handily beat the whole Polk line including their monitors and the SDA series. Even the salesman had to admit to it. I still have a pair of the Fanfare Preludes a 2-way which I used to use as surround speakers, they still sound quite good for their modest size. While we are on the subject does anyone remember the funny looking speakers that had wings on the bass, midrange and tweeter modules from a company called Tennessee Sound Company? They were the only speakers I can recall that Stereophile (Dick Olsher, I believe) throughly trashed. The company shortly thereafter went belly up.

--Master: "The speakers of a GOOD STEREO are yoked together and in step." --Disciple: "Yes, Master. But what are the speakers of a BAD STEREO like?" --Master: "In the sound of a BAD ONE the sonics seem to veer this way and that as the speakers keep changing step, like two draught animals refusing to pull together." --Disciple: "Are these two draught animals like the speakers of a Bose acoustimass system?" --Master: "Yes."

ha HA SUCKERS!!! Bose.... sounds like real instruments...... I'm laughing so hard the tears are making it hard to type. I totally agree about the Bose car systems. I can't believe I am forced to pay for some of this crap in my cars. Even more annoying is that you can't just change part of the system, it is like cancer infected your car and you have to remove the entire system head unit amps speakers et al; to start over. The only remotely tolerable system from Bose was the fiber optic one in the Mercedes C-class but for the money you would have to fork over for this option you could buy a great Nakamichi cd player, a McIntosh Car amp, and Dynaudio drivers which would completely blow the BLOSE system out of the water. Well for years people thought the world was flat. Just look at Mcdonalds Billions and Billions sickened. And then there is this unexplained popularity of this "painter of Light" guy. Aliens aren't spying on us, they are laughing at us.

Well I asked Bose what they thought of this thread and tried to get a guy at Bose to tell me what would sound like real instruments in actual space. (you have to start at the bottom) Here is what he said. Apparently according to him nothing Bose makes sounds like the real thing! --- Richard Tessier wrote: > Dear John, > > Thank you for your e-mail. Simply put; the only > thing that will truly > sound like a real instrument is just that a live > instrument. What is > played back is the recording of an instrument, and > is subject to the > equipment used to make the recording and the sound > engineers > expertise. > > Keeping this in mind, an additional factor is the > playback electronics > being used. Additionally, like the recording studio, > home electronics > differ greatly as well, and will influence the > reproduced sound. This > is especially true in the case of when electronic > processing of the > signal is used, as is the case with many of today's > electronics. > > Finally, (Not to over state this) only you can > decide which system > sounds best to you. True, we hope that it is a Bose > Product in the > end. > > Might I suggest a Bose Factory store location in > your area? I know the > equipment is hooked up and working properly, in > addition to the entire > line. As well, they present a no stress shopping > experience. Once you > have done this, you could locate another place that > offers the same > situation for the competing products, and make a > determination from > there. > > We believe it is inappropriate to make the decision > for you, rather we > like to provide the information, and a quality > demonstration. I know > this is not exactly the answer that you are looking > for, but it does > provide some insight. > > Thank you for choosing Bose Corporation. > Richard Tessier, extension 61031 > Customer Support Team > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Bose Corporation US Telephone: > (800)999-2673, ext. E1 > Customer Support Team International Tel: > (508)766-1099, ext. E1 > Email: support@bose.com > Fax: (508)820-3465 > Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-9:00PM, Sat > 9:00AM-5:00PM (EST) > Visit our Website: www.bose.com > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > On Mon May 1 11:06:32 EDT 2000 you wrote: > > >Could you just pleaase tell me what system you sell > >sounds like real instruments?!!! > > > >I will then find a dealer selling that product and > buy > >it. > > > >If you don't sell anything like that please tell me > so > >I may choose another brand to search from. > > > >Thank you again for all your healp. You guys are > the > >best in customer service... it is no wonder why you > >are such a big company. > > > >jg > > > >--- Richard Tessier wrote: > >> Dear John, > >> > >> Thank you for your message. Again, the listening > >> experience is > >> subjective, and you may end up buying a > competitors > >> product. It > >> appears that you have listened to a majority of > our > >> product offerings, > >> and if you are not hearing sound as you want, you > >> may want to continue > >> to explore other possibilities. > >> > >> Perhaps, we would suggest another authorized > dealer > >> location that > >> offers demonstration products of the various > >> manufacturers products. > >> So, that you can receive a quality demonstration > >> (Using some of your > >> own music) without the sales associates > influence. > >> > >> In the end, you should purchase the product that > >> best meets your > >> current needs. > >> > >> Thank you for choosing Bose Corporation. > >> Richard Tessier, extension 61031 > >> Customer Support Team > >> > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- > >- > >> Bose Corporation US Telephone: > >> (800)999-2673, ext. E1 > >> Customer Support Team International Tel: > >> (508)766-1099, ext. E1 > >> Email: support@bose.com > >> Fax: (508)820-3465 > >> Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-9:00PM, Sat > >> 9:00AM-5:00PM (EST) > >> Visit our Website: > www.bose.com > >> > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- > >- > >> > >> On Fri Apr 28 01:23:41 EDT 2000 you wrote: > >> > >> >As I said before I would like to purchase a Bose > >> >Product.. Unfortunately I have not heard any > that > >> >really sound like music.... yet. I have heard > the > >> Bose > >> >Radio, The Bose acoustic Wave, the Acoustimass > >> system, > >> >and some bose 901 speakers and other bose > products. > >> I > >> >still am determined to find a Bose product that > I > >> >like. Could you reccommend one that sounds like > >> real > >> >instruments because I think the music from the > >> stereo > >> >should sound like the real thing. I think the > lower > >> >notes sound sort of fuzzy on these products and > the > >> >higher notes are not convincingly real, and the > >> human > >> >voice is not very well represented. > >> > > >> >I again appreciate your promptness of reply and > I > >> am > >> >sure over your wide range of products you could > >> >reccommend a product to suit me. I just don't > have > >> >much more time to spend trying out new speakers > and > >> so > >> >far the Bose products I have heard would not > leave > >> me > >> >feeling like I got my money's worth. however so > >> many > >> >of my friends love Bose...so many people can't > be > >> >wrong!!!!!! > >> > > >> >So could you narrow the search for me and tell > me > >> what > >> >product you make that sounds like people playing > >> >instruments? It would save me a lot of time. I > met > >> >someone who has a really old Bose electronic > >> >amplifier? and he says they don't make the > >> electronics > >> >good like this anymore....This can not be true > as > >> we > >> >are so much more advanced than the 1970's. > >> > > >> >I looked though your well written web site...but > >> most > >> >of the terms were too technical for me to > >> >understand... I mean, do I need a PHD to buy a > >> stereo? > >> >Special magnets....computer designed > >> >acoustics....sounds like the space shuttle to > me... > >> I > === message truncated ===

Those speakers that comes with power cord???!!!!!!!

Any speakers you buy from a guy in a van at the mall who says the company he works for over ordered these studio quality speakers that they use in clubs. He will even show you a 'real' invoice that says the cost is 400 each, yet he will give you four for 100 bux.

I agree Roachone except with Polk - the old SRS/SDA series, the big ones; 1.2tl and 2.3tl, are excellent speaker systems with the SDA portion REMOVED. With great components and wire feeding these boys they sound as good as any speakers I've heard in the 5K range. In a highend system these speakers are outstanding!! Unfortunately they came out during a recession and had a crappy marketing plan - mass market with mass market equipment and they have always gotten a bad rap from dealers who lead the uninformed around like sheep.

I think this particular group of responses is a fine break in an otherwise pretty serious group of postings. Thank goodness Mr. Bose made so much money selling his product to the general public, otherwise, we would not have nearly so much fun here at Audiogon! After all, "We deserve a break today" and Bose is pretty much McDonalds. (Sorry in advance to you who like Chicken Nuggets!)

Bose SUCK, so does Klipsh. I really don't know which is worse. I also think Polk Audio and Infinity suck. I really think KLH must be the best I've heard. Whatcha think guys?

Bose is certainly in the running as is Cerwin-Vega but also many of the Japanese electronics makers speakers were gawd-awful! Plus packaged "Surround sound" systems with quantity 5.1 clock radio speakers included may open up a few new competitors for the "crown"

You guys should hop on over to audioreview's site and read "Jimmy"'s 4/30/00 incredibly insightful Bose 901 review :)

I have to say, probably the ABSOLUTE WORST I have heard are an old pair of Jensons a friend of mine had (not any more!). But I have to disagree with the opinions of the Klipsch speakers. I just auditioned the new RFs last night at a hi-fi shop, and I was quite pleased. Not exactly audiophile quality by all means, but they beat most I've heard. I like the horn design. But everyone has their own opinions, and we all like our music to sound a bit different.

How about a tri-amped system running Heil's for the tweeters, 901's for the mids and some Vega's for bottom end ??? Power amps would have to be some old "industry standard" Crown's ( of course ) !!! This oughta make you cringe just thinking about it !!!! Are your ears bleedin' yet ??? Sean >

As bad as Bose speakers are I would rather listen to them than any of the old Klipsch designs( Klipschorns, La Scala, Belle, Cornwall, Heresy.) Yes they play loud with little power and are very dynamic but WHO CARES when you have those God awful horns screaming at you. Five minutes to a major headache. I can't believe anyone actually enjoys listening to these obnoxious sounding things.

I agree with some of the above post's.The bose 901 is the worst sounding expensive speaker I have ever heard.

Their is no way in hell that bose stuff can compete with the speakers in my sisters panasonic mini system, i mean a peace of tin foil would sound better than them. They have only one thing excesive boomy bass, but i geuss that sells. but i have not heard bose to compare

Guys, if you think that Cervin-Wega or Bose speakers are worst, means you've never heard Jenssen. I bet coffin with two buckets can sound better.

Great laffs guys.ButI guess it is time for me to come out of the closet and fes up.Had 901's in 71 or there abouts Went directly to amt 1b (heil tweter) George Bush should hire the bozo oops bose marketing director.Even back then the hipe sucked me in,and ya,I used to wet my pants repetedly,Hey I was only 6mos.old at the time.Hey gotta go; gotta check out some sites for a good price on my snake oil refill

Jimiverson, I agree about Wilson speakers, but haven't heard the Slams. The Watt Puppys sounded like that to me, though, and with a dark sounding tube amp, too!

Great Story Cardinal that is funny

Well, let's throw in something made in Britain - the Celestion Ditton 25; a speaker designed to take advantage of the fact that 12inch drivers disqualified the speaker from Purchase Tax back in the 70s (professional, you see..) Unfortunately, they also disqualified it from having anything other than awful boomy bass, supported by two HF13OOs wired in parallel for the mid and a T2000 tweeter that sounded awful. With the grilles off, it looked like a homebrew and sounded worse. Even in the 70s it was bad, I got shot of them soonest and changed them for - Celestion Ditton 66s! Yes, the same philosophy (12" units, ABR and all) but done properly and sounding pretty good until I got the Gale 401s with the coooool chrome end caps - enough said.

I had a pair of Bose 501's back in the early 70's before I knew better. They were the greatest thing since sliced bread in my opinion, I know better now. The accoustimass speakers are okay, just way overpriced for what they offer, excellent marketing Dr. Amar, other high end manufacturers could learn (some have including Vandersteen, NHT, Magnepan Paradigm and others I'm sure I've left out)I think Wilson is an overall poor value read OVERPRICED in my opinion). I think Cerwin Vega might take the ultimate prize from what I've heard of their boomy boxes. They absolutely suck the worst yet they continue to sell.......go figure.

Bose reps in the 70s had an insane demo I guess to show the durability of the 901s fool-range drivers. They wouuld plug the speaker directly into a wall socket. It would rip the cones to shreds but remain buzzing at 60hz. With technology like that who needs sound?

OK, OK, you guys probably have it right with the Bose 901s (or the Bose mini satellite Home Theater System). But in terms of today's systems, I think the sound of the Wilson MAXX speakers is pretty poor. Very exxageratted presentation.

Martin Logan arius...in the set up i heard ss Conrad Johnson amp and rest...sounded lifeless, dead...wonder all this reviews..it must be some trick! Also Klipsch (any)should stay frozen in the 50's....

There was a chain store in the Dallas area several years back called Highland Superstore's. That now defunct franchise used to have a dedicated Bose listening room. In this torture chamber from left to right was a wall starting with the BOSE 901 all the way to the "new" accoustamas. EVERY one of these had the same boomy, bland sound! No wonder the sold so many of the "little cube" speakers - why not get the same crappy sound from something 1/3rd the size? And what was up with those speaker designs??? Tweeters firing out the top and sides at wierd angles. Cones upside down in the cabinet that were supposed to give you "stereo everywhere" as the speakers fired out the side AT EACH OTHER! Of course all of this was explained by some computer graphic or speaker cut-away illustration. By far the crappiest, overpriced, overhyped pieces of sh-- on the planet! A car salesman just lost a sale last week because I was all ready to buy a new car from him until he told me it came with a "premium Bose sound system". I told him to knock down the price - so I could afford to get that crap ripped out of the vehicle - and he looked at me like I was nuts. Didn't I know that was an "extra" he was throwing in? The biggest tragedy is that it's companies like Bose that are putting real speaker manufacturers out of business. By the way, my vote for second crappiest speaker is Cerwin-Vega. I had a buddy in college that used to crank his up all the time - now he's almost deaf!

As I tell people who come into my audio shop here in Austin...Bose was recently given the franchise to outfit all the patients rooms at the State School for the Deaf here in Texas. About says it all. By the way the quip about the tire and the stick was hilarious...thanks for all the laughs.

Cardinal, are you saying that Bose is "blow" the quality standards of those seeking music? I certainly agree! (Great story, thanks!)

When I was in college, a twice annual lampoon of the student newspaper was eagerly anticipated by all. Mind you, this is the university where Dr. Bose taught, and still teaches. Well, in one memorable lampoon issue, there was and advert for "Blose" speakers (very easy to alter the logo, even well before the days of Photoshop). Like the Bose adverts of the day, the text was a mish-mash of pseudo-scientific babble about acoustics. In particular there was a description of the "revolutionary" port system in the speakers which required less air than the output drivers. Or to quote, "This research breakthrough has resulted in a remarkable speaker: one that blows more than it sucks". Enough said.

You Guys are cracking me up!!! I'm laughing my head off reading the comments! This is better than a good book and I do agree about the bose speakers. Bose, as the saying goes "All Highs and no lows-come to think about it, what highs!!?? Joe Lienhard

While Bose must take the cake for making uniformly bad speakers for a long time, my nominee is the Wilson Grand Slamm. At an audition lovingly set up by a dealer, I was mainly impressed by the "bleeding ears treble" nature of the speakers. Sounded a bit like a pair of JBL studio monitors, but without the stigma of low cost. If you really want to spend $60K+ on stereo, build a well-designed room and put good-soounding speakers in it!

I agree with several of the respondents. I had a Bose 901 about 14 years ago and the sound was RUBBISH. Unfortunately I fell prey to the MIT hype, and should have known better. At least the experience thought me what NOT to listen for and subsequently I bought a Spendor LS35a, B&W CDM1, and a Contour 3.3 by Dynaudio.