Bose 701 Main / Stereo Speaker

Original review date: December, 2002

The Bose Corporation has made some pretty fantastic products over the years from their top of the line 901 speaker system to the outstanding 601 Series I, II and III floorstanders of the 70's, 80's and 90's to the wonderful Bose 301 bookshelf models to the great Acoustimass cubes with bass module HT systems. Innovation and breaking the rules have been trademarks of this manufacturer since day one and it has paid off big time by satisfying millions of proud speaker owners over the co.'s 40 year history. Bose is currently involved in a project where a transducer can actually reproduce a cannon shot at a real life listening level! Those that have heard [and survived!] the prototype are immediately amazed and dumbstruck by the effect.

However, lately there has been perceived among both Bose lovers and haters a more than noticeable drop off in speaker quality and I think that the current line of floorstanders is the culprit. The original Bose 701 [although not as good as the 601 Series I thru III models of yesteryear] did indeed give the buyer a reasonable amount of direct/reflecting spacious sound quality for their money. The Series II on the other hand is clearly not as good as its predecessor and one can immediately perceive a rather pronounced drop in overall sound quality despite the fact that the transducer is given its own dedicated built-in bass module with active amplifier and also the fact that the cabinet itself has been redesigned to fit into a wider variety of decor arrangements and rooms themselves in general.

The Bose 701 Series II boasts the following specifications and features:
Direct/Reflecting speaker technology
Stereo Everywhere sound
Automatic protection circuitry
Syncom computer tested
Mirror imaged pairs
Buit-in Subwoofer Active amplifier [located in Left Main Speaker cabinet]
[1] 8" woofer
[1] 6 1/2" midrange driver
[1] 2" tweeter
[1] 3" tweeter
Power handling: 300 watts
Finish: Deep charcoal or Natural wood grain
Dimensions: 39" H x 8" W x 16 1/2" D
Weight: 50 lbs. Left Main speaker...45 lbs. Right Accessory speaker

The Bose 701 Series II loudspeaker is designed to be placed along the wall of your listening room . Each model may now be placed further away from the center [where many wide screen tv's would reside] but still with at least one foot of space from the rear and adjacent walls. Although appropriate for Home Theater use, keep the speakers at least two feet away from the tv as they are not shielded.

Use a good quality 16ga. OFC [Oxygen Free Copper] speaker cable for each speaker and follow Bose's instructions for connecting the two speakers' Interconnect for activating the subwoofer amplifier.

Right off the bat, there are two major differences between Series I and II. Series I had no sub amplifier and the tower itself differed in that it could be placed with its back flat to the wall. The Series II is designed to fit closer to the adjacent walls but do keep at least one foot of space around the speakers for the reflecting sound.

With the speakers setup in this fashion inside a 12' x 15 ' room the listening tests were conducted by yours truly. I spent a good deal of the past summer listening to these speakers and no matter what adjustment I made on both the Bass control located on the outside of the Left speaker or the LFE level control the sound was predominantly overcome by phony bass coloration and not enough natural deep bass. This was extremely difficult for me to accept as I was not accustomed to this phony sound coming out of Bose speakers.

Transients are not as clear and snappy as I would expect and there is some rather pronounced smearing on cymbals. There seem to be no subtleties or overtones unveiled by the system and I thought that to be a rather serious shortcoming of the somewhat expensive speakers. Not believing my ears at first, I decided to give the 701 Series II more time to break in and maybe that would solve the unusually bad listening qualities I was perceiving.

Unfortunately time just made things worse as the dreaded disease known as Listening Fatigue started to overpower my extensive auditioning at which point I stopped the torture and formed my viewpoint.

These speakers produce a rather honk nasal quality on voices and program matter containing strong upper bass material. To make matters worse there is also a very distinct shrill quality to the treble range and backing off the tone control does not solve the problem.

Bose speakers are famous for reproducing musical recordings with impact and clarity. The only impact the 701 II will make will be on your finances. The Stereo Targeting tweeters sound more like they are targeting your wallet than your ears! The only thing that is clear is the fact that this is a very sub-par speaker system. The speakers just do not sing like the competitively priced Vandersteen 1C or even the considerably lower priced Sony SS-MB650H for under $200 p/pr. or the SS-MB750H at under $250 p/pr.

I know from past experience Bose makes quality electronics but for some strange reason I just do not get that impression with the subwoofer amp on the 701 II. I just don't trust it.

Listening to all genres of music through the speakers only made me wish for my reference system instead. These speakers, although sold at Best Buy are indeed no way a best buy themselves. Even at the discount price of $700, they are still a poor choice. Because Best Buy does not carry the Bose 901 Series VI, many people are going to think that the Bose 701 Series II is the top of the line model. This is simply not so as the co. decided that the 901 would always be the designation for their top speaker model.

I guess the speaker can handle a good amount of clean power from my Parasound amp but it still projects a constricted quality on majestic orchestral works. The speakers simply give a portrayal of music being squeezed through a syringe! The spacious quality Bose is noted for is utterly lacking. Even the lower priced 301 Series V is a much better speaker!

On the other hand, I must commend Bose for the very well written and extensive Owner's Manual. This is at least in vast contrast to Sony's poorly written manuals.

I have to wonder if Amar Bose had anything to do with the current model as his magic from his other creations is severely missing in the 701 Series II. No wonder people perceive Bose as slipping in quality!

Update: Feb. 27,2004: Since the original release of this review a year and a half ago, Bose has indeed dropped the 701 Series II from production and any remaining models can be had for quite a discount. I stand by my original review and state to you that even under these circumstances, they are still in no way a best buy!