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A versatile choice for both listening to music and appreciating the sonic splendor of big-budget blockbusters, the Bose 161 multipurpose speaker system offers topnotch sound in an elegant package. Unlike conventional speakers, which radiate sound in a single direction, these speakers use Bose's Articulated Array and Stereo Everywhere technologies to project sound throughout the entire room, so listeners in the corner can appreciate the same subtleties as those in the middle. In addition, the proprietary Twiddler drivers (two 2.5-inch drivers in each enclosure) make the speakers sound much larger than they actually are. The end result is a consistently impressive sound field that simulates the cinema experience. Meanwhile, the speakers' actual size--they measure 11 inches wide by 4.12 inches tall--belies their big sound, so you can store them easily in compact locations, such as small dorm rooms or crowded offices. They even come with mounting brackets for installing on a wall or ceiling. The speakers' sleek black housing also blends into practically any décor. Additional features include magnetic shielding, which protects your TV from video interference, and automatic overdrive protection. The speakers are computer tested for quality and reliability and carry a five-year warranty from Bose. What's in the Box Left speaker, right speaker, mounting brackets, self-adhesive rubber feet, user's manual.
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 This Speaker Stuns Its Audience |
| Review Date: March 18, 2006 |
| Reviewer: El Lagarto, Sandown, NH |
Admittedly I'm a music lover, not a technophile. I'm more interested in Charlie Watts than I am in watts per channel. But my ear is well tuned and I know what sounds good. It would seem that there is some Bose backlash out there; perhaps in response to the Rolls Royce reputation it's carried through the years. I don't know, and frankly I don't care.
I will tell you that I bought my pair not as part of a surround system but as bookshelf speakers for my small home office and I couldn't be happier. They're attractive, have a low profile, and provide total range at all volumes. I tested them in the store with CDs that had lots of challenging highs, sizzling cymbals, that sort of thing. The definition was clear as can be. When you crank them up the sound holds together beautifully, no mud, no distortion. I find that solo piano is another good way to test speaker clarity, I went with The Koln Concert by Keith Jarrett and the results were mesmerizing.
As far as bass response is concerned, good grief, what's the fuss? Even at low volumes I can hear Mingus plucking the strings, when I listen carefully I can even hear him dropping ironic hints. As to the higher register, that's where the clarity of these speakers really shines, Stephanie Mills soars and swoops like an angel.
Then of course there are those irresponsible moments when I simply must blow off a little steam. Out comes the Coltrane, Ayler, Dolphy, Hendrix, Winter, Tower Of Power and up goes the volume. The desk toys start dancing because everything in the room is vibrating. Even then, these unassuming monsters deliver like tomorrow might never come. I've held minority opinions in the past and I'll hold another here, as far as I'm concerned these speakers are fantastic and actually under-priced. |
Incredible how people rate without testing
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| Review Date: December 22, 2004 |
| Reviewer: James Bond, San Juan, Puerto Rico |
DO NOT listen to the 2 reviews giving these speakers a 1 rating. As you can see they aren't directed to this product, meaning those 2 dudes who claim to know audio greatly, haven't even tested these out. They say Bose is based on 1960 technologies and use cheap materials, but then tell me why people who have owned Bose speakers for over 25 years still have them and work like new? Tell me also why my 3 year old Bose Mediamates, my over 1 year old Bose Quietcomfort headphones, my less than 3 months old Bose Wave Music System, my less than 8 months old Bose Freestyle and Bose Companion 3, all sound like new and perform like new, even after I've pushed them way further than what they are meant to do with my A/V receiver. Also tell me if they use "cheap untreated paper" for their drivers, why did I look inside my Bose Freestyle's speaker and found an almost plastic material on the drivers? And if their sound is sooo old from the 60s, why does it sound so rich, full, clear, crisp, lifelike and bassy?
Outside of that, these speakers are great and VERY cheap in price. Anyone who says these should be any cheaper is insane. They do a heck of a job, and Ive tested them a couple of times in many stores. The only reason I havent bought them yet is because I dont have enough money to also buy the Bose 601 Towers, and the Bose VCS-10 Center Channel Speaker. For now I'll keep my Bose Freestyle, which is really a 2.1 but sounds just as if it was a 5.1 speaker setup. Also for the bass, I understand youd like more bass, but that is a subwoofer's job. These have nice and enough bass for their purpose and size. Anyway, you can't expect much bass at all from the Rear Channels, the bass is mainly on the Center, Left and Right channels. Remember Bose CLEARLY says these aren't main/front speakers, they are surround/rear speakers. You can use them as main ones but make sure to have a sub if you want deep vibrating bass, or get other Bose speakers such as the 301s. Bose, the best in sound. |
Excellent for Surround channel
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| Review Date: July 19, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Michael Secour, San Francisco, CA USA |
These speakers are really intended for use as surround speakers. I recently upgraded my 5.1 receiver to an Onkyo 7.1 with 100 watts per channel. I've been using Klipsch speakers L/R and Center and Boston for the side surround in my existing set-up. My home theater room is not large, about 13 by 20. I thought it would be nice to add the two rear speakers to my existing surround set-up. I am a professional musician and a movie buff. Quality as well as versatility are both critical for my listening. My son (also a musician) already uses Bose 161s for his surround set-up and recommended them. I have not been disappointed. I tested them with some of my THX encoded DVDs and as rear channel speakers they fit in seamlessly.
I can't testify to the performance of these speakers as primary speakers. Some people have used them this way with apparent success, but Bose really did intend these as surround speakers and for those on a budget or dealing with limited space they are ideal for the intended purpose. As surround speakers I rate them 5 stars. |
Bose Speakers
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| Review Date: November 11, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Michael L. Kuk, Fort Polk, Louisiana |
| Without question these little Bose Speakers are anything but little when it comes to sound. They are the perfect compliment to making my sound system a 5.1 theater of enjoyment. They are compact enough to be placed and/or mounted in any type of room. You can stop looking around...just go and buy yourself a set...you'll be pleased. |
Please... their small surround speakers give me a break!
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| Review Date: August 16, 2004 |
| Reviewer: M. Winterer, |
Ok to all the "audio buffs" that have written reviews on this proudct one word "Cheap".
Ok you take a 2.5" main speaker and expect true bass?!? What planet are you living on?
I purchaced these speakers to replace my old JBL surrounds that did the exact same job! Back up the other speakers as a rear surround. The clarity is surpassed by brands like Harmon Kardon and Pioneer Elite, but dont expect to shell out only 150$ for a pair of those. They run around six to seven hundered dollars per speaker!
First you cannot buy a speaker to do a job it was not intended to do. The speaker has a true sound that makes you feel warm and cosy. At 100W peak RMS you can turn it up and hear the high end just sing!
If you want Bass get a subwoofer, or a pair of mains with a couple of big woofers. Or do like I do and get both :) But if your looking for a quality proudct that will last and give you a clear tone and low distortion(like none) then get these speakers. |
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