Bose 301 Series IV DirectReflecting speakers Sold from 1996 to 2002 User Manual

							Bose® 301® Series IV Direct/Reflecting® Speakers
Owner’s Guide
October 30, 2001
AM181869_04_V.pdf 
						

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English
Introduction
Thank you
Congratulations on your purchase of Bose® 301® Series IV Direct/Reflecting® speakers. Their
integrated system of advanced Bose technologies delivers superior sound reproduction
from a bookshelf design.
For your records
Serial numbers are located on the back of each 301 speaker.
Serial numbers: ___________________________ and _______________________________
Dealer name: __________________________________________________________________
Dealer phone: ________________________________ Purchase date: __________________
We suggest you keep your sales slip and warranty card together with this owner’s guide.
Declaration
of Conformity
We, the offerer:
Bose
® Corporation, The Mountain
Framingham, MA 01701-9168 USA
acknowledge our sole responsibility, that the product:
Kind of equipment:Loudspeakers
Type designation:301
® Series IV Direct/Reflecting®
speakers
in accordance with EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and Article 10(1) of the Directive,
is in compliance with the following norm(s) or document(s):
Technical regulations:EN50081-1, EN50082-1
Accredited by Bose Corporation
3 November 1995
Bose B.V., Nijverheidstraat 8 Paul Olean, General Manager, Bose Europe
1135 GE Edam, The Netherlands Manufacturer’s authorized EU
representative 
						

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English
Contents
Where to find...
Setting Up
Before you begin ........................................................................................................ 4
Unpack the carton ...................................................................................................... 4
Select the locations for your 301
® speakers .............................................................. 5
Choose the cord ......................................................................................................... 6
Prepare the cord ......................................................................................................... 6
Make the connections ................................................................................................ 6
Check the connections ............................................................................................... 7
Test the speakers ....................................................................................................... 7
Using and Maintaining Your 301
® Series IV Speakers
Enjoying sound in a variety of ways ........................................................................... 8
Cleaning the speakers ................................................................................................ 8
Warranty period .......................................................................................................... 8
Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................... 9
Customer service ....................................................................................................... 9
Product Information
Technical information ............................................................................................... 10
Optional accessories ................................................................................................ 10
Bose
® Corporation ................................................................................. inside back cover 
						

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Before you begin
Your 301® Series IV Direct/Reflecting® speakers re-create a natural balance of reflected and
direct sound energy for an open, spacious performance. They are designed at Bose® to
bring you high-quality listening pleasure.
The Direct/Reflecting
® tweeter inside each speaker creates a pattern of sound similar to
what you experience at a live concert. In addition, the Stereo Targeting® tweeters help
establish the natural balance of sound, for full enjoyment of stereo even when you move
around the room. These distinct left and right speakers also feature tuned port enclosures
that contribute to their deep, room-filling bass. An advanced crossover design adds to the
realism and clear definition of both musical instruments and voices.
Your 301 Series IV speakers are significantly different from conventional speakers, so be
sure to read this owner’s guide. It will help you set up and use your speakers properly, for
the greatest enjoyment.
Unpack the carton
Carefully unpack the carton and save all packing materials for possible future use. Check
the carton contents (Figure 1).
If either speaker appears damaged, do not use them. Instead, repack both speakers in the
original carton and notify your authorized Bose dealer immediately.
Note: Now is a good time to record the speaker serial numbers on page 2 of this guide
and on your warranty card.
Setting Up
Figure 1
What comes in the carton:
• Left speaker
• Right speaker
• 8 self-adhesive rubber feet
CAUTION:
To avoid danger of suffocation,
keep the plastic bags that
wrap these speakers out
of the reach of children.
Rubber feet LEFT speakerRIGHT speaker 
						

							AM181869_04_V.pdf                                                                           October 30,  2001                                                                                                    5
EnglishSelect the locations for your 301® speakers
Bose® 301 speakers are designed to fit horizontally on a table or shelf (Figure 2). Be sure to
choose a stable and level surface for each speaker.
Place the left and right speakers (marked on the back of each one) on the left and right
sides of your room, as you face them. Exactly where you put them depends on the size and
style of your room and where you think they sound best. Feel free to experiment to find a
location that is both convenient and provides the sound you prefer.
Note: Because the grilles on the front of each speaker protect the drivers inside, we
recommend that you do not remove the grilles.
Here are some basic guidelines:
• Place the speakers 4 to 12 feet (1 to 4 m) apart.
• Choose a stable and level surface for each speaker, and attach the rubber feet.
• Leave at least 12 inches (30 cm) of space from the end of a speaker to the side wall.
• Leave at least 18 inches (45 cm) from the speakers to the floor or ceiling.
• Leave at least 24 inches (60 cm) from the speakers to any TV screens or monitors.
• Keep the back of the speakers within 18 inches (45 cm) of the wall behind them.
• Do not place the speakers exactly halfway between the floor and ceiling or any other
sound-reflecting hard surface.
• Do not put the speakers in a vertical position.
Note: Bose speaker stands or wall brackets can extend your placement options. See
“Optional accessories” on page 10.
Setting Up
CAUTION:
301 speakers are designed
specifically for placement on a
stationary shelf, table, or stand.
On smooth surfaces like
marble, glass or highly pol-
ished wood, vibrations may
cause the speakers to slide.
So be sure to attach the self-
adhesive rubber feet to the
bottom surface of each
speaker for added stability and
protection. The feet go in the
corners of the flat surface,
inside the seam.
Do not use these speakers in
a moving vehicle.
To mount the speakers on a
wall, use only the Bose WB-3
wall mounting bracket. Please
follow the mounting instructions
that come with these brackets.
Improperly mounted speakers
may fall, causing injury and
damage.
To contact Bose, please refer
to the subsidiary offices
listed on the inside back
cover of this owner’s guide.
Figure 2
Placement guidelines
CAUTION:
For the most realistic sound
image, make sure the left
speaker is placed on the left
and the right  speaker is on
the right side of your room, as
you face them.
18 (45 cm)
or more4-12
(1-4 m) 18 (45 cm)
or more
LEFT
speakerRIGHT
speaker
12 (30 cm)
or more 
						

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Setting Up
CAUTION:
Never use broken or frayed
wiring, which can result in
electrical shock or damage.
Choose the cord
It is important to use the proper gauge (thickness) of speaker cord. Standard zip cord
(2-conductor, 18-gauge wire) works for most applications. You can find this wire at most
electrical and hardware stores.
You will need thicker wire if your speakers will be more than 30 feet (9 m) from a receiver (or
amplifier). Refer to the wire recommendations under “Technical information” on page 10, or
contact your authorized Bose
® dealer for more information.
Note: Before running speaker cord through a wall or under a floor, check your local
building code requirements and safety regulations. You may want to contact an electrical
installer for this information.
Prepare the cord
Speaker cord consists of two insulated wires. The insulation around one wire is marked
(striped, collared, or ribbed). This marked wire is always positive (+). The plain wire is always
negative (–). These wires correspond to the red (+) and black (–) terminals on the speakers
and the receiver.
At the ends of each cord, strip approximately 
1⁄2 inch (12 mm) of insulation from both wires.
Twist the bare end of each wire so loose strands will not touch across terminals. Be sure to
connect each wire to the proper terminal (positive to positive and negative to negative).
Note: It is sometimes difficult to distinguish wire markings. Inspect both wires carefully.
Make the connections
Just press the terminal tab on the back of each speaker to insert the appropriate wire
(Figure 3).
1. Connect one speaker cord to your right speaker.
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 the RIGHT SPEAKER OUTPUT of your
receiver.
a. Attach the marked wire to the red (+) terminal.
b. Attach the plain wire to the black (–) terminal.
3. Connect the second cord to the left speaker and LEFT SPEAKER OUTPUT. Follow the
steps in 1 and 2 above.
+—
+—
Red terminal tab
Marked wire
Figure 3
How to make terminal connec-
tions
CAUTION:
Before making any connec-
tions, turn off your receiver
and unplug it from the AC
power (mains) outlet. Not
doing so may result in dam-
age to your system. 
						

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Setting Up
Check the connections
Check to be sure all connections are made positive to positive (+ to +) and negative to
negative (– to –) (Figure 4). Make sure that no loose strands of wire touch across terminals.
Bridged wires can short circuit and damage the amplifier. Tighten any loose connections
before you plug in the receiver and turn it on.
–++ –
+
-+
-
Back of receiverBack of LEFT speaker
 Back of RIGHT speaker
Test the speakers
To make sure your speakers operate correctly:
1. Place the speakers less than 6 inches (15 cm) apart, facing each other.
2. Turn on your receiver. Set the receiver to MONO (monophonic), if that is an option on
your receiver.
3. Make sure that all special effects (such as surround sound) are turned off.
4. Set the balance control to normal (center position).
5. Play some deep bass passages of music through the speaker.
The sound should seem to come from a point between the two speakers. The bass should
be full and natural. If it is not, one of the connections may be reversed, causing the speakers
to play out of phase (refer to “Make the connections” on page 6).
To correct the problem, make sure all the wires are connected positive to positive (+ to +)
and negative to negative (– to –). Then repeat steps 1 through 5 above to re-test
the speakers.
Figure 4
Completed connections 
						

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Using and Maintaining Your 301®  Series IV Speakers
Enjoying sound in a variety of ways
Bose® 301® Series IV Direct/Reflecting® speakers are designed to work with a variety of
stereo receivers and amplifiers. The open, spacious performance of these speakers
also makes them an ideal choice for home theater, or for listening to CD’s, tapes, or radio
broadcasts (Figure 5).
Figure 5
301® Series IV Direct/Reflecting®
speaker sound path
Cleaning the speakers
Clean the surface of your speakers with a soft damp cloth. Do not use any sprays near the
system or allow liquids to spill into any openings. Also, do not use any solvents, chemicals,
or cleaning solutions containing alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives.
The speaker grille panels require no special care. You may vacuum them carefully to remove
dust.
Warranty period
Bose 301 Series IV Direct/Reflecting® speakers are covered by a limited 5-year transferable
warranty. Details of the coverage are provided on the warranty card that came with your
speakers. Please fill out the information section on your card, detach, and mail to Bose. 
						

							AM181869_04_V.pdf                                                                           October 30,  2001                                                                                                    9
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Using and Maintaining Your 301®  Series IV Speakers
Troubleshooting
Problem What to do
No sound • Make sure the receiver is plugged in and turned on.
• Check to be sure the AC power (mains) outlet is working.
• Disconnect any headphones plugged into the headphone jack.
• Make sure the receiver is not set to MUTE.
• Refer to the owner’s guide that came with your receiver.
• Check connections to both the speakers and the receiver.
Refer to “Make the connections” on page 6. Correct any connec-
tion errors.
No sound from • Disconnect the working speaker from the receiver.
one speaker • Switch the cord of the “faulty” speaker from its original receiver
jacks to the other set of jacks (the working speaker was originally
attached to those jacks).
– If the speaker now works, the problem is in your receiver.
– If the speaker does not work, continue below.
• Remove the cord from the working speaker and connect it to the
“faulty” speaker and either set of receiver jacks.
– If the speaker now works, the problem was in the original
speaker cord.
– If the speaker does not work, the problem is in the speaker.
One speaker • Follow the same procedure for the problem of no sound from
sounds distorted one speaker, as outlined above.
Not enough • Adjust the bass and treble controls on the receiver.
bass or treble • Check the connections to make sure they are correctly in phase
(+ to + and – to –). Refer to “Make the connections” on page 6.
• Move the speakers closer to or farther from the side walls or other
sound-reflecting hard surfaces.
Customer service
If the troubleshooting guidelines above do not solve your problem, contact your authorized
Bose® dealer to arrange for service. To obtain information or service directly from Bose, refer
to the listing at the end of this guide. Bose Corporation will make every effort to correct any
problem within the terms of your warranty. 
						

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Product Information
Technical information
Features
Direct/Reflecting® speaker design
Stereo Targeting
® tweeters
Tuned port enclosure
Syncom
® computer quality control
Driver complement
One (1) 8-inch (20 cm) woofer
One (1) 3-inch (7.6 cm) high-sensitivity tweeter
One (1) 2-inch (5 cm) high-sensitivity tweeter
Compatibility/Impedance
Compatible with amplifiers and receivers rated from 10 to 150 watts per channel.
Rated 8 ohms
Wire recommendations
Based on a maximum frequencies 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
Enclosure
Polymer and vinyl veneer over wood construction with black, rosewood, or gray finish
Size/Weight
Speaker: 101⁄4H x 163⁄8W x 91⁄2D (26 x 42 x 24 cm)
Each speaker, unpacked: 11.6 lb (5.2 kg)
Speaker pair in shipping carton: 27.7 lb (12.5 kg)
Optional accessories
Bose® AS-3 speaker stands and WB-3 wall mounting brackets
are designed for use with 301® Series IV Direct/Reflecting®
speakers. For information, or to order accessories, contact your
authorized Bose dealer. To contact Bose directly, refer to the
listing at the back of this owner’s guide.
Figure 6
Bose® AS-3 speaker stand and
WB-3 wall mounting brackets