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

							 
Bose 
® 
 201 
® 
 and 301 
® 
 Series V Direct/Reflecting 
® 
 Speakers  
Owner’s Guide 
  
						

							 
2 
Contents 
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:    
201 
® 
 and 301 
® 
 Series V Direct 
 Reflecting 
® 
 speakers  
in accordance with EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and Article 10(1) of the Direc-
tive, is in compliance with the following norm(s) or document(s):
Technical regulations:   
EN50081-1, EN50082-1  
Accredited by Bose Corporation  
22 March 2002  
Bose B.V., Nijverheidstraat 8 Nick Merks
1135 GE Edam, The Netherlands  Vice President Europe
Manufacturer’s authorized EU 
Representative 
Where to find... 
Setting Up  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Before you begin   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Unpack the carton   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
For your records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Select the locations for your 201 
® 
 or 301 
® 
 speakers   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Choose the cord  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Prepare the cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Make the connections   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Test the speakers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Using and Maintaining Your Speakers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Enjoying sound in a variety of ways  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Cleaning the speakers   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Reference   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Troubleshooting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Customer service  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Warranty period   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Technical information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Optional accessories   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 
©2002 Bose Corporation. No part of this work may be reproduced, modified, distributed or otherwise used without prior written permission. 
						

							 
3 
Setting Up
Before you begin 
Your 201 
®
 
 or 301 
®
 
 Series V Direct/Reflecting 
®
 
 speakers recreate a natural balance of reflected 
and direct sound energy for an open, spacious performance. They are designed by Bose 
®
 
 to 
bring you high-quality listening pleasure.
These 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 enjoy-
ment. 
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 below and on your warranty 
card.  
CAUTION:  
To avoid danger of suffocation, keep the plastic bags that wrap these speakers 
out of the reach of children. 
Figure 1 
What comes in the carton
201® series V speakers 301® series V speakers
 
For your records 
Serial numbers are located on the back of each speaker.
Serial number:  _____________________ and _____________________________
Dealer name:  _________________________________________________________
Dealer phone:  _____________________ Purchase date ____________________
We suggest you keep your sales slip and warranty card together with this owner’s 
guide. 
						

							 
4 
Setting Up
Select the locations for your 201 
® 
 or 301 
® 
 speakers 
Bose 
® 
 201 and 301 speakers are designed to fit horizontally on a stable and level table or 
shelf (Figure 2).
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 recom-
mend that you do not remove them. 
CAUTION:  
201 and 301 speakers are designed specifically for placement on a stationary 
shelf, table, or stand. On smooth surfaces like marble, glass or highly polished wood, vibra-
tions 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 cor-
ners of the flat surface, 1” back from the center of the curved front panel. 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. 
Here are some basic guidelines below:
• 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. 
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.
12 (30 cm) 
or more  18 (45 cm)
or more
LEFT 
speaker4-12 
(1-4 m)RIGHT 
speaker
18 (45 cm) 
or more 
						

							 
5 
Setting Up
Choose the cord 
It is important to use the proper gauge (thickness) of speaker cord. 
Wire recommendations 
Based on a maximum frequency response deviation of ± 0.5 dB 
Note:  
Before running the speaker cord through a wall or under a floor, check your local build-
ing code requirements and safety regulations.  If necessary, 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).
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. 
Gauge Length 
18 (0.82 mm 
2 
)
20 ft (6 m)
16 (1.3 mm 
2 
)
30 ft (9 m)
14 (2.1 mm 
2 
)
50 ft (15 m) 
						

							 
6 
Setting Up
Make the connections 
Just press the terminal tab on the back of each speaker to insert the appropriate wire (Figure 3). 
CAUTION:  
Before making any connections, turn off your receiver and unplug it from the AC 
power (mains) outlet. Not doing so may result in damage to your system. 
CAUTION:  
Never use broken or frayed wiring, which can result in electrical shock or dam-
age. 
1. Connect one speaker cord to your right speaker.
• Attach each marked wire (+) to the appropriate (+) terminal.
• Attach each plain wire (–) to the appropriate (–) terminal. 
2. Connect the other end of the same cord to the RIGHT SPEAKER OUTPUT of your 
receiver. 
• Attach each marked wire (+) to the appropriate (+) terminal.
• Attach each plain wire (–) to the appropriate (–) terminal. 
3. Connect the second cord to the left speaker and LEFT SPEAKER OUTPUT. Follow the 
steps in 1 and 2 above. 
Figure 3 
How to make terminal con-
nections 
Test the speakers 
To make sure your speakers operate correctly:
1. Turn on your receiver. Set the receiver to MONO (monophonic), if that is an option on your 
receiver. 
2. Make sure that all special effects (such as surround sound) are turned off.
3. Set the balance control to normal (center position).
4. 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” above). 
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 4 above to re-test the speakers.
+—
+—
+—
RedBlack
Red Black
301® series V 201® series V 
						

							 
7 
Using and Maintaining Your Speakers
Enjoying sound in a variety of ways 
Your 201 
® 
 or 301 
® 
 speakers are designed to work with a variety of stereo receivers and ampli-
fiers as either front or rear channel speakers. The open, spacious performance of these 
speakers makes them an ideal choice for home theater, or for listening to CD’s, tapes, or 
radio broadcasts (Figure 4).  
Figure 4 
301 and 201 series V 
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.
301® series V 201® series V 
						

							 
8 
Reference
Troubleshooting
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, see 
the list of telephone numbers included with your speakers. Bose Corporation will make every 
effort to correct any problem within the terms of your warranty.  
Warranty period 
Bose 201 
® 
 and 301 
® 
 series V Direct/Reflecting 
® 
 speakers are covered by a limited 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. 
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 connec-
tions” on page 6. Correct any connection errors.
No sound from one 
speaker • Disconnect the working speaker from the receiver.
• 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 sounds dis-
torted• Follow the same procedure for the problem of no sound from one speaker, as outlined 
above. 
Not enough bass or treble • Adjust the bass and treble controls on the receiver.
• 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.
• Do not place the speakers exactly halfway between the floor and ceiling or any other 
sound-reflecting hard surface. 
						

							 
9 
Reference
Technical information 
Features 
Direct/Reflecting 
® 
 speaker technology
Stereo Targeting 
® 
 tweeters
Tuned port enclosure
Syncom 
® 
 computer quality control 
Driver complement 
201 
® 
: One 6.5-inch (16.5 cm) woofer. One 2-inch (5 cm) tweeter.
301 
® 
: One 8-inch (20 cm) woofer. Two 2-inch (5 cm) high-sensitivity tweeters. 
Compatibility/impedance 
201: Compatible with amplifiers and receivers rated from 10 to 120 watts per channel. 
Rated 8 ohms
301: Compatible with amplifiers and receivers rated from 10 to 150 watts per channel. 
Rated 4 - 8 ohms 
Enclosure 
Polymer and vinyl veneer over wood construction with black or light cherry finish. 
Size/Weight 
201: 8H x 13  
3 
⁄ 
4
 
W x 8  
5 
⁄ 
8
 
D (20 cm x 35 cm x 22 cm). 
Each speaker, unpacked: 11 lb (5 kg). 
Speaker pair in shipping carton: 25.2 lb (11.4 kg).
301: 9  
3 
⁄ 
4
 
H x 14  
1 
⁄ 
4
 
W x 9  
3 
⁄ 
4
 
D (25 cm x 36 cm x 25 cm).
Each speaker, unpacked: 12.5 lb (5.7 kg).
Speaker pair in shipping carton: 28.7 lb (13 kg). 
Optional accessories 
Bose 
® 
 FS-01 speaker stands and WB-3 wall mounting brackets are designed for use with 201 
and 301 Series V Direct/Reflecting speakers. For information, or to order accessories, contact 
your authorized Bose dealer. To contact Bose directly, see the list of telephone numbers 
included with your speakers. 
Figure 5 
A. Bose FS-01 speaker 
stand 
B.  WB-3 wall mounting 
brackets
A.
B.