Bose is a pioneer in audio technology and has been continuously striving to achieve better through research and innovation. It has been doing this for more than five decades now and has an extensive range of devices including headphones, speakers, and more across several technologies and applications.
Bose speakers not only produce clean and compelling sound but also reflect an equally impressive aesthetic. Over the past years, the brand has introduced some really powerful and innovative wireless speakers and sound systems to deliver a premium home theatre surround sound, whether you are listening to the radio or compact discs or streaming live music.
Today, we review one of the most popular of Bose offerings, the 141 bookshelf speaker, and take a closer look at its features, specs, and benefits.
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Table of Contents
Bose 141 Review – UPDATED 2021
Bose enjoys a reputation for delivering consistent, high-quality sound across a range of frequencies and listening areas. The Bose 141 bookshelf speakers are designed to be used as home stereo speakers in small to medium-sized rooms or as rear surround home theatre speakers with a component surround sound system.
Specifically aimed at delivering the high-fidelity sound users would generally expect from bigger, costly speakers, the Bose 141 bookshelf speakers offer the much-loved Bose sound quality at an affordable price. These compact and sturdy speakers are no less than high-end speakers in terms of performance and design but are easy on the pocket.
The Driver
Each Bose 141 speaker is powered by a patented StarDriver full-range driver that broadcasts a deep, full bass and crisp clear highs. The StarDriver is a result of five-year-long research and uses a unique star-shaped surround that produces smooth equalization.
The driver combines with a tuned slot port to deliver accurate, fuller sound. This innovative driver design reduces turbulence to a great extent, allowing you to enjoy an appealing reproduction with deep lows, clear highs, and spacious Mids.
The StarDriver features a composite cone structure for increased durability and response time as compared to traditional low-quality paper or other cone materials. Another difference in the Bose driver is the use of a copper-clad pole piece for an extended high-frequency range. In simple words, the brand’s commitment to quality means your speakers sound better and last longer than expected.
Design
The Bose 141 speaker has a classic grey look in a sleek profile. Its compact size and classic styling ensure it fits most tables, countertops, and shelves and blends into any décor. Each speaker in the set measures 6×9.75×6.5 inches and weighs 2kg. The speakers are compatible with receivers and amplifiers rated 10 to 80 watts per channel and 4-8 ohms.
Sound
The Bose 141 bookshelf speaker has a small, ported cabinet design with an extended bass response that delivers clearer, deeper low notes. It offers a high-quality sound reproduction over a wide range of frequencies owing to the use of Bose proprietary driver. The polymer fiber composite 4.5-inch full-range driver with silicon surround ensures a consistent output over a wider range of frequencies.
You can use the speaker as a primary stereo system or as additional speakers for your home theatre system to get the terrific sound quality you would expect from high-end speakers. It is perfect for playing deeper low notes and delivers sharpness and clarity of intricate details when listening to music. Even when the speakers are used to play electronic music, the deep bass trebles the melodies and you can enjoy soothing music.
Bose 141 Specifications
Connectivity – wired
Mounting type – tabletop
Weight – 4.4lbs
Height – 6in
Width – 9.75in
Depth – 6.5in
RMS power – 10W
Impedance – 8ohm
Warranty – 5 years
Bose 141 Manual
The Bose 141 speaker system ships with a user manual that provides comprehensive instructions on setting up, connecting, and maintaining the speakers so that they deliver the finest sound for an optimum listening experience.
Here are some of the usage directions mentioned in the user manual.
Location Selection
The Bose 141 bookshelf speakers take up little space and can easily be accommodated on a table or shelf. To ensure the best performance, the speakers should be placed 1.5m apart. They should be positioned within 18 inches of the wall behind them.
They should also be kept at least 2 feet from a video screen to avoid interference. These speakers are designed to be placed on a stand or table. Smooth surfaces like wood, glass, or marble can cause vibrations, so make sure you attach adhesive rubber feet to the bottom of the speaker for stability.
Speaker Connection
To connect the speakers, position the port of each speaker toward the side of the room. As you face them, the one on the right should connect to the right speaker channel of the amplifier. Choose the most appropriate cord for the speaker, generally a standard zip cord available at hardware stores. Turn off the amplifier or receiver and unplug it from the outlet before making a connection.
Testing
To ensure that your speakers operate correctly, set the receiver or amplifier to MONO and turn it on. Next, adjust the balance control to the center position and place the speakers less than 6 inches apart, facing each other. Play some deep bass through the speaker and listen. The sound should feel like coming from somewhere between the two speakers and the bass should sound full and natural. If it does not, there is a chance that your connections are not right. You can try reversing the + and – connections on the rear of one of the speakers to match the connections. Repeat the testing process and test the speakers again.
Troubleshooting
In case you face any problem with your Bose 141 speakers, turn off the receiver or amplifier and check the connections between the device and the speakers. Go through the user manual of your receiver or amplifier to find out whether the component is responsible for the problem.
If one of the speakers doesn’t play sound, the reason can be a defective cord. To confirm, switch the speaker cords and play them again. If the original faulty speaker now works properly, the cord is defective and should be replaced. Another reason can be a defect in the speaker or receiver channel. Switch the cords at the speaker end and check if the speaker plays properly. If not, the speaker is faulty and should be repaired. If the speaker starts playing, there is a problem with the channel of the receiver.
If both the speakers don’t play sound, the problem should be a defective receiver or amplifier. You can try connecting the speakers to another receiver or amplifier that works well.
Bose 141 Vs 201 – How They Compare?
Both 141 and 201 are bookshelf speakers from Bose designed to complement a home theatre system for high-quality sound. While the Bose 201 features a compact and sleek profile just like the 141 speakers, the former is slimmer in design and suits smaller rooms better. These component speakers connect easily to any stereo receiver or amplifier. However, the Bose 201 speaker is compatible with receivers and amplifiers rated from 10 to 120 watts per channel rated 4-8 ohms.
Bose 201 Direct/Reflecting speaker system
The two speaker models differ in many ways including the driver design. The Bose 141 uses a StarDriver driver with a composite cone while the 201 has a 6.5-inch woofer and a 2-inch tweeter that uses precisely angled drivers for a balanced stereo sound. The stereo speaker also features the proprietary Direct/Reflecting speaker technology to create a mix of direct and reflected sound for a live performance-like experience.
The Bose 141 and 201 speakers feature a compact bookshelf design that blends into any décor. The Bose 201 differs with a polymer and vinyl veneer over wood construction with light cherry or black finish as compared to the black vinyl veneer in 141. It also comes with an automatic protection circuitry that prevents the drivers from getting over-driven thereby improving reliability while minimizing interference to the listening experience.
Conclusion
The Bose 141 is a compact, lightweight bookshelf speaker that delivers accurate sound at a budget-friendly price. Whether you use them as home stereo speakers in small listening rooms or as additional speakers for a home theatre system, they make a solid addition to any sound system, delivering the performance you would expect from expensive, high-end speakers.
