They are speakers. The sound is what matters. Posers think otherwise.

If you like(d) the sound of 901's as new, fix 'em and use 'em like they were 'supposed to be used. You know, like a sports car.

Yep. I need to get inside. Series 1 has cloth surrounds. Need a look see but I ain't to the point of figuring out the removal of the burlap covering.

Love it. What are you truly thinking?

Here's the real deal. Pal has cancer. Best friend of my life. 64 or so.

If he punches out, I want these speakers. Would not make a difference to him right now as he has upgraded myriad times. These are castaways in his eyes and he also lost hearing in one ear. To me they are a link to younger days.

He may kick around another 15 years, don't know. The sappy story is just to indicate I am biased a touch.

I do want them working right, though, and I don't have a clue of how they sounded. The former is mechanical the latter is subjective. If you are not a discerning audiophile but like loud music without ear bleeding, would these be cool for the long run?

In 1978 or 1979 I bought my dream stereo from items in the Aafes catalog while I was in the sandbox...

Nakamichi tape deck, Technics reciever and turntable, Bose 901 speakers..a "spectrum analyser" etc..

I didn't get home from the sandbox until 1983 and finally opened the boxes that contained my already dated stereo...

In 1995 or 1996 I noticed the sound coming from the speakers were not what I was used to be, so I pulled the cover off one of the speakers and all nine foam surrounds were gone..

So I typed a nastygram to Bose up there in Massachusetts complaining that my fifteen or sixteen year old speakers, that I paid thirteen hundred dollars for in the late seventies failed..

To my surprise Bose replied that I should send them the speakers, and for some small fee (I cant remember ho much,but it was more than reasonable) they would send me the latest generation of 901s.... as they were aware that some early issue speakers with foam surrounds had sub standard material..

Not sure if they would extend that sort of support to a forty year old product, but they sure impressed me..

Thank you.

A field test is in order.

That's awesome. I could at least call their tech support to see if they are still savvy with respect to the old units.

They may have interesting insight.

I am itching to hook these up but need to bust them open first.

sr71

I don't have those.

Jeebus, they catch smack on the web. But for me, with my Acoustimass Series 1, non AC driven sub, they should be ok as a replacement.

A close friend had a new set back then. They could be played super loud, which is what he liked.
We all were impressed with how they filled the room, etc., but I liked (like) upper end quick transients, and they lacked that, so they were rather pedestrian to me.
When I got my Infinity Servo Statik (Electrostatic panels & bass commode) system and we heard such marvelous crystal clear highs, he sold his Bose 901's and began a multi-year search for the "ultimate" speaker.
I was never impressed enough to consider a set. I would, however, do as you're doing...research a rebuild (cost permitting) and keep them - just for the hell of it.
Good luck.
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Edit: From the looks of the photo above...maybe screens are Velcro attached?

Here's a review that is interesting..We Review the Bose 901… – Reviews | TONEAudio MAGAZINE

I've had speakers re-foamed at a local business at a very reasonable price. If they haven't been done before...they will need it at that age. I had a pair of 501's refoamed...sounded like new again. The 901's, also are reflective speakers, making room placement a little more difficult...which I'm sure you know.

Here's my pal's set of Infinity Quantum 2's in his garage wasting away. I bet these have the electrostatic jobbies you speak of.

I don't have room for four F250's in my shop.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1475717078.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1475717224.jpg

Hang from the ceiling, they will swing. Ah the good old days, Ha!

i got rid of mine. i have never missed them. not in the least.

Bob,
Some info on those Q2's...also the Servo Statik system that I had.
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Infinity

I had the great privileged to work at Bose on "The Mountain" back in 1979 or so. I was a college drop out and needed a job. I worked on the 901 driver line and did everything from reworking driver housings, burning in spiders, to sealing dust caps with the black epoxy and testing in the booth. Fantastic company and great people.
There was a rumor that the six or so tractor trailers out back had 901's with straight 120V's running through them for days.
I used to enjoy breakfast with Dr. Bose every once in a while.
They had a Christmas special for employees that included a set of 301 speakers, a turntable and a receiver for about $125 bucks.
They had an employee lottery for the new automobile Bose system under development and I was one of the winners but had a 1967 VW convertible bug that they said was too old.
Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then.
Great speakers to say the least.

[QUOTE=Bob Kontak;9307448 If you are not a discerning audiophile but like loud music without ear bleeding, would these be cool for the long run?[/QUOTE]

For the memories ..
Oh yes...

Rika

Thank you for this link. I read every word.

Room placement will be interesting. I have a 50' x 15' garage with 14' ceilings. I can make fake corners.