Bose Bookshelf Q

[crgriggs]

I was curious what the general consensus of Bose 301 and the Bose 201 bookshelf speakers are? They seem to be a pretty decent set of speakers. I know some of you are going to say its crap just because it’s Bose, but please tell me why you don't like it and not "I don't like it, it's a Bose".

 

[Hi Ho]

Personally I think one can do much better for the money. I have listened to them quite a bit and the highs from the 1 inch paper cone tweeter simply aren't good. The midrange is muddy and the bass, while it sounds strong, does not have good extension or control.

For the price of those speakers, I would rather have a pair of Onix x-IS speakers which I have had a chance to hear. I agree with the review. While I have not had a chance to hear the speakers in THIS comparison. I'd be willing to bet that any of them would sound better.

I am not saying this because I don't like Bose. I'm saying this because I have heard many Bose products, including the speakers in question, and have never been impressed in any way shape or form.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

http://www.linuxbench.org/Posting.html

 

[crgriggs]

http://www.linuxbench.org/Posting.html

Thanks for your input, next time a link to my search would be much better.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Bose isn't crap, it is overpriced. You can find far better for the same money as recommended above. Take a look at the Axiom speakers as well in that range...

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m3ti_main.html#

A solid company will give you full specifications on the speakers when you look at their site. There should never be an issue with a company doing this... yet it isn't done by Bose. Makes it a bit tough to actually compare their speakers to other companies products.

No, the speakers you listed aren't the worst offender in the Bose lineup for sure, but they have solid competition elsewhere from manufacturers that are far more reputable.

 

[mulester7]

Bose isn't crap, it is overpriced

....there it is....but, as long as the wifeypoo gets in on the decision, Bose will stay behind on cubes production as per demand....correct, sales meetings in The Bahamas and stuff......

 

[drunkmunk]

I own a pair of 301 series IV speakers. They were the first set of speakers along with my sony reciever and a Bose center channel that i started building my HT with. To be honest i was pretty heart broken once i had them all hooked up and they just... didn't sound very good. i've since replaced them (although I now have them in my garage as zone 2 and they are perfect for that)

The bass is pretty weak on them and the highs aren't all that great either. but they do well in a wide open area for back ground music. they're also to large for most speaker stands and can't be wall mounted so they pretty much just bugged me every where I put them.

You can do a whole lot better for the amount of money you end up spending on them.

 

[Sheep]

Bose speakers use cheap UNTREATED paper drivers, for BOTH woofers and tweeters.

These drivers are much cheaper and poorly constructed compared to even no name budget speakers.

BTW, Hi Ho, they use 2inch paper tweeters

Rock&Roll Ninja,

That post is PA certified.

Basically, the only way you can see the difference is to compare them to other speakers. I guarantee you will hear a difference.

SheepStar

 

[xboxweasel]

For that kind of money there are a lot of other options available.

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/SpeakerFaceOffVIp1.php

Paradigm Atoms are $230ish a pair. etc etc.

 

[Hi Ho]

BTW, Hi Ho, they use 2inch paper tweeters

Guess I never took the time to measure them.

The $100 Sanyo mini system in my bedroom has untreated paper tweeters/woofers and it sounds better than the Bose speakers.