BOSE 151
ENVIRONMENTAL SPEAKERS OWNERS GUIDE
AM171297_09_V.pdf July 15, 2003

Customer information

The serial numbers on my 151 speakers are: and I purchased them on: from:

Table of contents

How and where to use Bose 151 speakers.. 3 Decide where you want the speakers.. 4 Unpack the speakers.. 5 How to hook up Bose 151 speakers. 5 Choose the speaker cord.. 5 Use the cord properly.. 6 Make the connections.. 6

Retailer

Check the connections.. 7 Test the connections.. 7

Address

Accessories.. 8 How to maintain Bose 151 speakers.. 8 Protect the connections. 8 How to clean the speakers.. 8

Telephone

How to check out problems. 9 Warranty period. 9 For information. 10 Technical information.. 11
Thank you for purchasing Bose 151 environmental speakers. Their proprietary Bose technologies and all-weather construction offer you listening enjoyment both indoors and out.
How and where to use Bose 151speakers
Bose 151 speakers are designed to meet the challenges of year-round outdoor use. They can deliver Bose quality sound to areas where you work, play, and relax outside. From potting shed to workshop, patio to poolside, they will extend your musical pleasure. You can even install 151 speakers on board your boat. You may also use these speakers indoors, in areas where high humidity is common, such as an indoor pool area or bathroom. Once you decide where you will use your 151 speakers, consider the optional allweather mounting and installation accessories from Bose. (Refer to Accessories on page 8.)

Decide where you

want the speakers
For best results, mount both speakers on the same wall, facing the listening area. Make sure they do not face each other. (Outdoors, if you are not using an existing wall, consider the length of your listening area as your wall.) Measure the length of the wall and divide that length by six. Place one speaker onesixth the length from the left end of the wall. Place the other speaker one-sixth the length from the right end (see Figure 1).
If you place your 151 speakers outdoors, you will probably connect them to an amplifier or receiver that is inside. Note: You may want to consult an electrical installer who can route wires underground or through walls if necessary. Whether you mount them inside or out, consider the following: Measure the length of speaker cords you need to connect each speaker to your receiver or amplifier. To determine the wire gauge you will need, refer to the wire gauge recommendations under Technical information on page 10. It is important that the speaker cord not be tripped over, pinched, or pulled. Determine the best route to protect the wire.

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Length of wall 1/6 length of wall
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Figure 1

Place one speaker one-sixth of the way from each end of the wall.
Regardless of where you place your speakers, make sure they cannot fall and cause injuries. See Accessories on page 8. Bose 151 speakers are not magnetically shielded. Keep them at least 9 inches (23 cm) from any video screen or monitor. Note: Magnets in the speakers will affect a boat compass. Consider this in choosing a speaker location, or make sure to correct for this deviation. On a boat, you can surface mount the speakers or mount them flush to the bulkhead. (Refer to Accessories on page 8.) Note: To flush-mount 151 speakers in a boat, you must cut a hole in the bulkhead for each speaker. You may want to consult a marine electronics installer (employed by most boat yards) before cutting any holes.

How to hook up Bose 151 speakers
CAUTION: Before making any connections, turn off your receiver or amplifier and unplug it from the outlet (the AC power mains).

Choose the

speaker cord
Be sure to use the proper gauge (thickness) of speaker cord. Standard zip cord (2conductor, 18-gauge wire found at electrical and hardware stores) works for most applications. If your speakers will be more than 30 feet (9 m) from the receiver or amplifier, see the wire recommendations under Technical information on page 10. Or check with your authorized Bose dealer. If you decide to run the speaker cord through a wall or underground, check your local building code requirements, or contact an electrical installer before proceeding. Note: Be sure to cut enough cord to reach from the receiver to each speaker.

Unpack the speakers

Unpack each speaker carefully. Save the carton and packing materials for possible later use. If either speaker appears damaged, do not operate either one. Repack both speakers in the original carton and notify your authorized Bose dealer immediately.

Use the cord properly

Speaker cord consists of two insulated wires. The insulation around one wire is striped, collared, or ribbed. This marked wire is always positive (+). The plain wire is always negative (). These correspond to the red (+) and black () terminals on the back of the speaker, receiver, or amplifier. Be sure to connect each wire to the proper terminal (positive to positive, negative to negative). Prepare the ends of each cord At the ends of each cord, strip approximately 1/2 inch (12 mm) of insulation from both wires. Twist the bare ends of each wire. Connect the cords to your speakers At the back of your speaker, unscrew the hex knob on one terminal post. This reveals a small opening through the post. Insert the bare end of one wire into the opening. Tighten the knob to secure the wire. Now insert the second wire into the second terminal post (see Figure 2). Protect the cord To guard against weather wear on exposed wires, see How to maintain Bose 151 speakers on page 8.

Make the connections

1. Connect the first cord to the left channel of your receiver or amplifier. a. Attach the marked wire at one end to the red (+) terminal. b. Attach the plain wire at that end to the black () terminal. 2. Connect the other end of the same cord to your left speaker. a. Attach the marked wire to the red (+) terminal post. b. Attach the plain wire to the black () terminal post. 3. Connect the second cord to the right channel and right speaker, following the same procedure.

Figure 2

Insert the bare wire end into the opening on the terminal post.

Receiver or Amplifier

Figure 3

Check the

connections
Check the speaker and receiver or amplifier connections carefully. Make sure no loose strands of wire touch across terminals. This could create short circuits that can damage an amplifier or receiver. Tighten any loose connections before you plug in the receiver or amplifier.

Test the connections

To make sure your speakers operate correctly: 1. Set your receiver or amplifier for MONO (monophonic) and turn it on. Set the balance control to normal (centered). Place the speakers less than 6 inches (15 cm) apart, facing each other. Play some deep bass passages of music through the speakers.
The sound should seem to come from a point between the two speakers. The bass should be full and natural. If not, your connections may be out of phase. Reverse the connections on the back of one speaker. Then repeat steps 1 3.

Accessories

Bose Model SM-1 outdoor surface-mount brackets give sturdy support to 151 speakers attached to a shelf, wall, ceiling, roof overhang, or boat. You can mount the brackets horizontally or vertically, and change the angle to direct the sound. Bose FM-1 outdoor flush-mount brackets securely anchor 151 speakers to the bulkhead of a boat. These brackets install through the bulkhead surface, so only the speaker face and bracket trim are exposed. To order these brackets, or for more information about them, contact your authorized Bose retailer, or to contact Bose directly, see Bose Corporation on page 63.
How to maintain Bose 151 speakers

Protect the

The bare wire ends of the speaker cord can be affected by exposure to the elements. This is especially true of salt water exposure. You may use a silicone caulking material, such as RTV adhesive, to protect the connections. It is commonly available at hardware stores. If you do use caulking, apply it only after the wires are connected and the knobs tightened down. Check the caulking annually, and re-apply as needed.

How to clean the

speakers
Use a cloth dampened in mild detergent and water to remove dust or dirt from the outside of your 151 speakers. Or use a hose to rinse them thoroughly with fresh water. Do not use enough pressure to force water behind the grille and into the driver or the acoustic port.

How to check out

problems

If you have any problems with your 151 environmental speakers, the suggestions below may save you a call for service. If neither speaker plays Check the settings on your receiver or amplifier. Refer to the owners guide that came with it for instruction on settings. If the bass or treble is weak Check the tonal balance setting on your receiver or amplifier. If only one speaker plays Check the balance control on your receiver or amplifier. Check the wires connected to the speaker that does not play. Make sure the wires are in good condition and are firmly connected. Review the Hook up your speakers section on page 5. If one speaker still does not play Disconnect the wires from the speaker and the receiver or amplifier. Disconnect the other cord from its speaker, and connect that end of the cord to the speaker that doesnt play. If the speaker still doesnt play, the problem is in the speaker. If the speaker now plays, continue checking for the source of the problem. Disconnect the same cord from the amplifier or receiver. Connect it to the other outputs on the amplifier or receiver.
If the speaker plays, the problem is in the original cord that was connected to that speaker. If the speaker does not play, the problem is in that channel of the receiver. If the above solutions fail to solve your problem, contact your authorized Bose dealer to arrange for service, or to contact Bose directly, see Bose Corporation on page 63. Bose Corporation will make every effort to resolve the problem, within the terms of your warranty.

Warranty period

Bose 151 environmental speakers are covered by a limited five-year transferable warranty. Details of coverage are on the warranty card that came with your speakers. Please fill out the information section, detach, and mail it to Bose.

Technical information

Protective features Nickel-plated brass connection terminals Syncom computer quality control Driver complement One (1) 4.5" (11.4 cm) full-range environmental driver per speaker Enclosure Dual-port molded polypropylene Black or white Dimensions 6.1"H x 9.1"W x 5.9"D (15.5 x 23.1 x 14.9 cm) Compatibility Rated 40W IEC power handling; rated 4 ohms. Compatible with amplifiers or receivers rated 10-80 watts per channel Conditioned Designed to withstand: salt fog, sun, high humidity (100%RH) temperature extremes (-22 to 140F; -30 to 60C) vibrations, mechanical shock Wire recommendations Based on a maximum frequency response deviation of 0.5 dB/ Gauge 18 (0.75 mm ) 16 (1.5 mm ) 14 (2.0 mm ) Weight 9.5 lb (4.3 kg) per pair, in the carton
Length 30 ft (9 m) maximum 45 ft (14 m) maximum 70 ft (21 m) maximum

Bose Corporation

USA Bose Corporation, The Mountain Framingham, MA 01701-9168 1-800-367-4008 Phone hours - ET (eastern time) Weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Canada Bose Ltd., 1-35 East Beaver Creek Rd. Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1B3 1-800-465-2673 Phone hours - ET (eastern time) Weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. European Headquarters Bose B.V., Nijverheidstraat GE Edam, Nederland TEL 0299-390111 FAX 0299-390114 Australia Bose Australia, Inc. 1 Sorrell Street Parramatta, N.S.W. 2150 TEL 02 204-6111 FAX 02 204-6122 Austria Bose Ges.m.b.H., Vienna Business Park Wienerbergstrasse 7 (10.OG) A-1100 Vienna TEL 01-60404340 FAX 01-604043423 Belgium Bose N.V., Limesweg 2 B-3700 Tongeren TEL 012-390800 FAX 012-390840 Denmark Bose A/S, Industrivej Brndby FAX 4343-7818 TEL 4343-7777 France Bose S.A., 6, rue Saint Vincent 78100 Saint Germain en Laye TEL 01-30616363 FAX 01-30614105 Germany Bose GmbH, Max-Planck-Strae 36d D-61381 Friedrichsdorf TEL 06172-71040 FAX 06172-710419

Holland Bose B.V., Nijverheidstraat GE Edam TEL 0299-390111 FAX 0299-390109 India Bose Corporation India Private Limited W-16, Greater Kailash-II New Delhi TEL (011) FAX (011) Ireland Bose Corporation Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan TEL 042-9661988 FAX 042-9661998 Italy Bose S.p.A., Via della Magliana Roma TEL 06-65670802 FAX 06-65680167 Japan Bose K.K., Shibuya YT Building, 28-3 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150 TEL 3-5489-0955 FAX 3-5489-0592 Norway Bose A/S, Solheimsgate 11 N-2001, Lillestrm TEL 63-817380 FAX 63-810819 Sweden Bose A/S, JohanneFredsgatan 4 S-43153 Mlndal TEL 31-878850 FAX 31-274891 Switzerland Bose AG, Rnenbergerstrasse 13 4460-Gelterkinden TEL 061-9815544 FAX 061-9815502 United Kingdom Bose Limited 1 Ambley Green Gillingham Business Park Gillingham, Kent ME8 0NJ TEL 0870-741-4500 FAX 0870-741-4545 Other Locations Bose Service,1 New York Avenue Framingham, MA 01701-9168 USA TEL (508) 766-1900 FAX (508) 766-1919 World Wide Web www.bose.com
2003 Bose Corporation, The Mountain Framingham, MA 01701-9168 USA 171297 AM Rev.09 JN10781

The Bose 151 SE Environmental Speakers
Owners Guide Brugervejledning Bedienungsanleitung Gua del usuario Notice dutilisation Manuale distruzioni Gebruiksaanwijzing Bruksanvisningen
The Bose 151 SE Environmental Speakers Before you begin
Thank you for purchasing Bose 151 SE speakers. Their advanced design and quality construction are intended to provide long-term listening enjoyment in or outside your home. Your 151 SE speakers are engineered to provide quality Stereo Everywhere speaker performance from a simple, elegant weatherproof design. English

Unpacking

Carefully unpack your speakers and save all packing materials for future use. If you discover that the product was damaged in transit, notify Bose Corporation or your authorized Bose dealer immediately. Verify that the carton contains the parts shown in Figure 1. Figure 1

Carton contents

Mounting bracket (2)

151 SE speakers

Bracket locking screw (2)

inch lock washer (4)

#12 x 1 inch wood screw (4) #12 x 1 inch wall anchor (4) (for concrete mounting only)

#8 lock washer (2)

inch x 9/16 inch bracket-to-speaker mounting screw (4)
WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep the plastic bags out of the reach of children.

For your records

Serial numbers are located on the back of each speaker. Write the numbers here and on the product registration card. Serial numbers: ___________________________________ and ____________________________________ Dealer name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Dealer phone: _______________________________________Purchase date: ________________________
Please read this owners guide
Please read this owners guide completely before beginning this installation. Failure to follow the instructions in this owners guide voids all warranties on your speakers. If you are unsure of your ability to complete this installation, consult a professional installer.
Hereby Bose B.V. declares that this equipment is compliant with the essential requirements of the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC. This equipment is intended for use (amongst others) in all EC/EFTA countries. The complete declaration of conformity can be found on <http://www.bose.com/guides>.
2004 Bose Corporation. No part of this work may be reproduced, modified, distributed or otherwise used without prior written permission.
The Bose 151 SE Environmental Speakers Required tools and materials
#2 Phillips-head screwdriver Power drill Eye and ear protection Dust mask 3 /32 inch (2,5 mm) wood bit, or inch (6,0 mm) masonry bit Speaker cord: Measure length and choose wire gauge:
Length 20 ft (6 m), max. 30 ft (9 m), max. 50 ft (15 m), max. Gauge 18 (0.82 mm2) 16 (1.30 mm2) 14 (2.10 mm2)

English

Speaker placement
For best results, mount both speakers horizontally (Figure 2). Place them a minimum of seven feet apart, facing the listening area. Make sure they do not face each other. Figure 2
Speakers mounted on a wall 7 ft (2 m), minimum
Note: For Stereo Everywhere speaker performance, horizontal mounting is required. Note: Your 151 SE speakers can be mounted vertically. However, when mounted vertically you will not experience Stereo Everywhere speaker performance. Note: If you choose to place the speakers on a flat horizontal surface, put a layer of suitable material (such as rubber) under the speaker to prevent speaker movement or damage to the flat surface due to vibration of the speaker. CAUTION: Do not mount the brackets on surfaces that are not sturdy enough, or that have hazards concealed behind them, such as electrical wire or plumbing. If you are unsure about installing the bracket, contact a qualified professional installer. CAUTION: Do not install near any heat sources, such as halogen lamps, registers, stoves or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. CAUTION: Do not hang items from the brackets or speakers. Do not place items on top of the speakers. The brackets were designed to support the weight of the speakers only. CAUTION: The 151 SE speakers are not intended to be installed in automobiles.

Before mounting your speakers
Check local building codes regarding the installation of outdoor speakers. If you are uncomfortable about installing this product, contact your Bose dealer to arrange for a qualified serviceman to help you. Measure the length of speaker cord needed to connect each speaker to your amplifier. See Required tools and materials for recommended wire lengths and sizes. Determine the best route to protect the wire. Make sure the speakers cannot fall and cause injuries. Keep the speakers at least 9 inches (23 cm) from any video screen or monitor. Bose 151 SE speakers are not magnetically shielded.
The Bose 151 SE Environmental Speakers Mounting procedure
English 1. Remove screw C and lock washer D from the mounting bracket assembly, and remove part B from part A (Figure 3). Figure 3
Exploded view of speaker and mounting bracket

A D C E F

Speaker cord
2. Hold bracket part A in position against the wall and mark the left and right round holes for the mounting hardware (Figure 4). If you plan to feed speaker cord through the wall, mark the oval speaker cord feed-through hole also. Figure 4

Mounting the brackets

Mount bracket B with flat end next to terminals.
Mount bracket A with locking screw on the left. Speaker cord
3. Drill holes using the appropriate drill bits for the wall material. Refer to Required tools and materials on page 3. Note: If you plan to feed the speaker cord through the bracket, feed the cord through the wall before mounting the bracket. 4. Mount bracket part A to the wall using the appropriate hardware for wood (G) or concrete (H and G). Make sure the hole for the bracket locking screw is on your left (Figure 4). 5. Mount bracket part B to the rear of the speaker using two machine screws E and two lock washers F (Figure 4).
6. Secure the speaker with bracket part B to bracket part A using bracket locking screw C and lock washer D (Figure 3). To adjust the angle, loosen screw C slightly (Figure 5), move the speaker up or down, and retighten screw C. Figure 5

Adjusting speaker angle

Note: Your 151 SE speakers can be mounted vertically. However, when mounted vertically you will not experience Stereo Everywhere speaker performance. Note: For vertical mounting, mount bracket part A so that the hole for bracket locking screw C is at the lower end of the bracket. When mounted vertically, you can rotate the logo to be read horizontally. Gently pull out on the logo, rotate it into position and release.
Connecting your speakers to your receiver/amplifier
Speaker cord consists of two insulated wires. The wire marked with a stripe or rib is used for the positive (+) red terminal connection. The plain wire is used for the negative () black terminal connection. Strip approximately inch (1.3 cm) of insulation from the ends of both wires (Figure 6). Then, twist the ends of each wire so there are no loose strands. CAUTION: Before making any connections, turn off your receiver/amplifier and unplug it from the AC power outlet. Figure 6
Speaker wiring inch (1.3 cm) (+) Wire Rear of speaker

(+) Terminal

1. At the back of your speaker (Figure 6), unscrew the hex knobs on the terminal posts until you can see the small hole going through each post. 2. Insert the marked (+) wire into the red (+) terminal. Insert the plain () wire into the black () terminal. Tighten the knobs to secure the wires. 3. Check the speaker connections carefully. Make sure no loose strands of wire touch across terminals creating a short circuit that can damage an amplifier or receiver. Note: After making the connections, any bare lengths of speaker wire can be affected by exposure to the outdoor environment. To protect the speaker wires, apply a thin coating of silicone caulking material, such as RTV adhesive, to any bare sections of speaker wire.
4. Connect the speaker on the left side of the listening area to the left amplifier channel (Figure 7). Attach the marked wire to the red (+) terminal. Attach the plain wire to the black () terminal. 5. Connect the speaker on the right side of the listening area to the right amplifier channel. Attach the marked wire to the red (+) terminal. Attach the plain wire to the black () terminal. Note: If your speakers are being connected to your receiver or amplifier as a secondary set of speakers, be sure to make the appropriate connections to the B channel. Figure 7

Example of amplifier rear panel connections

() wire

(+) wire

Testing the connections

Set the balance control on your receiver or amplifier to normal (centered) and play some deep bass passages of music through the speakers. Verify that the sound seems to come from a point between the two speakers, and that the bass is full and natural. If not, check your connections again; they may be reversed, causing the speakers to play out of phase. Make sure all the wires are connected positive to positive (+ to +) and negative to negative ( to ).

Troubleshooting

Problem Neither speaker plays Bass or treble is weak Only one speaker plays One speaker still does not play What to do 1. Check the settings on your receiver/amplifier. Refer to its owners guide for instructions. 2. If your speakers are connected to the B output, check that the B output is selected. Check the tonal balance setting on your receiver or amplifier. 1. Make sure the balance control is centered on your receiver/amplifier. 2. Check the wires connected to the speaker that does not play. Make sure the wires are in good condition and are firmly connected. 1. Disconnect the working speaker from the receiver or amplifier. 2. Switch the cord of the faulty speaker from its original receiver or amplifier jacks to the other set of jacks (the working speaker was originally attached to those jacks). If the speaker now works, the problem is your receiver or amplifier. Reconnect the speakers to a working unit. If the speaker still does not work, continue. 3. Remove the cord from the working speaker and connect it to the faulty speaker. If the speaker now works, the original speaker cord is bad. If the speaker still does not work, the speaker is bad. 4. If trouble persists, contact your authorized Bose dealer, who will arrange for service. Or, contact Bose Customer Service. Refer to the list of phone numbers and addresses included in the carton.
The Bose 151 SE Environmental Speakers Cleaning your speakers
Use a cloth dampened in mild detergent and water to remove dust or dirt from the outside of your 151 SE speakers. Or, use a hose to rinse them thoroughly with fresh water. Do not use enough pressure to force water behind the grille and into the driver or the acoustic port. English

Customer service

If you need help with your new product, contact Bose Customer Service. Refer to the list of phone numbers and addresses included in the carton.