I just picked up a pair of BOSE 501V for $70 Bucks Man Thats better than sex

Amazing sound if placed or positioned properly.

The don't call 'em BLOES for a reason now do they? This describes every model, series, or year they were and are produced and always will.

It is simply amazing how many people own BOSE speakers and don't know how to listen to them. They do not perform like any other speakers. Bose must be place properly in the room. You are listening to reflected sound, that is the way they work best.

and the 901's NEED the equalizer. Their are many neophytes that don't know the EQ is an integral part pf the 901 Series (all). W/O the EQ they sound like tine cans. Listen and learn.

When properly placed they will give any speaker, regardless of cost, a run for the money.

If you don't like large sweet spots then you won't like Bose. Bose are for everyone in the room to hear them equally as well. Bose are not made for one listener sitting in one chair. They are made to sound good wherever one sits in a room.

Stop making fools of yourselves and selling 901's W/O an EQ. We see just how stupid you are when you do that. W/O the proper EQ for 901's you are missing half the music.

The other series speakers just need to reflect their sound.

I have heard and listened to many speakers, including Paradigm and B&W. While the 501's don't come anywhere near the quality of the Paradigm's or B&W's, for the money these sound amazing. I have had 2 Wave Radio's (one top load CD model and one non), 301's IV, 201's III and my father had some 901's II. These 501's are very decent sounding speakers, when paired with a proper receiver. I'll say that again; when paired with a proper receiver. I have them connected to a Harman/Kardon avr235 and they sound great, especially for the $150 I paid for them. I can't say that they would ever be worth the original list price of $599.00, but I have to say that I am thoroughly pleased. Just remember to supply them with the proper power; anything underpowered will not do these justice. Base is incredible from such a tiny woofer, however I would like a bit more treble. Would also wish I could bi-wire these. Would I recommend? Yes, but never pay over $200.00.

I'm sitting here shocked that Bose and other mid-to high end audio equipment suppliers don't screen customers before letting them purchase their products. I read the reviews on this site today and almost passed up a pair of the 501V's. I alread own a set of 301's and can only sing their praises. So far the same with the 501's. I have put them through some preliminary tests with instrumental, rock, country and even some dance music and don't understand where people are coming from on their reviews. If you read the spec sheets, these only have 5.25" woofers in them and I would put them up against most speakers with 8-10" drivers. I haven't even hooked them up to a spare Harman Kardon sitting in the garage yet. This Kenwood KR-V9030 seems to drive them pretty well. I think the ticket is reading the manual and using suggested placement charts and also spring for something better than a Dollar Store reciever. Also test them on something maybe newer than a cassette tape. If you are reading these reviews as I was earlier today and are thinking of picking up some 501V's for a couple hundred bucks; then go for it. They won't run a dance club, but will suffice for anything around the house in that $$$ range.

I picked up a pair of these for $100 on craigslist and i have them running off a Integra ADM 2.1. They are very clear as most Bose speakers are, and are capable of filling large rooms. With a two channel setup i think you can get the best sound receivers that are setup for 5.1 or 7.1 depending on wattage and frequency settings don't do these justice. Best speaker for the money i've boughten.

I got a pair of these in excellent condition for $50, so the price was right.

Their footprint is small, and I wanted a small tower, so they filled a need from a space/aesthetic standpoint

Before messing around with equalization, it is true that these speakers sound a little flat and muddy. However, once I goosed up the mid and high ranges, I actually got a pretty good sound out of them. They aren't KEFs or anything, but they're enjoyable to listen to.

These speakers sound cleaner at elevated volumes. Not quite sure why - the speakers and surrounds look absolutely pristine, so maybe I am in front of the break-in. Hard to say. I know the guy who sold them to me didn't exactly rock out while listening to them.

I know it's fun to bash Bose, but whereas these can be readily found - cheap - on Craig's List or EBay and they look and sound okay, I don't have a beef with them. They are not worth the original retail price obviously, since there are far better speakers out there for $600. But they're a lot better than new stuff at three to four times the cost.

Sound is such a clear! Bose is the boss of speakers.

amazing sound for the size. very detailed highs and mids, and surprisingly floor shaking bass! i picked these up for 100 bucks off craigslist and am looking to get another pair. worth every penny! i have no idea how people give these such bad reviews. they're either using crappy componets or have no idea how to properly place speakers. i also have the jbl studio series l880's and matching speakers running off a yamaha reciever so i know what great music quality is! i love my vega cls-215's as well but thats for headbanging only lol. anyways if you can find these for 100 or less by them or i will!