Bose 151 environmental speakers Sold from 1994 User Manual

							BOSE®
151®
ENVIRONMENTAL
SPEAKERS
OWNER’S GUIDE 
						

							2
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
Check the connections ......................... 7
Test the connections ............................. 7
Accessories............................................. 8
How to maintain
Bose 151 speakers.................................. 8
Protect the connections ........................ 8
How to clean the speakers .................... 8
How to check out problems .................. 9
Warranty period .................................... 9
For information .................................... 10
Technical information........................... 11
Customer information
The serial numbers on my 151® speakers
are:
and
I purchased them on:
from:
Retailer
Address
City State Zip
Telephone 
						

							3
How and where to use
Bose 151 speakers
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 all-
weather mounting and installation accesso-
ries from Bose. (Refer to “Accessories” on
page 8.) Thank you for purchasing Bose
® 151®
environmental speakers. Their propri-
etary Bose technologies and all-weather
construction offer you listening enjoy-
ment both indoors and out. 
						

							4
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 “Techni-
cal 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.
 
 
 
®
Length of wall
1/6
length
of wall®
Figure 1
Place one speaker one-sixth of the way from each end of the wall.
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, con-
sider the length of your listening area as
your “wall.”)
Measure the length of the wall and divide
that length by six. Place one speaker one-
sixth the length from the left end of the wall.
Place the other speaker one-sixth the length
from the right end (see Figure 1). 
						

							5 •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.
Unpack the speakers
Unpack each speaker carefully. Save the
carton and packing materials for possible
later use. If either speaker appears dam-
aged, do not operate either one.  Repack
both speakers in the original carton and
notify your authorized Bose dealer immedi-
ately.
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 (2-
conductor, 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. 
						

							6
Figure 2
Insert the bare wire end into the opening on the terminal post.
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 approxi-
mately 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.
® 
						

							7
®®
Figure 3
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).
2.Place the speakers less than 6 inches
(15 cm) apart, facing each other.
3.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.
Receiver
or Amplifier
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. 
						

							8
How to maintain Bose®
151 speakers
Protect the
connections
The bare wire ends of the speaker cord can
be affected by exposure to the elements.
This is especially true of salt water expo-
sure.
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.
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. 
						

							9 •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.
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
doesn’t play.
•If the speaker still doesn’t 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. 
						

							10
Technical information
Protective features
•Nickel-plated brass connection terminals
•Syncom
® computer quality control
Driver complement
•One (1) 4.5" (11.4 cm) full-range environ-
mental 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 140°F;
    - 3 0° to 60°C)
– vibrations, mechanical shock
Wire recommendations
•Based on a maximum frequency response
deviation of ±0.5 dB/
Gauge Length
18 (0.75 mm
2) 30 ft (9 m) maximum
16 (1.5 mm
2) 45 ft (14 m) maximum
14 (2.0 mm
2) 70 ft (21 m) maximum
Weight
•9.5 lb (4.3 kg) per pair, in the carton