Bose Lifestyle 50 Owners Guide

							The Bose® Lifestyle® 50 System
Owner’s Guide
October 17, 2001
AM189854_05_V.pdf
 
						

							2 October 17, 2001 AM189854_05_V.pdf
Safety Information
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the system to rain or
moisture.
These CAUTION marks may be located on the bottoms of your Lifestyle® Personal® music
center, Acoustimass® module, multi-room interface, and CD changer:
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.
CAUTION: To prevent electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, insert fully.
Class 1 laser product
This compact disc player is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER PROD-
UCT. The CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT label is located on the bottom
of the unit.
CAUTION: Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those
specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure. The compact disc player should
not be adjusted or repaired by anyone except properly qualified service personnel.
Class B emissions limits
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing
Equipment Regulations.
Batteries
Please dispose of used batteries properly, following any local regulations. Do not incinerate.
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 system properly, and enjoy all of its advanced features. Save your owner’s guide for
future reference.
Product manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories, Inc.  “Dolby” and the double-D symbol are trade-
marks of Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
KLASSE 1 LASER PRODUKT
LUOKAN 1 LASER LAITEKLASS 1 LASER APPARAT
AVIS
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
AFIN DE PRÉVENIR UN CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE NE PAS ENLEVER
LE COUVERCLE ARRIÈRE. IL NE SE TROUVE À L’INTÉRIEUR
AUCUNE PIÈCE POUVANT ÊTRE RÉPARÉE PAR
L’USAGER. S’ADRESSER À UN RÉPARATEUR COMPÉTENT.
CAUTION
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.
 
						

							       AM189854_05_V.pdf October 17, 2001                                                                                                                             2 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
      2b October 17, 2001               AM189854_05_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
 
						

							        AM189854_05_V.pdf October 17, 2001 3
Contents
For your records
Serial numbers are located on the bottom panels of the Personal music center, multi-room
interface, CD changer, and the Acoustimass® module.
Personal music center serial number: _____________________________________________
Multi-room interface serial number: _______________________________________________
CD changer serial number: ______________________________________________________
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 ............................................................................................................................. 4
Before you begin ............................................................................................................. 4
Unpacking the carton .................................................................................................... 5
Selecting the locations for your Lifestyle
® 50 system .................................................... 6
Connecting your system ................................................................................................. 9
Connecting your home theater components to the Lifestyle
® 50 system .................... 12
Connecting other external components ....................................................................... 15
Connecting the antennas .............................................................................................. 16
Connecting power to your system ................................................................................ 17
Setting up the Personal™ music center ....................................................................... 17
Operating Your Lifestyle
® 50 System .................................................................................. 18
Turning on the system .................................................................................................. 18
Using the Personal™ music center display .................................................................. 20
Listening to the system ................................................................................................. 22
Listening to digital sound .............................................................................................. 24
Operating the special features ...................................................................................... 25
Listening to the radio .................................................................................................... 26
Listening to compact discs ........................................................................................... 29
Using the system with external components ................................................................ 35
Fine-tuning your system ............................................................................................... 36
Operating a Multi-Room Lifestyle
® 50 System .................................................................... 40
Connecting additional rooms ........................................................................................ 40
Operating in more than one room ................................................................................. 41
Using more than one Personal™ music center ............................................................ 43
Maintaining Your Lifestyle® 50 System ............................................................................... 44
Finding a misplaced Personal™ music center ............................................................. 44
Replacing batteries ....................................................................................................... 44
Cleaning the system ..................................................................................................... 45
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................ 46
Warranty period ............................................................................................................ 47
Customer Service ......................................................................................................... 47
Product Information .............................................................................................................48
Technical information .................................................................................................... 48
Accessories ................................................................................................................... 48
Index .................................................................................................................................... 49
Bose
® Corporation ..................................................................................... Inside back cover
Español Français
 
						

							4 October 17, 2001                  AM189854_05_V.PDF
Before you begin
Thank you for purchasing the Bose® Lifestyle® 50 system. Years of research lie behind this
complete audio home entertainment system – the most advanced home theater system from
Bose. Technological innovations that make the Lifestyle
® 50 system unique include the Bose
Personal™ music center, which places all system operations in the palm of your hand, and
tiny Jewel Cube
® speakers.
The interactive Personal music center is a clear departure from convention, communicating
with the system through a two-way radio data link. The result for you is full control of this
entertainment system as you move about your home.
The Bose Jewel Cube speakers are also far from conventional. Proprietary technologies
ensure that these tiny speakers not only fill a room with sound, but also reproduce it more
accurately than traditionally designed loudspeakers.
The other elements of the Lifestyle
® 50 system are designed to be hidden from view:
•The elegant Lifestyle® CD changer, designed to give you flexibility in where it is placed
•The hideaway powered Acoustimass® module that delivers the rich, full, lifelike bass
•The Bose multi-room interface, with four independent audio outputs that allow you to
enjoy Bose sound throughout your home.
Realism and impact
Your Lifestyle® 50 system is equipped with an all new Videostage® decoder that uses digital
signal processing. The result is increased surround sound realism and impact both for movie
soundtracks and music recordings. The Videostage decoder processes analog formats, as
well as two or even single-channel PCM and Dolby Digital bitstreams, and helps to deliver the
acoustic experience of the movies right in your home.
Compatibility
Your system is fully compatible with:
•Digital-audio bitstreams. Look for the symbol  1  or the terms Dolby Digital or
PCM on DVD-Video disks. Your Lifestyle
® 50 system cannot process MPEG-2 or DTS
digital bitstreams.
•Surround-sound sources such as VCRs, stereo TVs, cable boxes and satellite
receivers. Videostage decoding directs stereo information to the surround channels, so
the sound of stereo broadcasts and rented or recorded tapes can approach that of
your DVD disks.
•Surround-encoded analog or digital audio signals. Look for the terms Surround or
Dolby Surround, or the symbol  3  on tapes and discs, and the word “sur-
round” preceding a TV broadcast.
•Stereo program material from TV, FM, CD and cassette. Videostage decoding
delivers five channels, even when the original source contained only one or two.
•Monoaural program material. Videostage decoding can process a one-channel
program into five-channel sound and direct the result to five independent speakers.
Dialogue remains locked on-screen, while music and ambient effects fill the room.
Automatic sound level monitoring and control
Your enjoyment of movies is enhanced by Digital Dynamic Range® compression. This technol-
ogy automatically monitors and adjusts the volume to let you to hear soft sounds, particularly
dialogue, but prevents you from being overwhelmed by loud special effects. This is especially
useful for late night viewing – it eliminates the need to constantly adjust the volume.
Setting Up
 
						

							          AM189854_05_V.PDF October 17, 2001 5
®
THE BOSELIFESTYLEMUSIC SYSTEM CD
6
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5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
*Power cord and pack shown above are USA/Canada/Japan versions.
Dual voltage systems include 1 power cord, 1 adapter 
, and 2 power packs.
The power cords and packs for Europe, UK/Singapore, and Australia are shown below.
UK/Singapore
EuropeAustralia
Unpacking the carton
Carefully unpack your system. Save all packing materials for possible future use. The original
packing materials provide the safest way to transport your Lifestyle® 50 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 Lifestyle
® 50 system contains the parts identified in Figure 1.
Note: Find the serial numbers on the bottom panels of the Personal™ music center, multi-
room interface, CD changer, and Acoustimass® module. Then write them on your warranty
card and in the spaces provided on page 3.
CAUTION: Be sure the three shipping screws on the bottom of the CD changer have been
removed before setting up the system.
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.
Figure 1
What comes with your
Lifestyle® 50 system:
•Personal music center
•CD changer
•Multi-room interface
•Interface power pack*
•5 Jewel Cube
® speakers
•5 speaker cables
•Acoustimass module
•AC power (mains) cord*
•14 self-adhesive rubber feet
(4 for the module and 5 pairs for
the Jewel Cube speakers)
•Audio input cable
•CD changer cable
•Stereo cable
•4 AAA batteries
•FM antenna
•AM loop antenna
•AM antenna base
•CD magazine
•Lifestyle
® system CD
•Test CDAM loop antenna Antenna
base AC power cordCD changer
Interface power pack
CD magazineAAA
batteries
(4)
Test CDStereo cableMulti-room
interface
Rubber feet
(5 pairs)
Front speaker cables (blue connectors)Rubber feet (4)
Surround speaker cables (orange connectors) Jewel Cube
speakersAcoustimass module
Audio input cable
FM antenna Personal™ Music Center
CD changer cable
Lifestyle
® system CD
Setting Up
 
						

							6 October 17, 2001                  AM189854_05_V.PDF
Setting Up
Selecting the locations for your Lifestyle® 50 system
When you place your speakers according to the guidelines below, a combination of reflected
and direct sound provides the audio atmosphere of a home theater. You may experiment with
the placement and orientation of the Jewel Cube
® speakers and Acoustimass® module to
produce the sound most pleasing to you. For more discussion of speaker placement and
room acoustics, see “Fine-tuning your system” on page 36.
Jewel Cube speakers
Follow these guidelines to select locations that provide the maximum home theater effect
from your Lifestyle® 50 system (Figures 2 and 3).
CAUTION: Choose a stable and level surface for your Jewel Cube speakers. Vibration can
cause the speakers to move, particularly on very smooth surfaces. For stability, peel off the
backing from the two identical rubber feet and center them in the matching shapes on the
bottom of each speaker.
Left and right front speakers
The sound from the left and right front speakers should seem to appear at the edge of the
picture, so that the acoustic image is close to the size of the visual image (Figure 2). The front
speaker cables allow up to 20 feet (6.1 m) from the Acoustimass module.
1. Place the left and right front speakers so that they line up with the center of the TV screen.
2. Place them up to 3 feet (1 m) from the edge of the TV screen.
We recommend the 3-foot (1 m) maximum distance so that the sound does not become
too separated from the picture. You may wish to vary this distance based on room condi-
tions and personal preference.
3. Direct one cube of each speaker forward. Direct the other cube toward the wall or in a
different direction to create reflected sound. See the illustration of suggested reflected
sound patterns in Figure 3.
Note: The Jewel Cube speakers are magnetically shielded so you can place them close to
the TV without affecting picture quality.
Figure 2
Recommended front speaker
locations
Left front
Right front Center
®
 
						

							          AM189854_05_V.PDF October 17, 2001 7
Figure 3
Speaker placement
Setting Up
Center speaker
The sound from the center speaker should appear to come directly from the center of the
picture (Figure 2). The center speaker cable allows up to 20 feet (6.1 m) from the Acoustimass
module.
Note: Do not place the speaker on its side, as this diminishes performance by blocking the
Jewel Cube ports.
1. Place the center speaker directly above or below the center of the TV screen, or at the
closest convenient location.
2. Align the speaker with the front of the TV screen (not pushed to the back of the TV).
3. Direct each cube speaker slightly away from center, to create a wider area of direct sound
(Figure 3).
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.
Surround speakers
The surround (rear) speakers create an area of sound around the listener. Place them in the
back half of your room. The surround cables allow up to 50 feet (15.2 m) from the
Acoustimass module.
1. Place the speakers at ear height or higher, if possible.
2. Adjust the rear surround speakers to direct the sound to the front and back of the listener
(Figure 3).
Center Left
frontAcoustimass®
module
Right
surround Left
surroundRight
front
 
						

							8 October 17, 2001                  AM189854_05_V.PDF
®
Treble
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Setting Up
Acoustimass® module
Follow these guidelines to select a location for the Acoustimass module.
Note: To avoid interference with the TV picture, place the Acoustimass module at least
18 inches (45 cm) from the TV.
1. Place the Acoustimass module along the same the wall or close to the same end of the
room as the Jewel Cube® speakers (see the example along the front wall in Figure 3).
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 Acoustimass 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 4). 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 4.
Figure 4
Acoustimass module positions
Preferred
positionAlternate position
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.
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.
CAUTION: The magnetic field from the Acoustimass module is not an immediate risk to
your video tapes, audio tapes, and other magnetic media. However, you should not store
tapes directly on or near the Acoustimass module.
Multi-room interface
Select a location for the multi-room interface. It may be placed out of sight if you like.
1. Place the multi-room interface within 30 feet (9.1 m) of the Acoustimass module (the
length of the audio input cable).
2. Place the multi-room interface close enough to the sound sources (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.) to
allow for cable length. If you need additional audio and/or video cables to connect all of
your components, see your dealer or call Bose
® Customer Service.
CD changer
Select a convenient location for the CD changer.
1. Place the CD changer on a level surface. Allow enough room to lift the door.
2. Place the CD changer close enough to the multi-room interface to allow for cable length
of 6 feet (2 m).
®®
Figure 5
The multi-room interface
Figure 6
The CD changer
®