To be blunt, Jeff, I don't think you'll find many people on this forum who think any Bose product is worth restoring. The consensus is that Bose spends a lot of money on marketing and not enough on making the products actually sound good. For a couple hundred, I'd say go to audiogon.com and look for something from a value-orientated brand with a good reputation for sound. You'll find people around here who have their favored manufacturers, and I'm no different. Paradigm speakers are bargains and I recommend trying them out. My dealer says - and I'm inclined to agree - that most Paradigms compare musically and sonically to big-name speakers costing twice as much. It should be noted that my dealer does not sell only Paradigm, but also Linn, Sonus Faber, and Vienna Acoustics, so he's heard the expensive stuff. Another thing to do is go to the main page and check out recommended loudspeakers, which will give you an idea of which companies are making the best products.

I was hesitatant to reply here because I would be admitting that I had Bose speakers at one time. My 901 had the surrounds completely disinigrate. I bought a surround repair kit. It was a bit difficult to do. The adhesive was really stringy and seemed to geton everything. Also it was very important to get the cone centered or the voice coil would drag and make bad noises. A speaker is a complete system and trying to substitute another driver will usually upset the balance of that system.

We all learn much of what we do learn the hard way, Jeff. Hell, I once paid full price for a B&O linear tracking turntable. Resell the 901's if you can or just take the loss as a lesson learned, and start listening to some of the fine budget speakers that are around now.

Good luck,

I can't believe my first post involves this topic, but I can't help myself in the desire to help another audio enthusiast (no snickers please. . .)

You may find recone kits for the legendary (infamous) Bose 901 here:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=260-910

I may have seen a source of replacement drivers, but need to dig around for that, if I get the chance. I would recommend visiting a Bose forum for more help, I believe at least one exists out there in the e-ther.

I hope this post does not give me a reputation, except I am a DIY'r and enjoy helping others. You'll be hearing more from me in the near future.

Nothing to apologize for, great first post!

Hi,
I am using Bose 901 VI proudly! Don't buy any repair kit. Contact Bose and send them to repair. they will charge you $50/- + tax + shipping to repair it (after warrenty). One great thing about Bose customer service is, you will never here - "time to replace the speaker..". If they don't fix, they will offer you new set in very low (about 1/3) price.

Good luck.

Wonderful customer service, great to hear.

I have a 1987 Bose Acoustic Wave Machine from when they first came out...after all these years teh cassette finally stopped, I surmised it's the belts loose, and of course it was..I called Bose ordered teh belts, AND they even e mailed me a service manual, so I sould see just how easy it is to remove the cassette assy and change all 3 belts, another great repair based on LOGIC and experience....keep it simple, tape units always first thing is belts. Bose sent me the service manual gratis, there where some well hidden clips and stuff, made it simple to take apart, without service manuals, things re difficult, there is always one secret clip or screw that will get ya. I was impressed that Bose provided the info and parts on an obsolete product, as they do not really support the old cassette types further than the belts...The thing is 20 years old and going strong.... They do stand behind their stuff, that's one good Bose thing. My father had a Bose wave radio, tuner died, simple ckt board assy, they fixed it no charge even when it was well out of warranty, ya pay up front as they are pricey, but at least they back it up, and the parts are not that special or pricey, but free labor and shipping too!

Well, today Bose customer service said that they don't repair old 901's. They accept trade-ins for 1/2 price of new ones = $772 + shipping (~$100), or will sell 18 new drivers for $720, or can upgrade to Acoustimass 6 for discount.

Quote:
... can upgrade to Acoustimass 6 ...

They actually said that?!

Upgrade?!

That is what they wanted me to do, is upgrade to a newer wave machine, i said nah, let's try the parts. Parts fixed it, I praise them for having the schematic it allowed me to take it apart, nice exploded diagram, FREE!! But they do seem to wanna sell ya new stuff, instead, which is normal, that's what they are there for. There is a limit to how old stuff can be worked on, for a mass fi type product. Unlike McIntosh, Audio research, AVA, different type of market. Even pro brand stuff is more parts friendly, but Bose did come through with my parts and info to keep mine going for another 10 years. Replacement drivers are probably available from Madisound or other sellers of drivers...$40+ each for drivers are a bit rich, checkout also PartsExpress.com for all kinds of drivers available...easily replaced parts in the Bose. and for much less than that

A famous US Company that makes speaker cones, surrounds and dust caps is Loudspeaker Components, LLC. Their web site is http://www.loudspeakercomponents.com If you want a speaker cone or two, or any other speaker parts you might want to get a hold of Rob at Makin Waves Ph: 520-647-7193

I was given a pair of 901s with their series IV 'control' box, kept them in storage for the past 5 years and only this week stuck on new surrounds. Was it difficult? Actually less than it was made out to be. But I live in a relatively humid area, the glue drying quicker in a dry region might make it more difficult. Also gluing the outer, then the inner edge was unnecessary, you can do both together - quickly! Re getting the cone centered is not that dramatic, it is easy to find the sweet spot and then release your pressure and tap the already glued inner edge of the surround to seal that (I suspect they also self-centre themselves too).

Last time I heard 901s was in the late 70s!

The 8:1 indirect sound is not point accurate re "soundstage", but with 99% of recordings close-miked and artificially "placed" these days, soundstage is just a falsehood I ignore.

Played test tones from 500Hz down each 100Hz than each 10 Hz from 90Hz and each 5Hz from 50Hz showed a flat response down to 25Hz.The control box allows a + or - 3 setting variation in Bass and Treble, I've got it at +1 Bass and +0 for Treble (in an 'outdoor', 2-walled room).

The sound is very pleasant indeed. Not having a crossover DOES help, lovely voices (playing Frank Sinatra at the moment) via a domestic 45W RMS Yamaha AVR.

Perfection? That'll be a ongoing argument especially if you have a bias against Bose "engineered" products.

But certainly MUCH better than the run of the mill traditional 2-way loudspeakers much touted these days.

By the way, my main rig is Magneplanar MG12s, my secondary rig Sennheiser HD-650s - I'm not biased For or Against any design or brand. The key "ingredient" for me is musicality. A speaker either has it, or does not. Most don't. IMHO my now 3 transducers DO.

The Bose 901 had a bad reputation as it really needs tobe very well positioned, but also to have an amp with very high power. The equalizer that came with it also reduced the hz after 15k dramatically. There is a new trend of replacing the equalizer with a digital signal processor with better and smoother graph.

I hope this post does not give me a reputation, except I am a DIY'r and enjoy helping others. You'll be hearing more from me in the near future.
mobdro

I have Bose 901 series vi with Yamaha 80 watt per channel receiver (both over 15 years old). They sound good to me if I use the Bose equalizer, and place the speakers well apart over a foot out on the long wall of listening room.
I’m thinking of upgrading to a modern receiver with more power (1000-1500 price range). What would sound good with the 901s?
Thanks
Steve