Bose Lifestyle 12 system Sold from 1994 to May 1999 User Manual

							AM191409_01_V.pdf   December 20, 2001 19
VOLUMEOFFVIDEOTRACK/PRESETAUX
SKIP/ l l
TAPEPLAY/PAUSECD
AM/FM
SEEK/TUNEPRESETSTORE ERASE
SEEK/TUNE
The music center controls
Use the special keys on the music center to manually tune the radio and set station presets.
The CD cover latch opens the CD cover for loading and unloading a CD.
SEEK/TUNE 
< / > - Lowers or raises the frequency setting of the radio (stations).
PRESET STORE/ERASE - Adds or removes radio station presets.
The Lifestyle® remote control
For most types of home construction, your advanced radio-frequency remote control works
from anywhere in your home. Its radio wave signals pass through walls and floors to reach
the music center. To operate, simply press the desired key. You don’t need to aim the remote
at the music center.
Note: Some types of buildings create “dead spots” where the remote will not operate.
Simply move the remote a foot or two and try again. You can also move the music center a
few feet to a location with better remote response.
Special keys on the remote control select the speaker mode (2, 3, or 5 speakers), and adjust
the surround (rear) volume and the center speaker volume.
SPEAKER MODE - Selects SURROUND 
SURROUND (5-speaker), STEREO+CENTERSTEREO+CENTER(3-speaker), or STEREO STEREO (2-speaker) mode.
•When you press VIDEO, the system automatically selects SURROUND mode.
•For other sound sources (AM/FM, CD, AUX, TAPE), the system selects STEREO mode.
•Each time you change to another sound source, the system selects the factory-set
speaker mode for that source (SURROUND for VIDEO, STEREO for all others).
•While the system is playing, you can change to any other speaker mode (SURROUND,
STEREO+CENTER, STEREO).
SURROUND 
+ / –  - SURROUNDIn SURROUND mode, raises or lowers the volume of the
surround speakers. In STEREO+CENTER mode, raises or lowers the volume of
the center speaker.
•Each time you select SURROUND mode, the surround and center speaker volumes
return to the last settings used. Each time you select STEREO+CENTER mode, the
center speaker volume returns to the last setting used.
•To return to the factory-set SURROUND or STEREO+CENTER volume, hold the
SURROUND or STEREO+CENTER key for 10 seconds.
•While in STEREO (2-speaker) mode, pressing SURROUND 
+ selects SURROUND
(5-speaker) mode.
Operating Your Lifestyle® 12 System
Figure 19
The music center controls
Figure 20
The remote control
AUX VIDEO
TAPECD AM
FM
STOP PLAY/PAUSE
TRACK/PRESETSKIP
SEEK
MUTE AUTO
OFFSURROUND STEREOSTEREO+CENTER
SPEAKER MODE
VOLUMESURROUND
OFF
CD cover latch 
						

							20 December 20, 2001 AM191409_01_V.pdf
Operating Your Lifestyle® 12 System
Listening to your Lifestyle® 12 system
Your Lifestyle® 12 system offers the option of listening in 2, 3, or 5-speaker mode. The system
turns on in SURROUND (5-speaker) mode when VIDEO is selected and in STEREO (2-
speaker) mode for AM/FM, CD, TAPE, or AUX. You can change to the speaker mode that
sounds best to you for each particular program.
You can listen to any program material in SURROUND mode, whether the program is sur-
round-encoded, stereo, or monaural. You will not hear sound from all 5 speakers all of the
time. Even with surround-encoded material there are times when no sounds are directed to
the surround speakers. For most video material (mono, stereo, or surround), listening in 3 or
5-speaker mode helps anchor the dialogue to the picture while providing a fuller sound. See
additional discussion about selecting program material on page 4.
The system’s Videostage
® decoding technology directs the sound from surround-encoded
program material to the appropriate speakers to create the home theater effects. Monaural
program material is directed to the front speakers, primarily the center. For stereo material,
sounds encoded as left are directed to the left front, right to the right front, and both left and
right directed primarily to the center. Some sounds which are not specifically left or right may
also be directed to the surround speakers. Decide if the particular material sounds better to
you in 3 or 5-speaker mode.
Adjusting the volume
•Use the VOLUME  (up) or  (down) keys to raise or lower the volume.
•For SURROUND mode, use the SURROUND 
+ or –  keys to raise or lower the sound
level directed to the surround speakers.
•For STEREO+CENTER mode, use the SURROUND 
+ or –  keys to raise or lower the
sound level directed to the center speaker.
Turning the system off
•Press the OFF key on the remote or the console.
•To turn off your music system automatically after 15 minutes, press the AUTO OFF key on
the remote. Each additional press of AUTO OFF increases the time until shutoff by 15
minutes (up to 75 minutes). The display indicates AUTO OFF is set and flashes the amount
of time set.
Listening to video sound
Turning the video components on
Turn on the TV, VCR, laserdisc, DVD, or CDI player, or other video source. If you are viewing
video from a VCR, laserdisc, DVD, or CDI player, load a tape or disc.
Turning the system on and choosing video sound
Press the VIDEO key on the remote or the console to turn your music system on to play video
sound. The system turns on in SURROUND mode.
If your video component is connected to the music center AUX or TAPE jacks, press AUX or
TAPE to select the source. The system turns on in STEREO mode. Select SURROUND or
STEREO+CENTER mode, if desired.
Using enhanced bass for movie soundtracks
Pressing VIDEO turns the system on in enhanced bass mode, a bass level specially designed
for proper playback of movie soundtracks. Press VIDEO again to alternate between enhanced
bass for movies and standard bass for other listening.
Pressing AUX or TAPE turns the system on in standard bass mode. Press AUX or TAPE again
to alternate between standard bass for other listening and enhanced bass for movies.
Note: You may not hear a difference between enhanced and standard bass when listening
to movie soundtracks that do not have much very low bass content. 
						

							AM191409_01_V.pdf   December 20, 2001 21
Operating Your Lifestyle® 12 System
Listening to the radio
Turning the system on and choosing the radio
Press the AM/FM key on the remote or the console to turn your music system on to the most
recently heard AM or FM station. The system turns on in STEREO mode. Select another
speaker mode, if desired.
Note: f the system is on and the radio is already selected, this key switches between the AM
and FM bands.
Tuning
Seeking the strongest stations
•Press and release the SEEK  (forward) or  (reverse) key on the remote to seek and
stop at the next strong signal. If you hold these keys down, the radio continues to seek
without stopping at any station.
•Or, press SEEK/TUNE 
> or < (under the CD cover) on the music center.
•To stop seeking in one direction, briefly press the opposite direction key.
Switching between AM and FM
Press the AM/FM key to switch to the other band.
Manual tuning
If you want to tune the radio to a distant or weak station that the radio cannot seek, use the
SEEK/TUNE keys, located under the CD cover.
1. Hold down the 
> or < key to scan through the stations.
2. Release the 
> or < key to stop at a selected station.
3. As soon as the scan stops, tap the 
> or < key to tune one channel at a time.
Setting a station preset
Your Lifestyle® music center can store up to 20 AM and FM stations in any combination.
1. Select a radio station you wish to store as a preset.
2. Press the STORE key (located under the CD cover). The station is stored in the lowest
available preset location.
3. If you decide not to store the displayed station in the displayed preset location:
a. Press and hold the STORE key.
b. Press the SKIP 
 (forward) or  (reverse) key to select a different preset number for
this station.
c. Release the STORE key. The frequency of the preset station flashes.
Note: You cannot store a station in an already-occupied preset location without erasing that
preset station first (see “Erasing a preset station” below). If you attempt to store more than 20
stations, the preset display will flash ‘— —’.
Selecting a preset station
Once you set one or more station presets, press the SKIP  (forward) or  (reverse) key to
select the next or the previous preset station.
Erasing a preset station
1. Use the SKIP  (forward) or  (reverse) keys to select the preset station you wish to
erase.
2. Press the ERASE key (located under the CD cover). The preset number is no longer lit. 
						

							22 December 20, 2001 AM191409_01_V.pdf
Listening to a CD
Loading a CD into the music center
Press the latch on the CD cover, and place a CD onto the spindle, label-side up. Close the
CD cover.
Turning the system on and choosing the CD player
Press the CD key on the remote or the console. If the music system is already on, pressing
one of these keys selects the CD player and the CD indicator lights. The system turns on in
STEREO mode. Select another speaker mode, if desired.
If a CD has been loaded, it begins to play. If no CD is loaded, the No Disc O indicator lights.
Using the CD player
The following operations apply to keys on both the remote control and the music center,
except where noted:
•To play a stopped or paused CD, press 
 PLAY/PAUSE.
•To pause a CD, press 
.
•To stop a CD, hold the 
 key on the music center for two seconds, press the 
 STOP
key on the remote, or open the CD cover.
•To skip tracks, press SKIP
 (forward) to go to the next track or SKIP (reverse) to go to
the beginning of the current or previous track.
•To move through a track, on the remote control press SEEK
 (forward) to move forward
or SEEK
 (reverse) to move back, on the music center press and hold SKIPor
SKIP
.
•To play tracks in random order, (using the music center controls only) press the SKIP
and  keys simultaneously. To continue playing the tracks in their regular order, press
these keys again.
Using the system with an external component
Follow the instructions for connecting a component before proceeding. To begin, make sure
the component is turned on and a tape, CD, DVD, laserdisc, etc. is loaded.
Note: The Lifestyle® 12 system cannot turn a connected component on or off.
Turning the system on and selecting the component
Press the TAPE, AUX, or VIDEO key on either the remote or the console to turn the system on
and select the component connected to that input. If the system is already on, press one of
these keys to select the component. Pressing TAPE or AUX plays it in STEREO mode;
pressing VIDEO plays it in SURROUND mode. Choose another speaker mode, if desired.
The appropriate display indicator lights when the system is on and the component is se-
lected.
Using a tape deck, CD changer, or other connected component
Turn on your component directly or by using its remote control. Use the VOLUME  (up) or 
(down) key to raise or lower the volume. Control all other functions at the source, referring to
its owner’s manual if necessary. To record to a connected tape deck, play the source (AM/FM,
CD, AUX, VIDEO) you wish to tape. Set the tape unit to record.
Using headphones
For headphone listening, use the stereo mini headphones  jack on the left side of the music
center. While this jack accepts most headphone models, you can get an adapter at Bose®
dealers and most electronics stores, if needed. Connecting headphones automatically shuts
off speakers connected to the FIXED OUTPUTs and SPEAKERS A.
Operating Your Lifestyle® 12 System 
						

							AM191409_01_V.pdf   December 20, 2001 23
Maintaining Your Lifestyle® 12 System
Fine-tuning your system
In most situations, you only need to follow the speaker placement guidelines (see “Setting
Up” on pages 6-8) for your system to provide excellent sound quality.
You do not need to adjust tone settings for changes in volume, since Bose
® patented signal
processing technology provides a natural tonal balance over the full range of volume settings.
If desired, you can further fine-tune your system as described here.
Adjusting speaker controls
The Lifestyle® 12 system TREBLE and BASS controls are located on the Acoustimass®
module (Figure 21). They allow you to adjust the treble (high frequencies) and bass (low
frequencies). In the normal setting, the dots on each control are in the 12 o’clock position.
You can also locate the normal setting by feeling when the control settles into the notch at
this position. Turn the controls clockwise to increase, and counterclockwise to decrease, the
amount of treble or bass.
Compensating for room acoustics
The acoustics (sound qualities) of your room can affect the overall sound quality of any
speaker system. In general, you can reduce many problems with acoustics by the cautious
use of the TREBLE and BASS controls.
Too much or too little treble
Rooms with too few sound-absorbing furnishings, especially those with bare floors and walls,
may sound overly shrill or “bright.” Turning down the treble control (toward –)
decreases treble sound.
Rooms with a lot of sound-absorbing furnishings, such as upholstered furniture, wall-to-wall
carpet, or heavy drapes, may reduce the treble sound of your system. Moving speakers
further away from soft furnishings increases treble. You can increase treble sound by slightly
turning up the treble control (toward +).
Too much or too little bass
You can decrease bass sound by turning down the bass control (toward –). To increase bass,
turn up the bass control (toward +).
Acoustimass module placement affects the amount of bass you hear. Placing the module
closer to the corner of the room increases bass. Moving the module away from the corner
decreases bass.
Compensating for movie soundtracks
When a movie soundtrack is played in a motion picture theater, its bass is restored to the full
level intended by the movie’s sound designer. To perform the same way in your home, your
Lifestyle
® 12 system restores the bass to this level when you select VIDEO. In VIDEO, AUX, or
TAPE mode, you can choose between standard and enhanced bass.
In VIDEO mode, the system turns on enhanced bass for movies. Press VIDEO again to
change to standard bass.
In AUX or TAPE mode, the system turns on in standard bass. Press AUX or TAPE again to
change to enhanced bass for movies.
Figure 21
Bass and treble controls
®
Treble
Bass 
						

							24 December 20, 2001 AM191409_01_V.pdf
Maintaining Your Lifestyle® 12 System
Changing the house code settings
Each Lifestyle® remote control uses a system of matching house codes to communicate with
its corresponding music center. If your remote’s commands ever conflict with those of
another nearby Lifestyle
® system, you can easily set a new house code for your system and
its remote control(s) by following the procedures below.
1. Open the remote control battery cover.
2. Locate the miniature switches (Figure 22). Change the position of switch 2, 3, or 4 by
moving it in the opposite direction from its current setting.
Note: Do not change any other switches at this time.
3. Replace the battery cover on the remote control.
4. Press the OFF key on the console.
5. Open the CD cover.
6. Press the STORE key. The display will begin to flash ‘— —’.
7. Within two seconds while the display is flashing, press any key on the remote control.
The display stops flashing and momentarily shows ‘— —’ to confirm recognition of the
house code. The system will remain off.
8. If you have additional remote controls, open the battery cover of each one and change the
switches to match those of the first remote control. It is not necessary to repeat steps 4–7.
Figure 22
Miniature switches for setting
house codes and speakers
234
ON
5678
K40
l
House code switches 
						

							AM191409_01_V.pdf   December 20, 2001 25
Adding speakers
Your Lifestyle® 12 system provides high quality audio for a single listening area. However, your
music center also provides connections (SPEAKERS A or SPEAKERS B) for adding a pair of
powered speakers in a second room. In the second room, you can listen to the sound source
that is playing in the main room.
You can purchase an additional remote control to keep in the second room.
Keep the following considerations in mind if you choose to connect secondary speakers.
Using speakers connected to the B outputs:
•You must use a second remote control, set to B (see instructions below), to turn on the
B speakers.
•Adjusting volume with this second remote adjusts volume for only the B speakers.
•Using the mute key on the second remote mutes or unmutes the second room speak-
ers.
Using speakers connected to the A outputs:
•The music center controls operate speakers connected to FIXED and A outputs.
•Adjusting volume from the music center control panel or with the remote control that
came with the system adjusts volume for speakers connected to FIXED and A outputs.
•Using the mute key on the main remote mutes or unmutes speakers connected to
FIXED and A outputs.
Setting a second remote for additional speakers
You need a second remote control, set to B, to operate speakers connected to the
SPEAKERS B outputs. When you purchase a second remote control, it is shipped set to A, to
control your main speakers. It will also control secondary speakers connected to
SPEAKERS A.
To set your second remote to control speakers connected to B, follow these steps:
1. Open the remote control battery cover.
2. Locate miniature switch 5. Slide the switch down (Figure 23).
3. Locate miniature switch 6. Slide the switch up (Figure 23).
4. Make sure that the house code switches match those on your first remote (see page 20).
5. Replace the battery cover on the remote control.
Note: Switches 7 and 8 are not for current system use.
Figure 23
Speaker code switch settings
Maintaining Your Lifestyle® 12 System
Set to SPEAKERS A Set to SPEAKERS B
234l
ON
5678
K40
234l
ON
5678
K40 
						

							26 December 20, 2001 AM191409_01_V.pdf
Maintaining Your Lifestyle® 12 System
Troubleshooting
Problem What to do
System does not• Make sure the power connector is plugged securely into the music center, the Acoustimass®
function at all module power cord is plugged securely into the module, and the power pack and power
cord are plugged into operating AC wall outlets.
•Be sure to select a source (CD, AM/FM, etc.).
•Unplug the music center power pack for a minute, then reconnect it. This allows the unit to
reset itself after a power surge or power interruption.
No sound• Make sure the audio input cable is connected to the music center FIXED outputs, the black
connector is fully seated in the music center SYSTEM CONTROL 1 jack, and the multi-pin
connector is firmly seated in the Acoustimass module jack.
• Turn the music center off for ten seconds, then on again, to reestablish communication
between the music center and the speakers.
• Check the connections for any external components. Make sure to  select the correct
source for the desired input.
• Check the speaker connections.
• Be sure the CD is placed correctly, label-side up, in the music center, and the cover is
closed.
• Increase the volume.
•Check to see if MUTE is lit in the display. Press the MUTE button on the remote to unmute
the sound.
• Disconnect any headphones.
• Connect the FM and AM antennas.
No sound from•Make sure that the center cube cable is connected at both ends.
center speaker•Select STEREO+CENTER (3-speaker) or SURROUND (5-speaker) mode.
Too much sound•In STEREO+CENTER mode, press SURROUND –, to decrease center speaker volume.
from center speaker•Press and hold the STEREO+CENTER (3-speaker) mode key for 10 seconds to restore the
factory preset center volume setting.
No sound from•Select SURROUND (5-speaker) mode.
surround speakers•Press SURROUND 
+.
•Make sure the video sound source is stereo and surround-encoded, and the component
used (TV, VCR, DVD or laserdisc player) is stereo.
Surround speakers•In SURROUND mode, press SURROUND –.
are too loud•Make sure that the left and right front speakers are connected to the front speaker jacks
and the left and right surround speakers are connected to the surround speaker jacks.
•Press and hold the SURROUND (5-speaker) mode key for 10 seconds to restore the factory
preset surround volume setting.
Remote control• Check batteries and their polarity (+ and –).
is inconsistent• Operate the remote control closer to the music center.
or does not work• Make sure the remote control house code matches the music center code. Follow steps 4-7
on page 24 to match the house code settings.
Unit turns on• Change the house code setting to prevent signals from conflicting with another nearby
and off by itself, Lifestyle® system. See page 24 for instructions on setting the house code.
or acts erratically 
						

							AM191409_01_V.pdf   December 20, 2001 27
Maintaining Your Lifestyle® 12 System
Problem What to do
CD does not play•Make sure the music center CD cover is closed.
•Check to see if the play symbol 
  in the display is lit.
•After pressing the CD key, wait a few seconds before pressing PLAY.
•Check to see if there is a disc in the player, label-side up.
•The disc may be damaged. Try another disc.
•There may be dirt or dust on the laser pickup or on the CD. Clean the CD. Do not touch the
laser pickup.
•The music center cannot play a DVD disc.
Radio does not work• Make sure antennas are connected properly.
• Adjust antenna position to improve reception.
• You may be in an area of weak signal coverage.
FM sound is distorted• Adjust antenna position to reduce interference.
Sound is distorted• Make sure speaker cables are not damaged and the connections are secure.
•Reduce the output level from any external components connected to the music center.
Volume control is•Check to be sure the audio input cable is connected to the music center FIXED OUTPUTs,
too sensitive not to SPEAKERS A or B.
No tape, CD, VCR,•Check the connections.
or TV sound•Refer to the component owner’s manual.
Warranty period
The Bose® Lifestyle® 12 system is covered by a limited 1-year transferable warranty. Details of
the warranty are provided on the warranty card that came with your system. Please fill out the
information section on the card and mail it to Bose.
Customer service
For additional help in solving problems, contact Bose customer service. See the inside back
cover for Bose customer service offices and phone numbers. 
						

							28 December 20, 2001 AM191409_01_V.pdf
Maintaining Your Lifestyle® 12 System
Cleaning the Lifestyle® 12 system
The only maintenance needed is cleaning the system and replacing batteries for the remote
control.
For information on replacing the remote control batteries, see “Install the batteries” on page 17.
Cleaning the music center
Use only a soft cloth to clean the outside of the Lifestyle® music center.
Do not use any solvents, chemicals, or cleaning solutions containing alcohol, ammonia, or
abrasives. Do not allow liquids to spill into any openings. Do not use any sprays near the
system.
Cleaning the CD player lens
Clean the CD player lens carefully, and only if necessary. If the lens is dusty, blow the dust
away using a cold blower or camera lens brush. To remove fingerprints from the lens, wipe it
gently with a lens tissue moistened with lens cleaning solution. Make sure no solution enters
the unit; it may cause damage.
Note: Do not apply excessive pressure on the lens, which could be damaged.
Cleaning the speakers and Acoustimass® module
Clean the surface of your speakers with a soft damp cloth. Do not use any sprays near the
system. Do not use any solvents, chemicals, or cleaning solutions containing alcohol, ammo-
nia, or abrasives. Do not allow liquids to spill into any openings.
The speaker grille panels require no special care, although you may vacuum them carefully
with a soft-bristled attachment, if necessary.
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, turn it off and contact Bose®
customer service.