Drove 150 miles round trip a few days ago to pick up something I've always wanted...
Finally found a near mint pair at a extremely good price. Bose 901 Series V with Series VI EQ and tulip stands.
I've heard the 901's several times before, a few times in Circuit City, and once or twice at the PX at MacDill Airforce Base. I have to say, they sound much better in my room. A lot more natural than in the showrooms. In the showrooms, they probably had the EQ jacked all the way up as well as the tone controls on the gear used with them.
I have all of the controls on the EQ set to "flat", and I really see no need to adjust them as the 901's sound pretty darn good in this room, the master bedroom. This room is roughly 13' x 16' x 8', powering them with one of my STA-9's, and it's more than enough power for this room and these speakers. I have the 901's center part of the rear "V" about 31" out from the front wall. This distance also helps in the fact that I'm getting a much more balanced overall response out of them than what I remember in the showrooms.
The bass is quite punchy, detailed and extends a lot deeper than I expected, easily down to the low 30's, possibly a little lower from listening to a few of my very familiar pipe organ recordings. Midrange seems to sound good, though not quite as full as my Maggies in my main rig. And the treble seems fine to me as well. Obviously, not super airy, but open and extended enough for a pleasant, smooth sound that's non-fatiguing. They're definitely not lacking in either extremes like all of those clowns claim (no highs, no lows, must be blah, blah, blah). I really have no complaints with them honestly. However I do wish those tulip stands were a bit taller.
I have always been attracted to the 901's unique looks and design, and even more so, their use of multiple 4.5" drivers producing that kind of sound. I mean, I wasn't even playing them loud last night, and not only were both windows in this room rattling, but so were the sliding closet doors and the main door!
The above was when I was playing Boz Scaggs' Thanks to You. Boz's voice came through loud and clear, and all of those deep bass notes came through effortlessly and with authority.
This system is by no means a replacement for my mine rig, but it's just about as enjoyable to listen to. I'm glad I finally got my hands on a pair of these little suckers!
