shawmac
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Bose 501
JoeE SP9
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IMO you can do a lot better for $100 than any Bose speakers. Check the local CL. I'm sure you'll find something better.

JoeE SP9
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Welcome to the forum from a fellow Philadelphian.

I just checked CL for Phila. Below are speaker listings from Saturday and Sunday. They are all in your price range. Any of them sound better than the Bose speakers you mentioned. The JBL's (next to last) with the addition of a sub woofer would sound pretty good.

mailto:sale-xqk9h-2604885418@craigslist.org?subject=~~~%20Advent%20Maestro%20speakers%20~~~%20(Pottstown%2C%20Royersford%2C%20Collegeville)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.craigslist.org%2Fele%2F2604885418.html%0A

mailto:sale-qfut3-2604746580@craigslist.org?subject=Acoustic%20research%20-%20%24100%20(collegeville)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.craigslist.org%2Fele%2F2604746580.html%0A

mailto:sale-7fkr3-2604039235@craigslist.org?subject=M%26amp%3BK%20S-2B%20monitor%20speakers%20-%20%2470%20(Douglassville)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.craigslist.org%2Fele%2F2604039235.html%0A

mailto:sale-m4rdn-2556788192@craigslist.org?subject=epicure%20stereo%20speakers%20-%20%2440%20(19154%20ne%20philly)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.craigslist.org%2Fele%2F2556788192.html%0A

mailto:sale-yyd5j-2603984687@craigslist.org?subject=Advent%20Speakers%20-%204%20Large%20-%20%24100%20(Lansdale)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.craigslist.org%2Fele%2F2603984687.html%0A   These don't have the original woofers. They still might be worth a listen.

mailto:sale-nfbrw-2596251742@craigslist.org?subject=Optimus%20Floor%20Stereo%20Speakers%20with%20JVC%20rear%20speakers%20%20-%20%2470%20(Clifton%20Heights%2C%20Pa)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.craigslist.org%2Fele%2F2596251742.html%0A

mailto:sale-faepn-2583827001@craigslist.org?subject=JBL%20Speakers%20and%20Speaker%20Stands%20-%20%24100%20(Warminster%2C%20PA%20(Bucks%20County))&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.craigslist.org%2Fele%2F2583827001.html%0A

mailto:sale-vyuuu-2580429954@craigslist.org?subject=%09LARGE%20JENSEN%20FLOOR%20SPEAKERS%20~%20MODEL%203120%20-%20%2479%20(Feasterville%2C%20PA)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.craigslist.org%2Fele%2F2580429954.html%0A

shawmac
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thanks for the help, and thanks for the welcome!

I think I've come to the conclusion that I need to just wait a little, and increase my budget for what I am willing to spend. But I will keep an eye on CL, and also audiogon, which I heard is good.  

But it is good to know that the Bose are not really worth the money before buying them!

JoeE, do you know of any good stores in the Philly area to check out speakers before buying them?

Remonster
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I don't live anywhere near you, but Best Buy and Frys (in my area, at least) have a decent selection of low to mid priced speakers to listen to. Obviously they aren't set up in an optimal way or in a perfect listening room, but you can learn a lot of useful information about which ones you like and which you don't.

JoeE SP9
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All the stores listed below are in Phila or Jenkintown, which is 2 miles north of Broad and Cheltenham. David Lewis is more of an old style high end store. They have a large selection of TT's and analog gear. Community Audio is also more of a traditional audio emporium. HiFi house is modern and does a lot of HT work. STO usually has a nice selection of used gear. If you expand your search radius to include Wilmington and Jersey there are at least half a dozen other places.

 

David Lewis Audio 8010 Bustleton Ave.

Community Audio 8020 Germantown Ave.

HiFi House Broomall 1001 Sussex Blvd, HiFi House Jenkintown 509 York Rd.

David Mann 404 S 2nd

STO Sound & Vision Old York Rd. Jenkintown

jdmccall56
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There are many good speakers available on the pre-owned market that can be had for $100-$200, including Bose.  But the age and condition of the particular pair will be more important than the brand name; especially at that price level.  Don't let anyone scare you away from any one brand. 

Again, considering the amount of money you are talking about, you still could consider new speakers.  Check out partsexpress.com.  They usually have BIC America, AAL, MTX, Dayton Audio and Pure Acoustics at very reasonable prices.

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