Size...and that's it!

Everything else...muddy "bass", highs, soundstage- you get the idea.

I will not waste too much time in reviewing these speakers as my peers have summed it up nicely in prior reviews. I have not heard a Bose speaker yet that's musical... including car audio.

These things are geared to the teenager who wants boom and nothing else. There is no true response below about 80 hertz or above about 12k hertz. They are terrible at music reproduction and only a little better at movies. These speakers retail for right at 600.00 and you can bet you'll rarely find them on sale. If you do, expect about $50.00 off as Bose is very proud of their muddy, boomy sound and poor quality (both sound and build). Try as you may, you will never see a spec sheet on a Bose speaker...because they are ashamed to publish the information.

Bottom line...buy something else. These speakers, literally, aren't worth 75.00. Don't even bother to listen to these speakers- they are truly terrible as is the entire Bose line. For the same price (and even less) you can obtain vastly superior sound. I suppose, however, that if boomy low mid-range and upper bass is your thing...so boomy you couldn't cut the sound with a chainsaw... these are perfect for you. Otherwise, try the speakers listed above in the "similar products used" section.

As an audiophile for over 10 years, I respect music and equipment and don't wish to seem to bash any product. I feel it necessary, however, in this case in hopes that Bose will wake up and make an effort to produce a product reflective of their asking price.

Similar Products Used:

NHT, Energy, Paradigm, Mirage, Infinity, Boston Acoustics,
B&W, Definitive Tech, Polk

size, sound

bass

I read all the reviews posted on here and I
thought these speakers must be awful, then I
decided to try them out for myself. I liked
them so much I bought a pair. I have been
very happy with them. I do have to admit the
bass could be better, but overall its still
a great speaker for the price. Please just
take the time listen for yourself and make
up your own mind. Enough Bose bashing!

Similar Products Used:

JBL and others

crisp, clear, very nice wide range sound. especially in classical/vocal sound range. otherwise, very sophysticated design stylish to be seen in your home. got lots compiments. i've seen and heard this system in my friends house and went out got myself the same system.

not enough bass sound, especially in the lower range piano keys. bass unit does not have a volume control is another weakness.

overall, this is a great and very beautiful system to have and show off to your friends. however, the only weakness is that you might want to buy another separate bass to enhance the heavy bass sound.

Style, can be used to stoke the fireplace when you're out of Duraflames, the metal top cap can be used to stub out cigars, might be mistaken for speakers at first glance.

Accurate sound reproduction, price, a quick way to waste 500 dollars.

Shame on Bose for marketing this poor excuse for an upscale loudspeaker. A perfect example of why a consumer new to a given product catagory must do their homework first. The Bose 501's are given a prominent display space in BB, CC and others. A newbie might be tempted to buy into the shameless hype and assume a big name like Bose is a safe buy. Buyer beware. All mid to high frequencies are handled by two paper whizzer cone drivers in the two to three inch range. Low end is handled by a 5-6 inch driver in a multichamber enclosure. The end result is little better than what you might get with a typical inexpensive boom box system. This wouldn't be so insulting were it not for the fact that for less than half the price true audiophile speakers can be had. For example, Paradigm Atoms with a PDR 10 sub can be had for about the price of the 501's. The difference in sound quality is immediately apparent and shocking. How about NHT SuperOnes and a Polk PSW 250? For that matter, the Klipsch Promedia 2.1's for about $180.00 or the Monsoon MM700 for about $149.00. The Klipsch is easily the equal in output and has better SQ, the Monsoon won't go as loud but sounds much more transparent than the 501's. Why doesn't Bose use some of it's resouces to pursue the design and manufacture of true audiophile speakers? It would be different if the 501's came from the design of a backyard designer building speakers in his or her spare time but Bose is a successful, multimillion dollar concern. Blech.

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge SoundWorks Ensembles, Paradigm Atoms, Legacy Classics and others.

Nice looking, sleak, cabinet doesn't shake.

Not very powerful, doesn't handle much wattage.

Overall, I think it's a pretty good speaker, just not good for rap, reggea, or anything else requiring bass response, but the bass is good for jazz, clasical, some R&B, home theater (with a seperate sub-woofer), etc.

I've had these speakers for years, and have played them at high volumes, and have yet to have a problem with a speaker blowing.

The speakers create a nice sound stage, and you can hear the stereo sound from anyplace inbetween the two speakers, including standing infront of one.

It would be nice if you could get into the speaker cabinet though. One of my children dropped a couple toys into the bass tube and they've been there for the last several years, because I can't take the cabinet apart below the midranges.

Small footprint, sleek design, spacious sound

Took some time to 'break in', highs were harsh for the first few months, they were a little more expensive than similar speakers

I did a lot of comparison shopping when looking for speakers for my house. Not being too audio savy, I made my purchase based solely on the speakers I thought sounded best. When I brought the 501's home and hooked them up, I have to say I was a little disappointed. However, I gave the speakers the benefit of the doubt, and kept them. I've owned them for 2 years now. I can sympathize with posters who have given these speakers bad reviews, but over time, these speakers sounded better and better. Not because I was getting used to them either. Many of my friends remark how suprisingy good the sound is. It's hard to explain, but my opinion of the speakers has changed with time, from one of complacency to complete satisfaction. Because of the time taken to 'break in' I don't feel these speakers are the best value, but in the end, I am most pleased with this purchase.

Similar Products Used:

Polk RT, JBL HLS, and Infinity RS series

I'm submitting this review to counter the poor review given by "A disturbed citizen." Either disturbed continued to buy every Bose product even after he decided they were crap or he's rating something that he doesn't really own. I'd advise him to stop posting falsified, biased reviews and to break out that dictionary he talked about and learn how to spell retarded and addict.

Thanks
Daniel

Small footprint

Sound, build quality

Look folks, this isn't Bose bashing. These speakers are just not very good when compared to other in the price range. There are many bookshelfs at the same price or less that outperform these speakers quite easily. The 701's are very bright in the highs, midrange simply does not exist, and the lows are boomy and mushy. Make a side by side comparison with other speakers in the same price range and on similar equipment and you won't be buying the 701's. They are just not worth the money that Bose asks. I would venture to say that at this price point, they offer the least performance of any of the speakers that I have heard. They are at best $300/pair speakers.

Similar Products Used:

JBL, Advent, Infinity, Klipsch, Paradigm

Size, Style, Sound

Not Enough Bass

I think that these speakers sound great. I have never had a problem with them. There could be more bass, but to say that they are the worst things you have ever heard. Gimme a break. "Singing into a tin can". How ignorant. They aren't the best I ever heard but not that bad. My DVD's sound great and CD's too.

They don't take up much room, I can't argue that.

5.25 inch woofer implemented to handle the bass requirements of a floor stander. They could have been designed better, there is more than enough room in the cabinet for a 2nd woofer, which would improve dynamics significantly. Some real tweeters wouldn't hurt either.

I am writing this review by request. My serious and somewhat less than serious reviews have become well known amongst the ranks of the Bose pros/cons war. originally I felt no reason to knock the average even lower than it already is, to tell the truth, this is one bose product I almost feel sorry for. When I see people raving about the 701 as if it was designed by god himself alongside adam and eve, I feel need to take immediate action. The reason? The 701 is a horrible peice of crap is why, the paradigm monitor floorstanders devastate the 701s in every aspect immaginable. For less money. The 501 is slightly different, I know of only a handfull of viable floorstanders that go for $500~$550. The B&W DM305s are one, but I've never heard them before. What I have heard are the DM602S2s, which are a large bookshelf speaker but totally shame the 501s and even 701s as far as I'm concerned. Bottom line? You can get alot more for a less money. If anyone would like suggestions don't hesitate to use the email function of this page, I actually put my address, so it'll work. As for the rating? It will be indicitive of someone who feels sorry for something....

Similar Products Used:

OLD technics studio monsters (monitors) are similar in design philosophy and materials.