Re-foaming Bose 901's

[BCbud]

OK. they are reaby for the new foam rings!

[BCbud]

The next step is to glue the new foam rings to the cones. I applied an 1/8" beed of glue to the ring and instaled it on the cone. I tried to aline it so it was a little offset having a bit more space between the ring and the basket edge where the wires go through the cone. this is done because the wires are pushing up on the cone and when the rings are glued to the basket, you push down on that side to alline the voice coil.

[BCbud]

Now that that is done, the next step is to glue the foam to the basket while allining the voice coil so it will not rub. I have done 3 so far and this is not so easy so far. Once I have done several more, If not all, I will poast more coments on how it goes. This is a pic of the foam to the cone, I havent done any pics of the compleated drivers yet bet they dont look mutch different as it is hard to see the small space between the basket and the foam.

[JohnMichael]

This is great and thank you for taking us step by step through the process. I am sure you will enjoy the speakers more with all the TLC they are receiving.

[GMichael]

Nice job. And thanks for the pics.
May you have many years of audio bliss.

[jtfoto]

Have you ever truly listened to 4 Bose 901's in one room of a decent size home? It's unreal. I've had Yamaha NS1000's, JBL L-166, Advents and Polk. Bose wins, hands down, every time. Pay attention to ebay and you can get a pair for under $400. I own three pairs, all different series and have NEVER had to re-foam a single speaker.

Just my humble ear's opinion.

Back in the 70's the Bose 901 were all the rage. It sounded like a good concept being able to hear stereo anywhere in the room. I've seen many a coffee house with a pair or two hanging from the ceiling. Then I started to read and listen more seriously and their design make no sense.

Why have 8 - 4" drivers facing away from the "sweet spot" bouncing sound off rear and side walls and one 4" driver facing forward? The negative effect on imaging is undeniable. I can't imagine the effect of two pairs in a room or HT with 5 or 7 901s. It seems to undo what the sound engineer took time and effort create. If elevator/mall music, or vintage gear is your passion, more power to you. I think you'd do better purchasing a pair of vintage Advents or AR3s. I'd be interested in hearing the cost for your renovation. I've seriously heard new Bose 4" drivers are manufactured in China and can be had for $1.50/ea. You may want to investigate and save some money. I've also seen them on Overstock.com.

[f0rge]

i've always said when i finally settle into a house when a den i'd pick up a pair of 901's for some vintage coolness.

[E-Stat]

Have you ever truly listened to 4 Bose 901's in one room of a decent size home? It's unreal.

That's the problem with them for many of us. They are unreal in their sonic presentation. I will say, however, that they share one very important aspect in common with my speakers - they are full range and thus highly coherent. Can be fun to hear at times, but depending on the recording the image can be cartoonish.

rw

[ottio]

I just finished refoaming a pair of Bose 901 Series V's...I'd be happy to answer any questions.

[audio amateur]

That's the problem with them for many of us. They are unreal in their sonic presentation. I will say, however, that they share one very important aspect in common with my speakers - they are full range and thus highly coherent. Can be fun to hear at times, but depending on the recording the image can be cartoonish.

rw

They may run full range, doesn't mean they are

[s135443]

Good day!

I have a set of 901's that I am going to re-foam. My question is there are 2 or 3 companies that sell them and I was wondering if some one could recomend one?

Thanks

What did you think of the sound after you completed the project?

[Charlie04SiR]

Great Job on the refoams BCbud! I have refoamed many of my speakers in my collection myself and it is indeed no easy task as some people think. Very time consuming when done to the Nth degree.

[DV.65]

Hi Guys,
My own 901-III where most unglued on Basket Frames. Datestamp 14 June 1978.

The Inner Lipp was easy to remove the old Glue.

It has become a very Rubby-Touch, so You can peel-it-away.
Be care only in the Peel-Direction. To Outside is the right Way.
Do not Peel the the Glue in Center Direction. The upper Paper Layer will come away...

[troppo29]

I'm still hung up on the centering voice coil step. What's the secret here and how is it done?

Bose series IV

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

That's the problem with them for many of us. They are unreal in their sonic presentation. I will say, however, that they share one very important aspect in common with my speakers - they are full range and thus highly coherent. Can be fun to hear at times, but depending on the recording the image can be cartoonish.

rw

They are not quite full range. The output of these 4" drivers dives like a bombed airplane below 40hz. The upper frequencies are flat to 14khz with a pronounced roll off above that.

These speakers are quite difficult to measure as no matter where you set the mike, comb filter affected its response. These speakers also emphasized and excited room resonances with all of those drivers facing the front wall.