Bose 161 Speaker System vs Bose 201 Series V Bookshelf Speakers

The 201 Series V is the bigger, fuller speaker: a 6.5-inch woofer and 2-inch tweeter in an MDF cabinet give it real bass and more output than the 161's two 2.5-inch Twiddler drivers. The 161 is the compact, wall-friendly choice, with included brackets and a sealed-in-box pair that suits surround duty or small rooms. Both are 8-ohm, 5-year-warranty Bose designs with Stereo Everywhere and protection circuitry; owners of the 201 line praise its spacious sound for the size, while the 161 is liked for disappearing on a wall but criticized for limited low end.

• Choose the Bose 161 if you need small wall-mountable speakers for surround channels or a desk, and want brackets and mounting hardware in the box.
• Choose the Bose 201 Series V if you want a main pair for music or a stereo setup and have shelf or stand space for a larger cabinet with a real woofer.