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Bose 301 Series III Bookshelf Speakers vs Bose 161 Speaker System

Buy the 301 Series III if you want big, room-filling sound from a shelf and have space for a wide cabinet. Buy the 161 if you need small wall-mountable speakers for surround duty or a desk, and want a current product with a 5-year warranty. The 301 is a 1991 vintage design with an 8-inch woofer and side-firing tweeters that throw a wide stage; owners prize its bass and party volume, but it is bulky, discontinued, and used units may need refoaming. The 161 is compact, protected against overdrive, and blends with Bose home-theater gear, but its 2.5-inch drivers give less bass and less output.

  • Choose the Bose 301 Series III if you want loud, bass-heavy two-channel sound for music in a mid-size room and can give each speaker shelf space and a little wall clearance.
  • Choose the Bose 161 if you need compact speakers that wall-mount, work as surrounds with a Bose center channel, and run safely on a modest amplifier.

Prices

  • Bose 301 Series III Bookshelf Speakers: $250.00 at The Turntable Store (last seen Nov 12)
  • Bose 161 Speaker System: $180.00 at USAV Solutions (last seen Nov 8)
  • Difference: the Bose 161 Speaker System is $70.00 cheaper than the Bose 301 Series III Bookshelf Speakers at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 12)
Bose
Bose 301 Series III Bookshelf Speakers

Bose 301 Series III Bookshelf Speakers

$250.00at The Turntable StoreChecked Nov 12
See all prices and details
Visit The Turntable Store
Pros
  • Strong bass and high output for a bookshelf speaker
  • Wide soundstage from side-firing tweeters
  • Handles up to 150 W per channel
  • Works with 4 to 8 ohm amplifiers
Cons
  • Discontinued 1991 design, sold used
  • Large cabinet needs shelf depth and wall clearance
  • No driver protection circuitry
  • Old foam surrounds may need replacing
Bose
Bose 161 Speaker System

Bose 161 Speaker System

$180.00at USAV SolutionsChecked Nov 8
See all prices and details
Visit USAV Solutions
Pros
  • Very small and wall-mountable with bracket included
  • Automatic protection against overdrive
  • Blends with Bose VCS-10 and Direct/Reflecting systems
  • 5-year warranty
Cons
  • Limited bass from 2.5-inch drivers
  • Lower maximum power handling
  • Best as surrounds or desktop speakers, not main speakers for a large room

What separates them

Bose 301 Series III Bookshelf SpeakersBose 161 Speaker System
Size and placementWide horizontal bookshelf cabinet with an 8-inch woofer; needs shelf depth and side-wall space5 in high, 4 in wide, 5 in deep, about 4 lb; sits on a desk or shelf or hangs on the included bracket
Driver layout8-inch long-throw woofer plus two 2-inch tweeters per speaker, one front and one side-firingTwo 2.5-inch Twiddler full-range drivers per speaker in an Articulated Array
Bass outputDeep bass for a bookshelf speaker, from the large woofer and Direct/Reflecting cabinetBass reflex enclosure helps, but 2.5-inch drivers limit low-end weight
Power handlingRated 10 to 150 W per channel, 75 W RMS; 4 to 8 ohm compatibleRecommended 10 to 100 W per channel; 8 ohm
Protection and reliabilityNo protection circuitry; vintage units often need woofer surrounds replacedAutomatic protection circuitry guards the drivers from overdrive
Home theater fitTwo-channel music speaker; not voiced to match Bose center channelsDesigned to blend with the VCS-10 center channel and Direct/Reflecting Bose systems
Warranty and availabilityDiscontinued model from 1991; sold used or refurbished, warranty depends on the sellerCurrent product with a 5-year warranty and included brackets and feet
SoundstageSide-firing tweeters bounce sound off walls for a wide, diffuse stageStereo Everywhere spreads sound across the room but from a much smaller cabinet

Prices at every store

Bose 301 Series III Bookshelf Speakers

  • eBayPre-owned

    In stockSold by logasmise-0

    $249.99Free shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit eBay
  • The Turntable StoreNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $250.00Checked Nov 12
    Visit The Turntable Store

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 2 stores and price history →

Bose 161 Speaker System

  • EtsyPre-owned

    In stock

    $36.82Checked Nov 12
    Visit Etsy
  • eBayPre-owned

    In stockSold by aluckyfindonline

    $59.95Free shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit eBay
  • mercari.comPre-owned

    In stock

    $47.99+ $17.29 shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit mercari.com
  • USAV SolutionsNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $180.00Checked Nov 8
    Visit USAV Solutions

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay

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All 8 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecBose 301 Series III Bookshelf SpeakersBose 161 Speaker System
ColorWhiteWhite
StyleBookshelfWall Mount
SetYesYes
Configuration2 Channel—
Max Wattage150 W—
Height—5 in high
Width—4 in wide
Drivers per speaker—Two full-range 2-1/2" drivers
Recommended power—10-100 watts
Impedance—8
Enclosure type—Bass Reflex
Connector type—Spring clip
Show all 17 specsShow fewer specs
SpecBose 301 Series III Bookshelf SpeakersBose 161 Speaker System
Depth—5
Weight—4
Bracket included—Yes
Warranty—5 years
Enclosure material—ABS enclosure

What reviewers say

Bose 301 Series III Bookshelf Speakers

Owners of the 301 Series III tend to praise its big, spacious sound and easy placement, and many keep pairs running for decades. Criticism centers on loose bass and imaging that favors width over accuracy, plus the upkeep old speakers need.

What people mention
  • SoundstagePraisedOwners say the side-firing tweeter spreads sound wide and fills a room.
  • BassMixedListeners find the 8-inch woofer full and punchy but sometimes boomy or loose.
  • ImagingCriticisedCritical listeners say the reflected sound blurs precise placement of instruments.
  • PlacementMixedThe sound depends heavily on how close the cabinets sit to walls and corners.

Bose 161 Speaker System

Owners of the Bose 161 generally describe a small speaker that fills a room more evenly than its size suggests, and many use them as surrounds in Bose setups. Criticism centers on limited bass and detail compared with bigger speakers.

What people mention
  • SoundstagePraisedOwners say the angled drivers spread sound widely so the whole room hears balanced audio.
  • BassCriticisedListeners find low end modest, even with the bass-reflex cabinet.
  • SizePraisedBuyers like that such small cabinets fill a room.
  • DetailMixedSome say highs and fine detail trail larger bookshelf speakers.

Questions and answers

Which is better for music in a living room?
The 301 Series III. Its 8-inch woofer and side-firing tweeters give more bass and a wider stage at higher volume. The 161 is better suited to background listening or surround duty.
Which is better for a home theater surround setup?
The 161. It is designed to blend with the Bose VCS-10 center channel and Direct/Reflecting systems, and its bracket makes surround placement easy.
Which lasts longer?
The 161 is the safer bet. It is current, has protection circuitry and a 5-year warranty. Used 301s are decades old and often need new woofer surrounds.
Is the 301 worth stepping up to over the 161?
Yes if you want full-range two-channel sound and have the space. If you need small, wall-mounted speakers or surrounds, the 161 is the better fit.
Can a low-power amplifier drive either one?
Both run on modest power. The 161 is rated from 10 W per channel; the 301 is rated from 10 W but needs more power to reach its potential.
Do the 301s need special placement?
Yes. The side-firing tweeters rely on nearby walls, so keep some clearance to the sides and avoid burying them in a closed shelf.

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