Bose 401 speakers

[John Thomas]

Since we're doing equipment reviews at the moment let me ask about the
Bose 401's I just saw at a local thrift store here for $300. They
look to be in good condition, and many seem to consider these the
cream of the early Bose line, but I see them selling for half that on
eBay (plus, however, considerable shipping) and wonder if $300 is
really a good price. What do you think?

[wkasimer]

I don't know the model in question, but I doubt that any 20 year-old
Bose speaker is worth $300. In any event, be sure to remove the
grilles and make sure that the cones aren't disintegrating. Judging
from eBay listings, I'd say that you shouldn't pay more than about
$150 if they're in great shape. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than
$50, but I'm not a Bose fan.

Bill

[herman]

On 19 oct, 21:12, John Thomas <abrasax...@gmail.com> wrote:
> wonder if $300 is
> really a good price.  What do you think?

$30

[John Thomas]

> Billor

Thanks, Bill. I've been researching these and other Bose models since
my post and it appears they're both overpriced and too bass heavy for
a classical listener who financially is only a member of the top 98
percent.

But since this thread is now open I wonder if I could get some
recommendations for decent speakers in this price range. I've
recently upgraded my system from modest to average and still need to
find the right speakers. Most of you have better speakers but maybe
you've got recent experience with something in my range.

[Abbeddrose Bierce]

On Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:47:38 -0700 (PDT), wkasimer
<wkas...@comcast.net> wrote:

>but I doubt that any 20 year-old
>Bose speaker is worth $300

Please join the real world

Abbedd

[wkasimer]

On Oct 19, 4:39 pm, John Thomas <abrasax...@gmail.com> wrote:

> But since this thread is now open I wonder if I could get some
> recommendations for decent speakers in this price range.  I've
> recently upgraded my system from modest to average and still need to
> find the right speakers.  Most of you have better speakers but maybe
> you've got recent experience with something in my range.

Best idea is probably to visit a real audio store, if you have one
near you, and audition things. If you don't have one nearby (there
aren't that many left), you're kind of stuck.

Stick to brands that are known for speakers; technology tends to
"trickle down" from their higher-priced speakers. Brands that I've
found to be consistently good are Paradigm and Dali; Paradigm are sold
pretty widely, and they have speakers at all price points. Dali is
harder to find. B&W also makes a wide range of speakers.

And don't be afraid to buy used. I've bought (and sold) a few things
on Audiogon (www.audiogon.com), without any problem. For example, I
can highly recommend these speakers:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1322778091&/Thiel-CS-1.2-pair

I've had a pair of Thiel 1.2's for more than 20 years. The sounded
good with my old equipment, and every time I upgrade something, they
sound better. I don't plan to ever get rid of mine; if I ever replace
them, I'll simply move them to my office.

I just did a search on Audiogon, for speakers between $200 and $400,
and there are some nice bargains. You can also search by location, if
you'd rather buy locally. I just put in the first two numbers of my
zip code.

Bill

[Steve Emerson]

In article
<8790455a-93e8-4daa...@v8g2000pro.googlegroups.com>,

A couple of basic aids to selection:

Type of speaker. "Bookshelf" or "monitor" speakers are only going to
sound good if you put them on stands; actual speaker stands, not chairs,
tables etc. Something rigid. Often, the price of a bookshelf speaker
combined with that of stands will exceed the price of a floorstanding
speaker, which will tend to outperform a bookshelf speaker in the low
frequencies, to boot. There can be some dividends at the high end and
in the midrange, but if you listen to any orchestral music at all, those
dividends will be outweighed by the problem of lesser lows. So, if you
can find space in the room, use floor-standing speakers (or "tower"
speakers).

Second, power. If you don't have an expensive amplifier/receiver, look
for speakers that are "efficient," i.e. sensitivity of ca. 89 dB or
above, and that are not a difficult load, i.e., a load of not less than
6 ohms.

Speakers by the following Canadian brands tend to be good value, partly
because at one point the government there subsidized the industry in
some way: Paradigm, Energy, Athena, Sound Dynamics, PSB (the latter
unfortunately tending to 4-ohm loads).

Audio Advisor (audioadvisor.com), with free shipping, is a good
mail-order source. Their low-priced Mordaunt Short speakers look
promising.

If you can somehow identify a model that appeals to you, Audiogon is an
excellent way to save yourself some money.

SE.

[John Thomas]

Thanks once again to Bill, and to Steve, for their thoughtful and very
helpful replies.