When it comes to wall-mounted outdoor speakers, one of the very best will definitely be Bose 251. They sound great and are very durable environmental speakers. The Bose 251 speakers are very highly rated and were given rave reviews by their satisfied customers. Such exceptional outdoor speakers like Bose 251 will still need equally impressive amps to power them.
Without a matching and high-quality amplifier to drive the Bose 251 speakers, they may not sound as good as they should be. To find the right amp for Bose 251, we will need to learn more about their strengths and sonic prowess. Once we have this information, we will then start listing out the best amps to match with these environmental speakers.
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Sound Characteristics and Merits of Bose 251 speakers
We would never have thought that outdoor speakers could look this elegant and stylish, the curved form not only makes Bose 251 look stunning but it also helps to produce an extremely wide sound field (Articulated Array). They would look great at any patio, pool, or yard, heck, you might even treat them as decorations that produce sweet music. The Bose 251 are also extremely durable speakers, able to withstand snow, rain, salt fog, etc. And also temperature extremes of 140° F (60°C) to -22° F (-30°C). The Bose 251 speaker consists of the following drive units, two 2.5″ environmental Twiddler drivers and one 5.25″ environmental woofer. These outdoor speakers are compatible with amps/AVRs that have a power output of 10W-200W per channel into 4 to 8 ohms.
The recommended amplifier has a wide range but we shouldn’t go for low-powered amps, just to be on the safe side. Especially if you want to play them at high volumes, and the Bose 251 speakers can go really loud. The sound field is quite large for an outdoor speaker of this size and the sweet spot is wide as well which is amazing for outdoor events in your yard. The sweet spot and stereo imaging are not as focused as a pair of conventional speakers though but it is still clear and details are audible.
More Details at Amazon – Bose 251 Environmental Outdoor Speakers
The vocals of the Bose 251 speakers are amazing in an outdoor environment, it has clarity and doesn’t sound unnatural. The way the vocals and instruments are projected covers a wide area and will be great for outdoor parties. The bass reproduction is surprisingly ample, it is not deep but there is weight. It is agile as well and doesn’t sound boomy, it will start to drop off when you start moving away from the Bose 251 outdoor speakers though. Still, it is sufficient for casual event and if you really need more bass, then probably should get an outdoor subwoofer.
The outdoor environment also affects the overall music presentation, the bass frequency may significantly roll off even though it is just a slight distance away from the speakers, probably due to objects/outdoor decors. To fill in the gaps, an outdoor subwoofer will help or by adding in more Bose 251 speakers so that the outdoor area can be ‘fully’ covered. Bose 251 speakers have clean and smooth music delivery, definitely one of the very best when it comes to environmental speakers. They are also extremely tough which allows them to serve their function without you worrying about the weather. We have the data we need, it is time to share with you the best amps to match Bose 251 speakers.
Bose 251 Specifications
- Speaker Enclosure: Dual-port molded polypropylene composite
- Drive Units: Two 2.5″ environmental Twiddler drivers and one 5.25″ environmental woofer
- Speaker Sensitivity: 88dB (estimated)
- Power Handling: 10-200 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 4/8 Ohms
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 343mm x 146mm x 203mm, 13.5″ x 5.7″ x 8″
- Weight: 3.6kg (8lbs)
Best Amps to pair with Bose 251
One of the best amps to match with Bose 251 speakers will be the Sonos Amp. With the recent boost in power from 55 Watts to 125 Watts (8 Ohms), it has more than enough power to really drive your Bose 251 speakers. Two notable features will be the subwoofer output with adjustable crossover settings of 50-110 Hz which is great, and there is also access to dozens of streaming services via the Sonos app. The Sonos Amp has an impressive ability to project a three-dimensional soundstage and is capable of delivering engaging music with impeccable imaging. It is a suitable match for your Bose 251 speakers.
More Details at Amazon – Sonos Amp – Versatile Amplifier
The Bose 251 speakers are designed to be pair with Bose Soundtouch SA-5 amplifier and since both are from the same company, they most definitely work well together. If you love the Bose house sound, then the Bose Soundtouch SA-5 is really the amp to go for. It has the muscles to drive your Bose 251, producing low distortion and clean sound quality. You can even hook up to 4 Bose outdoor speakers for a wider dispersion of stereo quality sound. This is also probably the safest amplifier to pair with your Bose 251 speakers without compromising its sound signature.
More Details at Amazon – Bose SoundTouch SA-5 Amplifier
The Yamaha RX-V685 is one of the best AV receivers based on the sonic performance and price point, it is mid-tier AVR that has the power to drive your Bose 251 speakers. The clarity and transparency of the RX-V685 will complement the 251 speakers really well, which makes the sound a bit more lively with clear music delivery. The AV receiver also has a powerful presentation with highly defined music details and is even clearer when using the Pure Direct mode. Still, for outdoor usage, you might want to increase the bass and treble so that the Bose 251 speakers can produce fuller sound into your yard, patio, etc.
More Details at Amazon – Yamaha RX-V685 7.2-Channel AV Receiver
If you are already planning to get an AV receiver for your own home cinema setup then might as well get the latest model. The Marantz SR8015 will be an amazing choice, at 2 channels driven, the power output is at 140 Watts (8 Ohms), this AVR is more than enough to drive your Bose 251 speakers. You also get to enjoy 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz pass-through, not to mention, the latest surround sound formats such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced, etc., when you watch your favorite movies at home. The sound quality and immersion of the Marantz SR8015 are one of the finest, the musical attributes of this AV receiver will be passed through Bose 251 speakers and produce beautiful music to your home outdoors.
More Info at Amazon – Marantz SR8015 11.2 Channel AV Receiver
Sometimes you might have very limited space to set up an amp for your outdoor speakers, the NAD D 3045 will be an ideal digital amplifier for you. It is a very compact amp and is meant to be positioned vertically which makes it very easy to fit the D 3045 amp in any tight place. The power output is good as well for the size, along with their IHF dynamic power, it can provide more power to handle most music peaks. There are plenty of features too, such as a built-in DAC to play Hi-Res audio files, Moving Magnet Phono preamp for your turntable, and more. The sonic characteristic of NAD D 3045 is suitable for your Bose 251 speakers too.
More Info at Amazon – NAD D 3045 HybridDigital DAC/Amplifier
The Denon PMA-600NE is a great choice as a budget integrated amp which you can use to power your Bose 251 speakers. This amp comes with a plethora of features and a dedicated subwoofer output for you to connect to an outdoor active sub. Denon AVR-S540BT is another AV receiver that you can go for if your budget is tight, it is highly rated by customers so you can be assured of its quality. If you are planning to get power amplifiers then perhaps Emotiva amps will be for you, as they design high-performance amps which are sanely priced. Just check out BasX A2 Stereo Amplifier and you will know what we mean by price-vs-performance. They also have higher grade amplifiers and they are still sanely priced.
More Info at Amazon – Denon PMA-600NE Stereo Integrated Amplifier
More Info at Amazon – Denon AVR-S540BT 5.2 channel Receiver – 4K Ultra HD
To Sum It Up
The Bose 251 is one of the best sounding and most durable outdoor speakers you can get your hands on, and you’ll just need a high-quality amplifier to drive them. The listed amp and AV receivers are some of the best and you should check them out. Do go for an audition and if possible in an outdoor setting. Hear them out and see if you like what you hear. Feel free to use this list of amps as references or use it to do a side-by-side comparison with other amplifiers/AV receivers.
