Bose 301 V

[Jaro R.]

Hi! I want to buy pair of bookshelf speakers. I do not have experience. I've just look on the internet what thei are selling. I'll like speakers with 8'' woffer minimum. I look at bose ind i foud 301. It cost 300$. But then i've read negative reference. They are so bad?? What I can buy for 600$ maximum.

[poneal]

Dont buy Bose. Go here and pick one of there monitors. They are really easy to build and you will feel good about making them youself.

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&DID=7&WebPage_ID=209

[This Guy]

Why do you need an 8" woofer? Just because it's bigger doesn't mean it will sound better or go louder. Are you going to be buying a subwoofer with your speakers? How big is your room and what are you pwering them with? Is floorstanding an option? Are you willing to build a kit like what Poneal suggested?

-Joey

[N. Abstentia]

Avoid Bose. Have you shopped for Paradigm, PSB, B&W, or other similar speakers?

[Jimmy C]

...I thought the 301s weren't that bad... not my first (or second, or...) choice in that price bracket, but they sounded "O.K." in the local Best Buy. At home, I'm sure they would be even better. Dollar for dollar, they are probably my favorite in the Bose line.

I'll second Poneal's recommendation for one of the PartsExpress kits. I assembled the BR1s, and they're quite satisfying. While nowhere near perfect, I haven't heard anything I would rather have under $300. Bass is suprising (not the most controlled, however) considering size, and the tweeter resolves info pretty well.

Now... the upscale P.E. kits should be VERY good... certainly worth the money. If you're not afraid of a soldering iron, I would'nt hesitate. SEAS, Vifa, and Peerless are brands used in much more expensive speakers. As a matter of fact, the x-overs MIGHT already be assembled...

Good luck, and let us know what you have decided!

[Invader3k]

I have the 301s and enjoy them. The midrange on them could be slightly better, but the 8" woofer does put out quite a bit of bass with a good amp. ;) One thing I like about them too...they are horizontally oriented, rather than standing vertically like most bookshelf speakers, so they are a bit easier to place.

I have no problem recommending them, but definitely take a listen to them and other speakers in a store before deciding for yourself.


...I thought the 301s weren't that bad... not my first (or second, or...) choice in that price bracket, but they sounded "O.K." in the local Best Buy. At home, I'm sure they would be even better. Dollar for dollar, they are probably my favorite in the Bose line.

I'll second Poneal's recommendation for one of the PartsExpress kits. I assembled the BR1s, and they're quite satisfying. While nowhere near perfect, I haven't heard anything I would rather have under $300. Bass is suprising (not the most controlled, however) considering size, and the tweeter resolves info pretty well.

Now... the upscale P.E. kits should be VERY good... certainly worth the money. If you're not afraid of a soldering iron, I would'nt hesitate. SEAS, Vifa, and Peerless are brands used in much more expensive speakers. As a matter of fact, the x-overs MIGHT already be assembled...

Good luck, and let us know what you have decided!

[hertz]

For 300 dollars, you can get good quality bookshelf speakers.For overall balance and musical ability, bose won't come anywhere near most of the available competition.
My cousin has sold his bose 301's and bought a pair of wharfedale diamond 8.2's.I had a chance to compare them at his house and the wharfedales are in a different league.Then you have morduant short, paradigm, mision,axiom,psb etc.. to choose from depending on your tastes.

[Bryan]

For under $600, you should look at the Shamrock Audio (http://www.shamrockaudio.com) Eilish ($499 delivered), Odyssey (http://www.odysseyaudio.com) Epiphony ($595 - unsure for shipping), Magnepan (http://www.magnepan.com) MMG ($550 delivered but is more of an on wall speaker), something from B&W (601 or 603 perhaps?), Axiom (http://www.axiomaudio.com) M22ti, used Rocket RS550s (http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1087504380) (if available - I now own B-stock RS550s), or nOrh (http://www.norh.com) SM 5.1($500 - love or hate the looks). Those are only a handful of choices you have available. Buy quality. Don't focus on the 8" woofer for an excellent 5.25" or 6.5" can put out much better bass. Used speakers should be considered and audiogon.com is a wonderful place to look.