Bose 301-V Stereo Loudspeakers vs Bose 251 SE Outdoor Speakers

Buy the 301-V for indoor listening in a room where you want big, room-filling sound from a wood cabinet. Buy the 251 SE if the speakers will live outside, on a patio or by a pool, where weather resistance matters more than cabinet size. The 301-V is the older bookshelf design with an 8-inch woofer and a 5-year warranty; the 251 SE is a sealed outdoor speaker with a smaller 5.25-inch woofer, a molded composite shell and wall-mount hardware. Owners of both praise the wide, easy sound, but the 251 SE trades some bass weight for durability.

• Choose the Bose 301-V if the speakers stay indoors and you want a wood-cabinet bookshelf pair with a larger woofer and a long warranty.
• Choose the Bose 251 SE if the speakers go outdoors, on a wall or near water, and need to survive weather year-round.