The Bottom Line: I recommend these speakers to anyone who wants extremely good sound and imaging. I would no recommend to Heavy-Metal listeners since they are not bullet proof.

My Bose 301 Speakers were gifted at Christmas around 3 years ago now. I was debating weather to ask for the 301 or some Cerwin Vega bookshelf speakers. I ended up asking for the Bose 301 Series 5 because for $328.95 USD because they had excellent reviews on the internet. I am glad that I have picked the Bose 301 bookshelf speakers. They have been the clearest sounding deep bass speakers I have ever heard! The Bose 301 are rated from 10 W to 150 W at 4 or 8 Ohms. The Bose 301 also come with a 5 Year Warranty from Bose.

Features:
My Bose 301 Bookshelf speakers feature one 2” rear-firing tweeter which “propels” sound from the back as well as the side of the speaker. It also features a 8” Long-excursion Woofer which moves sound waves like nobody’s business! The Stereo targeting tweeters use precisely angled 2” tweeters which gives you lifelike spaciousness throughout the listening area. In case you are still green behind the ears like me; Bose has incorporated an Automatic Protection circuitry which prevents the drivers from being overdriven. Having a Direct/Reflecting speaker blends reflected sound which creates much of a live concert’s natural spaciousness. You may order the Bose 301 in either the light Cherry or Black wood grain finish.

Put To The Test:
I have played genres from Heavy Metal to Jazz. No matter what you play; the Bose 301 will play repeatedly. Even though Bose will not rate these speakers (frequency range); I have played up to 21KHz and as low as 20 Hz (that I could still hear). The Bose 301 sure have a good “thump” to them. I took the protective mesh off of the massive 8” woofer while playing some Rock and Roll. I played the music at 0db on My Onkyo receiver and the 8” woofer was sure getting its exercise of the day! I don’ t like playing rough music that loud for to long but I'm sure the Bose 301 would have taken that abuse without a hiccup.

In The Box:
In the box; you will find 2 Bose 301 Speakers as well as some self-adhesive rubber feet. You will also find an instruction manual with all the protective measures and wiring size you should use when using the Bose 301.

Dimensions:
Each speaker in 9.75 Height X 14.25 Width X 9.75 in Dept. (24.8 cm x 36.2 cm x 24.8 cm). Each speaker weights 12.5 lbs (5.7 kg)

Accessories:
For around $90; you can buy bookshelf speaker floor stands (from Bose). If you rather wall mount the Bose 301; for less that $20, you can buy bookshelf speaker wall brackets (from Bose)

Bose 301 Vs 201
I have tried the Bose 201 Speakers $218.95 USD and have put them threw the same test as my 301. For the extra $100 USD; without a doubt, get the Bose 301. The 201 have a 6” Woofer, 2” Tweeter but no Rear-Firing speaker (which is greatly noticeable) The Bose 301 Speakers have a real like sound that the Bose 201 just can’t seem to produce. Even though the Bose 201 Speakers would be a great improvement over the “Wal-Mart” $20 speaker; The Bose 201 are just not the Bose 301.

To Conclude:
I hope My Bose 301 last for a very long time. They are a no comparison over what I hear anywhere else. The project the sound very nicely and evenly throughout the room and they pump a spectacular amounts of bass. If you are planning on playing Heavy Metal music at unbearable volumes each day; I would not recommend these speakers to you. Even though the Bose 301 will probably take that abuse; I do not think they would take it for many years. If you are planning on using these speakers just for when you want to play some music at bareble volumes or want to watch a concert; the Bose 301 would suite your lifestyle just fine.