OK bass, spacious sound

Price, low quality construction, over-hyped

I bought these from Crutchfield without knowing how they sounded, but was influenced from the Bose marketing hype and Herbie Hancock in those infomercials. They're OK sounding but not that great and way too expensive for what they are. I really didn't like the cheap construction and the paper cones. I'm returning these speakers for something else (good thing Crutchfield allows for returns). I probably should have read the reviews here first. No wonder there are so many negative reviews here.

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JBL, Advent, Klipsch

it sound very very detailed. sharp bass

the price

i dont no y u people hate the bose 301. i mean if u never heard them dont say any. if u hate this speaker email me or sell me your bose. there style is kind of cool. now people dont be so racist against bose . your mad because u think your box of sound is the ace of sound.haha.i maybe 16 but i out smart every 1 in speakers. now i need the bose center speaker.by sniper x

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mirco wave

Ummmm. Plays pretty loud.

Sounds muddy. Paper cones. Paper tweeters. Spring clip connections. Too expensive for what you get.

I bought Bose because of the name. I know, I know. Oh well, live and learn. I am not a Bose basher, this is just how I feel after shelling out cash for a low level product. The sound is not clear. Don't believe me though, listen closely to several brands and buy what you think sounds best. Don't buy a brand or listen to advice from your friends who say,"It's Bose so it must be best." I started listening when I went to buy a center and the Bose sounded muffled compared to the others. In my opinion, B&W makes a great pair of lower priced speakers that blow these away. I'm putting the Bose in the basment, maybe they'll sound better down there.

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JBL, B&W, Polk.

BOSE---Better sound through marketing (not research)

Objectively, just about everything.

Let me begin by informing all who read this tirade that I am NOT a BOSE basher nevertheless the truth can be a harsh mistress. I previously (unfortunately) have owned a lifestyle system before and realized 5 months later anything purchased in the same price range would emberrass my purchase. Anyway having owned numerous systems through college which include the likes of Hafler, Klipsch, Nakamichi, Carver, Miller and Kreisel, etc.. I feel I have some experience with quality sound. I am on a tight budget as of late and purchased a used Rotel two-channel amp (120 watts per channel) which is a gem and I needed two solid speakers from which to build from. I purchased the 301(s) being open minded and with my amp directly compared them with a pair of Klipsch 3.1(s), Paradigm titans, and Miller and Kreisel LCR-55's. The Bose 301(s) are a sad joke and miserable for the price. The M&K's blew the BOSE away and handily beat the Klipsch and Paradigm. Save your money and buy any other audiophile brand. I purchased the M&K LCR-55(s) and returned the BOSE after 2 days. M&K is used by professionals. I'm happy.

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Miller & Kreisel, B&W, Paradigm, Klipsch, Boston Accoustics.

good looks, good bass, sharp vocals.

placement

The 301's from Bose sound good & just keep getting better as u listen to them. Of course, for the price u cannot expect the best & REMEMBER...these are bookshelf speakers! so don't go rating them by floorstanding standards! although they can be better than some floorstanding models. Actually, they sound crisp & clear, got strong bass (even better than some floorstanders) & they do give very even sound & don't hurt your ears. But placement is of utmost importance otherwise, they sound bad...I guess, that's why a lot of ppl complain...it's bec. of wrong & unfavorable placement.
Just go to ur local shop/s & listen for urself. As for me, well. *shrug* I'm happier now than when I first bought them coz, i finally got the "right" placement..& they sound good :)

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listened to : sonus faber's, energy, polk, b&W, ar, infinity, Jamo's

Great audio performance, size.

none

Solid performance, wide range of harmonics, zero distortion.
Able to place speakers anywhere, optional stands available.
A great value when you compare to other speakers of same
size and price range. Purchased additional pair after first
purchase. Overall performance is great at any volume.

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Advent, KLH

Infinity makes systems upwards of $65,000, and have played at all levels to critical acclaim for being transparent, neutral and accurate. The Polks have an odd bass curve due to passive radiator usage, but the old 5A's [$275/pr] totally blow Bose away in bass, and everywhere else. There are similar models now. As far as "Bass" goes for the 301 just exaggerates midbass. They thump- that is PURE overempasis distortion---not "Warmth" Warmth is a "Slight" emphasis on midbass that vinyl and tube amps produce naturally. It Is a form of harmonic distortion, but a pleasent effect.
The gross thump Bose makes is just....gross. And the total lack of anything in *many* areas along the audio spectum with nothing on top make is stand out worse.
Bose is a waste, as are most people that love them. They just love thump and sizzle, not clarity and accuracy.

looks, spacious sound, warm & soothing

placement

these are good speakers, of course not the best, if u want the best you have to cough out much more $$$. For a few hundred bucks, they're good.

Just an observation...If you "audition" these speakers at Circuit City, Best Buy, Sears, etc, they are "impressive" because they are designed with the purpose of outperforming other mass-market speakers in mind. Accurate sound reproduction and true quality does not have to be the primary consideration. When designing these speakers, some degree of sound coloration would be acceptable if it highlights (and therefore overemphasizes) certain frequencies/music styles. That's why they sound so good in the store. Certain parts of the music "jump out" at you as sounding good, especially in comparison to cheaper models. These speakers sound very very nice if you are building a starter type system. A good reciever, a pair of 301s and a decent sub should blow away any shelf system for the audio enthusiast on a budget. Most people would be very happy with these. But if you care/have the money to listen to better speakers, the sonic mirage created by the 301s is no match for the true accuracy of a SOLID pair of bookshelf speakers. Consider waiting a year to buy rears and/or a center channel and doubling the amount you're willing to spend on fronts. A true audiophile would be ashamed of spring biding posts, paper cones, and unfinished cabinets. Try B&K, Paradigm, KEF, or others. You can get Monitor Audio Silver 4is from reliableaudiovideo.com for $650--they've got ceramic and metal cones, real binding posts, are even bi-wireable, made in England and come in gorgeous wood finishes. Closer to the 301s price range, try Infinity IL10s, Acoustic Research, Boston Acoustics, or Klipsch. The Infinities are very similar in price and are very strongly recommended. My System (As of a few weeks from now):

Onkyo TXDS787 Receiver
Boston Acoustics PV800 Subwoofer
Cheap Sony 5-disc changer
Monitor Audio Silver 4is
Monster 300 interconnect
Original monstercable from the Onk to the Monitors
Monster 400 sub cable

Just as many people would be ashamed of the 301s, a snobby audiophile with a $20K system would be ashamed of my mid-fi equipment. Then again, unless he's recent lotto winner, he's probably cut corners elsewhere in life--eg. lives in a box or drives a yugo. I'm the guy who shops at goodwill every once in a while so he can afford the Silver 4is. :)

Happy listening

Josh

Nice highs, Good bass, clean sounding. You can listen to these speakers at moderate volume for long periods of time(8-12hrs)without getting tired. Great Value!

Mid-Range...These frequencies are there, but they are faint. You have to 'listen' for these freqencies rather than just hearing them.

I've noticed a fact with bose reviews...You either absolutey LOVE the products, or absolutely appaul thier existence. For me, I absolutely love them. I have had them since 9th grade and Im currently a Junior in college, and these speakers have treated me very well. Just recently I purchased a Paradigm PS1000, subwoofer and that compliments these speakers greatly. I have a Yamaha RX490 amp that delivers clean supple power with ease. My father is a sound technician in the air force...and he knows his $hiT*(he builds this stuff from ground up), He is the one who steered me the right way with this system, and for the bang for the buck, my system was the greatest VALUE...Show me speakers that can produce the same sound quality for $180 bucks and I will shut my mouth. Till then these are #1 Bookself value. My father has owned TONS of speakers in his lifetime...as can recall getting rid of them for others and regretting it, and that advice is coming from a trained ear in audio. TRUE the 301's aren't the loudest,best, or most expensive but they do a damn good job. The beauty of these speakers rest in their quality of listening ease as I stated above. I have listened to many friends speakers, which are louder cranked up @ full volume, but the sound they inflict is rather harsh. I am very pleased with my current set-up...easy listening with rich deep bass satisfies my listening binges for many hours. It's weakness is midrange, but I am more concerened with crispy high's and nice filling bass... with more of an abstract sound of mid's. For my listening style I am very happy, and to those Bose bashers.....BOO YAH! HERES 5 FOR YOU! :)

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1st speakers ever owned :)