Bose 701 DirectReflecting Series II speaker Sold from August 2001 to 2003 User Manual

							  
The Bose 
® 
 701 Direct/Reflecting 
® 
Series II Speakers 
Owner’s Guide
October 25, 2001 
AM257817_00_V.pdf 
						

							 
2 
Important Safety Information 
WARNING:   
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the system to rain or 
moisture.  
These CAUTION marks are located on the back panel of your 701 
® 
 speakers:
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is 
intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within 
the system enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of 
electric shock.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle, as marked on the speakers, 
is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and mainte-
nance instructions in this owner’s guide.   
CAUTION:   
To prevent electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, insert fully.  
Note:   
This music system is not intended for use in moving vehicles.  
WARNING:   
No naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the 
apparatus.  
Additional safety information  
See the additional instructions on the additional   
Important Safety Information  
 page enclosed 
with this owner’s guide.  
Please read this owner’s guide  
Please take the time to follow this owner’s guide carefully. It will help you set up and operate 
your 701 speakers properly. Save your owner’s guide for future reference. 
©2001 Bose Corporation. No part of this work may be reproduced, modified, distributed, or otherwise 
used without prior written permission. All trademarks referenced herein are the property of Bose Corpo-
ration.
CAUTIONCAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. 
						

							 
AM257817_00_V.pdf October 25, 2001 3 
Contents 
Setting Up   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4  
Introduction   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Unpacking the speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Attaching the speaker grilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
Placing the speakers   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Choosing the speaker cord   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Making the connections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Connecting to the receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Connecting the right accessory speaker to the left main speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Connecting the LFE subwoofer input   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Checking the connections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Plugging in the left main speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Setting your non-digital receiver   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setting your digital receiver  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Bass and LFE controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Bass control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
LFE level control   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9  
Reference Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10  
Troubleshooting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Technical Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Customer service  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 
Warranty 
Bose 
® 
 701 
® 
 Direct/Reflecting 
® 
 speakers are covered by a limited 5-year transferable warranty. The built-in amplifier and 
electronic components are covered by a 1-year 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. 
For your records 
The serial number is located on the label on the back of each 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. 
						

							 
4 October 25, 2001 AM257817_00_V.pdf 
Setting Up
Introduction 
Your 701 
® 
 Direct/Reflecting 
® 
 speakers re-create a natural balance of reflected and direct 
sound energy for a lifelike, spacious performance. As with all Bose 
® 
 products, their design is 
meant to bring you high-quality concert-like sound. 
Figure 1 
A natural balance of direct 
and reflected sound. 
Unpacking the speakers 
Carefully unpack the contents of the shipping carton. 
•Individually remove each speaker.
•Retain the packaging material for possible future use.
•If either speaker appears damaged, do not use it. Repack both speakers in the original car-
ton and notify your authorized Bose dealer immediately. 
WARNING:  
To avoid danger of suffocation, keep the plastic bags that wrap these speakers 
out of the reach of children. 
WARNING:  
The left main speaker weighs 50 lb (22.7 kg) and the right accessory speaker 
weighs 45 lb (20.4 kg). Use good lifting practice to avoid injury. 
Figure 2 
Package contents:
• 1 left main speaker
• 1 right accessory speaker
• Owner’s guide
• Power cord
• Bose interconnect cable
• Two front speaker grilles
• Two rear speaker grilles 
Attaching the speaker grilles 
Each speaker has both a front and a rear protective grille. The rear grille is the larger of the 
two. To attach these grilles to your speakers, line up the top curve of the grille so that it 
matches the curve of the speaker. Align the pins on the back of the grille to the mounting 
holes on the speaker cabinet and gently push the grille straight on. 
CAUTION:  
To prevent any damage to the speakers or electronics, be sure to keep the rear 
grilles on at all times. Do not place objects into any opening on the speaker cabinets.  
Right accessory speaker Left main speakerFront speaker grilles
Rear speaker grilles
Owner’s guide
Bose interconnect 
cable
Power cord 
						

							 
AM257817_00_V.pdf October 25, 2001 5 
Setting Up
Placing the speakers 
The product label on the back of each speaker indicates LEFT or RIGHT. For best acoustic 
performance, place the left speaker on the left side as you face the front of your room and 
place the right speaker on the right side of your room.
Keep the speakers 6 - 15 feet (1.8 - 6 m) apart and at least 12 inches (30 cm) from side walls 
(see Figure 3). 
It is important not to block the acoustic components at the rear of each speaker. To avoid 
this, place each speaker 10 inches (25 cm) from the wall behind it. 
Figure 3 
Ideal speaker placement 
Note:  
Bose 
® 
 701 
® 
 speakers are not intended to hang from walls, or to stand on shelves or 
tables. They are designed as floor-standing speakers only. 
WARNING:  
To prevent personal injury, do not place your speakers in high-traffic areas where 
they can be accidentally knocked over. 
Note:  
To prevent interference with your TV picture quality, place each speaker at least 2 feet 
(.6 m) from your TV screen. 
Figure 4 
Place each speaker at least 
2 feet (.6 m) from your TV 
screen.
2 ft. minimum
.6 m 2 ft. minimum
.6 m
 
12 minimum
(30 cm) 10 
  
minimum (25 cm)
6 - 15 ft
(1.8 - 6 m) 
						

							 
6 October 25, 2001  AM257817_00_V.pdf 
Setting Up
Choosing the speaker cord 
It is important to use the proper gauge (thickness) of speaker cord. Standard zip cord (2-con-
ductor, 18-gauge or .82 mm 
2 
 wire or larger) is recommended for most applications. You can 
find this wire at most electrical and hardware stores. 
If the length of speaker wire extends more than 30 feet (9 m) from a receiver or amplifier, refer 
to “Wire recommendations” on page 11 or contact your authorized Bose 
® 
 dealer for more 
information. 
Note:  
If you require longer cable runs, or have speaker wire already installed in the wall, the 
Bose AC-7 adapter kit is available to accommodate this. The kit will also allow for the use of a 
larger gauge speaker wire. Refer to the enclosed list for correct phone numbers to order 
PN262061. 
Running the speaker cord through a wall or under a floor 
Make sure you have enough cord to reach from the receiver to the left main speaker. The 
Bose interconnect cable is not intended for in-wall installation. For in-wall installation, check 
your local building code requirements. Before proceeding, you may want to contact an elec-
trical installer for information about your local building or safety regulations. 
Preparing the speaker cord 
Speaker cord consists of two insulated wires. The insulation around one wire is marked 
(striped, collared, ribbed, or may have writing on it). This marked wire is always positive (+). 
The plain wire is always negative (–). These wires correspond to the red (+) and black (–) ter-
minals on the speaker, receiver, or amplifier.  
Note:  
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish wire markings. Inspect both wires carefully. 
To prepare the ends of the cord, strip approximately  
3 
⁄ 
8 
 to  
1 
/ 
2 
 inch (12 mm) of insulation from 
both wires. Then, twist the bare ends of each wire so there are no loose strands of wire. 
WARNING:  
Never use broken or frayed wiring, as damage or electrical shock may result. 
Making the connections 
Your 701 
® 
 speaker system connects differently from conventional speaker systems. Both the 
LEFT and RIGHT outputs from your receiver or amplifier must connect to the left main 701 
speaker. Please follow the connection instructions carefully to ensure proper performance. 
Figure 5 on page 7 indicates how the speakers are connected to the receiver. 
Connecting to the receiver 
Connect your speaker wire to the SPEAKERS A or MAIN (front) left and right speaker outputs 
on your amplifier or receiver. See your receiver owner’s guide for any additional information or 
instructions.  
CAUTION:  
Before making any connections, turn off your receiver and unplug it from the AC 
power mains. Failure to do so may result in damage to your system. 
						

							 
AM257817_00_V.pdf October 25, 2001 7 
Setting Up
Making the connections (cont.) 
Figure 5 
Wiring schematic 
Press down the terminal tab on the bottom of the left main speaker to insert the appropriate 
wire (Figure 5).
1. Connect one cord to the left speaker output of your receiver or amplifier.
A. Insert the marked wire at one end to the red (+) terminal.
B. Insert the plain wire at that end to the black (–) terminal.
2. Connect the other end of the cord to the left (L) main speaker terminals (Figure 5).
A. Insert the marked wire into the red (+) terminal.
B. Insert the plain wire into the black (–) terminal.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the right (R) speaker connections. 
Note:  
The right speaker outputs are located on the left main speaker directly below the left 
speaker outputs. They are labeled with an R. 
Connecting the right accessory speaker to the left main speaker 
Use the supplied Bose 
® 
 interconnect cable to make this connection. It is important to note the 
connector at each end is designed to be inserted in one orientation only. Match the curved 
top of the connector to the curved top of the jack on the rear connector cups. 
CAUTION:  
Never connect the right accessory speaker directly to a receiver output. Always 
connect the right accessory speaker to the left main speaker, then connect the left main 
speaker to the receiver. 
Figure 6 
Connecting the right acces-
sory speaker to the left 
main speaker
L
R125/115C
225WPower
Output
InputLFE/
SubwooferL
R
er
Output
InputLFE/
Subwoofer
L
RL
R
Left main speaker Receiver
125/115C
225WPower
Output
InputLFE/
SubwooferL
R
InputPower
Output
Inpu
Left main speaker
Right accessory speaker 
						

							 
8 October 25, 2001  AM257817_00_V.pdf 
Setting Up 
Connecting the LFE subwoofer input 
If your receiver or amplifier has a Subwoofer or Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel output, 
use a single RCA male to RCA male patch cord to make the connection. Connect the “LFE/
Subwoofer” input on the left main speaker to the LFE/subwoofer output of your receiver or 
amplifier (Figure 7). Refer to the LFE level control section on page 9. 
Figure 7 
Connecting the LFE input to 
your receiver 
Note:  
Now is a good time to record the serial numbers of these speakers on page 3 of this 
guide and on your warranty card. 
Checking the connections 
Check all the connections from the receiver to the left main speaker and from the left main 
speaker to the right accessory speaker. Make sure all the wires are connected in phase (+ to 
+ and – to –). 
Correct any wiring problems before you plug in your receiver or speakers and turn them on.  
Plugging in the left main speaker 
Once you have checked all the connections, insert one end of the supplied power cord to the 
“Power” jack on the left main speaker. Insert the other end of the power cord into an AC 
power mains. Plug your receiver or amplifier back into the AC power mains. Then, turn on the 
left main speaker power switch (Figure 8). Turning the power switch on puts the speakers in a 
standby mode. Finally, turn on your receiver or amplifier power switch.
During normal use, the left main speaker power switch should be left on and the system 
should be controlled through the receiver. However, if the speakers will not be used for an 
extended period of time, you should turn the left main speaker power switch off. 
Note:  
The left main speaker power switch must be turned on for the speakers to work prop-
erly. If it is not turned on, there will be no bass. 
Figure 8 
Turning on the left main 
speaker power switch
L
R125/115C
225WPower
Output
InputLFE/
SubwooferL
R
put
InputLFE/
Subwoofer
L
R
LFE/
Subwoofer
Output
Right accessory speaker Left main speakerReceiver
Power
Output
InputLFE/
Subwoofer
L
R 
						

							 
AM257817_00_V.pdf October 25, 2001 9 
Setting Up 
Setting your non-digital receiver 
After making the connections, you may try additional surround sound modes that your 
receiver may have. These modes may have different names depending on the manufacturer, 
e.g. ACTION, MOVIE, THEATER. Select the settings for music, movies, or both that sound 
best in your listening environment. See your receiver/amplifier owner’s guide for additional 
information on selecting settings. 
CAUTION:  
701 
® 
 speakers incorporate an automatic protection circuit, which guards against 
most kinds of damage from electrical stress or overload. This circuit activates at high volume 
levels to reduce output, causing a slight decrease in volume. You may also notice light com-
ing from inside the speaker cabinet. This is normal operation and indicates that power input 
may be exceeding safe levels. Sustained listening at these levels is not recommended. 
Setting your digital receiver 
Your speakers are fully compatible with the output from most receivers containing digital 
technology. The table below suggests the recommended settings. Because they are full-
range speakers, select LARGE on the digital screen menu. Turn the subwoofer and the LFE 
(low frequency effects) on. The preferred crossover setting should be 150 Hz. 
Bass and LFE controls 
Your left main speaker has two control knobs – one for bass control and one for LFE control. 
Follow the instructions below for using these controls. 
Bass control 
The bass control, located on the outside of the left main speaker, can help you customize the 
speakers to your listening room. Turning the control to the right will add bass to the sound in 
rooms that might be characterized as too shrill. Turning the control to the left will “brighten” 
the sound of the listening room. As with LFE control, you may find the factory setting to be 
completely appropriate for your listening room. 
LFE level control 
The LFE control, located on the outside of your left main speaker, increases or decreases the 
relative level of low frequency effects on movie sound tracks. Use it to regulate the presence 
of these underlying deep bass sounds. You may find it unnecessary to adjust this control. The 
factory, or detent, setting is appropriate for a majority of listening situations. 
Speaker Receiver setting 
Left and right front LARGE
Center SMALL
Surround SMALL
Subwoofer ON
LFE ON  
						

							 
10 October 25, 2001 AM257817_00_V.pdf 
Reference Information
Troubleshooting 
If you are experiencing problems with your 701 
® 
 speakers:
1. Turn off the amplifier or receiver and check all the connections between the speakers, 
amplifier, or receiver.
2. Check your amplifier or receiver owner’s guide, since other components may be the 
cause of the problem.
3. Use the chart below as troubleshooting guidelines. If this does not solve the problem, 
contact your authorized Bose 
® 
 dealer to arrange for service. Refer to the enclosed list for 
correct phone numbers. 
Problem Possible cause How to find out Solution 
One speaker 
doesn’t play or 
sounds distortedDefective amplifier 
or receiver channel, 
or defective speakerSwitch the LEFT 
and RIGHT input 
connections on the 
back of your left 
main speaker.If the previously 
“broken” speaker 
now plays properly, 
and the other one 
does not, one chan-
nel in the amplifier 
or receiver is proba-
bly defective. If the 
original speaker still 
does not play prop-
erly, call Bose or 
your retailer to 
arrange for service.
Both speakers do 
not play, or sound 
distortedDefective amplifier 
or receiverDisconnect the 
amplifier or receiver 
from the speakers.Reconnect the 
speakers to another 
amplifier or receiver 
that is working 
properly.
High sound volume 
drops suddenlyThe automatic pro-
tection circuit has 
activated to protect 
the speakers from 
electrical stress or 
overloadLower the volume. If 
it returns to normal, 
your speakers’ 
automatic protec-
tion circuit caused 
the sudden drop. 
This volume reduc-
tion protects the 
speakers from elec-
tronic stress and 
overload.Return the volume 
to a reasonable level 
and avoid extremely 
high volume set-
tings.
No bass Left main speaker is 
not plugged in or 
the power switch is 
not turned onCheck all connec-
tions – especially 
AC power.Be sure all connec-
tions are made and 
the amplifier/
receiver is on.
Weak bass Subwoofer/LFE 
level or bass level 
set too lowCheck knob posi-
tions on the left 
main speaker. 
Check receiver set-
tings.Adjust knob posi-
tions to desired set-
ting.
Distorted sound or 
diminished sound 
quality Out-of-phase wiring Check connections. 
They should be in 
phase (+ to + and 
– to –).Adjust connections, 
if they are out of 
phase.