Bose Acoustimass 6 Series II home theatre speaker system Sold from 2000 to 2006 User Manual

							The Bose® Acoustimass® 6 Series II Speaker System
Owner’s Guide
October 29, 2001
AM252172_02_V.pdf 
						

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Safety Information
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:Acoustimass
® 6
Home Theater Speaker System
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
5 June 1999
Bose B.V., Nijverheidstraat 8 Nic Merks
1135 GE Edam, Vice President, Bose Europe
The Netherlands Manufacturer’s authorized EU representative
Thank You
We appreciate your choice of the Bose® Acoustimass® 6 home theater speaker system. With
these Virtually Invisible® speakers you’ll surround yourself with realistic sound, without a lot of
equipment. Your system features next generation Acoustimass cube speakers, a product of
the continuous research and development at Bose Corporation. These cube speakers deliver
more lifelike sound and better overall performance than their predecessors.
Please Read This Owner’s Guide
The setup and operation of your Acoustimass 6 home theater speaker system is significantly
different from other speakers. Please take the time to read this owner’s guide carefully. It will
help you set up and operate your system properly and enjoy all of its features. Save your
owner’s guide for future reference. 
						

							AM252172_02_V.pdf October 29, 2001 3
English
Contents
For your records
Serial numbers are located on the connection panel of the Acoustimass module.
Serial number: _________________________________________________________________
Dealer name: __________________________________________________________________
Dealer phone: _______________________ Purchase date: ___________________________
We suggest you keep your sales slip and warranty card together with this owner’s guide.
Where to find …
Setting Up Your Acoustimass® 6 Speaker System ................................................................... 4
Before you begin ................................................................................................................. 4
Unpacking the system ........................................................................................................ 5
Placing your Acoustimass 6 speakers to achieve realistic home theater sound ............... 6
Selecting locations for your speakers ................................................................................. 7
Connecting the speakers .................................................................................................... 9
Checking your connections .............................................................................................. 12
Attaching the module end cover ....................................................................................... 13
Operating Your Acoustimass 6 Speaker System .................................................................... 14
Listening to realistic home theater sound ......................................................................... 14
Using your Dolby Pro-Logic receiver ................................................................................ 14
Using your Dolby Digital (AC-3) receiver ........................................................................... 15
Maintaining Your Acoustimass 6 Speaker System ................................................................. 16
Cleaning your speakers .................................................................................................... 16
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................16
Warranty period ................................................................................................................17
Customer Service ............................................................................................................. 17
Product Information ................................................................................................................ 18
Technical Information ........................................................................................................ 18
Accessories ....................................................................................................................... 18
Bose
® Corporation ......................................................................................... Inside back cover
DanskEspañol Français Italiano 
						

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Before you begin
Bose® Virtually Invisible® speaker technology allows you to enjoy lifelike home performances
from the very latest surround sound encoded movies, CDs, and television shows, without a
room full of speakers.
Your video sound source (stereo VCR, laserdisc or digital video player, or stereo television)
sends the encoded program material to the surround sound receiver, which interprets it by
distributing various sounds to particular speakers. Although the sound mix varies with
different types of programs, dialogue is usually sent to the center speaker while sounds from
the left or right side of the picture go to the left or right front speakers. Ambient sounds and
special effects are directed to one or both of the surround (rear) speakers. The unique, easy-
to-hide Acoustimass
® module delivers bass for all channels. At any point in a surround sound
performance, you may hear sound from all or just a few of the speakers, but the overall
experience puts you in the center of the action.
To select surround-encoded program material, look for any of the terms Surround, Dolby*
Surround, Dolby Pro-Logic and the double-D symbol  
3 * on tapes and discs, and
the word “surround” preceding a TV broadcast. Your Acoustimass 6 home theater speakers
are also compatible with Dolby Digital (AC-3)* receivers and program material. (Instructions
on using your surround or digital receiver with the Acoustimass 6 speaker system are pro-
vided on pages 14 and 15.)
You can also enjoy a wide variety of stereo programming that is not surround-encoded with
your Acoustimass 6 speakers. Simply adjust your receiver as described on page 14.
Setting Up Your Acoustimass® 6 Speaker System
* Dolby, Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro-Logic, Dolby Digital (AC-3), and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories Licensing Corporation. 
						

							AM252172_02_V.pdf October 29, 2001 5
EnglishUnpacking the system
WARNING: The Acoustimass® module weighs 19 pounds (8.6 kg).  Use good lifting practice
to avoid injury. To avoid danger of suffocation, keep the plastic bags that wrap these speak-
ers out of the reach of children.
Unpack the system carefully:
1. Remove any staples from the opened carton flaps.
2. Lift out the two brown inner cartons.
3. Remove the five cube speakers from their packaging.
4. Remove the Acoustimass module end cover from its packaging.
5. Gently roll the carton over onto its side and then onto its opening.
6. Carefully lift the carton from around the Acoustimass module and packing cushions.
7. Do not detach the removable cables connected to the Acoustimass module.
8. If the speakers or the Acoustimass module appear damaged, do not use them. Repack
everything in the original carton and contact your authorized Bose
® dealer immediately.
Note: Now is a good time to record the serial number of these speakers on page 3 of this
guide and on your warranty card. It is a good idea to save all packing materials for possible
future use.
Figure 1
What comes in the carton
Setting Up Your Acoustimass® 6 Speaker System
Acoustimass module
Module end
cover Five (5) cube
speakersSystem input cable (20’ [6 m])
Front speakers cable (20’ [6 m])
Surround speakers cable (50’ [15 m])
Eight (8) protective
rubber feet
Owner’s guide Quick set up guide 
						

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Placing your Acoustimass® 6 speakers to achieve realistic home theater
sound
The center speaker localizes action and dialogue on your screen. Sound from the center
speaker should seem to come from within the picture.
The left and right front speakers create a sound image wider than the screen that seems
natural to viewers sitting anywhere in the room.
The surround speakers add subtle sounds and special effects that expand the visual image,
bringing the viewer into the center of the action. The surround speakers should be positioned
to allow the sound to reach the viewer from both sides, rather than from directly behind.
You can place the front and center speakers near a TV screen with no picture interference,
because all of the cube speakers are magnetically shielded.
The Acoustimass module is not magnetically shielded and should be at least 2 feet (60 cm)
from your screen, but at the same end of the room as the front and center speakers. Bose
®
Acoustimass speaker technology takes advantage of the fact that the source of bass sound
is difficult to locate, so you can hide the Acoustimass module conveniently out of sight.
Placing it near a corner increases bass output from the module.
A suggested home theater layout that conforms to the guidelines described above is shown
in Figure 2.
You may choose to place the speakers differently, to take advantage of the sound character-
istics of different rooms. For instance, where walls are absent or the room is large, you may
prefer not to angle the left and right speakers as shown. You can experiment to find the best
position.
Your speakers come with sufficient cable lengths to allow you to have the following distances
between components:
•Up to 20 feet (6 m) between the Acoustimass module and the receiver.
•Up to 20 feet (6 m) between the Acoustimass module and the front and center cube
speakers.
•Up to 50 feet (15 m) between the Acoustimass module and the surround speakers.
Figure 2
Speaker placement
Setting Up Your Acoustimass® 6 Speaker System 
						

							AM252172_02_V.pdf October 29, 2001 7
EnglishSelecting locations for your speakers
The lengths of cable supplied with your Acoustimass® 6 system provide a great deal of
flexibility in speaker placement. Optional Bose® extension cable, add-on connectors, wall
brackets, and floor stands can add to your choices. See “Accessories” on page 17.
Left and right front cube speakers
There are several ways to achieve an accurate left and right sound image (Figure 3).
•Place the front speakers on either side of your TV, at least 6 feet (2 m), or as much as 15
feet (5 m) apart.
•Place them in line with the horizontal center of the screen for the best sound balance
(position 1). Placing them in a line above the top of the TV is another choice (position 2).
•Aim the speakers inward for more accurate imaging or outward for a more spacious effect.
Adjust them according to your preference.
•The speaker on the left as you face the TV connects to the left (L) OUTPUTS jack on the
Acoustimass module.
Figure 3
Suggested choices for left and
right front speaker placement
Setting Up Your Acoustimass® 6 Speaker System
11
22
CAUTION: Choose a stable and level surface for your speakers. Vibration can cause the
cube speakers to move, particularly on smooth surfaces like marble, glass, or highly polished
wood. If you are placing the center speaker on top of the television, use the smaller of the two
sets of rubber feet provided. You may obtain additional rubber feet (part no. 178321), free of
charge, by contacting Bose
 Customer Service (see listings on the inside back cover).
Center cube speaker
Sound from the center speaker should seem to come from within the picture. Figure 4 shows
suggested positions for the center speaker.
•Place the center cube speaker above, below, or on top of your television. If below, be sure
that the cube speaker is not supporting the weight of the television in any way.
•Aim this speaker straight ahead for on-screen imaging.
•Keep it as close to the vertical center of the screen as possible, for the most accurate
dialogue reproduction (positions 1 or 2).
Figure 4
Suggested choices for center
speaker placement
1
2 
						

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Surround cube speakers
Left and right rear channel sound should reach the viewer from both sides, rather than from
directly behind (Figure 5).
•Put one on the left and the other on the right, beside or just to the rear of the home theater
seating area.
•Position them so they do not create a direct sound path to the listener’s ears (position 1).
•Generally aim them away from the viewers, toward the rear or side walls (position 2 or 3).
•If you want these speakers directly behind the seating area, make sure they are not
directed at the viewers.
•The rear speaker to your left as you face the TV connects to the left surround (LS) jack on
the Acoustimass
® module.
Figure 5
Suggested choices for surround
(rear) speaker placement
Acoustimass® module
Bose® recommends putting your Acoustimass module at the same end of the room as the
television. To prevent interference, keep the module at least 2 feet (60 cm) from the television.
•You may hide the Acoustimass module behind or under furniture, but do not block the
opening. Be sure there is at least 2 inches (5 cm) between the opening and any surface.
•Placing the module close to a corner increases the bass output. Moving it toward the
center of the wall reduces the output.
•If the opening faces the wall, it further increases the bass. If it faces away, it decreases the
bass. For the most bass response, place the opening 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) from a wall
or corner.
•Stand the module vertically or horizontally (Figure 6). Attach the large set of rubber feet to
the bottom surface. If you plan to stand the module on the cable connection end,
do not use the module end cover, but be sure to attach the large rubber feet to protect
the connections.
1
3
2
1
2
3
Setting Up Your Acoustimass® 6 Speaker System 
						

							AM252172_02_V.pdf October 29, 2001 9
EnglishFigure 6
Acoustimass® module positions
Setting Up Your Acoustimass® 6 Speaker System
Connecting the speakers
CAUTION: Before making any connections, turn off your receiver or amplifier and unplug it
from the outlet (AC power mains). 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 to your system.
The supplied cables make it easy for you to connect your system. The connections at the
Acoustimass module are already made for you. There are three sets of cables, joined together
to form ribbons, which may be separated or “unzipped” (Figure 7) as needed to comfortably
reach the speakers.
Figure 7
Separating cables 
						

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Separate the wire pairs as you lay out the cable lengths. You may want to keep unextended
lengths of cable joined, making them easier to hide. Refer to Figure 8 on for an overview of
the completed connections.
•Use the 20 foot (6 m) front speakers cable with three pairs of wires to connect the
Acoustimass module to the center, left front, and right front cube speakers.
•Use the 50 foot (15 m) surround speakers cable with two pairs of wires to connect the
Acoustimass module to the left and right surround cube speakers.
•Use the 20 foot (6 m) system input cable with five pairs of wires to connect the
Acoustimass module to the outputs on the receiver. Separate these wires just enough to
reach the connectors.
Note: If you have already installed cable behind walls or under floors, or believe you need to
splice the supplied cables for any other reason, inquire about the add-on connectors and
extension cable available from Bose
® Customer Service. Refer to page 17 for details on these
accessories. Bose Customer Service telephone numbers are listed on the inside back cover.
Figure 8
System Connections
Setting Up Your Acoustimass® 6 Speaker System
SURROUND SPEAKERSR CENTERFRONT SPEAKERSR
LL REAR
INPUTSLEFT CENTER RIGHT LEFT RIGHT
SURROUND SURROUND
FRONT SPEAKE
R
3+ RIGHT +3
TO CUBE SPEAKERSLCRLSRSOUTPUTS
FROM RECEIVER OR AMPLIFIERLCRLSRS
Front speakers
cable
System input
cable
Surround speakers cable