Bose Acoustimass 20 powered speaker system Sold from 1995 to 2004 User Manual

							The Bose® Acoustimass® 5 and 20 Powered Speaker
System
Owner’s Guide
December 20, 2001
AM262838_00_V.pdf 
						

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Safety/Maintenance Information
Additional safety information
See the additional instructions on the 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 Acoustimass 5 or 20 powered speaker system properly. Save your owner’s guide for
future reference.
Class B emissions limits
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing
Equipment Regulations.
CAUTION: If liquids get into the product, turn the system off and allow it to air dry. Then turn
it on again. If you notice any problems with its functioning, unplug it and contact Bose
customer service.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the system to rain or
moisture.
                     CAUTION AVIS
                                         RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCKRISQUE D’ÉLECTROCUTION
                                   DO NOT OPENNE PAS OUVRIR.
                           CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,ATTENTION : POUR RÉDUIRE LE RISQUE D’ÉLECTROCUTION,
                              DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).NE RETIREZ PAS LE COUVERCLE (NI LE PANNEAU ARRIÈRE).                              NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.IL NE SE TROUVE À L’INTÉRIEUR AUCUNE PIÈCE POUVANT                                  REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.ÊTRE RÉPARÉE PAR L’USAGER. ADRESSEZ-VOUS A UN
À UN RÉPARATEUR COMPÉTENT.
.
            These CAUTION marks are located on the bottom of your Lifestyle® Acoustimass®
            module:
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to aler t
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 system, is intended to
alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance instructions in this
owner’s guide. 
						

							 AM262838_00_V.pdf December 20, 2001 a
Important Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions – for all components
before using this product.
2. Keep these instructions – for future reference.
3. Heed all warnings – on the product and in the
owner’s guide.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water or
moisture – Do not use this product near a
bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a
wet basement, near a swimming pool, or any-
where else that water or moisture are present.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth – and as directed
by Bose
® Corporation. Unplug this product from
the wall outlet before cleaning.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings.
Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions – To ensure
reliable operation of the product and to protect it
from overheating, put the product in a position
and location that will not interfere with its proper
ventilation. For example, do not place the product
on a bed, sofa, or similar surface that may block
the ventilation openings. Do not put it in a built-in
system, such as a bookcase or a cabinet that may
keep air from flowing through its ventilation
openings.
8. Do not install near any heat sources, such
as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other
apparatus (including amplifiers) that pro-
duce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the
polarized or grounding-type plug. A polar-
ized plug has two blades with one wider
than the other. A grounding-type plug has
two blades and a third grounding prong. The
wider blade or third prong are provided for
your safety. If the provided plug does not fit
in your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked
on or pinched, particularly at plugs, conve-
nience receptacles, and the point where
they exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories speci-
fied by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod,
bracket or table specified by the
manufacturer or sold with the
apparatus. When a cart is used,
use caution when moving the
cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning
storms or when unused for long periods of
time – to prevent damage to this product.14. Refer all servicing to qualified service person-
nel. Servicing is required when the apparatus
has been damaged in any way: such as power-
supply cord or plug is damaged; liquid has
been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus; the apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or
has been dropped – Do not attempt to service this
product yourself. Opening or removing covers may
expose you to dangerous voltages or other hazards.
Please call Bose to be referred to an authorized
service center near you.
15. To prevent risk of fire or electric shock, avoid
overloading wall outlets, extension cords, or
integral convenience receptacles.
16. Do not let objects or liquids enter the product –
as they may touch dangerous voltage points or
short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric
shock.
17. See product enclosure for safety related
markings.
Information about products that
generate electrical noise
If applicable, this equipment has been tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accor-
dance with the instructions, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications. However, this is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, you are
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
•Connect the equipment to an outlet on a different
circuit than the one to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV techni-
cian for help.
Note: Unauthorized modification of the receiver or radio
remote control could void the user’s authority to operate
this equipment.
This product complies with the Canadian ICES-003 Class
B specifications. 
						

							English
b December 20, 2001             AM262838_00_V.pdf
Important Safety Instructions
Antenna grounding
Example of antenna grounding as per National Electrical
Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.
Note to CATV system installer
This reminder is provided to call the CATV system
installer’s attention to Article 820-40 of the NEC (of USA)
that provides guidelines for proper grounding. In particu-
lar, it specifies that the cable ground shall be connected
to the grounding system of the building, as close to the
point of cable entry as is practical.
18. Use proper power sources – Plug the product into
a proper power source, as described in the operating
instructions or as marked on the product.
19. Avoid power lines – Use extreme care when
installing an outside antenna system to keep from
touching power lines or circuits, as contact with
them may be fatal. Do not install external antennas
near overhead power lines or other electric light or
power circuits, nor where an antenna can fall into
such circuits or power lines.
20. Ground all outdoor antennas – If an external
antenna or cable system is connected to this
product, be sure the antenna or cable system is
grounded. This will provide some protection against
voltage surges and built-up static charges.
Section 810 of the National Electrical Code ANSI/
NFPA No. 70 provides information with respect to
proper grounding of the mast and supporting
structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna
discharge unit, size of grounding conductors,
location of antenna-discharge unit, connection to
grounding electrodes, and requirements for the
ground electrode. Refer to the antenna grounding
illustration on this page.
Antenna lead in wire
Antenna discharge unit
(NEC Section 810-20)
Grounding conductors(NEC Section 810-21)
Power service grounding
electrode system
(NEC ART 250, Part H)
Ground clamps Ground clamp
Electric service
equipment
©2001 Bose Corporation,
The Mountain, Framingham, MA
01701-9168 USA
255805 AM Rev.00 JN10494 
						

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Contents
Where to find…
Setting Up
Before you begin ........................................................................................................... 4
Unpacking the carton ................................................................................................... 4
Select the location for your speaker system ................................................................ 5
Speaker locations ................................................................................................ 5
Acoustimass
® module location ............................................................................ 6
Before making connections, unplug your system ............................................... 6
Selecting the correct voltage .............................................................................. 6
Connect the speakers and the Acoustimass module ................................................... 7
Connecting the Acoustimass 20 Jewel Cube
® speakers to the
Acoustimass module .................................................................................... 7
Connecting the Acoustimass 5 cube speaker arrays to the
Acoustimass module .................................................................................... 7
Which Lifestyle
® system do you own? .......................................................................... 8
Connecting the Acoustimass module to multi-room interface systems ....................... 9
Connecting the Acoustimass module to the Lifestyle
® media center ......................... 12
Setting Zone 2 Protocol .............................................................................................. 13
Connecting the Acoustimass module to the Model 20 music center ......................... 14
Connecting the Acoustimass module to the Model 5 music center ........................... 15
Fine-tuning your system ............................................................................................. 16
Product Information
Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................... 17
Accessories ................................................................................................................. 17
Customer service ........................................................................................................ 17
Technical information .................................................................................................. 18
Warranty period .......................................................................................................... 18
Cleaning the Acoustimass 5 or 20 powered speaker systems ................................... 18 
						

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Acoustimass 5 & 20 Powered
Speaker Systems¤
? ?bose.com
Before you begin
Thank you for purchasing the Bose® Acoustimass® 5 or 20 powered speaker system. These
speakers are designed specifically for use with the Bose Lifestyle® music systems to deliver
high-fidelity, room-filling sound to additional rooms in your home.
Because these speakers are different from other systems, we recommend that you take the
time to read this owner’s guide. It contains instructions and information that will help you get
the most enjoyment possible from your new speakers.
Unpacking the carton
Carefully unpack your speakers. Save all packing materials for possible future use. The
original packing materials provide the safest way to transport your speaker system. If any part
of the product appears damaged, do not attempt to use the system. Notify Bose or your
authorized Bose dealer immediately.
Check to be sure your Acoustimass 5 or 20 powered speaker system contains the parts
identified in Figure 1.
Setting Up
Figure 1
What comes with your
Acoustimass powered speaker
system:
• Owner's guide
• Quick set-up guide
• 2 cube arrays
• 1 Acoustimass module
• Speaker wire
• Rubber feet
• 3-foot VAR adapter cable
• 3-foot FIX adapter cable
for Lifestyle
® DVD
systems
• 50-foot extension cable
• 30-foot audio input cable
• AC power (mains)
  adapter plug (in dual voltage
   systems)
• Power cord
Cube speaker
arraysAcoustimass
module
Speaker
wire
Rubber feet3-foot
VAR
adapter
cable 50-foot extension
cable
30-foot
audio
input
cable
Adapter
plugPower
cords Quick set-up
guideSpeaker
wire
Note: Find the serial numbers on the bottom panel of the Acoustimass module. Then write
them on your warranty card.
WARNING: The Acoustimass module weighs 33 pounds (15 kg). Use good lifting practice
to avoid injury.
WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep the plastic bags out of the reach of
children.
3-foot FIX
adapter cable
for Lifestyle® DVD
       systems 
						

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Select the location for your speaker system
When you place your speakers according to the guidelines below, a combination of reflected
and direct sound provides a good stereo image virtually everywhere in the room. You may
experiment with the placement and orientation of the cubes and the Acoustimass
® module to
produce the sound most pleasing to you.
To adjust your system for the characteristics of your listening room, see “Fine-tuning your
system” on page 16.
Speaker locations
Follow these guidelines to select locations for your Acoustimass 5 or 20 speaker system. The
speaker cables allow up to 20 feet (6.1 m) distance from the Acoustimass module.
1. For the most lifelike sound, place the cube arrays 6-12 feet (1.8-3.6 m) apart. They can be
as close as 3 feet (0.9 m) or as far apart as 15 feet (4.6 m).
2. Direct one cube of each array forward. Direct the other cube toward the wall or in a
different direction to create reflected sound. (See the illustration of reflected sound pat-
terns in Figure 2.)
Figure 2
Recommended speaker
locations
Left speakerRight speakerAcoustimass
module
CAUTION: Choose a stable and level surface for your speakers. Vibration can cause the
speakers to move, particularly on smooth surfaces like marble, glass, or highly polished
wood. For additional stability, you can add rubber feet to your speakers. You may obtain
rubber feet (part no. 178321) free of charge from Bose
®. Contact Bose Customer Service for
more information.
Note: If you put the speakers in a bookcase unit, be sure to place each one at the front
edge of the shelf. Placing speakers in an enclosed space can change the tonal quality of the
sound. This effect is minimized if the shelves are filled with books.
Note: The cube speakers are magnetically shielded so you can place them close to a
TV without affecting picture quality.
Setting Up 
						

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Select the locations for your speaker system (cont.)
Acoustimass® module location
Follow these guidelines to select a location for the Acoustimass module.
1. Place the module along the same wall as the speakers, if possible.
2. Select a convenient location – under a table, behind a sofa. Do not allow furniture or
drapes to block the ventilation openings of the module.
3. Place the module within reach of the audio input cable, speaker cables, and an AC power
(mains) outlet.
4. Select a position for the Acoustimass module (Figure 3). For proper ventilation, place it on
the long edge, with the connectors facing the floor. An alternate position is on its largest
side, with the bass and treble controls facing up. Do not place the module on either end,
as shown by the last two views in Figure 3.
Figure 3
Acoustimass module positions
5. Once you have selected a position for the module, place the four self-adhesive rubber feet
near the corners of the bottom surface. The rubber feet provide increased stability and
protection from scratches.
6. Aim the port (the round opening) into the room or along the wall to avoid blocking the port
or creating too much bass.
7. For best bass performance, do not place the port at equal distances from any two walls or
from a wall and the ceiling.
RIGHTRIGHTOUTPUTSOUTPUTSTOTOCUBECUBESPEAKERSSPEAKERSLEFTLEFTAUDIOAUDIOINPUTINPUTOFFOFFPOWERPOWERONON ®®
Treble
Bass
®
®®
Note: To avoid interference with the TV picture, place the Acoustimass module at least
18 inches (45 cm) from a TV.
CAUTION: Do not cover the ventilation openings of the Acoustimass module. The slots on
the end provide ventilation for the built-in electronic circuitry, and should not be blocked.
Preferred
positionAlternate position
Setting Up
          Before making connections, unplug your system
It is important that you unplug your Lifestyle® system or other music source before making
any connections.
Selecting the correct voltage
If you purchased a dual voltage product, please be sure that your speakers are set to the
correct voltage for your geographical area. Use the adapter plug provided when appropriate.
Figure 4
Voltage selector switch settings 
						

							 AM262838_00_V.pdf December 20, 2001 7
Connect the speakers and the Acoustimass® module
Connecting the Acoustimass 20 Jewel Cube® speakers to the
Acoustimass module
1. Insert the connector of each speaker cable fully into the jack on the rear of each speaker
(Figure 5). Match the ridge of the connector to the notch at the top of the jack.
2. Connect each 20-foot (6.1 m) cable to the corresponding left or right green jack on the
Acoustimass module. Speaker cables have green connectors at one end, with L (left) and
R (right) molded into the connectors.
To extend the length of speaker cable, you will need a 30-foot extension cable. To order this
part, please call Bose
® customer service (request PN 186445-1 black; PN 186445-2 white).
Or, splice in 18-gauge (.75 mm2) or thicker cord (connecting + to + and – to –). To purchase
extension wire, see your dealer, electronics store, or call Bose customer service.
Connecting the Acoustimass 5 cube speaker arrays to the
Acoustimass module
Each speaker cable contains two wires. The wire marked with a red collar is positive (+) and
the ribbed one is negative (–). These wires match the positive (red) and negative (black)
terminals on the back of each speaker. To extend the length of speaker cable, you will need a
30-foot extension cable. To purchase this cable see dealer, electronics store, or call Bose
customer service.  To order this part from Bose, please call Bose customer service (request
PN 186445-1 black; PN 186445-2 white). Or, splice in 18-gauge (.75 mm
2) or thicker cord
(connecting + to + and – to –).
1. Match the correct cable to the corresponding speaker location.
•Speaker cables have blue connectors at one end, with L and R molded into the
connectors.
•The red collars on the + wire are labeled LEFT and RIGHT.
2. Connect the wire end of one speaker cable to the terminals on the rear of the matching
cube speaker array.
a. Press the terminal tab on the back of the cube array to insert the marked wire into the
red terminal and the plain wire into the black terminal. Release the tab to secure the
wire.
b. Repeat this step for each of the cube speaker arrays (see Figure 6).
3. Connect each cable to the corresponding left or right blue jack on the Acoustimass
module.
Figure 6
Speaker cable connections to
the cube speaker array
CAUTION: Make sure no strands of wire from any terminal touch any other terminal. Bridged
wires create short circuits that affect proper operation of your system.
Figure 5
Speaker cable connections to
the Jewel Cube speaker array
Setting Up 
						

							8 December 20, 2001             AM262838_00_V.pdf
Which Lifestyle® system center do you own?
Identifying multi-room interface systems
Figure 7
Front and rear of the multi-room
interface and Personal® music
center
The multi-room interface allows you to connect up to four rooms or listening areas with
additional speakers. These systems are operated using a Personal music center. To connect
additional speakers to a multi-room interface, see “Connecting the Acoustimass
®
module to multi-room interface systems” on page 9.
Identifying systems with the Lifestyle® media center
OPTICAL OPTICAL
DIGITAL RLLLLL
RR R R
DIGITAL DIGITAL DIGITAL DIGITAL
INPUT OUTPUT
AUDIO OUTPUTS
AUDIO INPUTS ANTENNA
SPEAKER
ZONES 21VIDEO INPUTS POWER
TV
SENSOR
IR
EMITTER
SERIAL
DATAFM AMRECORD TAPE AUX VCR TVCOMPOSITE     S-VIDEO
VIDEO OUTPUTS COMPOSITE     S-VIDEO75
Ω
33V
DC1.1A
The Lifestyle® media center includes a single-disc DVD/CD player and two mini-DIN speaker
output jacks labeled ZONE 1 and ZONE 2 on the rear panel.  To connect additional speak-
ers to a Lifestyle
® media center, see “Connecting the Acoustimass module to the
Lifestyle® media center” on page 12.
Identifying systems with the Model 20 music center
Figure 9
Front and rear of the Model 20
music center
The Model  20 music center includes a six-disc CD player and two mini-DIN speaker output
jacks, labeled ZONE 1 and ZONE 2, on the rear panel. To connect additional speakers to a
Model 20 music center, see “Connecting the Acoustimass module to the Model 20
music center” on page 14.
Identifying systems with the Model 5 music center
Figure 10
Front and rear of the Model 5
music center
The Lifestyle® 5 music center includes a single-disc CD player and three RCA pairs of speaker
output jacks, labeled A, B, and FIXED, on the rear panel. To connect additional speakers to
a Model 5 music center, see “Connecting the Acoustimass module to the Model 5
music center” on page 15.
!
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Setting Up
!
Figure 8
Front and rear of the Lifestyle®
media center